Best Happy Hour Restaurants in Loop (60606)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Beatrix - Loop
A polished all-day café where health-conscious plates and comfort favorites share the menu.
Notable Picks
8.6
Beatrix Loop is Lettuce Entertain You’s all-day Loop café where seasonal New American comfort meets lighter, vegetable-forward plates and a serious coffee program. Office regulars lean on it for reliable breakfast, power lunches, and pre-theater dinners that feel polished without being formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Enlightened Caesar, Straight 'A' Salad, Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich
What makes it special: A polished all-day café where health-conscious plates and comfort favorites share the menu.
8.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Porter Kitchen & Deck pairs New American classics and a deep whiskey list with some of the Loop’s best river views from both dining room and deck. It’s a go-to for client lunches, post-work cocktails, and group dinners that feel like an occasion without leaving the office corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Filet Sliders, Lobster Roll, Fried Chicken Sandwich
What makes it special: Riverfront New American cooking with a whiskey-forward bar and a true deck overlooking the skyline.
#3
Bar Mar
8.4
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Happy Hour Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Business Lunch Power Players
Bar Mar is José Andrés’ seafood-centric restaurant on the ground floor of the Bank of America Tower, built around oysters, ceviches, and luxed-up classics like lobster rolls. Office crowds and destination diners use it for lively dinners, cocktails, and pre-theater seafood in a bright, nautical room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Roll, Hamachi Cones, Sea Scallops
What makes it special: High-energy José Andrés seafood bar with modern takes on classics.
#4
Franklin Tap
8.2
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
A Loop tavern built for after-work volume: big beer list, fast bar rhythm, and burgers that hold up when the room gets loud. The best happy-hour strategy is simple—split a couple starters, go bison-burger for the main, and let the bartenders keep the pace moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish & chips (fries), Steak sandwich with fries, Buffalo cauliflower
What makes it special: No-fuss bar food where fries stay a steady side option.
8.0
South Branch Tavern & Grille is a big, riverfront New American tavern built for Loop office crowds, with a sprawling patio, long beer list, and a menu that runs from burgers and tacos to big salads. It anchors after-work drinks, corporate lunches, and game-day gatherings when you want something livelier than a white-tablecloth steakhouse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bang Bang Shrimp, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Cowboy Salad
What makes it special: A large-format riverfront tavern where New American comfort food, TVs, and a big patio all collide in one space.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Rivers is a long-running Loop institution where corporate power lunches and receptions play out over classic American plates and a covered patio directly on the river. The food leans familiar—think salads, seafood, and steaks—while the setting and event infrastructure make it a default choice for downtown entertaining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Coconut Shrimp, Rivers Classic Caesar Salad, Florida Coastal Grouper
What makes it special: A veteran Loop riverfront venue designed as much for events and client lunches as for individual meals.
7.7
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
A modern American room with a convenient Wacker address, solid for a structured happy hour when you want drinks plus a real plate. It lands best when you keep the order classic—burger or fish-and-chips, one vegetable side—then let the bar handle the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black n’ Blue Burger, Classic Fish & Chips, Charred Brussels Sprouts
What makes it special: A convenient Wacker-area bar where classic mains pair cleanly with after-work drinks.
#8
Depot 226
7.6
A hotel-lobby bistro and bar that’s surprisingly useful for happy hour when you want a lower-drama scene near the commuter corridor. Think quick bites, simple cocktails, and an easy in-and-out rhythm—best when you treat it as a casual reset, not a destination dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast sandwich, Pastry + coffee combo, House cocktail (ask what’s featured)
What makes it special: A lobby bar-cafe that’s genuinely useful all day.