If you visit Chicago for work or pleasure, or you’ve just got to escape the Windy City for a bit, you’ll most likely have to pass through the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The bad news is, O’Hare is notorious for delays. But the good news is there are a few key places to go to in each terminal to drink away the wasted time, and maybe even get in one last deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dog.
Here are the best places to have a drink in each terminal of the Chicago O’Hare airport.
Terminal 1
Beaudevin Wine Bar: Don’t let a lack of tables fool you; this is a serious wine bar (and not just for an airport). Beaudevin opened in 2012 and has more than 20 wines available by the glass, in addition to a list of small plates, sandwiches, and salads.
Billy Goat Tavern and Grill: You’re not going to get a unique drink here — think macro lager. But this place is perfect for what it’s good at: breakfast, hot dogs, burgers, and ice-cold beers.
Galileo’s Bar & Grill: Tiny but necessary. It has Chicago dogs and a full liquor bar.
Jazz Bar: Welcome to a full bar at airport prices. If you want it done right, though, this is the place to go for beer, wine, and cocktails.
Berghoff Cafe: German-style draft beer from the Berghoff taps and Chicago hot dogs.
Terminal 2
Skybridge Bar & Grill: A hidden gem in the mountain of O’Hare. This Greek restaurant has classic Greek food and a full bar.
Stanley’s Blackhawk Kitchen & Tap: This sports bar is focused on what every good sports bar should be focused on: Bar food and beer.
Wicker Park Sushi Bar: Enjoy some sake and shochu with your sushi, and you might just forget that you’re nowhere near the ocean.
Terminal 3
Bubbles Wine Bar: Come for a touch of class at this wine bar. If you hadn’t guessed by the name, sparkling wine is on the menu as well as still wine and beer.
Chicago Cubs Bar & Grill: The Cubs will never be the same after 2016. What will be the same is the full bar and easy meals served up at this bar and grill.
Facades Bar: No frills bar with TVs, beer, wine, and cocktails.
O’Brien’s Restaurant and Bar: Pub food and beer on tap.
Prairie Tap: A full bar squeezed into a small location.
Publican Tavern: Recently opened with 10 draft beers and more in bottle and can with a local flair. It also has an intense food menu if you’ve got more time to kill than you would like.
ICE Bar: There aren’t many theme bars in airports, especially not O’Hare. ICE is the exception. There are 25 vodkas on the menu, as well as bubbly, wine, and classic spirits.
Terminal 5
Hub 51: There aren’t many options if you’re stuck in Terminal 5, but Hub 51 is there to save the day. Local beers, decent wine, and a full cocktail bar.
