SPOTLIGHT: It’s all about Pride Month, and several restaurants are spotlighting the LGBTQ+ community themselves with specials.
- Join Aba in Chicago’s Fulton Market for the fourth annual Pride Power Hour in honor of Pride Month on Wed., June 25, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy select cocktails with 50% of Pride Power Hour Menu sales going to Brave Space Alliance, the first Black and trans-led LGBTQ+ center on the south side of Chicago.
- In honor of Pride Month, Sweet Mandy B’s in Lincoln Park and Streeterville will offer a festive lineup of limited-time sweets and colorful confections. Items will include confetti cookies with rainbow sprinkles, cupcakes with yellow cake and a rainbow sugar decoration, rainbow iced Rice Krispies, rainbow cake slices and more.
- Throughout June, Beatrix will donate $1 from every Pineapple Habanero Margarita sold across all locations to Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ community center supporting LGBTQ+ health, wellness and cultural enrichment since 1973. Plus, Nosotros Tequila will match Beatrix’s donation to help support.
- This June, Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar in Andersonville is raising a glass to Pride. In support of the LGBTQ+ community, Uvae will feature a specialty Pink Pony Club cocktail created for Pride all month long, donating $5 from each cocktail sold to the Chicago Therapy Collective. The drink special is $17 each and features Supergay Gin (naturally), fresh lemon juice, strawberry balsamic reduction and simple syrup.
- At The Goddess & Grocer (multiple locations), $1 from every slice of Goddess Rainbow Cake with six layers of the rainbow layered with buttercream frosting and garnished with colored sprinkles will go to Center on Halsted.
- Summer House is celebrating Pride Month with a special sweet treat: the Rainbow Sugar Rush cookie—a classic sugar cookie a glow-up with rainbow sprinkles and a colorful frosting design. All Summer House locations will donate a portion of proceeds from sales of the cookie, available for $5.50 each plus tax, to The Trevor Project, a national non-profit supporting LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13-24) with 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. Spread some love this Pride Month and swing by The Cookie Bar or make a reservation at Summer House-Lincoln Park.
- In honor of Pride Month, $1 from every order of oysters (*Beau Soleil Oysters, with pickled shallot, champagne mignonette) at Cindy’s Rooftop this June will be donated to Howard Brown Health.
- Throughout June, Ema’s River North location will donate $1 from every Cactus Queen cocktail sold to support affirming, accessible care at Howard Brown Health. In addition, the Glenview site will donate $1 from every Cactus Queen cocktail sold to Glenview Pride, whose mission is to foster and promote a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community in Glenview.
- Celebrate Pride Month at Chicago’s first and only Lebanese tasting menu concept, Beity, which is led by Executive Chef/owner Ryan Fakih. Throughout June, Beity will offer weekend brunch, daily à la carte selections and full tasting menu experiences, along with a curated selection of wines from queer winemakers Terah Bajjalieh of Terah Wine Co. and Evan Lewandowski of Ruth Lewandowski Wines. A portion of proceeds from these featured wines will be donated to Brave Space Alliance, and a specialty cocktail will be available during service to toast the occasion.
- On Thursday, June 5, Cesar’s Killer Margaritas will host Pride BINGO with the one-and-only Miss Foozie. Miss Foozie is a character artist, hostess, entertainer, producer, animal lover, famed personality and household name in the city’s LGBTQ+ community and beyond since 1997. Seating for BINGO begins at 6:30 p.m.; each person receives one card, and is free to play with purchase from the menu. Enjoy house specialties like queso birria, tacos, the Fiesta Platter and, of course, the killer margaritas that come in 20+ flavors. Also, throughout June, $1 from every Pride-Rita sold will be donated to Howard Brown Health.
- Four Entertainment Group (4EG) is standing with the LGBTQ+ community through a month-long fundraising initiative benefiting the Center on Halsted. Through Monday, June 30, guests can raise a glass for a cause at seven 4EG bar locations across the city. Participating venues include aliveOne (with its Low Sun cocktail), Central Park Bar (So Fetch cocktail), Easy Bar (Thank you for Being a Friend cocktail), Estelle’s (Mighty Fine cocktail), Remedy (“Ginger Forest” cocktail), The Owl (Caipirinhae) and The Getaway (“The Getaway” cocktail). Each bar will be donating $1 from a specialty drink throughout the month, with proceeds supporting the vital services and programs offered by Center on Halsted. In 2024, this campaign raised more than $1,000 and this year, 4EG is raising the bar even higher.
- In addition, 4EG’s Remedy will host a special Pride Month edition of its “Lip Sync Happy Hour” drag show hosted by comedy drag queen Ginger Forest and diva Ranger Cheeks. Prior to the show, guests can enjoy Remedy’s half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m before the drag show begins at 7 p.m.
- Hosted by Chicago’s favorite drag bubbie, Merriam Levkowitz, Drag Bingo Night is FREE to play at the Wrigleyville spot The Graystone Tavern on June 10 and 17, at 7 p.m. Drink specials will include $6 Rumpleminze, $8 Merri Margaritas, $8 Pride Punch and $35 Surfside buckets. For reservations, email events@graystonetavern.com. Also, through June 30, Graystone will donate $1 from each Truly purchased and $1 from each Sun Cruiser purchased to Center on Halsted.
- Celebrate Pride Month in style with Tipsy Tea at The Gwen Hotel on June 14-15 at the “Sashay & Steep!” Tipsy Tea Party. Hosted by drag doll Khloe Daniels, this afternoon features a drag performance, fragrant teas, botanical-infused cocktails and seasonal bites—all in honor of love, community and self-expression. There’s a prepaid reservation for parties of 1 to 12, and it’s $70–$95 per person.
—Family affair: On May 22, Gene & Georgetti, Chicago’s original Tuscan steakhouse since 1941, ushered in its 85th year with a special street dedication in honor of owner Anthony A. Durpetti (1944-2024).
The ceremony marked a milestone in the restaurant’s storied history as it is now led by Michelle Durpetti—Anthony’s daughter and the first woman to take the reins. Ald. Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward was among those attending the dedication and sign reveal.
According to CBS News, Gene & Georgetti’s co-founder was Durpetti’s father-in-law, Gene Michelotti. Michelotti met his business partner, Alfredo “Georgetti” Federighi, and they opened the steakhouse together in 1941.
—What’s at steak: Another restaurant is joining the list of lauded spots in Chicago’s West Loop.
This summer, Chef Stephen Sandoval and business partner Oscar Sotelo, known for the acclaimed Mexican restaurant Diego and the Entre Sueños Dinner Series, will debut Trino, a contemporary take on the classic Chicago steakhouse that is rooted in Sandoval’s heritage from northern Mexico and Galicia. Opening at 738 W. Randolph St,, Trino will blend influences with lessons from Sandoval’s time cooking in Argentina.
“The name Trino honors my late grandfather, whose name I carry as my middle name. The concept is deeply personal, as it’s not just a restaurant, but a reflection of where I come from and how I’ve grown as a chef,” said Sandoval. “It’s a confluence of cultures, where the vibrant steak scene of Mexico City meets the cattle fields of Galicia and the mountain vines of Mendoza.” A team will round out Trino’s innovative and creative culinary and beverage programs, including a cocktail lineup curated by Beverage Director Carolina Gonzalez.
Appetizers will include dishes like caviar with chicharrón and a crab salad served on Sandoval’s signature tostada. Sauces will be a core strength of the kitchen, with offerings including huitlacoche bordelaise, cherry-churri, and tatermada butter to complement the selection of steaks, offering both classic cuts and unique options.
Ahead of the concept’s opening this summer, Sandoval will preview the menu through a series of pop-ups at Soho House Chicago. Tickets are available for purchase for each of the six dinners, which will take place on June 20, 21, 22, 26, 27 and 28; visit Tock to RSVP.
—Seeing the Light: On June 8, 2-4 p.m., Pilot Light is hosting its first-ever End of Year Potluck to celebrate its teachers and connect with our broader community.
The event—to be held at Hoste, 1857 W. 16th St.— will be an opportunity to meet teachers and hear about food education in their classrooms this year, and to connect with staff and board members. Per its website, Pilot Light aims “to support students as they learn and advocate for informed choices by bridging the lessons they learn in their classrooms to the foods on their lunch trays, at home, and in their communities.”
There is a sliding-scale contribution of $25-$50 to attend; everyone ages 13 and older should have their own ticket. Email Rachel at rachel@pilotlightchefs.org if the cost is a barrier.
Find even more news—including which Chicago chef recently won a reality-show contest—at SAVOR with Andrew.