As temperatures begin to rise, suburban beer gardens across Chicagoland are becoming some of the most popular spots to grab a beer and enjoy some live music and scenic views.
From forest preserves to brewery patios, the suburbs offers a wide range of relaxed alternatives. Below are some of the best beer gardens in the Chicago area.
Buffalo Creek, 360 Historical Lane, is located in heart of Long Grove with a spacious outdoor area. The spacious brewery features taproom and Buffalo Creek's "one-of-a-kind Biergarten" includes fire pits as well as outdoor games, according to Buffalo Creek's website.
Buffalo Creeks focuses its brews on German and Belgian beer styles and there are also rotating selection of house-made craft sodas. There is no food on-site but those stopping out can bring their own food or order delivery. Buffalo Creek is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your favorite pup along for a relaxed summer afternoon.
A true “destination beer garden,” Hideaway, located at 5510 Prairie Stone Pkwy, is built for summer nights with concerts, events and a festival-style layout. The beer garden has an stage for live music and events and often features food trucks as well as rotating vendors.
The beer garden has a packed entertainment schedule during the season and will reopen for the summer on June.
There are plenty of food and drink options available for purchase and the outdoor space is pet-friendly.
The venue also offers unique spaces for groups to reserve, such as, a Barbie-themed camper and a "naked tipi."
For more information, visit the Hideaway Brew Garden website.
A hidden gem that blends craft beer culture with a cozy outdoor patio with fire pit seating. Located at 39W149 Plank Road in Elgin, the tap room has a wide variety of popular brews on tap. You must be 21 years old or older to visit the brewery, which also has a "bring your own food" policy, allowing guests to bring in their favorite grub. The tap room also hosts food trucks on select dates.
In addition, there are hiking trails on the property for visitors to check out.
For more information, visit the Plank Road Taproom website.
Set near the historic I&M Canal, this brewery, located at 431 Talcott Avenue, offers a scenic suburban beer garden settings with an outdoor deck overlooking the canal.
Founded in 2013, Pollyanna has become well-known for an extensive variety of year-round flagship beers, sours, experimental wild ales and craft spirits distilled in-house. Pollyanna has additional brewery locations in St. Charles and Roselle.
More via Pollyanna Brewing website
The Alter Brewing + Kitchen location in downtown St. Charles, can be found in the First Street Plaza and features a spacious patio that overlooks the Fox River.
Located at 12 S. First Street, there is a full-service kitchen that serves up elevated pub fare and several Alter beers on tap. Alter Brewing also has breweries in Oak Brook and Downers Grove.
More via Alter Brewing + Taproom
Broken Tee Brewing Company is a golf-themed craft nano-brewery and taproom located at 406 Green Bay Road, Highwood. Founded by former golf professional Paul Bumbaco, the brewery features unique golf-themed decor, beer names and indoor golf arcade games.
There is a full kitchen menu available for those hoping to order food.
This beer garden within the popular Independence Grove Forest Preserve Grove, 16400 Buckley Road, offers a unique experience in the Chicago area. The forest preserve offers lakefront seating as well as a selection of local craft beers, snacks and food that can be delivered to your table.
Entrance is free to Independence Grove for Lake County residents and proof of residency is required. For non-residents, the cost to enter the forest preserve is $6 per car on Monday through Thursday and $12 for Friday through Sunday.
More via the Independence Grove Beer Garden website.
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