Chicago and suburban indoor dining Update

The State of Illinois imposed new restrictions for Chicago effective Monday, January 18, 2021. These restrictions are in place until further notice. For the most up to date restrictions check here. Illinois moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 Resurgence Mitigations. Chicago has it’s own set of restrictions. Torture yourself by going here.

Chicago Phase 4 dining effective April 30, 2021

Restaurants and bars

Effective April 29 Indoor capacity will be expanded to the lesser of 50% or 100 people per room or space. Outdoor service, take-out, curbside pick-up, and delivery can continue. Reservations required for outdoor service. More info here. . If you haven’t been to a restaurant or bar lately it’s a room full of people not wearing masks.

Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can operate indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
Outdoor service is allowed without capacity restrictions, which includes tables located within eight feet of walls that are at least 50% open, tents with at least 50% of their walls open, and single-party structures such as igloos or greenhouses
Maximum of six patrons at indoor or outdoor tables

Tables must be six feet apart
Patrons can sit at bars, with six feet of social distancing between parties
Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
Reservations are encouraged
The sale of alcohol must end at 11pm, including alcohol sold for on-site consumption, delivery or carry out

Event Venues

Events are limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors
Indoor events can serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:
Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
Four people per indoor table
Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
Tables must be six feet apart
Indoor events must end at 11:00pm

Suburban indoor dining

Restaurants can reopen indoors at lesser of 40% or 50 people per space.

Table size limited to no more than four people per indoor table and six people per outdoor table.

Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service.

Bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (i.e. making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).

Tables must be six feet apart.

Indoor service limited to no more than two hours.

Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking.

All bars and restaurants must close at 11pm.

What will open?

Many restaurant’s have changed their days and hours of operation. Many are in hibernation or permanently closed. As always check websites, you may be required to make a reservation, call first and sign up to get emails from your favorite restaurants for current information. Be careful!