Booze rules at Millennium Park

Booze rules at Millennium Park.

The new season of Grant Park concerts is out. I’ll have those posts up later this month. Here are the security protocols instituted at Millennium Park. Download the Millennium Park Rules (PDF)

New security perimeter (Additional rules and regulations)

Millennium Park implemented a security perimeter and bag check for all concerts and events that take place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Firearms, knives and other weapons will be prohibited.  So like Blues Fest there will be restricted entry points into the park and bag searches for all concerts.

Outside alcohol will be prohibited at the six Jay Pritzker Pavilion events with the highest attendance:

• May 24-25: Chicago House Music Festival
• June 7–9: Chicago Blues Festival
• June 30: Chicago Mariachi Festival
• July 4: Grant Park Music Festival Independence Day Salute
• August 12: Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert
• August 29–September 1: Chicago Jazz Festival

You can still bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages

Subject to bag search at the security perimeter, guests will continue to be allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to all events at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion.  So again if you’ve ever been to Blues Fest they dig through your cooler, bags and look for alcohol.

Booze available for purchase

Visitors will have additional food and beverage options for purchase inside the venue at the events where outside alcohol is restricted.  I’ve never purchased anything at Millennium Park but I suspect the prices will be outrageous and who wants to drink wine that’s sitting in the sun and served at 100F degrees.  Currently there are booze sales on the east side of the park possibly they’ll expand concessions on the restricted dates.

Money grab

I support the added security but I don’t see how restricting outside alcohol is going to increase security.  I haven’t heard of or witnessed any drunken bad behavior, brawling etc.  What they should restrict is people yakking on their cell phones during concerts!  I think this is a thinly veiled money grab by the park.  Oh well the concerts are still free!

Prohibited items

Please be patient and plan ahead for the Millennium Park Security Perimeter. Knowing what items are prohibited will help speed your bag check. Entry may be faster for those without bags. Please review the full prohibited items list before your visit:

• Pets (except for service animals)
• Hammocks
• Totems, flags, banners, lawn stakes
• Tents, canopies, shade structures, umbrellas (staked or golf)
• Balloons

• Noise makers
• Laser pointers
• All metal knives and cutlery (**corkscrews and plastic/compostable cutlery ARE allowed)
• Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, personal motorized vehicles (exception ADA mobility devices)
• Drones, hoverboards, motorized toys

• Professional grade walkie-talkies or radios
• Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors
• Unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, samples, giveaways, etc.
• Illegal and illicit substances of any kind including drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Firearms, explosive, weapons of any kind *(including pocket knives, pepper spray, fireworks, etc)

• Open flames
• Outside Alcohol Prohibited at select events (see above)
• Any item deemed dangerous by Security

This list is subject to change.

MP Event Guidelines:

• Bags and coolers must be smaller than 26L x 15W x 15H
• Smoking including e-cigs or vaping devices is not allowed on the Great Lawn or in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion seating area. Please smoke only in the designated perimeter.
• Umbrellas may only be used in inclement weather
• Professional video, audio and photography equipment and set up are not allowed except for previously approved media professionals.
• If venue is nearing capacity you may be asked to release held space.