Ten Fulton Market Happy Hours Worth Trying in Chicago

As someone from MA where happy hours are banned, I didn’t know how wonderful they could be until I moved to Chicago–and as someone who is also extremely frugal, man, are they wonderful. I’m literally always looking for a deal, especially when food is involved, so you can find me at various happy hours around the city on any given day, really. I know, I know – Fulton Market is notoriously bougie and basic – but I’ve been pretty impressed with their happy hour offerings during my time in Chicago; enough so that I wanted to put together my current list of favorites!

Happy hours can be deceiving if you don’t eat out a lot, or if you’re so used to overpriced cocktails that you don’t bat an eye at anything over $15, discount included. I’m here to tell you that you can find delicious cocktails and wine in an expensive neighborhood like Fulton Market for less than that–and sometimes, even for single digits! It’s true! The biggest things to look for when happy hour hunting are (obviously) cheap prices, big portions, and actual good food. Prices can seem too good to be true, and too often, the food is not nearly good enough to even bother going. I can confirm that I’ve loved every dish I’ve eaten at all of these happy hours, and that the value is really great for the prices!

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1. Boqueria

This was one of my first happy hours in Chicago, and it remains a favorite of mine for sure–and if you like tapas, it’ll be one of yours, too. Their patio is super cute, right at the entrance of Fulton Market, with clusters of cozy tables under a large pergola (perfect for people watching). The patatas bravas are the highlight of their happy hour menu for me, which are a bit bigger than a standard side serving for just $6. Their croquetas, though slightly less valuable for the price (3 for $6) are also delicious and worth the price, IMO. You can’t go wrong with a sangria pitcher either–I typically go to happy hour with at least two friends, so at $32 for a pitcher, you’re paying under $11 for two drinks each (compared to their $8 single glasses). Definitely worth it, and they make those pitchers strong as hell!

Happy Hour: M-F, 3pm – 6pm | Weekends, 4pm – 6pm

2. Aba

Aba is worth it for happy hour solely for the vibes, but the incredible food doesn’t hurt, either. Located almost directly across the street from Boqueria, it’s a gorgeous rooftop restaurant that really exudes a Mediterranean ambiance, and it’s a really enjoyable spot on a warm, breezy day! They have an admittedly small selection of $8 wine and $10 house cocktails, but they pair perfectly with the light, flavorful food options. Their “favorite spreads” starter is an incredible value at just under $16, with three different creamy spreads (hummus, feta, eggplant), tons of veggies for dipping, and the most delicious pita I think I’ve ever had. The crispy pork belly bites are incredible, too, and both dishes are the perfect size to split with another person!

Happy Hour: Sunday – Thursday, 4pm – 6pm (bar only)

3. Prime Bar at Nisos Prime

Any restaurant that does $1 oysters is a winner in my book, and Prime Bar is no exception. Their cocktail selection is also somewhat small, but delicious and very curated, even offering a custom “dealer’s choice” cocktail based on your flavor preferences (love that). For $9 – $10, that’s objectively a great HH deal. Their oysters are very much worth the 6-oyster minimum, and the truffle fries could be a slightly larger portion for the $12 price, but there’s enough there to make it worth it if you’re just picking at a few plates with a friend. Their patio right on Randolph Street is super cute, too!

Happy Hour: Daily, 4pm – 6pm

4. Swift & Sons

I love a good solo happy hour, and Swift & Sons is one of my favorite spots for a cozy meal all to myself! The restaurant feels slightly upscale but nothing crazy, and it’s busy and dimly-lit enough to feel comfortable cozying up in a booth with a book and some good food. Their $2 oysters are expensive (IMO) but undeniably delicious, and the pierogi with short rib pastrami is SO phenomenal – like, scooping-up-every-bit-of-leftover-sauce-with-my-fork phenomenal. Definitely the highlight for me. I think they’ve since changed their happy hour to a “whiskey hour” that only offers whiskey cocktails instead of wine, but the cocktails are still only $10 and if my prior experience here is any indication of how good those drinks are, I’d still highly recommend. Plus, the staff were super lovely and attentive, so extra points for that always!

Happy Hour: Daily, 4:30pm – 6pm

5. Taverna 1821

Taverna might be my favorite on this list simply because their prices are so insane for the quality of the food & drinks you’re getting. Their happy hour menu is small but mighty – you just can’t beat $5 beer/wine and $7 cocktails, especially in an area like Fulton Market! The feta chips ($5) were a big hit with our table, as was the fried zucchini ($7). Prices are so low that you can easily add on regular-priced menu items, which we did with the Smyrnan hummus ($11), and you also get some complimentary feta and olives for the table. The restaurant is small but very cute, with a large bar and a great patio for the warmer months. Taverna 1821 started out as a summer popup in 2025, but I think (and hope) they’re sticking around for a while!

Happy Hour: Tuesday – Saturday, 4pm – 6pm

6. il Carciofo

One of my favorite new(ish) additions to Fulton Market is il Carciofo, a gorgeous Italian restaurant offering Roman-inspired cuisine and a lovely little happy hour on weekdays. They typically only serve HH at the bar, but they’ve made an exception for me at a table on a slower day, which is always a big plus for me – the staff is amazing, and the food is even better! Often when I go to happy hour I only order the discounted food, but at il Carciofo I like to go during happy hour to get the drink & snack deals and I’ll still get a full-priced plate of pasta because it’s just that good. For happy hour specifically, or “aperitivo hour” as they call it, their $10 espresso martini is delicious, and the cacio pepe potato chips are absolutely unreal! Their wine selections for happy hour have always been super good too – worth the $10 for sure. I will absolutely be returning during patio season and you should, too!

Happy Hour: M-F, 4:30pm – 6pm

7. Beatrix

Don’t come for me for putting a Chicago chain on this list – their happy hour is actually a surprisingly good deal in Fulton Market! Like I said, any single-digit alcoholic drinks are a big hit for me in this neighborhood, so their $6 local beers, $7 wines, and $8 cocktails are a win in my book. Their happy hour snacks/apps are all $9 too, which means you don’t have to spend over $10 for any single item here, and I’m very passionate about that. Is this the pinnacle of culinary excellence? No. But does it hit the spot on a breezy day when you have nothing to do but read a book or gossip with friends around a table of food and drinks that won’t break the bank? Of course it does.

Happy Hour: M-F, 3pm – 6pm

8. Bisous

I LOVE Bisous, guys. It’s a gorgeous little cocktail bar on Fulton Street, pretty unassuming from the outside; but inside is cozy and moody and elegant but still laid back, with comfortable seating (which is huge for me!) and a really cool vibe overall. They don’t have designated happy hour bites aside from the complimentary truffle parmesan popcorn – which is delicious – but they have a small, full-priced snack menu that isn’t outrageous! I really only go here for drinks anyway, and at $10 for wine, highballs, and their featured cocktail, that’s all you really need.

Happy Hour: M-F, 4pm -6pm

9. The Oakville Grille & Cellar

In terms of prices, the Oakville has one of the best happy hours that I’ve tried in the Fulton Market area by far. Every single thing on the HH menu is $10 and under, from their snacks to their cocktails – even their burger is only $5. The bottomless parmesan fries look like a newer addition since I’ve been there, but for $10, I would go back just to try those. I’m a big fan of their seasonal margaritas ($7), too – their prickly pear is definitely a highlight in the spring! It does get packed in the bar area, so I’d suggest coming as early as you can since they don’t accept reservations for happy hour.

Happy Hour: M-F, 4pm – 6pm (bar area)

10. HIDE+SEEK

HIDE+SEEK is one of the many bars sandwiched between mostly other bars on Randolph Street, and after an impromptu happy hour with friends here, their menu pleasantly surprised me. Everything ranges from $6-$12, from their snacks to their beer, wine, and cocktails – they even have a good-looking NA selection too! I’m always partial to French fries during happy hour (or anytime, really), and their fries were delicious, especially paired with a round of mules. I did not do a very good job of photographing my time here, but rest assured, HIDE+SEEK is a definite recommendation from me!

Happy Hour: Daily, 4pm – 6pm