Ten Chicago bars our editors book for Mother's Day brunch — civilised pours, no DJ, an honest mimosa list.
Mother's Day brunch in Chicago is its own genre. Half the venues that pitch for it run a deafening DJ set and a £45 bottomless mimosa scheme; the other half quietly serve the best brunch in the room with no surcharge. Our editors only book the second category. These are the ten Chicago bars our team takes our own mothers to.
The Chicago brunch picks our editors actually use
The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.
At Three Dots and a Dash in River North, the three dots mai tai arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Lost Lake sits in Logan Square, and the hala kahiki is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the 11am and 2pm slots are the picks; book either one as soon as the calendar opens. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
The Violet Hour (in Wicker Park) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the 11am and 2pm slots are the picks; book either one as soon as the calendar opens. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Sparrow in Gold Coast, the mr howell arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Billy Sunday (in Logan Square) the sunday punch is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Sportsman's Club in Ukrainian Village, the sportsman highball is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Sportsman Highball
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These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.
In Logan Square, Scofflaw the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the 11am and 2pm slots are the picks; book either one as soon as the calendar opens. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Lazy Bird (in West Loop) the bird's word arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
In River North, The Berkshire Room the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.5 of 5.
The Aviary sits in West Loop, and the in the rocks arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
Order: In the Rocks
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Three Mother's Day rules. Book the 11am or 2pm slot — the noon-to-1pm window is loud. Skip the 'bottomless' offers; the picks on this list pour properly and the bill ends up the same. And ask the manager about a corner table when you book — most rooms on this list keep one back for family bookings.
Other seasonal Chicago guidesFrom New Year's Eve to Halloween - every annual Chicago occasion our editors cover, cross-linked.
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