City Hall Announces Reopening Date For Bars, Breweries, Lakefront

CHICAGO — The Lakefront Trail (but not city beaches) are set to reopen June 22. If City Hall's soft reopening of the lakefront still bums you out, there's more good news: Bars and breweries will be allowed to reopen on Wednesday, city officials said.

“We are thrilled to be taking these long-awaited steps forward in reopening our city by safely bringing our bars back online with outside service, and, of course, taking our first, cautious move toward reopening our beloved lakefront,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement.

Eased restrictions to lakefront access, which was shut down March 25 as a result of the coronavirus crisis, requires people adopt a “keep it moving” strategy between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Only walking, running, biking, and rollerblading will be allowed.

That means no: congregating, barbecues, beach access and picnicking, among other social gatherings. There will be limited underpasses and bridges open to access the lakefront trail. Chicago Park District "Social Distancing Ambassadors" will be stationed along the trail to remind people about the importance of wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing and manage the flow of traffic.

On Wednesday, bars, lounges, taverns breweries and other booze-only establishments will be allowed to serve drinkers (no more than six people at a table for two hours at a time) outdoors until 11 p.m.