Traveling on a budget? Here’s a list on where to score free bar snacks in Chicago, because we don’t want you to join restaurant eating challenges like a maniac. Besides, food gets yummier when it’s free, doesn’t it?
Free popcorn & bar snacks
Cody’s Public House
Lakeview
Free pretzel sticks!
Bernard’s Bar at the Waldorf Astoria
Gold Coast
Free bowl of salty mixed nuts.
Quenchers Saloon
Bucktown
Free complimentary popcorn to pair with your beer.
Beermiscuous
Lakeview
Snack on pretzels for free.
Lagunitas TapRoom
Pilsen
Free pretzels and peanuts in the taproom upstairs.
Monk’s Pub
Loop
This traditional Chicago staple provides customers with free peanuts.
The Lounge at Travelle
Near North
Have fancy snack like malt vinegar corn nuts or candied cayenne nut mix while sipping on a Sazerac and savor.
Grace and Leavitt Fire Escape
North Center
Free popcorn!
Friar Tuck
Lakeview
Free pint or a basket of popcorn. Or make it seven.
Bucktown Pub
Bucktown
Complimentary popcorn with your big- and small-market beers.
Five Guys
Lincoln Park (& other locations)
Free peanuts with every soda purchase.
Free appetizers
312 Chicago
Loop
Enjoy a free selection of small bites to go with your cocktail from 4-6pm.
Map Room
Bucktown
Visit every Monday afternoon for tasting of meats and cheeses .
Paddy Long’s
Lakeview
Free bacon treat from Sunday through Thursday.
Free pizza & chicken
The Burwood Tap
Lincoln Park
Enjoy free wings on weeknights.
The Florentine
Loop
Free pizza!
Porn and Chicken Dance Party at Evil Olive
Wicker Park
Free chicken every Monday night until supplies last!
Free buffets
Big Chicks
Uptown
Free bbq buffet on Sunday evenings all winter long. Check out the rotating menu here.
Howl at the Moon
River North
Free buffet, yup, and neon cocktails on Friday nights.
Free sweets
Scofflaw
Logan Square
Free warm chocolate chip cookies any night of the week
Lou Mitchell’s
West Loop
Free freshly made donut holes here in one of the oldest restaurants in the US.
Free samples
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine
Andersonville (& other locations)
Free cheese samples. Duh.
Eataly
River North
Catch free tastings of many meats, cheeses, vinegars, and oils.
Trader Joe’s
Lincoln Park (& other locations)
Free three-four mini-meals tasting a day.
Mariano’s
Lincoln Park (& other locations)
Free name-brand and store-brand food samples.
Whole Foods
Lincoln Park (& other locations)
You can sample freely just about anything on the shelves without question from the staff if you simply ask!
