Recess in West Loop is where grown-ups come to play

Recess flips the script on your usual bar scene. With Chicago’s largest patio as its playground, it’s your go-to for easy eats, bold drinks, and weekday-to-weekend energy,brunch, DJs, late nights, and all.

People dining outdoors at a restaurant patio with colorful chairs and pink umbrellas, in the late afternoon sunlight.
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FOOD & Drink

Two metal baskets filled with food on a yellow table, including chicken wings with dipping sauce, sliders with lettuce and cheese, fried tater tots, and vegetable sticks, set outdoors with chairs and people in the background.
Colorful Mexican dishes including tacos with various fillings, a bowl of salad with vegetables and cheese, and a platter with fresh vegetables and hummus, all arranged on a yellow table.
Four different pizzas on a wooden table, including one with greens and vegetables, one with sausage and greens, one with pepperoni, and one with seaweed and white cheese.

Upcoming events

  • Crowd of people at a concert or event with raised hands, black and white photo, highline NYE at Recess in West Loop

    Highline NYE

    12/31

    Tickets
  • HAPPY HOUR

    HAPPY HOUR

    TUESDAY-THURSDAY | 4:00PM-6:00PM

    $10 APPETIZERS | $10 CRAFT COCKTAILS

  • Trivia Tuesdays- Recess Chicago

    TRIVIA TUESDAY

    7:00PM

  • JEOPARDY BAR LEAGUE WEDNESDAYS

    JEOPARDY BAR LEAGUE WEDNESDAYS

    7:00PM

    DRINK ON SPECIAL| $10 FROZEN COCKTAIL

  • KARAOKE THURSDAYS

    KARAOKE THURSDAYS

    7:00PM

    DRINK ON SPECIAL: SCHOOLYARD BULLY | 10

  • HALF OFF PIZZA / GAMENIGHT

    GAME NIGHT FRIDAYS

    8:00PM

    A $100 PRIZE ON THE LINE- EVERY WEEK!

    FOOD ON SPECIAL:

    HALF-OFF PIZZA ALL DAY

  • SATURDAY DJs

    FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS DJS

    7:00PM FRIDAY | 8:00PM SATURDAY

  • BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS SATURDAY SUNDAY

    BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS

    SATURDAY / SUNDAY

    11:00AM-3:00PM

Table Games:

Your table isn’t just for cocktails and snacks—it’s your personal playground. Whether you’re feeling competitive, nostalgic, or just a little chaotic, our table games bring the energy. Grab a deck, make it interesting, and let the games begin.

-Jumbo Uno

-Sling Puck

-Battleship

-Table Jenga

-Pop Darts

-Smart Ass

-Ring Hook

-Monopoly

-Table Air Hockey

-Chicken VS Hot Dog

-Well Duh Trivia

-Movie Quiz Trivia Cards

-Jumbo Cards

-Incoherent Gibberish Card Game

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Image of an American football with white laces and stripes on a plain white background.

SPORTS @ RECESS

Catch every big game at Recess—your go-to spot in the West Loop for watching pro and college sports. From football and basketball to baseball, soccer, and more, we’ve got all the action on multiple screens both indoors and out. Whether you're repping your alma mater or backing your favorite pro team, Recess brings the energy with game-day specials, DJs, and Chicago’s largest patio. Check our sports calendar to see what’s playing this week and rally your crew—because every win feels better with drinks, food, and a little friendly chaos.

A close-up of a white baseball with red stitching on a plain white background.
A basketball ball with orange textured surface and black lines.
  • People dining outdoors at colorful tables with pink umbrellas at a lively social gathering, with a shaded area, trees, and a sign reading 'RECESS' in the background on a sunny day.

    Chicago’s Largest Patio, No Big Deal.

  • A lively outdoor rooftop bar and restaurant with people dining and socializing, some seated at tables and some walking around, with string lights overhead and a city skyline in the background.

    Sunshine Hits Different Here.

  • Outdoor rooftop restaurant with people dining, string lights, city skyline, and container wall with Maersk logo.

    Patio Goals, Served Daily.

  • Outdoor rooftop restaurant with groups of people dining and socializing, industrial-style decor with shipping containers and string lights, city skyline in the background.

    Good Vibes Only—And Maybe a Giant Jenga Battle.

  • Outdoor urban space with a multi-level patio featuring colorful chairs and tables, people walking and sitting, and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

    Clock Out. Chill Out.

Brightly lit bar and restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, brick walls, shelves stocked with bottles behind the bar, and large windows letting in natural light.

Indoor Recess

Skip the forecast—fun’s still in session inside. Indoor Recess brings the same playful vibes with cozy semi-private spots, games, a giant Lite-Brite board, and TVs for every big game. Perfect for groups, hangs, or hiding out.

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PRIVATE

Parties

HOST YOUR NEXT PARTY AT RECESS!

Performer singing into a microphone at a concert with colorful lighting, wearing a patterned jacket, red hat, and glasses.
Young women performing on stage with colorful lights, wearing sports jerseys and casual clothing, with musical equipment in the background.
Group of people at a celebration or event, some wearing sports jerseys, cheering, raising hands, and taking photos in a lively, colorful setting.

Looking for something bigger? Right next door to Recess, City Hall is our expansive, industrial-chic event venue designed for weddings, private parties, corporate events, and everything in between. With towering ceilings, dramatic details, and room to celebrate at scale, City Hall offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop.

Check out city hall

🔗 City Hall

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