I so wish I was writing this from a patio bar or deck somewhere! I always feel like we only have a few weeks before the weather will be hot so we need to take advantage. That said…I was trying to think of places with outdoor bars. Here’s what I came up with:

House of Blues: okay you have to go to the quarter, but that courtyard in the back is nice and they do have a great happy hour.
The Columns: and if you go at 1pm, you might be able to get a table on the porch.
Lucy’s: yeah you’re outside by a street, but you’re still outside (and it’s the first place I see when I leave work)
The Bulldog: great outdoor at both the Uptown and Midcity locations but last time I went MidCity had their patio closed for re-modeling (uugh)
Rivershack: not a whole lot of outdoor tables, but a good place to pick up on an old, rich dude.
Shimmy Shack: the Rivershack’s sister in the Ridge has a pretty family-friendly deck.
F&M’s: or at least they tell me there’s outdoor space - I only evey have very foggy memories pool tables when I go there.
St Joe’s: didn’t they win some sort of award as best patio? I don’t think I’ve ever walked past the bar, but there is a patio space back there.
The Balcony Bar: we usually get there too late to get a table and just hover until someone leaves
Live Bait: now in Bucktown and still not too crowded

This is a pretty limited list, I know. So tell me what I’m leaving off. Thanks! -Annette