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Sun / May 19
Party Earth Review Situated on the upper decks of the behemoth boat-shaped North Avenue Beach House, Castaways Bar & Grill reaps the benefits of its locale, overflowing with the young, the athletic, and the bronzed the minute the weather... ... read full review
1603 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
Brown, Purple Express Lines: Sedgwick
773-281-1200
Daily 11am–11pm (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Closed for inclement weather at management’s discretion
Lincoln Park, Chicago –
Situated on the upper decks of the behemoth boat-shaped North Avenue Beach House, Castaways Bar & Grill reaps the benefits of its locale, overflowing with the young, the athletic, and the bronzed the minute the weather warms.
Although a number of amenities along the Beach House’s ground floor are available to beachgoers – including bike and volleyball rentals, showers, and snack food stands – partiers know to head straight for the stairs that lead to big burgers, stunning views, and lots of skin.
The shirtless-and-proud set sashays around the front of the boat, flaunting biceps and bikinis against a backdrop of the iconic cityscape and Lake Michigan, and redefining the historic notion of a Chicago meat market.
DJs and cover bands often perform on weekends, and many patrons spend the entire day on the open decks, pounding beers, exchanging digits, and dancing beneath the awnings of the long center bar.
After a scorched day in the sun, volleyball players and sunbathers bound up to the rooftop for a boisterous twilight cocktail and much-needed grill food, while the sounds of the water lapping off Lake Michigan help everyone forget how frickin’ cold it was last winter.
With panoramic views of beautiful skylines and beautiful people – beer-goggled and otherwise – Castaways Bar & Grill is an oasis of island spirit on the Lake Michigan shore.
Volleyball players, jocks, fraternity and sorority-types, sunbathers, and loads of tourists, early 20s to 30s.
Live music or DJs most weekends, though schedules vary. The Chicago Air and Water Show is held nearby, usually at the end of August.
Hot dogs, ice cream, and general snack food at ground level concession stands. American grill food at Castaways, including salads, burgers, and fish and chips.
Appetizers $4–$9, salads and wraps $8–$13, burgers and sandwiches $7–$14. Beer $5.50–$6, wine and sangria $6–$6.50, beach cocktails $7.50–$9.
Beachwear: shorts, swim trunks, swimsuits, flip-flops, sundresses.
Sunny days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, especially on the weekends.
Corcoran's Grill (1615 N Wells Street) has giant TVs, a big beer garden, and daily drink specials.
Castaways Bar & Grill User Reviews