Until just a few years ago, Chicagoans looking to enjoy happy hour specials would have been disappointed. Prior to July 2015, Illinois establishments serving alcohol were not allowed to offer drinks at reduced prices for a portion of the day.
Most people know that to sell liquor, they must get a liquor license. But in Chicago, there isn’t just one type of liquor license – there are nine.
Chicago embraces the idea of BYOB, or “bring your own bottle/beer.” The City has almost 6000 restaurants that allow their customers to bring their favorite wine or beer in with them to drink while they dine, openly and legally. This practice is popular with customers and restaurants alike, as it offers a range of benefits from licensing requirements to cost. Of course, there are a few caveats that diners should keep in mind while indulging. Despite being a BYOB-friendly city, Chicago does have rules that attempt to keep the practice within acceptable bounds.
