After the successful opening of the renovated Chicago Riverwalk last summer, many have been wondering what businesses, restaurants and bars will return to the popular riverside attraction. Over the weekend, the Mayor's office confirmed the lineup of vendors for the 2016 Riverwalk season, which will officially kick off on May 30 and run through November 1 (though some vendors have gotten an early start).
Much of the list will look familiar to anyone who spent time by the river last summer, including the waterside offshoot of City Winery, tiki-themed bar Island Party Hut and French eatery Cyrano's Café & Wine Bar. Conspicuously absent from the list is the Hideout, which brought the ramshackle vibe of the infamous North Side bar to the Riverwalk last summer, complete with regular live music and Malort shots.
New additions include martini, cocktail and live music lounge Tiny Hatt; grab and go food vendor Lillies and mobile dessert cart Dulce in Horto.
According to a release from the Mayor's office, Riverwalk vendors generated more than $4.5 million in gross revenue during the 2015 season, which increased interest in the available vendor locations being offered in 2016. In order to set up shop on the Riverwalk, vendors must submit a proposal and be approved by the city. Additional spaces will open up by fall of 2016, as phase three of construction extends from LaSalle to Lake streets.
Take a look at the full list of vendors below and begin planning your post-work drinks and dinners by Chicago's main tributary.
Lakeshore Drive to Michigan Avenue
Urban Kayaks
435 East Riverwalk South
Island Party Hut
355 East Riverwalk South
Wheel Fun Rentals
305 East Riverwalk South
Cyrano's Café & Wine Bar
233 East Riverwalk South
Chicago’s First Lady Cruises and Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline
115-305 East Riverwalk South
Wabash Avenue
O'Brien's Riverwalk Café
45 East Riverwalk South
State Street to Dearborn Street
City Winery
11 West Riverwalk South
Downtown Docks
27 West Riverwalk South
Dearborn Street to Clark Street
Tiny Hatt
55 West Riverwalk South
Urban Kayaks
67 West Riverwalk South
Lillies
71 West Riverwalk South
Clark Street and LaSalle Street
Chicago WaterTaxi
105 West Riverwalk South
Dulce in Horto
Mobile food cart