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FAQ

📍 The Basics & The Vibe

We are close to everything that makes Chicago summer’s the best in the USA.

How do I get to Utopian Tailgate?

We are located at 1608 N Wells St in the heart of Old Town, right above The Second City. We highly recommend taking public transit or rideshare. If you are taking the CTA, we are a short walk from the Sedgwick Brown/Purple Line stop. If taking a rideshare, simply enter our address and head up the stairs or elevator.

What exactly is Utopian Tailgate?
We’re a 10,000-square-foot adult playground perched right on top of The Second City comedy club in Old Town. Think of the best tailgate you’ve ever been to, minus the parking lot, and add panoramic skyline views, wild decor, and elevated pub grub.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. Utopian Tailgate is strictly 21+ except for complete rooftop buyouts. You must have a valid ID to enter the playground.
Do I need a reservation to hang out?

We happily accept walk-ins and there is plenty of space, but if you want to guarantee a table, we highly recommend booking ahead! You can reserve tables for groups of 4 to 12. For larger events or groups, inquire on our events page.

What kind of games do you have?

We take our playtime seriously. Depending on the season and the setup, you’ll find super-sized Jenga, putterball, giant Connect-4, Plinko, beer pong, card games, and plenty of spaces to just kick back and people-watch.

Utopian Tailgate has a casual dress code. Look cute and fun! But there are rules, Smokey.!

Casual and comfortable. Come as you are, just bring good energy. If you are coming from the beach, please ensure that you have proper footwear.

To maintain the Utopian vibe, the following items are strictly prohibited and you will not be allowed entry:

  • Excessively baggy, sagging, or noticeably ill-fitting clothing.

  • Apparel featuring offensive language, graphics, or any gang-affiliated insignia or colors.

Please note: Management and security reserve the right to deny entry to anyone who does not meet the dress code requirements.

Are you close to Lincoln Park or the DePaul campus?
We’re basically your backyard. Located at 1608 N Wells St, we’re just a quick walk or train ride from Lincoln Park and DePaul. It’s the perfect home base for post-midterm celebrations, alumni meetups, or just escaping the usual LP bar scene for something way more interactive.

🍹 Food & Drinks

Made from scratch. Meant to share. What you’d expect from a premium tailgate party in the heart of Old Town.

What kind of food do you serve?

This isn’t your average bar food—it’s elevated tailgate fare made from scratch. We’ve got crowd-favorites like Walking Tacos, Applewood-Smoked Ribs, Spicy Chicken Sliders, and killer weekend rooftop brunch.

Everything is made fresh-in house every day… btw, you can also order pizzas from our downstairs sister spot, Professor Pizza.

What’s the drink situation?

Extensive and fun. We have everything from craft cocktails and local draft beers to large-format drinks like our “Running with the Bulls” or a “Party with a Playmate” cooler packed with your favorite canned beverages. We also carry N/A options, THC/CBD teas, and mocktails

Do you have drink specials or a shot menu?

Always. Whether you’re rallying the DePaul crew after finals or just kicking off a Saturday, we feature a rotating menu of wallet-friendly party shots. We also drop surprise drink specials all summer long and during our major themed events, so the drinks stay flowing and the tab stays reasonable.

Can we set up a custom bar for our private event?

Absolutely. If you are hosting a corporate outing or a private party, we can customize your drink packages to include bulk coolers, signature cocktails, and event-specific pricing to fit your group’s budget.

🎈 Corporate Outings & Private Events

For the event planners, HR heroes, and party hosts.

Do you host corporate events and large private parties?

Absolutely. Whether you’re planning a corporate retreat, an office happy hour that doesn’t suck, a milestone birthday, or a massive bachelorette blowout, Utopian Tailgate is built for groups.

What is your venue capacity?

We can scale to fit your party:

  • Intimate Gatherings: Semi-private areas like our Cabanas or “Camp Utopia” themed tents are perfect for groups of 20 to 30.

  • Large Groups: We can host up to 150 guests in our indoor space, or up to 300 reception-style on the outdoor rooftop.

  • Full Buyouts: Want the whole place to yourself? We can accommodate up to 400 guests across the full indoor/outdoor venue.

Do you offer food and beverage packages for events?

Yes! We have a variety of catering and drink packages designed to fit different budgets and group sizes. We can do everything from easy shareable platters to impressive food stations (like a Carnitas-style pig roast). All event spaces require a food and beverage minimum based on the date and time of your event.

Is the venue available year-round?

Rain, shine, or Chicago snow, the party doesn’t stop. We have a massive indoor space and our outdoor areas are highly adaptable, meaning we can host incredible private events 365 days a year.

How do I book a private event?

Skip the group chat hassle and go straight to the source. You can fill out an inquiry form on our website’s Private Events page, or email our events team directly to get a custom quote and lock in your date!

Just how “massive” of a corporate party can you handle?

We can go as big as you need. Between our sprawling outdoor rooftop and our massive indoor space, we can seamlessly host full-company buyouts for up to 400 guests. Because of our massive footprint, we are experts at scaling up for large corporate conventions, summer outings, and holiday blowouts that your team will actually want to attend.

Alongside our scratch-made elevated tailgate fare, we have an exclusive relationship with Chicago’s legendary Professor Pizza. That means your corporate catering or private party can feature some of the absolute best, critically acclaimed pizza in the city. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser that elevates your event’s food from “standard banquet” to unforgettable.

You’re located at The Second City—can we combine our event with a comedy show?

Yes! We are literally perched right on top of the world-famous Second City comedy club. This unique relationship makes us the ultimate pre-show dinner spot or post-show VIP after-party location. For corporate event planners, it’s a no-brainer: pair a world-class comedy show or team-building workshop downstairs with a private rooftop buyout upstairs for the ultimate Chicago experience

Alongside our scratch-made elevated tailgate fare, we have an exclusive relationship with Chicago’s legendary Professor Pizza. That means your corporate catering or private party can feature some of the absolute best, critically acclaimed pizza in the city. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser that elevates your event’s food from “standard banquet” to unforgettable.

🏅 Intramural & Team Sponsorships

For the rec league champions and the post-game MVPs.

Do you sponsor local rec leagues and intramural teams?

Yes! Whether you are playing 16-inch softball in Lincoln Park, dominating at beach volleyball, or running a casual kickball league, Utopian Tailgate is the ultimate post-game home base. We love supporting local rec teams and giving you a premium spot to celebrate a win (or drink away a loss) with the whole roster.

What does a Utopian Tailgate team sponsorship include?

While our packages vary based on the season and league, our sponsored teams typically score perks like exclusive post-game drink specials, reserved space for the crew to rally, and sometimes even custom swag or jersey support. It’s all about giving your team the best post-game vibe in the city

How do we get our team sponsored?

Ready to make us your official post-game headquarters? Send your team’s sponsorship pitch to teamsponsorships@utopiantailgate.com and make sure to copy Mark Nott directly at mnott@thefifty50group.com to get the ball rolling. Be sure to include what sport you play, your league details, how many players you have, and why your roster brings the best Utopian energy

🏆 Awards & Press: Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

Why the critics call us Chicago’s best rooftop.

Is Utopian Tailgate really considered one of the best rooftops in Chicago?

We like to think so, but you don’t have to take our word for it! We’ve consistently been ranked as one of the top rooftop bars in the city by Chicago’s biggest publications. We are proud to be named a “Best Rooftop Bar in Chicago” by:

  • Eater Chicago (2019 – 2026)

  • The Infatuation (2020 – 2026)

  • Time Out Chicago (2024)

  • Secret Chicago (2024 – 2026)

What does the press have to say about the Utopian Tailgate vibe?

We are famous for being the ultimate “adult playground.” When Secret Chicago ranked us on their Best Rooftop Bars list, they highlighted our “rambunctious decor and vibrant colors,” noting that it’s the perfect place to feel nostalgic while playing group games and sipping drinks.

Choose Chicago also named us a must-visit, calling the venue a “Chicago summer paradise” that brings unmatched tailgate vibes high above the bustling streets of Old Town.

Has Utopian Tailgate been featured for its events?

Yes! Because of our massive 10,000 sq ft space and elevated menu, we are constantly recognized as a premier event venue. PartySlate has featured us on their lists for “Best Chicago Corporate Event Venues” and “Best Rooftop Venues in Chicago to Elevate Your Summer Party.” We also frequently host major city-wide events, like acting as an official host venue for the prestigious Chicago Gourmet festival’s “Gourmet Tailgate.”

🙋 What Else Do I Need to Know?

Parking, Venue Specifics, Etc

Is there parking available?

Since we are located in the bustling Old Town neighborhood, street parking is limited. We are connected to the Parking Garage right here at Piper’s Alley on North Avenue. We recommend using parking apps like SpotHero to find nearby garages, or using rideshare/public transit so you can fully enjoy our drink menu responsibly!

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Utopian Tailgate is fully ADA compliant. We have an elevator available to bring guests directly to our indoor and rooftop spaces, ensuring everyone can join the party

Are dogs allowed on the rooftop?

While we love your furry friends, Utopian Tailgate only permits ADA-recognized service animals due to our food service and high-energy environment.

I left my card/jacket behind. Do you have a Lost & Found?

It happens to the best of us! If you left something behind, please email us directly at info@utopiantailgate.com with a description of your item, and our management team will check the safe and get back to you.

Can my group split the check?

To keep our service fast and your drinks flowing, we can split a single check evenly across a maximum of 4 credit cards. For larger groups, we highly recommend having one person put down a card and using Venmo/Zelle among friends

Do you have any other
unanswered questions?


Email Us

Email us during regular 9am – 5pm (corporate business hours). At night, we’ll do our best to return your message promptly, but we’re busy throwing the largest rooftop party in Chicago.


Call Us

The phones are ringing. The best time to call us is from 2pm – 5pm during the week. 


Private Events

Take a look at our private event page for all of the details.