Chicago’s Indoor Dining Expanded To 50 Percent

Bars and restaurants can expand indoor capacity to 50 percent as the city continues its fight against coronavirus, city officials announced today, Tuesday, March 2nd.

Indoor dining at bars, restaurants, and other venues is allowed at 50 percent of a business’ capacity or 50 people, whichever is fewer. The increased indoor dining capacity comes just two weeks after the city raised the capacity to 40 percent from the previous restriction of 25 percent.

Bars and restaurants can now stay open until 1 a.m. Previously, establishments had to close at 11 p.m. The curfew on packaged alcohol sales has also been lifted from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The changes go into effect immediately, according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office.

While restaurants are taking every precaution they can to create a safe dining experience, please remember to do your part as well by following the city’s guidelines for diners. Make sure to wear face coverings at all times unless you are eating or drinking, and face coverings are required when restaurant staff approaches your table. Please also keep in mind that there is a limit of a maximum of six patrons per table and you must remain seated at your table whenever you are not eating or drinking.