Labor Day Dining Guide

As August trickles out and summer fades into pumpkin season, Labor Day marks the final hurrah of the season. So you'll want to do it up right by partaking in these Labor Day specials and events. 

(Crawfish boil at Bow & Stern)

Tokio Pub: Kiss summer goodbye with some tacos in your mouth. Taco Time is the utmost of happy hours and it's happening twice this Labor Day. Between noon and 1:00 p.m. and between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., tacos are a mere $1 apiece. And considering the gamut of their tacos — crispy chicken, Crying Tiger shrimp, crispy fish — it's the most appropriate way to send summer off in delicious style. Oh and also, Mixer Monday will be out in full-force, wherein cocktails are $5 all day long. 

Siena Tavern: Weekend brunch goes a day longer at restaurants such as Siena Tavern, allowing guests to stuff their faces with caramelized waffles, Nutella butter, lobster hash, and more one last time before the holiday high winds down. 

The Pony: You have one last day to wear white before the color becomes taboo. Make the most of it at The Pony's Labor Day White Party, which actually takes place the day before from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Guests attending are encouraged to wear white and reward themselves with $4 Blue Moon Belgian White pints, $5 White Russians, $5 horchata shots, and $10 white wine bottles. Live music will also be featured. Fingers crossed Jack White does the right thing and makes a surprise appearance.

LUXBAR: Nothing like a little Gold Coast brunch on a Monday to help ease into the post-holiday week. LUXBAR is featuring a Labor Day brunch menu starting at 8:00 a.m. on September 1, featuring its regular brunch menu and a delightful medley of seasonal cocktails in vibrant summery flavors. Drink it all in while you can. Options include the watermelon cocktail with Crop organic cucumber vodka, fresh watermelon, basil, black pepper, and lime; the cherry cocktail made with Kirschwasser brandy, Biercee Griotte cherry liqueur, egg white, lemon, lime, angostura bitters, and bittercube; the peach cocktail with Absolut Elyx vodka, Combier Peche, Rare Tea Cellars Georgia Peach Nectar Rooibos tea, honey syrup, Fees Whiskey barrel aged bitters, and lemon; and the apricot cocktail with 100-proof rye whiskey, Bitter Truth apricot liqueur, ginger liqueur, and bitters. 

Tavern on Rush: Right next door, Tavern on Rush is also featuring a Labor Day brunch menu. Featuring the culinary handiwork of executive chef John Gatsos, the menu has everything you could need or want for a holiday feast, including bone-in ham steak and eggs, smoked salmon scrambled egg sandwiches, Firecracker BBQ chicken sausage pizzas, Glazed & Infused doughnuts, and more. You'd best hope weather cooperates, because the patio is incomparable. 

Bow & Stern: For its first summer in operation, Bow & Stern is celebrating in true style, with a boisterous crawfish boil on August 31. Not just any crawfish boil, this one contains live music and beer specials as well. Utilizing fresh Louisiana crawfish for the event, the all-you-can-eat fete comes with red potatoes and corn on the cob as well. Abita beers will be on special, and The Royal Hustlers Band and Brother John Kettke will be providing the tunes. The event takes place from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. It costs $30 per person and reservations can be made by calling 312-988-0644.