Jan. 22, 2026

The official kick-off event for Chicago Restaurant Week, First Bites Bash is an all-inclusive tasting event produced by Choose Chicago that showcases the city’s award-winning restaurant scene.

Guests can enjoy unlimited bites from acclaimed restaurants, sip beverages from top brands, and explore the iconic Field Museum after hours.

First Bites Bash 2026 is sold out! Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets, we look forward to seeing you at the Field Museum in January.

First Bites Bash tickets

Flash Sale

$120

General Admission

$155

Sold out

Participating Restaurants

14 Parish Restaurant & Rhum Bar
Apolonia Chicago
Bar Tabu
Barrio
The Berghoff & Adam’s Street Brewery
BISTRONOMIC
Burger Bar Chicago
Butcher & The Bear
Cafe Con Leche
Cedar Palace
Cesar’s Killer Margaritas
Chef Art Smith’s Reunion
CheSa’s Bistro & Bar
City Cruises Chicago
Costera Cocina Tulum
Dawn AM Eatery
Deliz Italian Steakhouse
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Eden
Fora
Formento’s Italian Steak House
Gene & Georgetti
Hawksmoor Chicago
Indian Garden restaurant
Industry Ales
Ithaki Estiatorio
Kamehachi
Kindling (Host Chef restaurant)
La Grande Boucherie Chicago
La Josie
La Licor Panamericana
LAUREL
Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar
Mercadito
Mirabella Italian Cuisine & Bar
Nisos Prime
Nonnina
Nora Restaurant
Norman’s Bistro
Omakase Shoji & Izakaya
Orso’s Restaurant
Petterino’s
Piccolo Sogno
Qiao Lin Hotpot
Rendang Republic
River Roast
Roanoke Hospitality
ROKA AKOR
Seville Chicago
Shine
Signature Steak
Solette
Somerset
Sophia Steak
Sotto
Soul & Smoke
state and lake tavern
STK Steakhouse
Storyville
Sunda New Asian
Sushi by Bou
Tacotlan
Tandoor Char House
Tanta
Tapas Valencia
The Albert Restaurant
The Albion Manor
The Dandy Crown
The Greggory
The Hampton Social
The Kitchen American Bistro
The Midland Social Club
The Perch Kitchen + Tap
The Staley
Toro Chicago
Tzuco
UMMO

Non-Alcoholic
FRE Alcohol Removed Wine
Pepsi Soft Drinks
VietFive Coffee
Trest Agave Mixers
SEAGLASS Alcohol Removed Wines
Luminara Napa Valley Alcohol Removed Wines

Spirits
1800 Tequila
400 Conejos Mezcal
Bushmills Irish Whiskey
Gran Centenario Tequila
Jose Cuervo
Maestro Dobel
Pendleton Whisky
Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
Three Olives Vodka
TINCUP

Beer
ERIS Brewery and Ciderhouse
Off Hours Beer Company
Dovetail Brewery
Industry Ales
Old Irving Brewing Co.

Wine
Iron + Sand
Joel Gott
Ménage à Trois
Napa Cellars
Quattro Theory
SEAGLASS Wine Company
Sutter Home
Trinchero Heritage Collection

First Bites Bash Host Chef

Jonathon Sawyer, Chef Partner
Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

Chef Jonathon Sawyer is the Chef Partner of Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails owned and operated by Chicago’s Fifty/50 Group. In this role, Chef Sawyer contributes his culinary expertise and passion to the development and creation of the menu, brand and vision behind Kindling.

Throughout Chef’s career, he’s won a roster of notable awards for his work. In 2010, Chef Sawyer won Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef” award. In 2015, Chef Sawyer won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. In 2021, after relocating back to his hometown of Chicago, Chef Sawyer’s restaurant, Adorn Bar & Restaurant, was included in the 2021 Michelin Guidebook.

Chef Sawyer has also become a fan-favorite TV personality, appearing on national programs such as The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Chopped, Top Chef, The Dish, Bobby Flay’s Triple Threat, Tournament of Champions, Wild Card Kitchen, and 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, where he was crowned the 2025 winner.

Choose Chicago will make a financial contribution to benefit No Kid Hungry, who works with food banks, schools and other partners around the country to make sure kids and families have the food they need. Additionally, Choose Chicago will contribute to the James Beard Foundation, a long-time partner, furthering its commitment to championing a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving independent restaurant industry.

FIRST BITES BASH AFTER PARTY

Keep the party going and join us for the official First Bites Bash after party at Hubbard Inn!

Show your First Bites Bash wristband for expedited entry at the front door, and one complimentary beverage, including beer, wine, seltzer, or call cocktail. Let the night continue with good company and great spirits!