TAPROOM EVENTS & POP-UPS
Argonaut Oyster Bar POP-UP
Argonaut is an elevated seafood pop-up featuring sustainably sourced oysters and raw-bar classics.
Xicago Cevicheria Pop-Up
Xicago Cevicheria brings their menu of aguachile, ceviche and more.
BEER HALL MONTH: PRAGUE
We’re kicking off Beer Hall Month with a nod to Czech pub culture—where the first rule is simple: don’t go to the bar.
For one day, our Barrel Loft becomes a Czech-style beer hall, pouring just two beers: světlé (Pilsner) and tmavé (Czech Dark Lager). Table service is front-and-center in Czech beer hall culture, there’s no need to go to the bar, because there’s no decision to be made. Our servers will bring you either “Light” or “Dark,” and our bartender-turned-tapsters-for-the-night will offer classic and Mlíko pours. We always preach FOAM here, but tonight we’ll shout it from the rooftops.
Beard & Belly joins us with a Czech-inspired menu, featuring:
Czech beef goulash: generous chunks of tender beef simmered in a rich, thick onion-based gravy
Sekaná: Pork and beef meatloaf with mashed potatoes
Czech Kuba: Barley and Mushroom casserole (limited, vegetarian option)
We'll also offer pours of the popular Czech cola, Kofola, as an N/A option.
During this beer hall, enjoy 10% off 4-packs of Pilsner and Czech Dark Lager, as well as our “Czech Mix” variety 4-pack which features half Pilsner / half CDL.
Also only on January 10: Grab a Beer Hall Pass. Spend $20 on beer at each Beer Hall weekend, get a stamp, and earn a $20 gift card on 1/31.
Magic By Brielle
Joining us in the taproom is MAGIC BY BRIELLE, bringing “How’d she do that?!” table-side illusions straight to your bar seat. A Chicago-based magician and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” alum, Brielle is helping revive tavern magic, a close-up style born right here in Chicago, with performances at spots like Beard & Belly and Long Room.
Music Bingo with Ben
Every other Wednesday, our taproom manager Ben hosts Music Bingo from 6–8pm. The premise is fun and simple: each round is a variation on the theme, and you match snippets of songs to your squares. Win prizes when you yell BINGO!
BEER HALL MONTH: Köln
For our second beer hall of Beer Hall Month, we’re breaking out the Kranz (and the pretzels)!
Join us for a day of our nationally recognized Kölsch-style service, inspired by the traditional beer halls of Köln. Instead of ordering from a beer menu, our servers will circulate with a kranz of fresh Kölsch, dropping off 200mL stanges on repeat.
Each pour is tallied on your coaster, and the service continues until you say “Stop” (or place your coaster on top of your glass, Köln-style). Only Kölsch will be pouring in the Barrel Loft all day, and when you hit five notches, we’ll treat you to a complimentary pretzel (while supplies last) 🥨
No reservations needed!
Happy Lobster Pop-Up
-Festiversary favorites The Happy Lobster arrive with a special winter pop-up to serve their Chicago-style lobster rolls made with Maine lobsters. Folks are encouraged to preorder here.
Polombia Pop-UP
Polombia will join us at the taproom to serve their homestyle Polish-Colombian food!
Music Bingo with Ben
Every other Wednesday, our taproom manager Ben hosts Music Bingo from 6–8pm. The premise is fun and simple: each round is a variation on the theme, and you match snippets of songs to your squares. Win prizes when you yell BINGO!
BEER HALL MONTH: Vienna
For our final beer hall of Beer Hall Month, take a waltz through 19th-century Austria and into the café culture of Vienna, around the time Anton Dreher was introducing his amber-colored lager to the world.
Showcasing new achievements in malting technology and lagering, Dreher’s beer—then known as Schwechater Lagerbier—went on to influence the brewing industry worldwide after its introduction in 1841. Dovetail’s Vienna Lager is a faithful nod to that legacy: a 100% Vienna-malt, double-decocted lager with a spicy noble hop profile, rich malt character, and a crisp finish.
Alongside Vienna Lager, we’ll also debut a brand-new Dovetail beer: Smoked Vienna. Built on the same double-decocted mash, it layers in cherrywood- and beechwood-smoked malts for a deeper expression of Vienna Lager—like fresh pretzels pulled from a wood-fired oven. It’s an even cozier take on an already cozy beer, made for slowing down.
And slowing down is central to Viennese coffeehouse—and pub—culture, now recognized as UNESCO cultural heritage. Our friends at the pub. will have a newspaper archive on hand for leisurely browsing. Feeling social? Start a game of chess, or learn Austria’s national card game: Schnapsen.
Those who complete their Beer Hall Pass today can turn it in for a $20 gift card.
Sips ‘n Spells
Every last Monday of the month, join Sips ‘n Spells for a queer-focused Magic the Gathering social. Follow their Instagram for more details.
BREWERY TOUR
Each 90-minute-ish brewery tour includes three .3L beers (that’s nearly a liter of beer!) and insight into our traditional brewing processes. You will get to participate in a water tasting (bet you didn’t see that coming!), a hop rubbing, and malt tasting, while exploring the unique features in our brewery, including (spoilers!) our coolship and 115-year-old copper kettle from Weihenstephaner (that’s the oldest brewery in the world).
Community Movie Premiere!
Kira Fahmy and some friends got in touch to see whether they could screen their new holiday movie at Dovetail: “We filmed a silly no-budget Christmas movie with a bunch of our friends and want to do a screening,” she said.
Sounded like a good enough reason for us! Join Kira and friends for this free premiere screening of a new Christmas Classic! Shot in and around the scenic Chicago neighborhoods of North Center and Ravenswood, “My Christmas Valentine: I Forgot Christmas!” is a feature film that’s fun for the whole family.
HOLIDAY Music Bingo with Ben
Every other Wednesday, our taproom manager Ben hosts Music Bingo from 6–8pm. For this edition, he’s leaning all the way into the holidays—themes will riff on seasonal favorites, from classic carols to holiday movie soundtracks. The premise is fun and simple: each round is a variation on the theme, and you match snippets of songs to your squares. So maybe brush up on everything from “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to “Carol of the Bells” and that one song you only hear at the CVS from November til December.
The Mahjong Society: Scoring and Strategy Class
Have you already taken The Mahjong Society’s Mahjong 101 and you’re ready to level up your game? Join them for a special scoring and strategy class for intermediate and advanced players. More details and tickets here.
Wreath Making Workshop
Make your own holiday wreath with expert guidance from Vivant Gardening! Includes all the supplies and a beer, natch. Get your tix here.
Good Omen Gyoza Pop-Up
Good Omen Gyoza will offer their Japanese-style dumplings and other inspired small bites.
BREWERY TOUR
Each 90-minute-ish brewery tour includes three .3L beers (that’s nearly a liter of beer!) and insight into our traditional brewing processes. You will get to participate in a water tasting (bet you didn’t see that coming!), a hop rubbing, and malt tasting, while exploring the unique features in our brewery, including (spoilers!) our coolship and 115-year-old copper kettle from Weihenstephaner (that’s the oldest brewery in the world).
Happy Lobster Pop-Up
-Festiversary favorites The Happy Lobster arrive with a special winter pop-up to serve their Chicago-style lobster rolls made with Maine lobsters. Folks are encouraged to preorder here.
Happy Lobster Pop-Up
-Festiversary favorites The Happy Lobster arrive with a special winter pop-up to serve their Chicago-style lobster rolls made with Maine lobsters. Folks are encouraged to preorder here.
Happy Lobster Pop-Up
-Festiversary favorites The Happy Lobster arrive with a special winter pop-up to serve their Chicago-style lobster rolls made with Maine lobsters. Folks are encouraged to preorder here.
BREWERY TOUR
Each 90-minute-ish brewery tour includes three .3L beers (that’s nearly a liter of beer!) and insight into our traditional brewing processes. You will get to participate in a water tasting (bet you didn’t see that coming!), a hop rubbing, and malt tasting, while exploring the unique features in our brewery, including (spoilers!) our coolship and 115-year-old copper kettle from Weihenstephaner (that’s the oldest brewery in the world).
HOLIDAY Music Bingo with Ben
Every other Wednesday, our taproom manager Ben hosts Music Bingo from 6–8pm. For this edition, he’s leaning all the way into the holidays—themes will riff on seasonal favorites, from classic carols to holiday movie soundtracks. The premise is fun and simple: each round is a variation on the theme, and you match snippets of songs to your squares. So maybe brush up on everything from “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to “Carol of the Bells” and that one song you only hear at the CVS from November til December.
Magic By Brielle
Joining us in the taproom is MAGIC BY BRIELLE, bringing “How’d she do that?!” table-side illusions straight to your bar seat. A Chicago-based magician and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” alum, Brielle is helping revive tavern magic, a close-up style born right here in Chicago, with performances at spots like Beard & Belly and Long Room.
BAD JOHNNY'S x DOVETAIL HOLIDAY Flammkuchen Party!
Our longtime pal and pizza wiz Bad Johnny is rolling up to the taproom with his wood-fired oven for a special collaboration: Flammkuchen!
What the heck is Flammkuchen? It’s a thin, crispy flatbread from the Alsace region, traditionally topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon. Delicious, right? We’ll also be pouring some Flammkuchen-friendly beer specials!
BAD JOHNNY'S x DOVETAIL HOLIDAY Flammkuchen Party!
Our longtime pal and pizza wiz Bad Johnny is rolling up to the taproom with his wood-fired oven for a special collaboration: Flammkuchen!
What the heck is Flammkuchen? It’s a thin, crispy flatbread from the Alsace region, traditionally topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon. Delicious, right? We’ll also be pouring some Flammkuchen-friendly beer specials!
BREWERY TOUR
Each 90-minute-ish brewery tour includes three .3L beers (that’s nearly a liter of beer!) and insight into our traditional brewing processes. You will get to participate in a water tasting (bet you didn’t see that coming!), a hop rubbing, and malt tasting, while exploring the unique features in our brewery, including (spoilers!) our coolship and 115-year-old copper kettle from Weihenstephaner (that’s the oldest brewery in the world).
Sip n Stitch
Our bartender and tour guide Liz is also co-owner of Cogs Cycles and Yarns, a very cool bike-slash-knitting store on the Northwest side.
Once a month, Liz is brings her expertise in knitting to the taproom, and hosts a Sip and Stitch! Get cozy, bring a project and hang out with other knitters (and get 15% off your tab).
Sips ‘n Spells
Every last Monday of the month, join Sips ‘n Spells for a queer-focused Magic the Gathering social. Follow their Instagram for more details.
Polombia Pop-UP
Polombia will join us at the taproom to serve their homestyle Polish-Colombian food!
BREWERY TOUR
Each 90-minute-ish brewery tour includes three .3L beers (that’s nearly a liter of beer!) and insight into our traditional brewing processes. You will get to participate in a water tasting (bet you didn’t see that coming!), a hop rubbing, and malt tasting, while exploring the unique features in our brewery, including (spoilers!) our coolship and 115-year-old copper kettle from Weihenstephaner (that’s the oldest brewery in the world).
Limoni Belli Pop-Up
The Limoni Belli food truck rolls up to serve Neapolitan-style pizza!
Polombia Pop-UP
Polombia will join us at the taproom to serve their homestyle Polish-Colombian food!
Happy Lobster Food Truck
-Festiversary favorites The Happy Lobster roll up to serve their Chicago-style lobster rolls made with Maine lobsters. Folks are encouraged to preorder here.
BREWERY TOUR
Each 90-minute-ish brewery tour includes three .3L beers (that’s nearly a liter of beer!) and insight into our traditional brewing processes. You will get to participate in a water tasting (bet you didn’t see that coming!), a hop rubbing, and malt tasting, while exploring the unique features in our brewery, including (spoilers!) our coolship and 115-year-old copper kettle from Weihenstephaner (that’s the oldest brewery in the world).
Limoni Belli Pop-Up
The Limoni Belli food truck rolls up to serve Neapolitan-style pizza!
The FRIENDSHIP CENTER YOGA
Join Michaela for her yoga class --- fight hunger with your fitness, with a $15 suggested donation to support The Friendship Center, our local food pantry that’s served the Northside for more than 50 years. Pre-sale tix can be purchased here. Walk-ins welcome, limited yoga mats available to borrow.
Goodbye 2025 Patio and Hello Tie Dye Party!
Help us celebrate the "end" of Chicago patio season with a tie dye party!
Help us close out 2025 patio season by winding some rubber bands around a Dovetail logo tee and making your own tie-dye creation! We'll provide everything you'll need—and some beer—for a laid-back evening on our Patio. Much like the Autumnal weather in Chicago, you'll leave with a tee that is one-of-a-kind!
Each ticket includes:
One blank Dovetail logo tee to tie dye; tie dye kit; one .5L draft pour; some salty snacks; and 15% off your entire tab for the night (including to-go beer).
Bumbu Roux Pop-Up
Bumbu Roux is a unique culinary venture by chef Chris Reed, blending his Indonesian and Creole heritage into a harmonious menu, with the likes of the pork sambal po’boy and seafood gumbo.