In partnership with Alderman LaSpata and CDOT, we’re transforming Milwaukee Avenue into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining haven—and we want YOU to be a part of it!

Join us for a lively series of community events filled with:

• Sidewalk sales
• Live acoustic music
• Outdoor dining and more!

Where: All along historic Milwaukee Ave (between Ashland Ave & North Ave)

• Sunday, August 30 | 10 AM - 6 PM
• Sunday, September 27 | 10 AM - 6 PM
• Sunday, October  | 10 AM - 4 PM

Featuring Pop-Ups from these Wicker Park Bucktown corridors:

• North Ave
• Damen Ave
• Division St
• Ashland Ave
• Armitage Ave
• Western Ave
• Elston Ave

Business Participation Information:

The event is free to participate; however, a refundable $75 event deposit will be charged at the time of registration. A deposit is not required for brick & mortar businesses located on Milwaukee Ave, between Ashland Ave & North Ave.

Please note that the deposit will be refunded only if you provide at least 48 hours' notice of cancellation. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice will result in the forfeiture of the deposit.

All businesses must complete the registration form and indicate the date(s) they wish to attend.

Food & Beverage Establishment:

• This a remind you that your liquor, outdoor patio, and sidewalk cafe licenses entitle you to certain rights regarding liquor sales, but also have very specific restrictions to which you must adhere during Meet Me on Milwaukee.
  
  
• Your patrons CANNOT leave your premises (the physical establishment or the sidewalk cafe) with any alcoholic beverages.
  
  
• You CANNOT sell alcoholic beverages to passersby.
  
  
• If you suspect that a patron is going to leave your establishment with the alcoholic beverage purchased at your place of business, it is your responsibility to stop them and require that they finish the beverage on your premises or leave the beverage behind.
  
  
• A catering license DOES NOT permit an exception to any of the above.
  
  
• Business owners are still expected to operate within ALL their licenses, including Outdoor Patio and Sidewalk Cafe licenses. Setting up patios/cafes that are not permitted, or physically enclosing patios/cafes so that they fully take over the sidewalk but are NOT part of your current patio license, are strictly prohibited.

If your establishment does not currently have an outdoor patio or a sidewalk café license, the following temporary activation rules apply in addition to standard restrictions above:

• You may activate a temporary sidewalk café between 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, during the event days ONLY.
  
  
• You must provide tables and chairs for the outdoor cafe.
  
  
• A minimum 6-foot clearance must be maintained between your building and the outdoor setup to ensure ADA compliance.
  
  
• The temporary patio must be located directly in front of your establishment only.

Important Guidelines:

If your restaurant is not located on Milwaukee Ave (between North Ave and Ashland Ave), you will not be permitted to prepare or serve hot food on-site during the event.

However, you may participate by offering packaged food items such as:

• Canned goods
• Bottled non-alcoholic beverages
• Dry, pre-packaged provisions (e.g., snacks, baked goods, sealed items)

This policy ensures compliance with health and safety regulations for the street closure setup.

*Please be aware that a failure to abide by these restrictions could result in a complaint to the Illinois Liquor Commission, which could potentially result in fines and the revocation of your liquor license.

Interested in Event Sponsorship for Meet Me on Milwaukee? Learn more HERE.