Nobody puts baby in a corner. Or Dad, for that matter. Sign him up for a class or two at Ballroom Dance Chicago to watch him flourish on the dance floor. Pretty soon you’ll catch him practicing his foxtrot when he thinks no one’s looking. We bet mom will thank you too. Group classes start at $40! Learn more

Don’t fight the urge to sign Dad up for a class at Bender Martial Arts. Bender Martial Arts offers adult courses on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Submission Grappling, Wrestling, and Judo for pupils of every skill level. Because Dad deserves a Rocky montage of his very own. Check it out

If there’s two things we know Dad loves, it’s quality footwear and the opportunity to work with his hands. Calling all crafty dads—the Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts is the new home base for the “lost art” of shoemaking. CSSLA offers several classes each week, catering to beginners and advanced pupils alike. Leather Work 101 classes start at $69 for a 2-hour session! Learn more

Beer isn’t just delicious—it’s an art form. Dad knows this. Gnome Brewing also knows this. That’s why they offer regular classes and user-friendly home brewing kits for folks looking to try their hand at one of mankind’s earliest and longest-running culinary traditions. Their ‘Brewing Beer in 1 Hour’ class goes for just $40—a steal, if you ask us. Check it out

You always knew you’d see your name in lights. Or at least your dad’s name. Lightwriters Neon is a family-run neon studio offering hands-on instruction in the unique craft of neon fabrication—a one-of-a-kind experience for a one-of-a-kind dad. Lightwriters’ introductory workshop teaches basic glass bending, cutting, and splicing, with no prior experience necessary. Check it out

What do you get for the Dad who has everything? Something from Bad Luck Club, of course! Bad Luck Club operates at the intersection of function and kitsch, boasting a full catalogue of curios to delight Dad on his special day. Art prints, candles, accessories, quirky bits of home décor—he’ll be the envy of the neighborhood. Learn more

One of Damen Ave’s newest and coziest brick-and-mortar boutiques, Bon Femme has a little something for everyone. It’s a one-stop shop for any occasion: grab Dad a cookbook, cocktail guide, or a quirky piece of home décor, and finish it off with one of Bon Femme’s adorable greeting cards. Pops of color galore! Check it out

Celtica is a charming Irish gift and apparel shop with plenty for Dad to love, from 100% merino wool Aran sweaters to rugby jerseys, Winston’s Irish Style Pork Sausage, Galway Crystal decanter sets, and—order these in advance!—custom family crest prints. Learn more

DEFY makes serious bags for serious cargo. Their bags are conceptualized and made right here in Chicago to be high-quality, durable, and—let’s be honest—just plain cool. Dads, we know you carry a lot of weight on your shoulders. Why not carry it in style with DEFY? Check it out

For a special gift that will last Dad a lifetime, check out G.V. Jewelry. G.V. Jewelry specializes in quality custom-made fine jewelry, including services and repairs. Almost all work is done in-house—from initial concept and design to gemstone selection, production, and service. Learn more

Only two things in this life are guaranteed: taxes, and the fact that your dad is dying to jam out on the guitar. Look no further than Rock n Roll Vintage, the vintage guitar and accessories store of Dad’s dreams. Rock n Roll Vintage boasts an eclectic collection of instruments, pedals, synths, and amps for Dads of every genre. Check it out

For the man who puts the wind in your sails, there’s Sailor. Sailor’s catalogue is the perfect blend of class and adventure, featuring a bespoke collection of fine jewelry, fragrances, and more. How a-boat it? Learn more

Just like Dad, letterpress shop Starshaped Press honors the old-school methods of doing things. You’ll come across all kinds of rare finds here, from small prints and themed greeting cards to large prints and artists books. While Starshaped doesn’t have a physical storefront, Chicago-area pickups are available for orders placed in the shop. Check it out

Thresh & Winnow is a limited-edition, 100% organic whiskey line from the minds behind KOVAL Distillery. The whiskeys are exquisite, full-bodied and aromatic, and the bottle designs are themselves incredible feats of craftsmanship. For Dad, we recommend their award-winning American Single Malt. Check it out

Talk about giving Dad a gift he’ll actually get mileage out of! Founded in 1965, Turin Bicycle is a true Chicago mainstay for quality bikes and bike accessories. If Dad’s already got a sweet ride, Turin also offers quality tune-ups, bike washes, and other repair services in-house! Check it out

Thirteen years ago, Begyle became the first taproom to open along the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor—it was an instant classic. Since then, they’ve perfected their tap list and made a name as one of Malt Row’s most laid-back and frequented neighborhood hangs. This Father’s Day, treat Dad to a pint and some quality time at this local favorite. Learn more

Chicago’s first botanic brewery, Forbidden Root, creates delicious and memorable craft beer inspired by nature. Cultivate by Forbidden Root, which opened in Malt Row in 2021, combines a creative kitchen with a diverse beer program showcasing barrel and foeder-aged botanical beers. Upscale yet relaxed, it’s the perfect spot for Dad to take a walk on the wild side of craft brews. Check it out

Dad will love Dovetail’s signature selection of continental European styles and traditional methods—for adventurous dads, we recommend the smoked beers. Want to take a peek behind the curtain? Dovetail offers 90-minute brewery tours every Saturday—featuring a water tasting, a hop rubbing, malt tasting, and more! Learn more

Half Acre is nothing less than a Chicago classic. Half Acre’s homebase since 2015 is a transformed bow truss factory building featuring a taproom and seasonal beer garden with full-service dining and a retail shop. The brews are iconic, the food is delicious, the beer garden is a spacious summer oasis—it’s basically Disneyland for Dads. Check it out 

KOVAL’s bespoke organic spirits use unique grains and signature distilling techniques to make each sip as rich and immersive as the last. The tasting room and store are both located inside the distillery, so Dad can sample a few before picking out his favorites to take home. Want to give Dad the gift that keeps on giving? KOVAL also offers cocktail-making classes! Learn more

Trust us: Dad’s going to love Spiteful Brewing. It’s the perfect summer spot, complete with scenic garage door windows, plenty of seating, and—huzzah!—a dartboard.  For dads who like to drink and think, Spiteful hosts weekly trivia on Wednesdays at 7pm. Check it out 

Wine Dad representation matters! A local gem, visiting Vin312 makes for an intimate experience Dad won’t soon forget. (In fact, prepare for him to start planning a return visit before the night is through.) Vin312’s west coast wines make quite the splash, and their wine club is one of the hottest lists to be on in the city. Learn more

Whatever you do, don’t get Dad something from Amy’s Candy Bar for Father’s Day this year. Unless you’re prepared to keep going back again, and again, and again. At the risk of using a cliché, Amy’s Candy Bar is going to make Dad feel like—well, y’know–a kid in a candy store. Not sure what to pick out? Amy’s offers gift collections so Dad can try a little bit of everything. Check it out

Say hello to our little friend. This atmospheric mafioso-themed eatery is a local favorite, serving up finger-licking Halal wings in a satisfying variety of flavors. (They don’t skimp on the portions, either!) Enthusiasts call them the “best wings in town,” and we certainly aren’t going to argue with that. Fuhgeddabout taking your capo anywhere else for Father’s Day. Check it out

Dad took you out for ice cream when you were a kid. This summer is the perfect time to pay it back with a trip to Bartleby’s, where dads get a free scoop on Father’s Day! We recommend their new Old Fashioned Ice Cream, featuring Mississippi River Distilling’s Cody Road Old Fashioned. Otherwise, cool off with one of their classic hand-dipped cones, sundaes, shakes, or ice cream cakes. Learn more

Barry Sweets isn’t just a delicious spot for satisfying your sweet tooth—it’s also an important part of the “circle of life” on Malt Row! Everything on Barry Sweets’ menu is made using spent grains from local breweries. Yes: these mouthwatering treats are environmentally friendly! Be sweet—get Dad a custom order for Father’s Day. Check it out

Lucila’s Alfajores is a crowd-pleaser when it comes to celebrating anyone’s special day, and Father’s Day is no exception. Alfajores are traditional Argentine pastries made with two delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies embracing a luscious dollop of creamy dulce de leche caramel.  You can make special orders by phone for pickup here in Ravenswood or check out their online shop. Learn more

What’s vegan, gluten-free, and delectable all around? Treats from Mindful Baking! In addition to baked goods and desserts, Mindful also serves delightful, health-conscious house-made café dishes, including weekend brunch. For the healthy dads, this one’s an easy (and scrumptious) winner for Father’s Day. Check it out

What’s there to say about Spoken that hasn’t already been said? Located off the Montrose brown line stop, Spoken is, in fact, the real deal: a homey neighborhood café with cajun flair (don’t worry–the owners are from southern Louisiana!) and a lauded retail line of preservables. Basically, you’ll have to drag Dad out of there kicking and screaming. Learn more

Dogs are a man’s best friend, and Dad’s no exception to the rule. This Father’s Day, help him take special care of his other favorite child. Bosly’s Backyard is a is a safe, clean, private indoor dog park for dogs and their owners to exercise, train and share a one-on-one adventure. We recommend buying him a gift certificate, which can be put toward private play sessions, group training, or dog birthday party rentals. Learn more

This Father’s Day, give Dad the gift of knowing his pets are rolling in style. Sometimes the small things shine the brightest light: a colorful collar for the cat or a spiffy new leash for the pup can bring a tear of fatherly pride to Dad’s eye (and a healthy serving of swagger to the little furball’s step). Six Point Pet is the perfect place to get Dad his fix of designer pet goods. Check it out

They say you can’t have it all, but Urban Pooch, located in the heart of Ravenswood, comes pretty darn close. Urban Pooch boasts a wide variety of products and services, from food and supplies to grooming, boarding, training, and more! Their 10,000 square foot facility is like IKEA for dogs. Father’s Day is the perfect time to surprise Dad and his best friend with some puppy love from Urban Pooch. Learn more

4Legs Pet Products is where pets (and their owners) go for eco-friendly, high-quality, hand-selected toys, treats, and more! Established in 2000, 4Legs is a one-stop shop for everything Dad needs to pamper his favorite four-legged friend the right way, with all-natural ingredients. This Father’s Day, throw Dad a bone with a thoughtful gift from 4Legs! Learn more