Pier 31 Restaurant, Nikki Hayes’s entirely alfresco bar and grill, open Memorial Day to Labor Day, is a South Side summertime staple. With DJs spinning deep house music on Thursdays and bands playing jazz, R&B, and contemporary tunes Wednesdays and Sundays, plus reggae on Saturdays, it has a festive, family-friendly atmosphere as folks pack the dance floor and beach. There’s also plenty of summery picnic fare, like grilled burgers, veggie wraps, rum punch, and margaritas to fuel your dance moves. The yearly highlight? Pier 31 hosts Nikki Fest, a two-day event the last weekend of August featuring house music by the Chosen Few DJs and a few celeb sightings — in 2021, Chicago P.D. star LaRoyce T. Hawkins performed spoken word with the band. 3101 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Douglas