GUEST INFO
LOCATION
ADDRESS
Castaways Beach Club
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
GETTING HERE
Castaways Beach Club is located on North Avenue Beach in Lincoln Park, directly east of the intersection of LaSalle Drive and Lake Shore Drive, overlooking Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
If you're traveling on Lake Shore Drive, exit at North Avenue/LaSalle Drive. Follow signs for North Avenue Beach and continue east toward the lakefront. Castaways is the iconic boat-shaped building located directly on the beach.
PARKING
We highly recommend using public transportation or rideshare services like Uber or Lyft.
Paid parking is available in our parking lot or the Lincoln Park Zoo lot. If parking at the zoo, park in the southernmost section near the soccer field, then walk over the pedestrian bridge to the beach entrance. Continue walking south on the Lakefront Trail, and you will arrive at Castaways Beach Club
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The closest CTA bus routes are:
-
#72 North Avenue – stops near North Avenue Beach
-
#151 Sheridan – stops along Lake Shore Drive at North Avenue
-
#156 LaSalle – seasonal and weekday service with stops near the beach
From these stops, Castaways is a short walk east.
WALKING & BIKING
Castaways is located directly on Chicago's Lakefront Trail and is easily accessible by foot or bicycle from Lincoln Park, Streeterville, Gold Coast, and surrounding neighborhoods.
SEPTEMBER HOURS
Castaways will open daily at 11 AM, weather permitting. Hours will vary throughout September depending on weather conditions, attendance, and events.
AIR & WATER SHOW
THE INFORMATION BELOW PERTAINS TO THE 2026 AIR & WATER SHOW, WHICH HAS CONCLUDED. THIS SECTION WILL BE UPDATED WITH 2027 INFORMATION AS SOON AS DETAILS ARE FINALIZED.
AIR & WATER SHOW VIEWING PARTIES
Castaways Beach Club hosts premier all-inclusive rooftop viewing parties featuring front-row sights of the Chicago Air & Water Show, a nearly 6-hour open bar, breakfast, and an extensive lunch buffet. All taxes, fees, and gratuity are included in the price of your tickets. Tickets start around $175 for the Sunday viewing party, offering assigned seating directly at show center.
DATES & PRICING
The Air & Water Show viewing parties will take place on the following dates:
-
Friday, August 14th (practice show) 9:30am-3pm | $195 per person (SOLD OUT)
-
Saturday, August 15th 9am-3pm | $250 per person (SOLD OUT)
-
Sunday, August 16th 9:30am-3pm | $175 per person
CHILDREN
Reduced-rate tickets are available for minors ages 3–20. Please note that the Air & Water Show is a long, high-energy day featuring frequent and very loud aircraft noise, which may not be suitable or enjoyable for young children.
-
Friday, August 14th (practice show) | $100 per minor (SOLD OUT)
-
Saturday, August 15th | $125 per minor (SOLD OUT)
-
Sunday, August 16th | $100 per minor
SEATING
All tables are grouped as 10 tops. You may be sharing a table with another group or other guests depending on your final count.
While we are not able to guarantee specific requests for locations of tables, we will provide you with a non-obstructed view, and groups will be seated together.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The Air & Water Show takes place rain or shine. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable unless the City of Chicago cancels the event before it begins. Your credit card will be charged in full upon receipt of your payment information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
View full details including food and drink menus here. If you have additional questions, please contact Tom Kokinakos, Director of Catering Sales & Private Events: tom@stefanigroup.com.
EVENTS
GROUPS
For information about booking your own group event or party, please click here.
ARC AT THE LAKE
Arc at the Lake is a summer event series by Auris Presents featuring internationally acclaimed DJs, house music artists, and unforgettable lakefront views at Castaways Beach Club.
All performances are for ages 21+. Doors open at approximately 4pm, and the events last until 10pm. You can view the list of upcoming artists and event dates on our calendar page. Each ARC event on the calendar includes a general admission 'tickets' link and a 'cabana rentals' link which will take you to the appropriate listings for each option. GA tickets are sold via the axs website, and cabanas are booked through the Speakeasy website. See more on cabanas below.
Entry is per the security team's discretion. Guests may bring small personal bags subject to inspection upon entry. Prohibited items include: weapons, alcohol, drugs, outside food and beverages, bikes, roller blades, fireworks, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas.
CLUB CAPRI
Club Capri is Chicago's #1 rooftop series, presented by Thank You for Dancing. Inspired by European summers on the Amalfi Coast, the immersive experience features cannoli, gelato, a roaming saxophone player, signature activations, all day DJs, and skyline sunsets with sparklers.
All Club Capri events are for ages 21+. Doors open at 2pm, and the event lasts until approximately 9pm.
You can view the list of upcoming event dates on our calendar page. Each Club Capri event on the website calendar includes a general admission 'tickets' link and a 'cabana rentals' link which will take you to the appropriate listings for each option. Both the GA tickets and cabanas are booked through the Speakeasy website. See more on cabanas below.
Entry is per the security team's discretion. Guests may bring small personal bags subject to inspection upon entry. Prohibited items include: weapons, alcohol, drugs, outside food and beverages, bikes, roller blades, fireworks, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas.
CHASING SUN(SETS)
Chasing Sun(Sets) is a premier open-air house music series by the Monolith Project, held at Castaways Beach Club on Chicago's lakefront. The summer residency features day-to-night DJ sets with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline. All Chasing Sun(Sets) events are for ages 21+. Doors open at 12pm, and the event lasts until approximately 10pm. The first event - Sun(Sets) I - took place on July 4th and featured numerous artists, including Kiko Franco and Autograf. The next event - Sun (Sets) II - takes place on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, and the final event of the series - Sun(Sets) III - will take place on Saturday, September 19th, 2026. View event updates and get access to tickets as soon as they're released by visiting the official sunsets.vip event page.
Entry is per the security team's discretion. Guests may bring small personal bags subject to inspection upon entry. Prohibited items include: weapons, alcohol, drugs, outside food and beverages, bikes, roller blades, fireworks, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas.
SALSA BEFORE SUNSET
Hosted by Let's Do Fun Things, Salsa Before Sunset at Castaways Beach Club on North Avenue Beach is a popular 21+ summer dance event. It takes place on select Thursdays during the summer and runs from 6:30pm until approximately 10pm. The evening kicks off with a beginner-friendly lesson, followed by a live DJ spinning salsa, bachata, and Latin hits while the sun sets over the Chicago skyline. No experience necessary. You can view the list of upcoming event dates and purchase tickets on our calendar page.
Entry is per the security team's discretion. Guests may bring small personal bags subject to inspection upon entry. Prohibited items include: weapons, alcohol, drugs, outside food and beverages, bikes, roller blades, fireworks, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas.
CABANAS
Cabanas come with a dedicated server and are subject to bottle service minimums. Cabana rentals for Club Capri, ARC at the Lake, or Chasing Sun(Sets) events include admission for your guests (between 8-12 guests depending on the cabana you select). The final check may only be split evenly between two parties. Beverages not listed on the bottle service menu must be ordered individually from the bar and do not count toward the cabana minimum. Rental fees, if applicable, are non-refundable unless Castaways is closed due to inclement weather and do not count toward the food and beverage minimum. Taxes and gratuity do not count toward the minimum spend. An automatic 20% gratuity will be added to the final bill, and all services are subject to a 12.5% tax. All sales are final; no refunds, exchanges, or cancellations are permitted. Reservation dates and times are non-interchangeable. All guests must be 21+ and present a valid physical ID; photos or copies of IDs will not be accepted. Outside food and alcohol are not permitted. Entry is at the discretion of Castaways management, which reserves the right to inspect personal belongings and refuse service to anyone.
View the bottle service menu here.
FOR ADDITIONAL EVENT INFORMATION, GUIDELINES, AND POLICIES, PLEASE VISIT THE 'POLICIES' TAB.
POLICIES
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are not required for general visits to Castaways Beach Club, and walk-ins are always welcome. Food, drinks, and beachside seating are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, reservations are available and may be a good option during particularly busy days or peak times if you'd like to plan ahead. You can make a reservation on OpenTable.
WEATHER
This is a fully outdoor, open-air venue. Please plan ahead for the weather when attending events. All events take place rain or shine, unless organizers announce an official weather cancellation. Severe or dangerous weather may prompt delays or rescheduling, but all tickets are strictly non-refundable.
On non-event days, the restaurant may close early due to inclement weather.
PAYMENT
Castaways Beach Club is a fully cashless venue. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay.
AGE
Guests of all ages are always welcome in the restaurant portion of our venue (South Deck, East Deck, and West Deck). Booster seats are available upon request. The North Deck is restricted to ages 21+, and all guests must present a valid physical ID to access this area; photos or copies of IDs will not be accepted. Our cabanas, DJ booth, and a full bar are located on the North Deck. This is where all events take place (ARC, Club Capri, Chasing Sun(Sets), etc.).
PETS
Well-behaved dogs are allowed on the east and west decks as long as there's enough space to accommodate them. We do not allow dogs on the North Deck (event/DJ space) or the South Deck (turf-covered space).
ENTRY
Entry is at the discretion of the security team and Castaways staff. Admission may be denied due to capacity limitations, safety concerns, or other circumstances at the discretion of management. Castaways reserves the right to refuse service to guests who appear excessively intoxicated or whose behavior may pose a risk to themselves or others. Guests who engage in disruptive or inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave and, if necessary, may be removed from the premises by authorities.
BAGS & OTHER ITEMS
Guests may bring small personal bags subject to inspection upon entry. Prohibited items include: weapons, alcohol, drugs, outside food and beverages, bikes, roller blades, fireworks, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas.
RESTROOMS
The restrooms are located on the lower level of the building and are owned and operated by the Chicago Park District. Public restroom access is available from both the east and west sides of the building. Drinks are not permitted downstairs, so please finish your beverage upstairs before using the restrooms.
ACCESSIBILITY
Castaways Beach Club is ADA compliant. The facility features a concrete beach walk, beach-accessible pathways, and accessible bathrooms located on the lower level. An elevator is available to get up to the rooftop.
SMOKING
Smoking is not allowed at Castaways Beach Club. Illinois state law, city ordinances, and Chicago Park District rules prohibit smoking and vaping inside public food establishments, on beaches, and within 15 feet of building entrances.
CONTACT US
ADDRESS
Castaways Beach Club
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
HOURS
Castaways opens daily from 11 AM to 10 PM, weather permitting. If weather conditions are not favorable, we may be closed or operating with adjusted hours on non-event days. All events are scheduled to take place rain or shine.
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are not required for general visits to Castaways Beach Club, and walk-ins are always welcome. Food, drinks, and beachside seating are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, reservations are available and may be a good option during particularly busy days or peak times if you'd like to plan ahead. You can make a reservation on OpenTable.
EMPLOYMENT
If you are interested in joining the Castaways team, please fill out our employment form, linked here.