Chicago’s ‘Concrete Beach’ Is Going Viral On Social Media. Here’s Why Locals Love It

GOLD COAST — Chicago famously has 26 sandy beaches lining its lakefront — but it’s the one made of concrete that keeps going viral.

And it’s causing Chicagoans to receive flak on social media.

Pictures of people laying out on the city’s “concrete beach” — the strip of seawall just north of Oak Street Beach — are plentiful on the internet, but the lakefront location seemed to particularly strike a chord last week, vexing social media users who made Chicago the butt of memes and jokes.

“Living in Chicago is awesome because you can just go chill on the beach whenever you want,” social media user Connor Griffith posted on X last week, accompanied by a photo of people laying out on the so-called concrete beach.

The post has over 40 million views, with thousands of people questioning how a beach could be constructed of concrete and calling into question the sanity of Chicagoans who choose to hang out there.

And though plenty of locals reply that Chicago, in fact, has plenty of sandy beaches, too, the internet won’t stop piling on.

Despite the flak, many Chicagoans say they love — and even prefer — the concrete beach.

Here’s why some Chicagoans love the concrete beach.

It’s Perfect For Sand Haters

Danny Izewski, 30, of Lincoln Park, said he prefers the concrete beach because he doesn’t have to worry about sand coating his belongings. He chooses the concrete beach over the sandy beaches 75 percent of the time, he said.

“It is just a slab next to some water,” Izewski said. “I think they’re just mad because they didn’t think of it first.” 

Stephanie Vargas, 30, and Jonathan Sturm, 29, of West Town, said they gravitate toward the concrete beach on especially hot days — the sand burns their feet — and because it’s easier to head home without being covered in sand.

“You don’t get the nasty sand in your feet,” Vargas said. “It’s better. It’s an appeal.” 

Maddie Wilson, 27, of the Gold Coast, who is “anti-sand,” said she prefers the concrete beach because her stuff stays clean. Her sister, Cassidy Wilson, visiting from Dixon, said the two enjoy the concrete because it’s warm and it’s “like lying on a heating pad.” 

And what do they think of people making fun of the concrete beach?

“They’ve probably never been here,” Maddie Wilson said. “The concrete beach absolutely clears the sand, especially for people who don’t like sand.”

It’s Great For Jumping In And Swimming

Sarah Frieman, 25, of Uptown, said she almost always chooses a concrete beach — usually the ledge near Montrose Beach — because the sandy beaches have lifeguards who don’t let visitors swim out very deep. 

“When you need a good dunk, it’s the best place,” Frieman said. 

Rachel Katz, 27, of Uptown, said she typically visits the city’s sandy beaches but enjoys tanning at the concrete beach before jumping into its deeper water. 

“You can jump in the water and actually swim,” Katz said. “If you want to wade in the water and dip your toes in, great, go to a sandy beach. But if you want to swim, you should be here.”

Carlos Cueva, 18, of Humboldt Park, said he enjoys Chicago’s sandy and concrete beaches, but he prefers the concrete when he wants to spend the day swimming. 

“If you’re trying to jump off, concrete, because it’s already so deep,” Cueva said.

It Can Be Less Crowded Than The Sandy Downtown Beaches

Holly Handschuh, 24, of West Town, said she and her friend were deciding whether to spend the day at the concrete beach or in the sand at Oak Street Beach, and they chose the concrete when they saw crowds packing Oak Street. 

“You can literally see the hustle-bustle down there, versus everyone kind of in their own space just chilling, vibing, having a good time,” Handschuh said. 

It Makes The City Special

Any city adjacent to a body of water can have a sand beach.

Randy Gohmann said he prefers the concrete beach because it feels like something you could only find in Chicago.

“I think it’s kind of cool because it’s unique,” Gohmann said. “You can go to a beach anywhere, but I think it’s kind of awesome that everyone comes here.” 

Emma Elizabeth Spadone, 26, of the Gold Coast, said she insisted on bringing her friend from Philadelphia to the concrete beach — even though the friend often makes fun of it — because it feels like a Chicago‑only experience.

“I could die on this hill being like the concrete beach is the best beach,” Spadone said.