Fathers have a friend in Chicago’s 'Broskis,' a club linking dads with other dads and their children

Chicago Sun Times / by Lisa Shames / May 27, 2025

It’s 10:30 on a breezy Saturday morning in April and Ravenswood’s Side Practice Coffee is filling up with small groups of twentysomethings and solo customers with laptops. In the corner, a pop-up from a local baker has attracted a small line. Closer to the hour, the vibe starts to change with guys entering the indie coffee shop carefully maneuvering their child-filled strollers down the short flight of stairs. Outside, it’s a similar scene with kids, and presumably their fathers, gathering on the sidewalk.

Look closely and you’ll get a clue of what’s going on. On the heads of a few of the guys are baseball-style hats with “broskis” written on the front and “dads clubs” on the back. Started in February by friends Francis Almeda and R.J. Ricalde, Broskis is a casual monthly gathering for fathers and their children. Or, as their tagline puts it, “Where Dadskis become Broskis.” Read More Here.