Late Night in Chicago
The city after dark. Late sets, after-hours bars, anything past 9 PM.
Mekons at Hideout
The Mekons—the UK post-punk legends who've been defiantly weird since 1977—are bringing their genre-defying chaos to Hideout's intimate stage. You'll catch two sets of raw, unpredictable alt-country-meets-punk energy in this Bucktown dive where the crowds are serious and the drinks are cheap.
Arcade Night at Emporium
Free-play vintage arcade games, pinball, craft beer, and DJ sets. All games free — just buy a drink. 21+ after 9 PM.
Jeff Tweedy Live at The Vic Theatre
Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy performs a solo show at The Vic Theatre as part of a multi-night Chicago run. The intimate setting showcases Tweedy's songwriting genius spanning his decades-long career with Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. All ages. Doors at 6:30 PM, show at 7:30 PM.
The Knocks x Dragonette x Aquaria: REVELATION Tour
Dance music heavyweights The Knocks bring their REVELATION tour to House of Blues Chicago with special guests Dragonette and drag superstar Aquaria. Expect high-energy electronic pop, dazzling visuals, and a packed dance floor. Doors 7:30 PM, show at 8:30 PM. Ages 17+.
The Knocks x Dragonette x Aquaria REVELATION
The Knocks, Dragonette, and Aquaria team up for REVELATION on May 30.
Reggies Rock Club — Live Metal & Punk
Three floors of music in the South Loop — the Rock Club hosts touring metal, punk, and hardcore bands in a sweaty, loud, no-frills room that's exactly
The Knocks x Dragonette x Aquaria at House of Blues
Three powerhouses collide as The Knocks, Dragonette, and RuPaul's Drag Race winner Aquaria bring the REVELATION tour to House of Blues Chicago. Get re
House of Burlesque
House of Burlesque brings the glitz, glamor, and tease to Chicago on May 30.
Ryan Oliver: The Barrel Floats Too Night 2
Ryan Oliver's taping his new special "The Barrel Floats Too" at Lincoln Lodge, and you're invited to be part of night two of the filming—which means you'll be in the room when comedy history gets documented. The Logan Square venue's intimate setup makes you feel closer to the stage than any polished theater could manage, so expect raw material being tested in real time, the kind of unfiltered energy that only exists when a room full of people and a camera crew collide.
Gozu, Restless Spirit, Unto the Earth, Ghost Pipe
Gozu, Restless Spirit, Unto the Earth, and Ghost Pipe descend on Reggies Music Joint on May 30.
The Lemon Twigs with Twin Seas
The Lemon Twigs bring their theatrical power-pop chaos to Metro's storied Wrigleyville stage—expect maximalist arrangements, sibling harmonies that hit different, and the kind of controlled mayhem that makes you question why more bands aren't this ambitious. Twin Seas opens, so arrive early to catch them warm up the room.
Marisa Anderson
Marisa Anderson pulls fingerstyle guitar into territories most players won't venture—she's reimagining obscure folk recordings from Harry Smith's legendary archive, transforming them into something that feels both ancestral and utterly contemporary. You'll experience this in Constellation's intimate Roscoe Village room, where the acoustics are pristine enough to catch every deliberate note she coaxes from her instrument.
Friday Night Bowling at 10pin
Upscale bowling lounge in River North. Craft cocktails, bottle service, and glow-in-the-dark lanes after 9 PM.
Cosmic Bowling at Waveland
Glow-in-the-dark cosmic bowling every Friday and Saturday after 9 PM. 40 lanes, full bar, open until 5 AM.
Friday Night at The Promontory
Live music, DJs, and cocktails at Hyde Parks premier venue. R&B, soul, and jazz vibes every Friday.
Friday Night Blues at Kingston Mines
Two stages of live Chicago blues every Friday night. Open until 4 AM. The real deal since 1968.
Kingston Mines Blues — Double Stage
Two stages, two bands, seven nights a week — Kingston Mines has been keeping the blues alive in Lincoln Park since 1968. Walk between rooms catching d
Karaoke Night at Louie Lous
Open mic karaoke every Friday and Saturday. Cheap drinks, no cover, and a crowd that cheers for everyone. Wicker Park vibes.
House of Burlesque at House of Blues
House of Burlesque transforms the House of Blues Foundation Room into a sultry, dazzling showcase of Chicago's finest burlesque performers. Expect jaw
Vinyl Night at Empty Bottle
DJs spinning vinyl all night at Chicagos indie music institution. Ukrainian Village. Cash-friendly.
Late Night Tacos at Big Star
Street tacos, bourbon, and DJs on the patio. Wicker Parks best late-night scene.
After Hours with Calvin Evans at Zanies
The night doesn't end at last call -- Calvin Evans keeps the party going with Zanies' weekly After Hours series, hitting the stage at 10 PM every Satu
Friday Night at Spybar
Underground house music at Spybar. Top DJs, killer sound system, open until 5 AM.
Navy Pier Summer Fireworks
Navy Pier's signature Saturday night fireworks light up the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. The free 10-minute show is choreographed to music and launched over the lake starting at 10 PM. One of Chicago's most iconic summer traditions, visible from the pier and surrounding lakefront. Arrive early for the best viewing spots.
Friday Night at Smart Bar
Deep house and techno under Metro Chicago. Chicagos house music temple since 1982. Open until 5 AM.
Calvin Evans at Zanies Comedy Club
Comedian Calvin Evans performs a late-night special event show at Zanies Comedy Club in Old Town. Known for his sharp observational humor and dynamic stage presence. Show at 11:15 PM, doors open approximately one hour before showtime. Located at 1548 N Wells St. 21+.
Bluegrass Brunch with Wild Scallions
Bluegrass Brunch with Wild Scallions at Garcia's Chicago on May 30.
Saturday Blues at Kingston Mines
Two stages of live blues at Chicago's legendary Kingston Mines. Open until 4 AM.
Toadies: The Charmer Tour with Local H and Vandoliers
90s alt-rock legends Toadies bring The Charmer Tour to The Vic Theatre with Chicago's own Local H and Texas country-punks Vandoliers. The Charmer is Toadies' eighth studio album, recorded with the late Steve Albini. A stacked triple bill of raw, guitar-driven rock. Doors 6:30 PM, show 7 PM.
Jason Kane & the Jive, Natalie Lynch
Jason Kane and the Jive with Natalie Lynch at Reggies on May 31.
Oxygen Destroyer, Drawn & Quartered, Fister, Mudtomb
Oxygen Destroyer, Drawn & Quartered, Fister, and Mudtomb unleash absolute devastation at Reggies Music Joint on May 31.
Leven Kali
Leven Kali brings her hypnotic R&B to Lincoln Hall's intimate stage, where you'll feel every layered vocal and atmospheric production detail the room's pristine sound system can deliver. This is the kind of set where you arrive early to claim real estate with actual sightlines—Lincoln Park's venue fills fast for artists this caliber.
Saturday Karaoke Night at Alice's Lounge
No-cover karaoke night at Alice's Lounge. Cheap drinks and a great crowd.
Saturday Night Jazz at the Green Mill
World-class jazz at the historic Green Mill. A Chicago institution since 1907.
Navy Pier Fireworks — Saturday Night
Saturday night fireworks over Lake Michigan — the bigger, longer show. Navy Pier's weekend display starts at 10 PM and puts on a spectacular lakefront
Sabado Caliente: Latin Night at El Hefe
Reggaeton, bachata, and salsa party at El Hefe. Bottle service available.
Late Night Burgers at Au Cheval
The best burger in America, open late in Fulton Market. The egg is mandatory.
Gospel Brunch at House of Blues
All-you-can-eat Southern buffet with live gospel music. A Chicago tradition.
Jazz at Andy's — Weekend Brunch
Free admission live jazz brunch at Andy's in River North every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The full menu plus mimosas while some of
Sunday Jazz Brunch at Andy's Jazz Club
Live jazz brunch in River North with a full menu and Chicago's best jazz musicians.
Sunday Funday at Headquarters Beercade
Free-play arcade games and craft beer specials. The perfect casual Sunday.
Green Mill Poetry Slam
The longest-running poetry slam in the world, every Sunday night at the Green Mill in Uptown. Founded by Marc Kelly Smith in 1986, this is where slam
Megan Moroney: The Cloud 9 Tour
Megan Moroney brings The Cloud 9 Tour to United Center on June 2.
Unholy Altar, Decrescent, Fail To Enlighten
Unholy Altar, Decrescent, and Fail To Enlighten bring the darkness to Reggies Music Joint on June 2.
Industry Night at Smart Bar
Monday nights at Smart Bar belong to the industry — bartenders, servers, DJs, and anyone else who works nightlife gets their own night to go out. Redu
Salsa Night at Havana
Live salsa band and open dance floor every Friday. Free salsa lessons at 9 PM, dancing until 2 AM. Mojitos and Cuban food.
Zack Fox DJ Set at Radius Chicago
Multidisciplinary artist and internet culture icon Zack Fox brings his high-energy DJ set to Radius Chicago. Expect a wild blend of Ghetto Tech, Jersey Club, Footwork, and Booty Bass with sharp comedic instinct. This is a late-night event at one of Chicago's premier large-format venues. 18+ with valid ID. Located at 640 W Cermak Rd.
ChiTown Drive-In Presents - Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original!)
ChiTown Drive-In screens the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre on May 30.
Afrobeats Saturday at MASADA
FRIDAYZ @ MASADA brings the best Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall, and RnB to the South Loop every weekend. This is where Chicago's African diaspora nig
ChiTown Drive-In Presents - Nightmare on Elm Street
At ChiTown Movies.