Best Bars, Clubs & Nightlife Venues

Color Club lights up Wicker Park with themed dance parties, DJ nights, and community events that keep the energy high and the crowd moving. The vibrant, inclusive vibe makes it a standout on the neighborhood's nightlife strip.

Hydrate Nightclub is Chicago's legendary LGBTQ+ dance destination in the heart of Northalsted, keeping the dance floor moving until 4 AM — and 5 AM on Saturdays. For over two decades, Hydrate has delivered world-class DJs spinning house, pop, and dance tracks alongside iconic drag shows including Draglicious Drag Revue on Saturdays and Fresh Faces on Fridays, all powered by a thunderous sound system and immersive light show. The weekly lineup is stacked: Thursday's Club Flamingo, Monday's Ruff show, Sunday Funday into Sunday After Dark, plus rotating special guest performances and themed parties. Whether you're a Boystown regular or visiting Chicago for the first time, Hydrate is where the energy, community, and music come alive every night.

Lincoln Park's Prysm brings the upscale nightclub experience with two dance floors, three cocktail bars, and lighting synced to every DJ drop. Their underground Friday series 'Serum' kills the lights and clears the tables — just you and the music.

Below Metro in Wrigleyville, Smartbar has been Chicago's underground dance temple since 1982. House, techno, disco, and electronic music from world-class DJs — this is where the city's dance culture lives and breathes.