42 bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Alice's Lounge in Chicago is a sleek, intimate venue renowned for its sophisticated ambiance, curated cocktail menus, and a clientele that includes celebrities and industry elites. Its immersive experiences, from live jazz performances to exclusive private events, make it a must-visit for those seeking Chicago's most refined nightlife.
Classy and energetic River North jazz club with top-notch drinks paired with blistering, fast-paced traditional and modern Chicago jazz performances. A full dinner menu complements nightly shows.
Upscale Argentinian steakhouse and tango bar in Lincoln Square. Live flamenco and tango shows, fine wines, ceviche, empanadas, and world-class steaks. Passionate, romantic, sophisticated. Live piano jazz weekly.
River North's most seductive steakhouse wraps bone-in ribeyes, live jazz, and dim speakeasy glamour into one of the hardest reservations in the city. The old-school cocktails hit as hard as the bill, and every detail — from the red leather booths to the tableside presentation — says this is a proper grown-up night out.
Behind a hidden grass door on Division Street in Wicker Park lies Bordel, a Parisian-inspired speakeasy lit entirely by candlelight. Nightly jazz, burlesque, and live entertainment share the room with savory small plates — it's moody, romantic, and very hard to leave.
Black-owned wine bar in Bronzeville. Curated wines, charcuterie boards, and live jazz nights. Perfect for a sophisticated date night on the South Side.
Roscoe Village's Constellation is an intimate performance space built for experimental music, jazz, and creative arts. Flexible seating, impeccable acoustics, and a curated calendar that rewards the adventurous listener.
This River North steakhouse doesn't just serve cuts — it serves a show. The 150-seat, multi-level room features a front stage bathed in blue fluorescent light where local and national jazz artists perform nightly.
Enter through a record shop to find a stunning spot with great sound, a tiny stage where jazz musicians play, a great wine list, and fun cocktails.
Fulton Market's Fioretta blends Italian steakhouse elegance with live jazz and lounge performances Thursday through Saturday. The stunning dining room fills with smooth melodies from 6:30 to 9 PM — perfect for a date night that doesn't try too hard.
Fitzgerald's Nightclub in Berwyn has been a roots music destination since 1980. The patio, sidebar, and main room host jazz, blues, Americana, and Latin music. Mariachi brunch, Wednesday night jazz, and a legendary Grateful Dead night.
Bucktown's neighborhood bar since 1988 hosts nightly live music spanning jazz, punk, and comedy in an intimate, art-filled room. It's scrappy, unpretentious, and still one of the best spots to catch a random great show on the North Side.
Authentic Mexican dining in Lincoln Square with live jazz and music events. Massive margaritas, sizzling fajitas, tacos. Soulful, vibrant, foodie. A neighborhood institution.
Hemmingway's Bistro is a french bistro & jazz bar in Oak Park.
Roscoe Village's beloved dive bar doubles as one of the best experimental and underground jazz venues in the city. Cheap beer, a deep-cut jukebox, and programming that pulls serious musicians make this a North Side essential.
Operating since 1947. A premier, historic 170-seat performance hall showcasing top international and local jazz masters. One of the oldest jazz clubs in the country.
A sultry West Loop cocktail bar where live jazz and blues fill the room while master bartenders craft some of the best drinks in the neighborhood. Lazy Bird is date-night dynamite — low lights, fantastic music, and cocktails worth savoring. Dress sharp and settle into the velvet.
# Logan Center for the Arts The University of Chicago's architectural gem in Hyde Park pulls serious cultural weight with free and low-cost performances that rival paid venues twice the size—catch everyone from classical ensembles to experimental jazz without dropping your entire bar budget. This striking modern space has become the South Side's unexpected nightlife secret, where you can catch a world-class concert, grab drinks at the lobby bar, and actually afford your rent the next month.
Martyrs' is a Lincoln Square mainstay for live music since 1999. Intimate 350-cap room hosting Americana, rock, jazz, blues, and comedy. Known for its character, strong cocktails, and eclectic booking.
South Loop's premier live music lounge featuring jazz, blues, and R&B performances Tuesday through Wednesday, with DJs on weekends. Elegant setting with a long walnut bar and comfortable couch seating.
Upscale, intimate, and sleek South Loop martini bar. Black-owned with top-tier live jazz and R&B musicians. Known for its classy atmosphere and expertly crafted cocktails.
North Side dive bar specializing in American roots music with live honky-tonk, country, rockabilly, jazz, and blues Wednesday through Saturday nights. The patio, cold cheap beer, and genuine no-frills atmosphere make it a musician's bar through and through.
Bronzeville institution serving elevated soul food with live jazz. Candlelit dining room and weekend brunch.
Classic old-school Chicago music tavern in Wicker Park with nightly rock, jazz, or blues acts. A neighborhood institution that has been hosting live music for decades.