374 bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Late-night, low-lit neighborhood tavern. A Skokie staple for no-frills drinks and regulars. Classic dive bar vibes.
Legendary, unpretentious vintage dive bar that pulls in an energetic Pilsen crowd. Sunday evenings routinely turn up the volume with live music sessions across two full sets. Famous for tater tots, pierogies, and roasted pork sandwiches with kitchen open until 11 PM.
Avondale's Sleeping Village is a bar and music venue with an intimate room that books fearlessly across indie, experimental, metal, and DJ nights. The kind of spot where you discover your next obsession on a random Tuesday.
Music-centric South Side bar and grill with a casual, neighborhood vibe. Comfort food menu paired with live music performances and a laid-back atmosphere.
Sofitel's Gold Coast location hosts an upscale afternoon apero that elevates the concept of after-work drinks to something genuinely French and refined. The lobby bar's sleek design and curated cocktail menu make it a Magnificent Mile standout for those who prefer sophistication over volume.
Boutique craft cocktail lounge in Lincoln Square. Gourmet smash burgers, specialty hummus, charcuterie boards. Sophisticated, intimate, moody, romantic.
The rooftop pool bar atop The Robey hotel in Wicker Park serves frozen tropical cocktails with skyline views that practically beg for Instagram. Solana's resort-style atmosphere is peak Chicago summer, and one of the most photogenic rooftops in the city.
Sip craft brews in style at Solemn Oath Brewery in the Maplewood area, where a unique selection of ales and vibrant atmosphere make for a perfect adult outing.
Some Like It Black Creative Arts Bar is a vibrant arts bar and music venue nestled in the heart of Bronzeville, offering a dynamic fusion of live performances, visual art displays, and an immersive nightlife experience. Open from 3:00 PM until 11:00 PM, with extended hours until midnight on Fridays, this premier spot celebrates cultural expression and artistic innovation in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
# Soundgrowler Brewing Co. Soundgrowler's got that sweet spot where serious beer nerds and live music junkies actually want to hang—their rotating house-made IPAs and stouts pair perfectly with legit tacos while local bands tear it up on weekends. The vibe is refreshingly unpretentious for a craft brewery, with trivia nights that draw a solid crowd and bartenders who actually know their stuff. It's the kind of place where you stumble in for one beer and suddenly it's midnight.
Intimate Art Deco Cuban-inspired cocktail lounge on Elm Street in the Gold Coast. Sparrow mixes Caribbean-inflected cocktails in a moody, beautifully designed space that feels like a hidden Havana parlor. The kind of bar where you settle in for the night.
Evergreen Park's cozy wine bar on 95th Street offers curated wines by the glass, craft beers, and small plates in a warm, welcoming setting. Spoke & Vine is the south suburb's quiet answer to the date-night question.
A spirit-forward cocktail bar housed in a converted 1920s Ukrainian Village social club, Sportsman's Club pours daily-changing drinks alongside an amaro machine and runs a curated bar-goods shop. The kind of place where the bartender is a genuine craftsperson.
New Orleans French Quarter flair with craft cocktails, Creole cooking, and a lively speakeasy/DJ setup in River North. A vibrant spot for dinner and late-night cocktails.
Streeter's Tavern bills itself as 'The Greatest Bar Below Earth' — an underground tavern tucked beneath the streets of Streeterville that delivers a one-of-a-kind late-night atmosphere. Every Thursday night features a live DJ from 8 PM to 2 AM, with daily specials running Sunday through Thursday and happy hour Monday through Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM. Part of a well-known family of Chicago bars that includes Lodge Tavern, Redhead Piano Bar, and Original Mother's, Streeter's combines neighborhood charm with downtown energy. Private party bookings are available for groups looking to take over this unique underground space.
Sugar Factory's Rosemont location turns stadium-adjacent dining into pure spectacle with those signature goblet cocktails and indulgent American fare. The 9,000-square-foot space near Parkway Bank Park delivers Instagram gold for anyone craving maximalist vibes and comfort food excess.
Tucked inside Thalia Hall's restored carriage house, the Tack Room is an intimate Pilsen piano bar with live music Thursday through Saturday at 9pm. Craft cocktails in an old-world setting make it one of the most romantic rooms on 18th Street.
Intimate artisanal craft cocktail bar on Lincoln Ave in Skokie. Small batch spirits, creative seasonal menus, and a cozy atmosphere.
Downtown Naperville's self-pour bar lets you tap your own pints from dozens of rotating craft beers, wines, and cocktails at your own pace. Tapville's tech-forward concept makes it ideal for groups and casual date nights in the western suburbs.
An Evergreen Park tavern on 95th that feels like a South Side neighborhood bar crossed with a proper grill. Tavern in the Green brings big portions, solid comfort food, and the kind of service that makes you want to stay for another round. It's the suburb spot that doesn't feel suburban — just good food, good drinks, and regulars who treat it like a second living room.
Flavor is really good, portion size was good. There's more ribs underneath. South Side BBQ.
Downtown Tinley Park's Irish pub runs until 2 AM on weeknights and 3 AM on weekends, making Teehan's one of the latest-running bars in the south suburbs. Wings, craft beers, and a genuine neighborhood vibe keep the regulars coming back.
Test Venue in Chicago’s Loop is a sleek, intimate bar renowned for its curated cocktail program and immersive, speakeasy-style ambiance. Its exclusive access to rare spirits and bespoke mixology experiences make it a must-visit for discerning nightlife enthusiasts.
A fancier 16-seat bar within a bar at Pilsen Yards. Ideal for dates. The drink list leans into Chicago politics.