365 bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
SixtyFour Wine Bar & Kitchen is Naperville's go-to for serious wine lovers—their rotating list of 64 by-the-glass selections pairs perfectly with chef-driven seasonal small plates that actually justify the splurge. Catch live music on summer Fridays and you've got the kind of date night that feels effortless but feels premium.
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.
# Slab BBQ Slab's South Shore location has become the gold standard for Chicago-style ribs and tips—their smoking technique pulls down serious accolades across the city. Roll up cash-ready and order the rib tips if you're serious; this family operation doesn't do fussy plating, just honest meat that speaks for itself. It's the kind of spot locals guard closely because the quality-to-hype ratio is still unbeatable.
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.
Perched right on the Museum Campus lakefront, Soldier Field has been Chicago's home for Bears football and massive stadium concerts. The 61,500-seat venue also pulls in international soccer matches and summer festivals with unbeatable skyline views.
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.
# Soul Veg City Soul Veg City on the South Side proves plant-based soul food isn't a compromise—it's an upgrade, with crispy fried "chicken" and creamy mac that'll convert even the skeptics at your table. Hit it pre-game for a proper meal that actually sticks with you, or roll through late-night when the vibe shifts to low-key and real. The greens are legitimately fire, and nobody's leaving hungry.
Sound Bar is a River North institution for house music purists — the kind of room where Chicago's electronic roots still pulse through world-class DJ lineups and iconic late-night sets. If you know, you know.
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.
Ping pong social club in River North. 17 tables, full bar, bottle service, DJs on weekends. Drop in or reserve. Date night meets competition.
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.
Literally underground in River North, Spy Bar is a 4,500-square-foot basement nightclub where DJs spin electronic, techno, and house music into the early hours. The space walks the line between high-octane dance floor and intimate lounge — dark, loud, and addictive.
Contemporary American bistro with live acoustic sets on weekends. Chef-driven dinners, artisanal flatbreads, botanical mixology. Sophisticated, romantic, trendy.
Pilsen's Steak 'N Egger has been dishing out quality meals at affordable prices since 1955, now run by the third generation of the founding family. Over 50 years of griddle-top goodness and zero pretension.
Premier nightclub hosting international DJs and live performances.
Part steakhouse, part nightclub, all scene. STK pairs prime cuts with a DJ booth, bottle service, and a River North crowd that dresses up and shows out. If you want a bone-in ribeye with a side of bass drops, this is your spot.
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.
Chinatown’s original ramen shrine still commands lines out the door for its creamy tonkotsu broth and noodle alchemy. Weekends mean standing room only—locals swear by the pork belly confit and the way the kitchen leans into Chicago’s ramen obsession with unapologetic flair.
Su Casa Mexican Restaurant is a traditional mexican in Magnificent Mile, serving Chicago's downtown side.
4.7 stars, 133 reviews. $100+. Friendly staff and great music selection. Upscale bottle service nightclub.
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.
A Chicagoland staple since 1992, TBK in Dunning delivers delicious Mexican food from fresh ingredients when you need it most. Late-night tacos, loaded cheese fries, and burritos built for the post-bar crowd.