374 bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Wicker Park's Alley Cat is a Jazz Age and Art Deco bar from the Paulie Gee's team, serving $12 cocktails, spirit-free and THC/CBD drinks, and bar food like gluten-free fish sticks and pork skewers. The $7 Miller High Life and shot combo is the move.
Tucked inside Thunder Bowl in Mokena, The Alley Grill & Tap House serves up smoky BBQ ribs and crispy fried chicken alongside craft beer on tap—perfect for late-night games of pool or darts until 12:30am. Locals swear by the laid-back vibe and the ever-present buzz of sports on every screen.
Traditional Irish pub in Lincoln Square hosting cabaret, poetry, and comedy variety shows. Burgers, comfort food, and draft beers. Diverse, outrageous, inclusive.
Grant Achatzs boundary-pushing cocktail lounge. Molecular mixology meets theatrical presentation. A once-in-a-lifetime cocktail experience.
Offers a rotating menu of craft cocktails in a vintage setting.
Hidden below the Hampton Social in River North, you enter through a secret door and black curtain into a 1960s British-inspired lounge dripping with gold accents, brick walls, and velvet couches. The stage hosts everything from country to soul — it's swanky, loud, and impossible to find unless you know.
Features a vast selection of craft beers and a casual atmosphere.
Locals know the Berkshire Room inside the ACME Hotel in River North (west) is where bartenders turn your taste buds into a cocktail menu—no two Dealer’s Choice drinks are alike. Open ’til 2am weekends, it’s the spot to sip precision-poured experiments in a lounge that feels like a secret.
Seeking a spot where Pilsen’s laid-back energy meets impeccable craft beer? The Bungalow delivers a relaxed vibe and a stellar selection, perfect for unwinding with locals who know the neighborhood inside out. No pretense, just great pours and easy conversation.
Humboldt Park’s original speakeasy, The California Clipper has been pouring vintage cocktails and hosting live jazz since ’37—its mahogany booths and 3am Saturday curfew make it a time capsule for locals who know where to look. Seasonal drinks and a tavern soul that’s survived decades of Chicago nights keep the crowd loyal.
The Charleston’s weathered charm and ornate tin ceiling make it a Bucktown staple, where craft beers flow late into the night. Open until 2am weeknights and 3am Saturdays, it’s a no-frills hangout for locals who know the west side’s best-kept secrets.
Combines magic shows with a bar experience in a vintage setting.
A classic dive bar known for its laid-back vibe and cheap drinks.
Features a rooftop bar with stunning views of the city skyline.
# The Cove Lounge Dive deep into Hyde Park's most unpretentious watering hole, where University of Chicago students and grizzled regulars stake claims on worn bar stools and nursing cheap whiskeys that actually taste good. Pool games, zero pretense, and the kind of neighborhood authenticity that money can't buy—just don't expect craft cocktails or Instagram moments here.
Historically inspired cocktails, quirky decor, and a dog-friendly all-season patio anchor this River West cocktail spot in West Town. Late-night hours until 3am on Saturdays and a personality that sets it apart from the cookie-cutter bar scene.
Upscale American tavern in the Loops historic landmark building. Seasonal cocktails, raw bar, and elevated comfort food. Popular for pre-theater dining.
# The Drifter Slip through the Green Door Tavern's hidden bookshelf in River North and you'll find yourself in a legit Prohibition-era speakeasy where the bartenders pull your daily cocktail menu based on a tarot reading. The velvet booths, dim lighting, and carefully crafted cocktails keep the vibe intimate and theatrical until 2 AM—this is the kind of spot where locals go to actually disappear.
A gastropub with a cozy atmosphere and a focus on seasonal ingredients.
# Thee Beauty Bar Bronzeville's most eccentric spot has been mixing craft cocktails with cosmetics since 1999—grab a drink at the bar, browse vintage beauty products, and catch live performances in the same room. The Miami-inspired aesthetic and elevated tacos make this a rare breed of venue that actually delivers on its quirky premise. It's the kind of place where you'll see someone buying lipstick between sets, and that's exactly why locals keep coming back.
Legendary indie rock dive bar in Ukrainian Village, known for its raw, authentic live music crowd. One of Chicago's most respected independent music venues for over two decades.
Black-owned cocktail lounge south of the city specializing in handcrafted cocktails, rare bourbons, and curated wines in a sleek, intimate setting. The Exclusive Pour is built for date nights with a sophisticated after-five energy that sets the standard.
The Gage is a Michelin Guide Recommended gastropub on Michigan Avenue, housed in historically landmarked buildings from the 1800s in Chicago's Loop. Savor refined, rustic fare and award-winning cocktails in a space celebrated with OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. With happy hour Monday through Thursday from 2 to 5pm and kitchen hours extending to midnight on weekends, The Gage is a perfect destination for after-work drinks, date nights, and pre-theater dining.
Secret bar above the Bourgeois Pig coffee shop. Password required. Prohibition-era metal door leads to fancy cocktails and a transformed neighborhood speakeasy.