Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Voted number-one brewpub in America, Forbidden Root is Chicago's first botanic brewery crafting beers infused with herbs, spices, and botanicals on the West Town strip. The full dinner menu and unique pours make it a standout on any night-out itinerary.
Sandy lakefront beach in Edgewater with fine sand, restrooms, and beachside grassy areas. A beloved North Side spot for sunsets, drum circles, and summer gatherings.
Classic Roscoe Village pub with a jukebox, pool table, patio, and some of the best bar food in the neighborhood. No pretense, no gimmicks -- just a local favorite that does the basics better than most.
Fox in a Box's meticulously crafted escape rooms in the historic Dearborn Galleria have earned their flawless 5.0 rating across every major platform—this is where serious puzzle enthusiasts come when they want the real deal. The production value here rivals world-class competitors, making it the rare Chicago venue that deserves its international acclaim. If you're after a genuinely cerebral night out downtown, this beats another rooftop bar every time.
The furthest-flung outpost of the Fox's pizza dynasty. Same tavern-style thin crust that put Fox's on the map, same Irish pub warmth, just further south in Mokena. The large pizzas are hearty and the vibe is South Side transplant — regulars who grew up on Fox's in Beverly and brought the tradition with them to the suburbs.
The Fox's empire expands to Orland Park with the same legendary thin crust tavern-style pizza that made them a South Side institution. Perfectly crispy crust, great sauce, and the Irish pub vibe that the Fox family has been perfecting since 1964. Grab a booth, order a pie, and settle in for the evening.
The original Fox's, open since 1964 in the heart of Beverly. This is where Thomas and Therese Fox first perfected their legendary thin crust pizza recipe and built the South Side's most beloved Irish pub. Famous for the tavern-style pizza with delicious sauce and great crust, live music every Saturday, tomato bread, and strong cocktails in a warm neighborhood atmosphere.
Delicious sauce and great crust. Beverly location of the beloved South Side pizza chain.
Anchoring Chatham for over 20 years, this intimate community institution draws an elegant, mature crowd. Heavy pours, a cozy outdoor backyard smoking patio, and resident DJs playing classic, disco-infused Chicago House.
Head west to Naperville and catch live rock and blues at Frankie's Blue Room, where the vintage vibe and rooftop deck make Friday and Saturday nights worth the drive from the Loop. This is legitimately the suburbs' most credible spot for live music—no tourist traps, just solid bands and actual cocktails. Skip the downtown crowds and post up here instead.
A no-frills Ashburn seafood counter where the fried fish comes out golden, never greasy, and the shrimp portions are absurd for the price. Frank's has been feeding the 79th Street corridor for years — the kind of place where regulars don't need a menu. If you're anywhere on the South Side and craving fish & chips, this is the stop.
The West Loop Art Fest turns Fulton Market into an open-air gallery with work from talented artists lining the streets of one of Chicago's hottest neighborhoods. Grab a drink from a nearby restaurant and browse -- it's the trendiest art walk in the city.
Fulton Market Kitchen is a art gallery restaurant in West Loop, serving Chicago's west side.
Furious Spoon in Wicker Park blends hip-hop attitude with bold ramen — creative toppings, a beer list, and late-night hours that make it perfect pre-bar fuel. Order the OG Tonkotsu and let the bass line do the rest.
High-energy, old-school Chicago tavern with a loud, sprawling bar and lively vocal crowd. Famous jumbo ribs, firecracker wings, NY strip steak, and craft cocktails. Weekly jazz and ribs nights.
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.
Bronzeville's Gallery Guichard is a Black-owned art space that consistently showcases powerful work from African American and diaspora artists. The gallery hosts openings and cultural events that double as some of the South Side's most sophisticated nights out.
Brookfield's Galloping Ghost holds the title of largest arcade in the country — over 900 machines, all on free play with one flat admission. No booze, no gimmicks, just row after row of classic cabinets that'll teleport you back to 1987.
Game Night Out in Lakeview stocks board games, party games, and interactive experiences in a BYOB-friendly setting. Bring your own bottles, grab a stack of games, and settle in — perfect for double dates and friend groups who want something beyond another bar.
This inviting local favorite specializes in authentic Chinese barbecue and street-style night-market eats. Diners flock here late to feast on expertly charred skewered meats and juicy grilled oysters. The relaxed, midnight-vibe atmosphere makes it a prime social spot with friends over drinks — a smoky dining experience that stands out from standard Cantonese choices.
Garcia's Chicago is a Lincoln Square live music venue known for hosting Americana, blues, rock, and roots music in an intimate bar setting.
Authentic Mexican dining in Lincoln Square with live jazz and music events. Massive margaritas, sizzling fajitas, tacos. Soulful, lively, foodie. A neighborhood institution.