Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
The Taylor Street Portillo's — right in the heart of Little Italy and steps from UIC. Same legendary Chicago street food as the flagship: hot dogs, Italian beef, Polish sausage, and the chocolate cake shake. Open until 1am for the late-night crowd. This location is a favorite for the university crowd, hospital workers from Rush, and anyone who knows that Taylor Street is where Chicago's real food legacy lives.
An ultra-chic destination famous for blending rich Creole bold spice with classic Italian fine dining. This upscale BYOB venue is perfect for a glamorous dinner party, with legendary menu staples like lobster mac, jerk lamb chops, and a high-intensity playlist that keeps the energy moving all night.
Provaré brings an unforgettable Creole-Italian fusion experience to West Town at 1523 W Chicago Ave, where fresh seafood, handcrafted pasta, and bold Creole spices create a menu that is as daring as it is delicious. This intimate, 21+ restaurant enforces a dress code (no caps, athletic wear, or revealing clothing) and accepts reservations for parties of up to 4 via Tock. Open Tuesday through Sunday with Friday and Saturday hours extending until 11 PM, Provaré is an ideal date-night destination with online ordering also available through Uber Eats. Don't miss the hidden Privé speakeasy downstairs for cocktails and late-night vibes.
River North's most electric scene unfolds nightly at this packed Italian wine bar, where massive shared plates and house-made pasta fuel the kind of controlled chaos that keeps locals coming back. Order the burrata, grab a carafe of wine, and settle in—Quartino runs late every single night, making it the perfect pit stop when your evening's just getting started.
Bridgeport's no-nonsense counter spot has been slinging that legendary breaded steak sandwich since 1946—crispy-fried steak, molten mozzarella, and punchy giardiniera on French bread that'll ruin you for anywhere else. Hit it after last call on weekends (they're open until 2am) when the sandwich tastes even better and the crowd's just as gritty as the neighborhood itself.
Unpretentious corner dive bar in Lincoln Square. Darts, craft beer, and a relaxed local crowd. Outside food delivery welcomed from surrounding pizzerias. Nostalgic, competitive, friendly.
The steakhouse arm of Chicago's legendary Rosebud family delivers old-school Italian-American charm near the Magnificent Mile. Generous cuts, red-sauce classics, and a dining room that still feels like a special occasion after all these years.
Joe Flamm's Rose Mary is the rare debut that justifies the hype—his hand-rolled pastas and wood-fired technique pull from both his Italian roots and a deep dive into Croatian Adriatic cuisine. Fulton Market's industrial-chic corridor just got a whole lot more refined with this one, where you'll find serious wine knowledge and a kitchen that actually executes the ambitious menu night after night.
Upscale Italian by Lettuce Entertain You. House-made pastas, prime steaks, and an extensive Italian wine list in a sleek River North setting.
Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani's River North Italian spot brings genuine energy to the neighborhood, especially on Friday nights. Siena Tavern delivers on the handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, with a bar scene that keeps the room buzzing late.
Certified VPN Neapolitan pizzeria in Ravenswood with a wood-fired oven imported from Italy and pies that rival anything in Naples. The gorgeous patio is a neighborhood treasure -- walk-ins welcome, reservations by phone.
An Italian-American deli in West Town that makes sandwiches so good they've earned a cult following. Tempesta Market sources real-deal Italian meats and cheeses, but don't sleep on their corned beef — people say it's levels above what you'd expect from a place this small. The kind of market where everything in the case looks incredible and the sandwich you leave with is even better.
Wicker Park's legendary late-night spot serves Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef until 4 a.m., making it the ultimate post-club refuel for anyone worth knowing. The counter staff's notoriously sharp banter is part of the charm—don't take the sass personally. This place has been slinging iconic Chicago eats since 1983, and it's where the night actually *ends* for serious partiers.
Evan Funke's St. Regis showstopper in Downtown Chicago serves some of the city's most luxurious Italian—think silky handmade pastas and pristine bistecca Fiorentina under soaring 40-foot windows overlooking Lake Michigan. This is where serious money goes for serious food, with the kind of theatrical plating and wine program that makes a night here feel like an event. Book the Chef's Counter if you want to watch the pasta magic happen up close.
Over 100 years of family-owned South Side pizza royalty. Vito & Nick's is THE thin-crust pizza spot in Chicago — the cracker-thin, square-cut, tavern-style pie that real Chicagoans argue about. Cash only, pick-up and dine-in only, no pretense. Featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Dave Portnoy's One Bite Reviews. The Italian beef pizza with giardiniera is legendary. If someone says Chicago pizza and you only think deep dish, you haven't been to Vito & Nick's.