Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Roselle’s Five Spice Kitchen, a longtime Chinese staple rebranded from Silver Lake, serves up flavorful dishes for pickup or delivery—Lake Street’s reliable spot for authentic eats without the fuss. Locals swear by its dumplings and bold sauces, a quiet gem where the menu’s been honed over decades.
Flaco's Tacos is a fast-casual street tacos in Gold Coast, serving Chicago's downtown side.
Bar in Hazel Crest at 17575 Kedzie Avenue.
Social darts with digital scoring, craft cocktails, and shareable plates. Groups of 4-15. Semi-private oches. Walk-ins welcome weekdays, book weekends.
Flipside Brewing on 183rd Street is the blue-collar answer to craft beer snobbery—they're brewing legit small-batch stuff in-house while slinging proper comfort food that doesn't pretend to be something it's not. South siders know it as the essential stop before catching a show, where the pints flow cold and the crowd keeps it real. It's the kind of brewpub that gets better the more you go, packed with folks who actually live in the neighborhood instead of Instagram tourists.
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.
Venue in Lincoln Park at 2464 North Clybourn Avenue.
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.
Venue in Bronzeville at 4410 South Cottage Grove Avenue.
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.
Upscale Italian from the Francesca's family in downtown Frankfort. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list — white-tablecloth date night without the city drive.
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.