Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Bar in Wrigleyville at 3647 North Clark Street.
Theater in Wrigleyville at 1910 West Irving Park Road.
A beloved Logan Square live music bar and arts venue since 2010, The Burlington is one of Chicago most respected independent stages. Hosting local and touring acts nightly across rock, indie, folk, and experimental genres, the bar has earned a reputation as the heartbeat of Chicago neighborhood music scene.
This upscale Lincoln Park steakhouse serves a legendary carnivorous tasting menu featuring an exclusive steak flight. Beyond the famous steak flights, diners indulge in perfectly seared prime cuts, decadent sides, and craft cocktails. The ambiance is moody, contemporary, and romantically cozy — an excellent choice for date night or a business dinner.
Bar in Wrigleyville at 3707 North Halsted Street.
An iconic Chicago concert hall with a storied history dating back to 1926. The Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Uptown seats up to 5,000 for major national touring acts, and its Spanish Baroque interior — ornate archways, painted murals, and a distinctive cloud-effect ceiling — makes every show a visual experience. Located one block from the Lawrence L stop.
Logan Square daytime cafe, nighttime bar, and celebrated music venue since 2010. Voted Chicago Best Non-Traditional Music Venue by the Chicago Reader. Serving craft cocktails, local coffee, and a night snack menu, Cafe Mustache hosts live music and karaoke nightly — Fridays at 10pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 8pm. A true neighborhood institution with an anything-goes creative spirit.
Northwest Side regulars know Cannabist near Jefferson Park Blue Line as the former Columbia Care, now serving both medical and rec crowds in Portage Park’s leafy stretch. Rebranded but still rooted in the neighborhood’s cannabis scene, it’s a quiet hub where locals grab products without the tourist crowds.
Upscale, sophisticated lounge with a bustling late-night downtown bar scene. Baby back ribs, prime rib eye, Texas brisket, and bourbon cocktails.
Casa Tequila Chicago is a tex-mex steakhouse in Wicker Park, serving Chicago's north side.
Synonymous with summertime in Chicago, Castaways Beach Club is the iconic boathouse on North Avenue Beach with the best skyline views in the city. This reimagined summer destination blends classic lakefront charm with modern design — serving elevated food, craft cocktails, and hosting rooftop house music sets and high-energy summer parties on the North Deck from May through September.
Venue in Lakeview at 3120 N. Lincoln Ave.
Bar in Avondale at 2924 North Central Park Avenue.
Comedy club in Wrigleyville at 3726 North Broadway.
Tucked away in Chicago's Gold Coast, this preserved 1904 mansion offers a rare glimpse into early 20th-century design through curated architecture lectures and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. Its quiet, upscale atmosphere makes it a favorite for culture-focused visitors seeking a refined, low-key experience.
Straight-up Sichuan cooking that doesn't pull punches -- the mapo tofu and mouth-numbing boiled fish are why people trek across Chicago for this place. Multiple locations across the city, each holding the line on bold, regional Chengdu flavors.
Venue in Portage Park at 4321 North Knox Avenue.
Chicagos top architecture education and cultural institution, located along the Chicago River in the Loop. The Chicago Architecture Center features rotating exhibitions, boat tours, walking tours, and programming celebrating the city world-famous built environment. A top destination for curious adults and design enthusiasts, with stunning river views and the nations largest model of downtown Chicago.
Comedy Bar Chicago (Chicago Comedy Lounge) brings the acclaimed Comedy Bar brand to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Featuring nightly stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy shows in a full bar setting, it is a top for comedy fans on the North Side. Intimate theater seating ensures every angle is a great view.
A stunning Beaux-Arts landmark in the Loop and one of Chicagos most beloved free cultural venues. The Chicago Cultural Center hosts world-class art exhibitions, live music, film screenings, lectures, and public programs year-round. Its intricate Tiffany glass dome and Preston Bradley Hall are among the most spectacular interior spaces in the city.
Riverfront steakhouse with jaw-dropping Chicago River views, an in-house dry-aging program, and bone-in filets that justify every dollar. Chicago Cut is where you take someone when the view and the steak both need to be unforgettable.
Albany Park's top Korean and Japanese BBQ spot puts tabletop grilling front and center with quality meats in a cozy neighborhood setting. Dinner service runs Wednesday through Sunday starting at 5pm -- come hungry.
Chicago Magic Lounge is a one-of-a-kind speakeasy-style magic club in Andersonville where craft cocktails, small plates, and world-class illusions collide. Guests 21+ explore three distinct environments — the main stage, the bar, and intimate close-up spaces — where rotating professional magicians perform throughout the night. With nearly 1,000 five-star reviews, this is consistently rated Chicago's most unforgettable night out for dates, groups, and anniversary celebrations.
World-class theater at Navy Pier, home to the acclaimed Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The Courtyard Theater is an intimate 500-seat space modeled after Shakespeares Globe, hosting the theaters signature works alongside touring Broadway productions. The complex also includes the 850-seat Upton and The Yard, a flexible venue for experimental work.