Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Authentic Southern soul food restaurant in Bronzeville. Full menu plus spoken word, comedy nights, and live entertainment. Soulful, intimate, and community-rooted.
Black-owned wine bar in Bronzeville. Curated wines, charcuterie boards, and live jazz nights. Perfect for a sophisticated date night on the South Side.
Handmade craft cocktails with fresh-squeezed juices and a chef-driven menu give this modern neighborhood bar a polished edge. The late-night vibe runs until midnight on weekends -- a step above the typical suburban bar scene.
A family-run Auburn Gresham joint that lives up to its self-proclaimed title of finger-lickin' barbecue heaven. Brown's brings that homestyle soul food energy — smoky meats, hearty sides, and the kind of warmth you only get from a kitchen that treats every plate like Sunday dinner.
South Side bakery famous for German chocolate cake and caramel cake. Chatham neighborhood gem with a devoted following.
An ACM-nominated country music venue right in River North with a 16-foot stage and emerging artists performing daily. Bub City pairs the twang with freshly smoked BBQ in a sprawling 4,500-square-foot honky-tonk-meets-city space.
Bub City's rolling into Rosemont with a honky-tonk vibe that's pure Chicago swagger—think live country acts, bourbon-soaked cocktails, and the kind of packed dance floor that doesn't quit. Book your table on Tock because their hours flip around more than a two-step, and you'll want to lock in your spot before this place hits capacity. It's the kind of night out where you'll actually understand why people still dress up for a night in the suburbs.
Owned by the absolute blues icon himself. Unrivaled live music energy, incredible local and national acts, and signature Louisiana-style soul food. A mandatory stop for any music lover visiting Chicago.
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.
James Beard winner Stephanie Izard's rooftop retreat atop the Hoxton Hotel in Fulton Market serves bold Peruvian-inspired plates with skyline views that don't quit. Cabra is the kind of place where the ceviche, the cocktails, and the sunset all compete for your attention.
South Side Cajun seafood boil with crab legs, crawfish, and shrimp. Choose your spice level and sauce. Casual counter service, big portions, cold beer available.
Iconic smoked fish shack on the far South East Side. Cash only, standing room only. James Beard Award winner. A Chicago original since 1948.
Canal Street Eatery in the West Loop offers unlimited pizza, pasta, and salad for those who believe more is more. A solid group-dinner option near the Fulton Market corridor when everyone's hungry and nobody wants to overthink it.
Deeply authentic, brick-walled Mexican steakhouse centered around open-fire grilling and social dining. Charbroiled Arrachera Skirt Steak, Grilled Onions, Fresh Guacamole, Charro Beans.
Upscale, sophisticated lounge with a bustling late-night downtown bar scene. Baby back ribs, prime rib eye, Texas brisket, and bourbon cocktails.
Casa Margarita is a waterfront mexican in Streeterville, serving Chicago's downtown side.
Casa Tequila Chicago is a tex-mex steakhouse in Wicker Park, serving Chicago's north side.
Cedars Mediterranean Kitchen is a lively Hyde Park dining destination at 1206 E. 53rd Street, serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Open until 10PM Sunday through Thursday and 11PM on weekends, it is an ideal after-five dinner spot for couples and friends exploring the South Side. Reservations are available through OpenTable, making it easy to secure your table for a relaxed evening of Mediterranean flavors.
This family-run gem brings the bold, distinct flavors of Xinjiang-style cooking to the heart of Chinatown. Specialties include aromatic lamb skewers seasoned with cumin and chili alongside comforting hot pots perfect for late-night gatherings. The lively, authentic community atmosphere keeps the space lively into the late hours — a fantastic hidden treasure for night owls seeking intensely savory regional specialties.
A Chicago classic since 1982. Central Gyros is famous for juicy, perfectly seasoned gyro meat, fresh-cut fries, and fast counter service. The portions are huge and the prices are right. This is the kind of no-nonsense late-night spot that locals drive across town for after a night out.
Rolling Meadows’ Chef Ping is a northwest suburban staple where 1,300+ Yelp reviews back its Peking duck and dim sum—flavors that silence city skeptics. Skip the tourist traps; this is where locals swear by Cantonese fire-broiled delicacies and Mandarin dumplings crafted with suburban precision.
Hyde Park's hottest Black-owned spot serves up premium steaks alongside live bands and rotating DJs—this is where the city's sophisticated crowd goes when they want dinner, drinks, and dancing under one roof. The vibe skews grown-and-sexy: think power players in tailored fits mingling with the arts crowd over aged beef and craft cocktails. It's the rare Chicago venue that nails fine dining and nightlife without feeling like you're choosing between two different experiences.
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.
Chi Cafe is a late-night cantonese diner in Chinatown.