239 bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Neighborhood taproom hub featuring strictly local Chicago microbreweries on tap. Dog-friendly. Casual, communal, pet-friendly.
Irving Park's scrappy rock-and-roll bar and live music venue has a proper stage, quality sound, and weekend shows spanning metal, country, punk, and rock. Doors open daily at 3pm, and the music keeps the neighborhood loud until 2am.
Logan Arcade in Logan Square transforms the historic Hardware building into a serious pinball and retro gaming haven with craft beer that keeps the crowd going until 2 AM. This 21+ barcade punches above its weight with rare cabinets and an obsessive pinball collection that'll destroy your night in the best way.
LondonHouse's tri-level rooftop overlooking the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue is one of the city's most photographed cocktail spots. The views from this Magnificent Mile perch are legitimately iconic, and the drinks rise to the occasion.
A fun and lively West Loop staple famous for its oversized Aperol spritzes and buzzing weekend energy. Lone Wolf Tavern's 1,200+ reviews confirm what Randolph Street regulars already know — it's one of the most reliably good times in the neighborhood. Great for groups and spontaneous nights out.
Lotus is a sophisticated cocktail lounge in the center of the casino floor at Rivers Casino Des Plaines, featuring hand-crafted cocktails developed by acclaimed mixologists Drew Levinson and Bridget Albert. Sip on craft brews from Chicago-based Half Acre Beer Co. and Goose Island Brewery while Chicagoland's hottest DJs spin every Friday and Saturday starting at 8PM. With live music, dancing, and an upscale lounge atmosphere, Lotus is the premier late-night destination near O'Hare for cocktails and nightlife energy.
Louie's Pub is a karaoke lounge in Wicker Park, serving Chicago's north side.
Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar in Bridgeport is where you grab craft spirits from the retail side then slide into the intimate cocktail bar for some of the city's most inventive drinks. Attached to Kimski and packed with serious beer and whiskey selections, it's the hybrid spot locals hit when they want both a bottle to take home and a killer nightcap.
Mira Social is a sleek cocktail bar in Oak Park.
A 4.8-star Wicker Park favorite with great music, genuinely friendly service, and a warm atmosphere that makes you feel like a regular from your first visit. Mirella's Tavern is the kind of bar that earns its reputation through consistency and heart, not hype. One of Division Street's most beloved spots.
South Loop's premier live music lounge featuring jazz, blues, and R&B performances Tuesday through Wednesday, with DJs on weekends. Elegant setting with a long walnut bar and comfortable couch seating.
A high-energy West Loop bar with 1,100+ reviews, strong cocktails, and the kind of see-and-be-seen atmosphere that makes Lake Street one of Chicago's best nightlife corridors. MONEYGUN blends upscale drinks with a lively crowd and DJs on weekends. Arrive with energy to match.
Named one of Chicago's 10 Best New Bars, this Pilsen brewery reinvests in the neighborhood while pouring house-brewed lagers, stouts, and IPAs until midnight on weekends. The taproom is a community hub that happens to make excellent beer.
North Side dive bar specializing in American roots music with live honky-tonk, country, rockabilly, jazz, and blues Wednesday through Saturday nights. The patio, cold cheap beer, and genuine no-frills atmosphere make it a musician's bar through and through.
Mother Hubbard's Sports Pub has been a River North institution since 1993, packed with 45+ TVs and 28 satellite feeds so you can catch any game from any seat in the house. Famous for their legendary Pterodactyl Wings and voted a top restaurant by Restaurant Guru four years running, this is the spot for serious sports fans and late-night revelers alike. Open as late as 5am on Saturdays with pool tables and private party space, Mother Hubbard's delivers an unbeatable game-day atmosphere in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Steps from the Kimball Brown Line in Albany Park, Nighthawk is a hybrid coffee bar and cocktail lounge that shifts gears seamlessly from craft coffee to craft cocktails. Open until midnight weeknights and 2am weekends, it's the neighborhood's most versatile hangout.
Basement bar below Moonflower on the Northwest Side. Quality cocktails in a curated small space without the trek downtown.
# Nine Bar Nine Bar sits tucked behind Moon Palace Express in Chinatown, slinging Asian-inflected cocktails—think five-spice Old Fashioneds—in a neon-soaked speakeasy that feels straight out of Blade Runner. This craft cocktail den brought legit mixology to a neighborhood that didn't have it, hidden gem style. The futuristic vibe and thoughtful Asian flavors make it worth the hunt through the dim sum spot's front.
Tucked into Lakeview's north side, Nisei Lounge is a hidden gem where locals gather for grassroots fundraisers and unpretentious nights out, all within a weathered, neighborhood-centric space. Its low-key energy and commitment to community events set it apart from typical bars, making it a go-to for those seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path Chicago fun.
Black, queer, and women-owned, Nobody's Darling is an Andersonville cocktail bar that's earned its spot as one of the most celebrated bars in Chicago. Inventive drinks served in a warm, art-filled space that feels like a neighborhood anchor and a movement all at once.
Offshore holds the record as the world's largest rooftop deck, sitting atop Navy Pier with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the skyline. On a clear night, there's no better perch in the city for a drink.
Step into Chicago's legendary Old Town Ale House, a beloved dive bar since 1958 where cold brews meet warm camaraderie in Old Town's heart. Cash-only with an on-site ATM, this iconic spot delivers decades of unfiltered Chicago nightlife in a no-frills, neighborhood fixture. Sip, stay, and soak up the charm — where every pint tells a story.
Downtown Lemont's charming speakeasy-style parlour has been crafting martinis and pouring curated wines for five-plus years in an intimate setting. One Eleven is the south suburb's hidden gem for a proper date-night cocktail.
Little Village's hidden speakeasy-style bar serves Latino-fused craft spirits and cocktails behind a discreet side-street entrance. The hearty entrees and craft beer round out a spot that rewards those who know where to look.