Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Colossal, rowdy multi-level party arena with a massive retractable roof, screaming sports fans, and a booming central stage. Pulled pork sliders, jumbo BBQ wings, beer can chicken, and moonshine pitchers.
Cash-only dive bar in Old Town since 1958. Beer, no-frills atmosphere, and decades of unfiltered Chicago nightlife in one booth-lined room. Bring cash, bring a friend, leave pretension at the door.
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 local favorite 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.
Tucked into Evanston's Custer Street corridor, Oskar is an intimate whiskey bar with a curated brown-spirits menu and daily happy hour. Open until midnight on weekends, it's the kind of low-key hideaway that rewards those who know where to look.
Interactive music experience with four pianists rotating sets, audience requests, sing-alongs, and showmanship. 21+ (18-20 with parent). Open Wed-Sat 7pm-2am. Table reservations recommended for groups.
Classic old-school Chicago music tavern in Wicker Park with nightly rock, jazz, or blues acts. A neighborhood institution that has been hosting live music for decades.
Neighborhood hideaway bar on the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood border. Classic homemade pub food, tavern wings, billiards. Relaxed, quiet, friendly, unhurried.
Neighborhood sports pub on the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square east border. Full late-night kitchen, thin-crust pizza, local drafts. Casual, lively, approachable.
Since 1982, this River North institution has been the gold standard for bubbles in Chicago—stock up on over 100 sparkling wines at the bar upstairs, then head down to catch live jazz while sipping craft cocktails until midnight on weekends. It's where locals celebrate wins and tourists finally understand why we're obsessed with this place. Dress sharp and arrive early if you want a seat during the weekend jazz sets.
Neighborhood bar with pool tables, darts, pinball, and a solid beer selection. Unpretentious dive that stays open late. The kind of place where you end up staying way longer than planned.
Discover Privé at Provaré, one of Chicago's best hidden speakeasy cocktail lounges, located in the basement of Provaré in West Town. This sleek, low-profile 21+ venue delivers an intimate and sexy setting with curated cocktails and Provaré's house favorites — reservations are limited to just 4 guests via Tock. Love Jones Thursdays bring DJ Kid Clay spinning classic R&B remixes and the latest hits, with food service until 9:30 PM Thursdays and 11 PM on weekends. Open Thursday 7 PM–Midnight and Friday–Saturday 6 PM–Midnight, Privé is the perfect secret spot for a sophisticated night out.
Auburn Gresham's neighborhood pub keeps it real with live music, strong pours, and a vibe that welcomes regulars and newcomers alike. Pub 78 is the kind of South Side spot where local talent takes the stage and the crowd actually listens.
This sultry basement cocktail bar beneath Thalia Hall specializes in inventive punch bowls and craft cocktails in a retro-bohemian Pilsen setting. The subterranean vibe on 18th Street is moody, intimate, and built for a night that goes long.
Craft cocktails meet curated playlists in a gorgeously decorated space that feels like a vintage ocean liner. Queen Mary is where Division Street gets classy — expert bartenders, inventive drinks, and an aesthetic that makes every visit feel like an occasion. Date night approved.
A cornerstone neighborhood bar on Grand Avenue in Montclare, open daily with a no-frills atmosphere and late hours.
Redhead Piano Bar is Chicago's most iconic piano bar in the heart of River North, delivering unforgettable nights with live music seven nights a week. Enjoy lively happy hours Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9pm, and electrifying Ladies Night every Tuesday until 3:30am. Whether you're sipping cocktails or soaking in world-class cabaret and piano performances, Redhead is a worth visiting destination for an elevated night out in Chicago.
Arcade sports bar in the heart of Andersonville with classic games, house-made comfort food, and rotating craft beer. Creative seasonal cocktails and late-night hours until 2am on weekends keep the neighborhood coming back.
Boystown's best-kept secret is this free-play arcade bar where you're nursing a perfectly crafted cocktail while crushing it at vintage Pac-Man and pinball machines until 3 AM on Saturday nights. The themed drinks hit as hard as the nostalgia, and the welcoming LGBTQ+ crowd makes it feel like you're gaming with friends who actually get it. Skip the overcrowded dance clubs and post up here instead—it's arcade heaven without pretension.
A spacious, vibrant arcade bar in Lakeview known for immersive themed pop-ups, vintage video games, pinball, and an extensive bourbon and craft beer list. Features DJ nights and themed weekly events.
Head to Pilsen's Revolution Brewing Taproom if you want to taste Chicago's largest independent craft brewery straight from the source—their rotating taps showcase limited releases you won't find anywhere else. Grab a seat in the sprawling beer hall (open until 10 PM weekends) or book a 45-minute brewery tour to see exactly how they're pushing the boundaries of what local beer can be.
A dive bar known for its cheap drinks and no-frills atmosphere.
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.
Downtown Evanston tavern keeping the kitchen running late with craft cocktails, shareable plates, and a menu that goes beyond typical bar food. Open until midnight weekdays and 1 AM on weekends, Ridgeville is one of the north shore's best after-dark options.