Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
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.
Nafsi dishes out elevated soul food and knockout craft cocktails inside the gorgeous South Shore Cultural Center right on the lakefront—think shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes that'll make you forget every other spot on the South Side. The views alone are worth the trip, but the food and drinks will keep you coming back.
Bold, modern Thai cooking meets creative cocktails like the Bangkok Mule and Jasmine Old Fashioned at this downtown Evanston standout. The lively, shareable menu makes NaKorn a go-to dinner-and-drinks destination on the North Shore.
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 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, local favorite 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 local favorite 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.
No.18 Karaoke is a private karaoke lounge in Chinatown.
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.
Bronzeville institution serving elevated soul food with live jazz. Candlelit dining room and weekend brunch.
Kitchen + bar in Tinley Park serving craft cocktails and modern American cuisine.
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.
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.
Pancho's Rooftop Cantina in Chicago's South Loop offers a lively Mexican-inspired nightlife experience with panoramic skyline views and a lively vibe. Sip on authentic tequila cocktails and enjoy flavorful small plates under the stars, all set against a backdrop of twinkling city lights and festive decor.
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.
Piece Brewery is a craft brewpub & pizza in Wicker Park, serving Chicago's north side.
Pilsen Yards nails what this neighborhood does best—pack a sprawling patio with serious crowds, sling inventive Latin street food, and keep the music pumping until late. The full bar holds its own, but it's really the outdoor space and energetic vibe that make this spot a legit contender for best patio in Chicago. Hit it on a weekend night and you'll understand why locals won't shut up about it.