Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Lincoln Park's aliveOne is the neighborhood bar that gets it right with live music, trivia nights, and a welcoming vibe that never feels forced. Solid happy hour and regular themed events keep the calendar interesting and the regulars coming back.
Bandit is a sleek Chicago cocktail bar hosting happy hours, networking events, and social gatherings.
This Roman-inspired wine bar on Andersonville's Clark Street strip pairs house-made pasta and wood-fired dishes with Italian-focused craft cocktails. The daily happy hour pulls in the neighborhood crowd, and the candlelit dining room is a proper date-night spot.
West Loop's Bar Takito mixes Latin-inspired cocktails with shareable bites in a space that buzzes from happy hour through late night. The 3-6 PM happy hour pulls a solid after-work crowd, but the real energy kicks in once the sun goes down on Randolph Street.
South Side institution since 1976 when Angelo Garetto opened the first Beggars in Blue Island. Still family-owned by the Garettos, this Stony Island location has a full dining room, bar with happy hour specials, and seasonal outdoor patio. Known for thick, cheesy pizza — both thin crust and deep dish — plus pasta, wings, and their famous motto: 'We Lay It On Thick.' The kind of place where every South Sider has a go-to order.
The West Loop outpost of Chicago's beloved South Side pizza chain, bringing Beggars' thick, generously-topped pies to the downtown crowd since the Garetto family expanded from their 1976 Blue Island roots. Full dining room, bar with happy hour drink specials, seasonal sidewalk seating, and delivery. Hot & Ready lunch options for the office crowd. Same family recipes, different zip code.
Dog-friendly dive with a killer happy hour that keeps Wicker Park regulars coming back. Black Hole Bar is the kind of unpretentious spot where you can settle in for a few rounds without checking your bank account. The patio is a bonus on warm Chicago nights.
Michelin-recognized and Logan Square proud, Daisies delivers handmade pasta and seasonal market-driven plates with a stellar happy hour that locals guard like a secret. Dinner service runs until 11pm on weekends.
Elephant & Castle on Wabash is Chicago's go-to British pub in the heart of the Loop, serving up classic fish and chips, hearty pies, and proper pub fare just steps from the Chicago Theatre and the Riverwalk. Catch live sports on big screens while enjoying happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 6pm, with the bar open as late as 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. With a dog-friendly patio, private dining rooms, WiFi, and reservations via OpenTable, this is an ideal spot for after-work drinks, pre-theater bites, or a late-night pint downtown.
Oak Forest's Harold's brings together karaoke, sports, music bingo, and happy hour specials under one roof. It's the kind of south-suburban spot where the chicken is legit and the entertainment lineup keeps you planted for the whole night.
In River North, Hopsmith Chicago thrives as a go-to spot for spirited happy hours and eclectic social events. Its energetic atmosphere, fueled by regular speed dating nights, makes it a standout for those seeking connection and conversation.
A sleek West Loop cocktail bar with excellent drinks, a refined vibe, and an easy location right off Lake Street. Inkwell attracts the after-work crowd that wants something more elevated than a basic happy hour. The cocktail menu rotates seasonally and never disappoints.
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.
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 vibrant 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 must-visit destination for an elevated night out in Chicago.
Dog-friendly craft cocktail and beer bar in Rogers Park's Glenwood Ave arts district, open until 3am on Saturdays. The solid happy hour and laid-back neighborhood energy make it the far North Side's go-to after-dark spot.
Chicago's iconic upscale seafood destination since 1984. Raw bar, king crab legs, oysters, and jazz in the Oyster Bar. The main dining room is white-tablecloth; the bar side is lively and fun. Late night oyster happy hour.
Streeter's Tavern bills itself as 'The Greatest Bar Below Earth' — an underground tavern tucked beneath the streets of Streeterville that delivers a one-of-a-kind late-night atmosphere. Every Thursday night features a live DJ from 8 PM to 2 AM, with daily specials running Sunday through Thursday and happy hour Monday through Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM. Part of a well-known family of Chicago bars that includes Lodge Tavern, Redhead Piano Bar, and Original Mother's, Streeter's combines neighborhood charm with downtown energy. Private party bookings are available for groups looking to take over this unique underground space.
Located steps from Union Station in the West Loop, Taco Lulú is a charming neighborhood taqueria named after the owner's beloved dog. All traditional Mexican dishes are made from scratch daily — tacos and burritos packed with fresh ingredients pair perfectly with house-made margaritas or ice-cold cervezas. Bright, welcoming atmosphere ideal for a quick bite or casual after-work meal.
The Gage is a Michelin Guide Recommended gastropub on Michigan Avenue, housed in historically landmarked buildings from the 1800s in Chicago's Loop. Savor refined, rustic fare and award-winning cocktails in a space celebrated with OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. With happy hour Monday through Thursday from 2 to 5pm and kitchen hours extending to midnight on weekends, The Gage is a perfect destination for after-work drinks, date nights, and pre-theater dining.
Stylish cocktail bar on the Lincoln Square-Ravenswood border pouring craft cocktails with a relaxed neighborhood feel. Happy hour starts at 3pm on weekends, and the bar stays open until 3am on Saturdays for the night owls.
Chicago's favorite sports bar since 1992, Timothy O'Toole's in Streeterville is the go-to destination for game days and nights out. With 72 HD flatscreen TVs, 48 beers on tap, award-winning wings, and a full menu including the legendary Big Timmy Burger (as seen on Man vs. Food), this multi-level bar is steps from the Mag Mile. Open late daily.