132 bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
New Orleans-themed lively venue with a beer garden and live music. Brings the French Quarter south of Chicago with Cajun-inspired food, craft beers, and a festive atmosphere.
The premier observation deck on the 94th floor of 875 N Michigan Ave (formerly John Hancock Center). 360-degree views of Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and four states. Features TILT, an enclosed moving platform that tilts visitors over Michigan Avenue.
The 57th Street Art Fair in Chicago is a premier venue where vibrant street art, live performances, and immersive installations converge, offering an electrifying blend of creativity and urban energy. As a cultural hotspot, it draws elite patrons and emerging artists alike, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking avant-garde experiences in the city’s nightlife scene.
Located in Rosemont, Chicago, Adobe Gilas is a vibrant Tequila Bar/Nightclub offering a sizzling mix of premium spirits, live music, and a lively atmosphere. With its energetic vibe and a crowd that blends locals and visitors, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and dance the night away.
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.
Classy and energetic River North jazz club with top-notch drinks paired with blistering, fast-paced traditional and modern Chicago jazz performances. A full dinner menu complements nightly shows.
The Apollo Theater Chicago in Lincoln Park offers a vibrant nightlife experience with its historic charm and dynamic performances, blending classic elegance with modern energy. Known for its eclectic lineup of live music, comedy, and theatrical acts, it’s a must-visit destination for Chicago’s arts and entertainment scene.
Uptown's Aragon Ballroom has been hosting major music events since 1926 in a nearly 5,000-capacity room with jaw-dropping Moorish-inspired architecture. The ornate details make even a general admission show feel grand.
Ascend Cannabis - Logan Square blends a curated cannabis dispensary with a vibrant nightlife hub, offering a unique fusion of elevated wellness and social experiences in Chicago's artsy Logan Square neighborhood. Guests can enjoy live music, craft cocktails, and a thoughtfully selected menu of cannabis-infused products in a stylish, community-focused atmosphere.
The Loop's Auditorium Theatre is a jaw-dropping architectural masterpiece by Adler and Sullivan that still hosts world-class dance, music, and theatrical performances. Catching a show here is as much about the building as whatever's on stage.
Avondale Music Hall anchors the neighborhood's live music scene with DJ nights, themed parties, and touring acts in an intimate room. A no-frills venue where the sound is tight and the crowd actually came to hear the music.
Azul Rooftop in Chicago offers an exclusive, elevated experience with panoramic views of the city skyline, complemented by a sophisticated ambiance and curated cocktail menus. This premier venue is a hotspot for Chicago’s elite, blending chic design, live entertainment, and a vibrant atmosphere that defines the city’s premium nightlife scene.
Craft brewery inside a restored 1865 landmark building in downtown Tinley Park. Meticulously crafted house brews, scratch-made shared plates, and live music on the patio. Artisanal, historical, social.
BaseCamp Pub keeps it raw in Lakeview with underground DJ nights, punk shows, and the kind of divey energy that bigger venues can't replicate. Cheap drinks, loud music, no pretense.
BASSLINE is a South Side Chicago event venue known for hosting R&B day parties, live music events, and nightlife experiences along the Michigan Avenue corridor.
Rowdy, ultra-popular, and lively bourbon and taco oasis in Wicker Park. Energetic DJs spin classic country, soul, and rock records on vinyl to a packed crowd. Known for al pastor tacos, carne asada tacos, queso fundido, and micheladas.
BOOKCLUB is a Chicago electronic music venue built for DJs, dance nights, and late-night energy. The sound system is dialed and the crowd comes ready to move.
Behind a hidden grass door on Division Street in Wicker Park lies Bordel, a Parisian-inspired speakeasy lit entirely by candlelight. Nightly jazz, burlesque, and live entertainment share the room with savory small plates — it's moody, romantic, and very hard to leave.
Tucked in the West Loop, Bottom Lounge delivers raw, unfiltered rock, metal, and alternative shows in a converted warehouse that feels more like a gritty backroom than a venue. No velvet ropes or polished floors here—just high-octane performances and a crowd that’s all about the music, not the decor.
River North's Briny Swine is a seaside smokehouse and oyster bar mashing up Carolina-style BBQ with fresh seafood and Lowcountry dishes. Live music hits the Briny stage Wednesday through Sunday, with weekend sets running until 2 AM.
High-energy neighborhood party bar in Fulton Market with killer craft cocktails and live music sets. A fun, unpretentious spot for a night out in the West Loop.
Authentic Southern soul food restaurant in Bronzeville. Full menu plus spoken word, comedy nights, and live entertainment. Soulful, intimate, and community-rooted.
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 - Rosemont 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.