154 bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Lakefront harbor in Bronzeville. Hosts yacht gatherings, boat parties, and harbor events. Scenic views of the Chicago skyline. Elite, luxurious.
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.
South Shore's beach on Lake Michigan. Hosts community events, beach days, and summer gatherings. Massive, scenic, and a hub for South Side summer culture.
Two Michelin star restaurant in the South Loop. Ambitious, precise and deliciously technical cuisine that makes it one of Chicago's most celebrated fine dining destinations.
Ain't She Sweet Cafe is a urban deli & café in Bronzeville, serving Chicago's south side.
Newly opened 16-screen AMC theater in the South Loop with plush recliner seating, Laser at AMC projection, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema. Located in the Roosevelt Collection retail complex.
3.9 stars, 1,000 reviews. Nice staff, best corn beef sandwiches in Chicago. South Side staple.
Retro bowling alley and billiards lounge on the Oak Lawn/Evergreen Park border. Late-night bowling with DJ sets. Classic sports pub fare, custom pizzas, wings. Playful, social, rowdy.
Garfield Ridge’s Ascend Cannabis is a can’t-miss stop near Midway Airport, open daily from 7 AM with late-night hours until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Locals and travelers alike grab essentials here—no frills, just reliable access to both retail and adult-use options.
South Scottsdale’s go-to feast for ramen and more — this all-you-can-eat buffet serves up bold flavors and endless variety, with ramen as just one star in a crowded, craveable lineup. Skip the splurge; locals flock here for value that outshines the precision.
3.5 stars, 186 reviews. Clean, always a fun safe environment. South suburban club.
4.4 stars, 296 reviews. Good location, fast service, tasty food. Chicago steak-and-lemonade tradition.
Mount Greenwood’s Bar 106 is a no-frills sports bar where locals gather for heated outdoor seats, wall-to-wall TVs, and a laid-back tavern scene that stays open until midnight. No need to hunt for the game—every screen’s got something on, and the vibe’s just right for staying late.
A cash-only Beverly institution that's been pouring pints for the South Side's Irish community for generations. Barney Callaghan's is the real deal — no pretension, no craft cocktail menu, just honest drinks and the kind of neighborhood warmth that chain bars can't replicate. Bring cash.
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.
Southwest Side Beggars location keeping the Garetto family tradition alive since 1976. Same thick, loaded pizzas that made the South Side chain legendary — deep dish, thin crust, pasta, and wings. A neighborhood staple for families, late dinners, and carryout runs after work.
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.
Slow-cooked brisket is the name of the game. Try the loaded brisket nachos, brisket mac and cheese, or the savory barbecue brisket pizza.
# Birrieria Zaragoza Head to the Southwest Side for Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized birria de chivo—slow-roasted goat that's worth the pilgrimage from anywhere in Chicago. This family-run spot has mastered the craft, drawing serious food lovers who know authentic Mexican cuisine when they taste it.
4.6 stars, 436 reviews. Extremely generous portions of ham for the price. South suburban grill.
An Oak Lawn pub on 95th Street where the portions border on ridiculous and the vibe is pure southwest suburban hospitality. BJ McMahon's is the kind of place where you order one entree and eat for two days. Cold beer, huge plates, friendly staff, and a loyal crowd that's been keeping this spot packed. If you're in Oak Lawn and hungry, this is the answer.
# Bridgeport Inn Pull up a stool at this no-frills Archer Avenue institution where $3 domestics and neighborhood camaraderie are the main attractions—order a Italian beef from Ricobene's and have it delivered straight to your seat. Bridgeport's realest dive bar doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, which is exactly why locals keep coming back. The jukebox, the regulars, the dive bar smell—it's all authentically Chicago.
Authentic Southern soul food restaurant in Bronzeville. Full menu plus spoken word, comedy nights, and live entertainment. Soulful, intimate, and community-rooted.
A family-run Auburn Gresham joint that lives up to its self-proclaimed title of finger-lickin' barbecue heaven. Brown's brings that homestyle soul food energy — smoky meats, hearty sides, and the kind of warmth you only get from a kitchen that treats every plate like Sunday dinner.