The best bars & nightlife in Buffalo Grove

“Spacious cantina featuring large portions of classic Mexican fare, margaritas & outdoor seating.”

“Bowl spot (or build-your-own) for poke bowls (a Hawaiian staple) and sushi (rolls and bowls).”

“Pints, flights & cocktails pair with Neapolitan-style pizza in a funky warehouse setting.”

“Tasting room of a craft brewery specializing in mead from its own bees' honey along with wines.”

“Hip warehouse setting for drinking small-batch local beers with snacks, sandwiches, coffee & tea.”

“Neighborhood spot offering cocktails and other drinks, plus music, dancing and a juke box.”

“Hybrid liquor store & neighborhood tavern supplying a large rotating menu of rare craft beers.”

“Chill brewpub with an industrial vibe offering craft beer, sandwiches & pizza, plus bar bites.”

“Long-running liquor store offering beer, wine, spirits, and cigars, plus daily tastings.”

“Make this week a mezcal moment. Ghost Donkey is a neon-lit playground where the music is loud, the drinks are strong, and the vibe leans playful mischief. Swing by for agave-forward cocktails or book a mezcal tasting, then surrender to whatever happens next.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 8, 2026

“This week, Big Shot Piano Lounge & Restaurant brings cozy meet-eat-drink vibes with talented pianists who actually take part in the fun, so you can sing along or just soak it in. The menu leans gourmet with a twist, and they craft memorable parties when you need an excuse.”

From the Arlington Heights newsletter, August 7, 2026

“Arlington Tap House nails the pub trifecta, with well-built burgers, pizza and steaks, a pile of tap drafts and the kind of game-day energy that turns neighbors into teammates. Toss in DJs and comedy nights, plus cocktails and whiskeys that actually taste like something, and your week is sorted.”

From the Waukegan newsletter, August 4, 2026

“In Andersonville, Little Madrid Tapas-Café does classic tapas, croquetas, and paella with 100% organic ingredients imported from Spain, plus organic sangria, Rioja, and Spanish specialty drinks. Cozy, wood-burning-fireplace energy that feels like a quick trip to Madrid... grab a friend this week.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 6, 2026

“Upscale chain serving New American fare paired with house-label wines in a contemporary setting.”

“Need a no-fuss spot this week to catch a DJ set, play some shuffleboard or bubble hockey, and grab something cold? Arlington Ale House brings the fun with two bar spaces, plenty of taps, big TVs, and an easygoing vibe that feels tailor-made for Arlington Heights locals.”

From the Arlington Heights newsletter, August 12, 2026

“New American sharing plates & an extensive wine list in a small storefront with booths & a patio.”

“Half Day Brewing Company keeps 40 taps humming, with up to nine house beers brewed in Lincolnshire and a menu stacked with Midwest comfort hits like burgers, cheese curds, wings and pizza. When you crave fresh pours and crowd-pleasing food, it’s an easy weeknight win from Schaumburg.”

From the Crystal Lake newsletter, August 10, 2026

“Relaxed sports bar, complete with TVs and a patio, serving burgers and pub fare.”

“Whether your week calls for a glass at the bar or a bottle for the couch, Printers Row Wine Bar and Shop nails it with a rotating lineup of natural-leaning wines and smart, friendly guidance. Low-key, zero pretense, just good juice that turns Tuesday into something worth toasting.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 14, 2026

“Wine, cheese plates, and cocktails served in a comfy space with happy hour.”

“Loungey local gathering place for pairing wine & beer with gastropub plates in homey-chic digs.”

“Well-known comedy club for seasoned & emerging stand-up acts, plus surprise celebrity guests.”

“An extensive wine list & an eclectic menu of small plates in a cozy space with outdoor seating.”

“Global wines & classic cocktails are offered alongside light bites in a stylish setting.”

“Decades old comedy club that hosts nationally-known headliners & is 21 & older only.”

“Unpretentious watering hole offering typical American grub such as burgers & wraps, plus a full bar.”

“Hip spot for house-brewed cider & beer with creative New American comfort foods & growlers to go.”

“Sleek seller of a wide range of wines by bottle or glass & craft beers, plus tastings & patio.”

“Wine shop stocking a wide-ranging selection of glasses and bottles as well as hosting tasting events and wine lessons.”

“Bar with 1940s decor featuring comfort-food eats, beers & cocktails plus pool table & sports on TV.”

“Laid-back beer bar selling craft concoctions on tap, plus bottles and cans for home or on-site delivery.”

“Elegant, old-world-style cocktail bar with small bites, including caviar and shrimp cones.”

“Three Dots and a Dash is a hideout for tropical cocktails, shareable group drinks, and a rum list that reads like a world tour. Post up in The Bamboo Room or the main lounge, then let a dialed-in classic turn a random weeknight into vacation mode this week.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 10, 2026

“Intimate lounge/club delivering drinks, karaoke & dancing in a vintage space in a historic building.”

“Pub with TVs, billiards & a large menu of bar food, with daily food & drink specials.”

“Striking, bi-level restaurant featuring an eclectic menu complemented by handcrafted cocktails.”

“Relaxed shop for bottles featuring a curated assortment of wines from global regions.”

“If your week needs a reliable go-to, Bird's Nest keeps it simple... and ridiculously good. Think baskets of crispy wings with a lineup of sauces, plus the classic pub grub you’re craving, all in a laid-back bar that’s been winning locals over since 1995.”

From the Cicero newsletter, August 12, 2026

“Relaxed bar & coffeehouse with a large, rotating list of beers, a photo booth & a back patio.”

“Burgers, tacos, and billiards are among the attractions at this pub, which is set in a bowling alley.”

“Market-driven fare served in a modern American eatery sharing a space with a working winery.”

“Hip, lofty lounge where intricate, globally inspired cocktails pair with eclectic small plates.”