The best bars & nightlife in Chicago

Cozy locale for coffee beans, bagels, charcuterie boards and sandwiches, plus beer.

4931 W 95th St (Oak Lawn)

Intimate wine/beer lounge with cheese, small plates & a retail area for bottles & gourmet foods.

112 N York St (Elmhurst)

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

10934 S Western Ave

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

9030 S Hermitage Ave

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

3630 S Iron St

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

211 E Garfield Blvd

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

960 W 31st St

Eatery and bar for American classics, like prime rib and pasta, with an open stage for live music.

212 Burr Ridge Pkwy (Burr Ridge)

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

600 N Michigan Ave 2nd Floor

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

5058 S Halsted St Suite D-H, 5058 S Halsted St

Modern warehouse space with murals features housemade beers on tap plus a generous BYO snack policy.

501 Willow Blvd #100 (Willow Springs)

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

510 Village Center Dr (Burr Ridge)

Burgers, sandwiches and wings offered as well as beers and cocktails, plus TVs.

11525 S Pulaski Rd (Alsip)

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

4830 W 111th St (Oak Lawn)

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…

415 N Dearborn St

Five & Dime is Evanston’s rooftop escape perched above its sister restaurants in downtown Evanston, with a lively bar, open-air terrace,…

1026 Davis St Upstairs (Evanston)

In Andersonville, Little Madrid Tapas-Café does classic tapas, croquetas, and paella with 100% organic ingredients imported from Spain,…

5661 N Clark St

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

2008 W Roscoe St

Up-&-coming acts & established comedians share the stage at this intimate, contemporary venue.

5437 Park Pl (Rosemont)

Rustic-looking retailer offering wine, craft beer & small-batch spirits, plus tastings & events.

719 S Dearborn St

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

2831 N Broadway

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

954 N California Ave

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

3175 N Broadway

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

2601 N Milwaukee Ave

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

1961 N Halsted St

Wine bar serving cocktails and small plates in a casual space with karaoke, live music, and bar games.

3642 147th St (Midlothian)

Cozy venue for acts and musicians featuring pizza takeout.

1243 Chicago Ave (Evanston)

Laid-back bar with a long list of whiskeys, plus cocktails, and wine, in a casual setting.

844 Custer Ave (Evanston)

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

1548 N Wells St

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

4240 W Irving Park Rd

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

2108 W Division St

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

1119 W Grand Ave

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

4840 N Broadway

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

495 N Milwaukee Ave

Classic tropical cocktails, rums & house daiquiris in a retro Polynesian-style setting.

435 N Clark St

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

343 S Dearborn St

Over-21 venue hosting comedy shows, open-mic nights & weekly karaoke with a full bar.

5055 W 111th St (Alsip)

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

622 N Fairbanks Ct

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

730 W Grand Ave

Cozy neighborhood cocktail lounge serving artisanal spirits, wine & beer plus a small-plates menu.

629 W Howard St (Evanston)

Mellow brewpub teaming its beers with cocktails, wines & gastropub grub in a brick-walled space.

623 W Howard St (Evanston)

Combination store/bar for wine & beer, also offering spirits, gourmet items, gifts & classes.

702 Main St (Evanston)

Modern outfit offering American fare and wine tastings from their winery for casual dining.

6731 Dempster St (Morton Grove)

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

2901 N Milwaukee Ave

Wine bar offering a rotating selection of 100+ wines by the glass, plus microbrews and small plates.

3146 95th St (Evergreen Park)

Laid-back bar with baskets of wings & different sauces plus wraps, salads & other pub grub staples.

2500 N Southport Ave

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

1612 W Irving Park Rd Ste 1

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

739 N Clark St

Brewery & tasting room pouring a dozen or more beers on tap or in growlers, with tours.

821 Chicago Ave (Evanston)

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

112 W Grand Ave

Relaxed eatery serving craft beers alongside burgers and other casual eats.

1170 W 22nd St (Oak Brook)