The best bars & nightlife in Evanston

“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

“Five & Dime is Evanston’s rooftop escape perched above its sister restaurants in downtown Evanston, with a lively bar, open-air terrace, and indoor spaces perfect for casual drinks or dinner with friends.”

From the Arlington Heights newsletter, August 3, 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

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

“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.”

“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.”

“Cozy venue for acts and musicians featuring pizza takeout.”

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

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

“The Wine Goddess is Evanston’s hybrid wine shop and neighborhood bar, pouring thoughtful wines by the glass alongside local beers, easygoing cocktails, and snacky joys like truffle-salted popcorn and a legit cheese plate. Sign up for a class or tasting and turn your weeknight pour into a tiny victory.”

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

“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.”

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

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

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

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