Nightlife · Chicago · United States
Chicago nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Chicago, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steven Vance, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Chicago nightlife runs from smoky blues bars and historic jazz lounges to improv comedy, cocktail bars and Wrigleyville's sports bars. Most bars close at 2am, while late-licence bars can stay open until 4am (5am on Saturday nights). The main areas are Lincoln Park blues bars, Uptown, Wrigleyville and Northalsted, West Loop and River North, Wicker Park and Logan Square and Old Town.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 6
- Stay near the action
- River North
- Local drink
- Malört
Where to go out
Lincoln Park blues bars
Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S. face each other on North Halsted Street and play live Chicago blues until late.
Uptown
Home to the Green Mill jazz lounge and the Aragon Ballroom concert hall, on the Red Line north of Wrigleyville.
Wrigleyville and Northalsted
Sports bars around Wrigley Field fill on game days, and Northalsted next door is the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife.
West Loop and River North
Cocktail bars, rooftop terraces and clubs around Randolph Street, Fulton Market and Hubbard Street.
Wicker Park and Logan Square
Dive bars, craft-beer taverns and small live-music venues with a younger, local crowd.
Old Town
Comedy at the Second City and old-school taverns such as the Old Town Ale House.
Nightlife tips
- Blues clubs usually charge a cover at the door; bring cash for the cover and to tip the band.
- The Red and Blue lines run all night, but a ride-hailing app is more comfortable for quiet stations in the small hours.
- Buddy Guy's Legends in the South Loop is the best-known blues club for touring and local acts; book or arrive early for big names.
Evening sights
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Viewpoint · Streeterville
360 Chicago observation deck
Pick this over the Skydeck if you want lake and beach views; the Skydeck looks more over the city grid and the west.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
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Waterfront · Streeterville
Navy Pier
Walk to the far east end for skyline views and fewer people; summer fireworks over the lake are held on some evenings, so check the pier's calendar.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
- Free
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Waterfront · The Loop
Chicago Riverwalk
Look into the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum in the DuSable Bridge tower to see the gears that raise the bridge; it opens seasonally.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Food
- Outdoors
Experience · Old Town
The Second City
Stay after the late show for the improv set, where the cast tests new material from audience suggestions.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Couples
- Iconic
What to drink
- Malört — A wormwood liqueur so bitter that a shot of it has become a local rite of passage; Chicagoans buy rounds for newcomers to watch their faces.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 19°C (66°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:44 | -8°C (18°F) | 11 |
| April | About 19:31 | 4°C (39°F) | 12 |
| July | About 20:24 | 19°C (66°F) | 10 |
| October | About 18:09 | 7°C (45°F) | 10 |
Getting home late
- Metro — Tap a contactless bank card or phone at the turnstile, or use a Ventra card; a multi-day pass pays off if you ride several times a day.
- Bus — CTA buses cover routes the L misses, such as the 146 down Michigan Avenue to the Museum Campus and the 151 north to Lincoln Park and the zoo.
- Walking — The Loop, River North, Streeterville and the Riverwalk are all within a 20–30-minute walk of each other, and the lakefront path links Navy Pier to the Museum Campus.
- Ride-hailing — Allow extra time on the expressways at rush hour; the Kennedy between O'Hare and downtown is often slow.
Late-night bites
- Chicago-style hot dog — Portillo's branches including River North, Superdawg on the Northwest Side and hot-dog stands across the city.
- Maxwell Street Polish — Jim's Original near the University of Illinois Chicago campus, and grill stands across the South and West sides.
- Garrett Popcorn Chicago Mix — Garrett Popcorn shops on and around the Magnificent Mile and in the Loop; queues form on weekends.
Staying safe at night
The main visitor areas are busy and generally comfortable, but phone snatching and pickpocketing happen on the L and at crowded sights, so keep valuables out of sight near train doors. Swim only at beaches when lifeguards are on duty, as Lake Michigan can have dangerous currents, and in winter dress for wind chill along the lake.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and food lovers
River North
River North covers the blocks between the Chicago River and Chicago Avenue west of Michigan Avenue. Former warehouses hold galleries, design showrooms and a dense spread of restaurants, from steakhouses and deep-dish pizza to Mr. Beef on Orleans Street, and many of the city's mid-range and boutique hotels are here. It is a 10-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile and the Riverwalk, and nightlife runs late around Hubbard Street.
- Good
- Huge choice of restaurants and hotels; Walkable to the river and the Magnificent Mile; Lively until late
- Watch out
- Weekend club noise around Hubbard Street; Feels more tourist-oriented than local
- Nearby
- Magnificent Mile, Chicago Riverwalk, Merchandise Mart, Marina City
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Chicago?
Lincoln Park blues bars, Uptown and Wrigleyville and Northalsted. Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S.
+Which area of Chicago is best for nightlife?
River North: Galleries, steakhouses and late bars just north of the river.