Best Bars & Nightlife in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, United States, Chicago, Food & Drink, Best Bars & Nightlife

Best Bars & Nightlife in Chicago, Illinois, United States

1. The Signature Room at the 95th

Offers stunning city views and upscale dining in a sleek setting, perfect for special occasions.
  • Skyline Views: Boasts the highest vantage point of any bar or restaurant in Chicago
  • Upscale Ambiance: Features modern decor and a sophisticated atmosphere
  • Gourmet Food: Serves innovative American cuisine prepared by acclaimed chefs

2. Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

A historic jazz club hosting live music acts since the 1900s, with an extensive menu of classic cocktails.
  • Live Jazz Music: Provides continuous live jazz performances seven nights a week
  • Historical Significance: Has been an influential hub for the Chicago jazz scene since the 1940s
  • Cocktail Selection: Features a vast selection of classic cocktails, many named after famous jazz musicians

3. Three Dots and a Dash

Tiki bar with exotic drinks and tropical vibes, located in the River North neighborhood.
  • Exotic Drinks: Offers an extensive menu of unique tiki cocktails made with high-quality ingredients
  • Polynesian Design: Features a stunning interior decorated in traditional Polynesian style
  • Creative Atmosphere: Provides an immersive, tropical experience with live music performances

4. The Violet Hour

Upscale cocktail bar in Lincoln Park known for its craft cocktails and vintage decor.
  • Craft Cocktails: Serves expertly crafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients
  • Vintage Ambiance: Features a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere, inspired by the Roaring Twenties
  • Specialty Drinks: Offers a unique selection of specialty cocktails not found at other bars in Chicago

5. Aviary

Experimental cocktail bar located in the Fulton Market district, known for its imaginative drinks and avant-garde presentation.
  • Innovative Drinks: Offers a constantly evolving menu of experimental cocktails designed by world-class mixologists
  • Avant-Garde Presentation: Features visually stunning, theatrical presentations of its drinks
  • Exclusive Atmosphere: Provides an intimate and exclusive experience with a limited number of seats available

6. The Berghoff

Iconic German-American restaurant and brewery in the Loop, offering traditional beer and cuisine since 1898.
  • Historical Significance: One of Chicago's oldest family-owned businesses and a National Historic Landmark
  • Traditional Beer: Brews authentic German beer using time-honored methods and recipes
  • German Cuisine: Serves classic German dishes such as sausages, pretzels, and potato pancakes

7. The Purple Pig

Wine bar and Mediterranean restaurant in the River North neighborhood, featuring a wide selection of wines, cheeses, and charcuterie.
  • Extensive Wine Selection: Offers an extensive wine list with hundreds of options from around the world
  • Mediterranean Cuisine: Serves a variety of Mediterranean dishes, including tapas, flatbreads, and seafood
  • Charcuterie and Cheese: Features an impressive selection of artisanal charcuterie and cheese plates

8. Maude's Liquor Bar

Speakeasy-style bar in the Gold Coast neighborhood with a focus on craft cocktails and small plates.
  • Craft Cocktails: Offers a menu of expertly crafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients
  • Speakeasy Atmosphere: Features a cozy, intimate atmosphere reminiscent of Prohibition-era speakeasies
  • Small Plates Menu: Serves a menu of small plates ideal for sharing and pairing with cocktails

9. The Bar at Blackbird

Upscale restaurant bar in the West Loop featuring a menu of creative cocktails and gourmet snacks.
  • Creative Cocktails: Offers a menu of innovative cocktails crafted by world-class mixologists
  • Gourmet Snacks: Serves a menu of elevated bar snacks perfect for sharing
  • Exclusive Atmosphere: Provides an intimate and exclusive experience with a limited number of seats available

10. The GMan Tavern

Chicago-style tavern located in the South Loop with a focus on craft beers and classic American comfort food.
  • Craft Beer Selection: Offers an extensive selection of craft beers from around the world
  • Comfort Food Menu: Serves classic American comfort food such as burgers, wings, and ribs
  • Live Music Performances: Features live music performances several nights a week

11. Cindy's Rooftop

Upscale rooftop bar located in the Loop with stunning city views and a menu of craft cocktails and shared plates.
  • Stunning City Views: Boasts panoramic views of Millennium Park, Grant Park, and Lake Michigan
  • Craft Cocktails: Offers a menu of expertly crafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients
  • Shared Plates Menu: Serves a menu of small plates perfect for sharing and pairing with cocktails

12. The Boundary

British-inspired gastropub in Wicker Park featuring a menu of classic British dishes and craft beers.
  • Classic British Dishes: Serves traditional British dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie
  • Craft Beer Selection: Offers a diverse selection of craft beers from the UK and the US
  • Live Music Performances: Features live music performances several nights a week

13. The J. Parker

Rooftop bar in Lincoln Park with stunning city views and a menu of craft cocktails and small plates.
  • Stunning City Views: Boasts panoramic views of Lincoln Park, the city skyline, and Lake Michigan
  • Craft Cocktails: Offers a menu of expertly crafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients
  • Small Plates Menu: Serves a menu of small plates perfect for sharing and pairing with cocktails

14. The Roof on theWit

Rooftop bar in the River North neighborhood with panoramic city views and a menu of craft cocktails and small plates.
  • Panoramic City Views: Boasts stunning, unobstructed views of the Chicago skyline
  • Craft Cocktails: Offers a menu of expertly crafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients
  • Small Plates Menu: Serves a menu of small plates perfect for sharing and pairing with cocktails

15. The Drifter

Tropical-themed bar in the West Loop featuring a menu of tiki cocktails and Caribbean-inspired cuisine.
  • Exotic Tiki Cocktails: Offers an extensive menu of exotic tiki cocktails made with fresh ingredients
  • Caribbean-Inspired Cuisine: Serves a menu of Caribbean-inspired dishes such as jerk chicken, empanadas, and plantain chips
  • Tropical Atmosphere: Provides a fun and festive tropical atmosphere with live music performances several nights a week