
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