Hitting the town? We’ve compiled our top picks for the best late-night clubs and lounges so you can get in on Chicago’s vibrant nightlife scene.
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353 W. Hubbard St. / Website
With R&B tunes, a sultry atmosphere and a ’60s British invasion-inspired motif, this River North speakeasy, cocktail lounge and music venue rolled into one is a hot spot for in-the-know locals with a roster of buzzy live music performances and events. Guests can enjoy bottles, spirits or craft cocktails like the Bruno Mars with milk-washed Selvarey coconut rum, lime, grenadine, coconut and Garam Masala and the Bathtub with Sneaky Fox vodka, cucumber, lemon, jalapeño, St. Germain and lemon foam—served in a mini bathtub with a rubber duck.
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844 W. Randolph St. / Website
This prohibition-era-inspired Fulton Market mainstay features luxe Italian fare and an advanced beverage program, luring in members of the nightlife scene after dark. Dine on specialties like the spicy gnocchi with vodka sauce and Calabrian chili pepper, the Nero Rosso with black squid ink spaghetti, lobster, scallops, mussels, shrimp and calamari and the Chicago-style chicken and potatoes with garlic herbs, white wine and English peas. Pair your meal with offerings like the Bella Peach Bellini with Villa Sandi prosecco and Pallini White Peachello and the Cicero with Tanqueray gin, Q Organic Club Soda, strawberry, mint and lime.
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938 W. Fulton Market / Website
Fulton Market’s 1960’s Parisian-inspired cocktail bar, Bisous, is one to visit for retro-chic vibes, tasty small bites, creative craft cocktails and wines by the glass and bottle. Pair libations like the Olivette martini (Olive Leaf Gin, Stray Dog Gin, Cartron Vermouth and Saline) and the Agricole daiquiri (a thoughtful blend of Martinique rhums with lime and tarragon oil) with shareable apéritifs like tinned Ekone smoked Willapa Bay oysters, marinated manchego with olives and bourbon barrel-smoked Golden Kaluga caviar with chips. End your evening with Bisous’ housemade bonbons for the ultimate sweet treat.
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632 N. Dearborn St. / Website
Jumpstart your night with dinner at Tao, featuring specialties like ponzu mignonette oysters with caviar, truffle ponzu-topped salmon sashimi and yellowtail poke nachos. Then, amp things up with a trip to Tao’s nightclub, which offers an ever-changing lineup of names like Zedd, Metro Boomin, DJ Paulie D and more.
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127 W. Huron St. / Website
Enjoy skyline views and craft cocktails (watermelon mojitos, mango daiquiris and Grey Goose-infused rainbow sangria) at this year-round rooftop destination, which has communal booths and a retractable roof in the summer and snow globe-style igloos all winter long. Start small with charcuterie boards and hamachi handrolls, or go all in with skirt steak salad, caprese flatbread and the signature Godfrey burger, served with fries and crafted with wagyu beef, pickles, white cheddar, caramelized onions and aioli.
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1444 W. Chicago Ave. / Website
Pair mani-pedis with dry martinis at this vibrant West Town nightclub with a happening dance floor, lively DJ beats and a nostalgic, colorful atmosphere (inspired by a ‘60s-style beauty salon). Stick to specialty cocktails like the Jameson Black Berry mule and the Absolut “Raz-Peary” martini with lemon and raspberry, or sample classics like the elderflower gin and tonic, the Bermuda dark and stormy and the on-theme “Blowout” martini with lemon, ginger liqueur and the choice of bourbon or rye whiskey.
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948 W. Fulton Market / Website
This barbershop by day, cocktail lounge by night is the place to go for your next ‘do and one to visit for cocktails, bar bites and menu specialties like deluxe smash burgers (fixed up with American Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and mayo), Nashville chicken and grilled cheese sandwiches. Pair your meal with crave-worthy libations like cosmos, dirty martinis and Casamigas jalapeño Palomas or get the party started with Bacardi, Don Julio and Tito’s bottles. Make sure to check out their website to stay up-to-date on upcoming performances.
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111 W. Hubbard St., 3rd Floor / Website
With glowing, LED-illuminated interiors, Celeste Group’s retro, ‘70s-inspired destination, Disco, offers nightlifers a respite filled with disco balls, mirrored ceilings and plush lounge areas. Club-goers can get their fix of elevated bottle service offerings like Belvedere, Grey Goose, Casamigos Blanco and Chase Azul Anejo—plus a one-and-a-half liter bottle of “Ace of Spades” Armand De Brignac for a cool $2,700.
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1543 N. Kingsbury St. / Website
This 10,000-square-foot nightclub features three cocktail bars, two dance floors and a continuous lineup of DJs, live performances, musical acts and events. Guests can opt for bottle or table service with uber-luxe offerings like Dom Perignon Champagne brut, Chase Azul Ultra tequila, Macallan 18-year aged scotch and Cristal rosé.
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201 N. State St., 27th Floor / Website
TheWit Hotel’s glamorous rooftop bar is a popular hangout spot for in-the-know Chicagoans and visitors alike, featuring pristine views of the Chicago skyline from the 27th floor, tasty bites and an expansive beverage program. Share whipped feta and tabouleh-stocked mezze plates and dine on entrees like truffle burrata pizza, lobster sushi rolls and chef-selected seasonal nigiri or sashimi plates.
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3349 N. Halsted St. / Website
This iconic LGBTQIA+ bar and nightclub has remained a North Halstead fixture for more than four decades, serving everything from specialty cocktails to spirits, shots, beer and wine, sensational mocktails and spirit-free libations. Don’t miss out on beverage specialties like the “Berri Gay Sparkling Lemonaid” with Absolut Wild Berri Vodka, lemonade, Sprite and a splash of Grenadine and the Bailey’s martini with Stoli Vanil vodka and Trader Vick’s Chocolate liqueur.
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1816 N. Clark St. / Website
Peer out at the skyline and Lake Michigan from Hotel Lincoln’s chic rooftop as you enjoy mouthwatering bites and signature cocktails. Dig into fan-favorite specialties like green onion remoulade-topped lump crab cakes, the Parker double cheeseburger with bourbon bacon jam and steak frites with chimichurri, truffle fries and confit tomato garlic aioli.
See also: The Best Rooftop Patios For Outdoor Dining And Drinking In Chicago
Photography by: VM/Getty Images
