Nightlife in Chicago – 13 Unexpected Things to Do After Dark

From craft beer to house music DJs sets this city of grit and glamor continues to impress. Searching for things to do in Chicago at night? Or perhaps, late night activities Chicago?

Follow along to discover the best nightlife in Chicago. Whether you are looking to get rowdy with a live music performance at the House of Vans or swing by Lincoln Park for a swanky rooftop view and creative cocktail libation, Chicago nightlife offers a little something for everyone.

Get sweaty on a dance floor in Lake View or sing along to an encore-worthy ballad at the legendary Chicago Theater. No matter, if you are seeking nocturnal thrills or a dash of Chicago after dark, a night in the Second City, is bound to give you a second wind.

Chicago Hotels

Before you don your glitter and heels for the best of Chicago nightlife for adults tonight, you’ll need to secure some incredible lodgings. Prime for your evening of dance parties and craft beer sampling in style when you book any of our premier Chicago hotels.

From luxurious boutique lodgings by Lincoln Park to sleeping steps from Magnificent Mile, we offer options for every budget. Enjoy marble-tiled bathrooms by Hyde Park or feast on complimentary hot breakfasts after a big night out Chicago.

Wherever you reserve, book with confidence, knowing you are guaranteed our lowest rates online.

Nightlife Chicago

A perfectly mixed martini, a night of nonstop laughs, or a Blues concert that won’t break the bank. Downtown Chicago night life proves there’s more than one way to have a night out on the town. We’ve got all the details on the best Chicago nightlife deals!

From feeling fancy with a custom mixologist creation to old-school Beauty Bar fun, there’s no place we’d rather get down than the Windy City.

Buddy Guy Legends: Want to pay homage to one of Rock and Roll’s greatest legends? Head on over to one of Chi-town’s most beloved venues for Chicago at-night live music and New Orleans-inspired grub. Buddy Guy Legends is the infamous watery hole and venue of Buddy Guy.

A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and a major influence on rock icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy is well known as a godfather of the Chicago west side sound.

If Buddy is in town, you can usually find him hanging out at the bar. However, music fiends should visit Legends, either way, to score tickets to affordable and riveting performances from local acts. Get down to the melodies of a sultry jazz concert, or jam out with rockstar Jimmy Burns.

Don’t forget to fuel up on menu favorites such as Louisiana Gumbo and Catfish Po Boys, which draw inspiration from Buddy’s southern roots. Experience live music and New Orleans cuisine at Buddy Guy Legends, 700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago.

The Corner Bar: Cheap and cheerful with a perfect Chi-town neighborhood appeal, the Corner Bar is the ideal spot to swing by for a craft beer or a from-scratch Bloody Mary.

Related Post: Medieval Times Chicago Coupons – Ultimate Guide

Located near Logan Square, this down-home establishment is nothing fancy but draws in a loyal group of regulars thanks to a wide array of on-tap beers and their pup-friendly policy. Enjoy craft beer and Bloody Marys at The Corner Bar, 2224 N Leavitt St, Chicago.

The Beetle: Equal parts tavern and party haven, revelers in the know flock to the Beetle for a local tavern experience complete with pool tables and a patio. Grab a crisp Allagash White and soak in some sun outside, or stop by over the weekend and be treated to DJs spinning at this Humboldt Park watering hole.

Enjoy the rustic touches of the brick-lined space as you peruse their extensive craft beer list, or fuel up on bar favorites. Their pub pretzels or cheese curds make an excellent snack, or for a full meal, opt for their mouth-watering Figgy Stardust burger, topped with sweet fig jam, smoked bacon, goat cheese, and caramelized onions.

Need a little hair of the dog? The Beetle also whips up a damn good brunch on Sundays. Visit The Beetle at 2532 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, for pool, craft beer, and patio vibes.

California Clipper: Sexy red lighting, live music, and a distinctly vintage lounge feel leave both locals and visitors feeling frisky at California Clipper. The longest-standing neighborhood bar in Humboldt Park manages to conjure up the magic of the bygone drinking days of the past with expertly prepared seasonal cocktails, neon signs, and retro-inspired furnishings.

Related Post: Things to Do in Chicago for Couples – 36 Fun and Romantic Ideas

Liven up your evening with a perfectly lavender Purple Martian house cocktail made with aged rum, Pisco, Concord Grape, lime, and coconut. Or keep things classic with a Cosmopolitan.

Don’t forget to check out their events schedule, as you could be treated to anything from Afro-Caribbean Jazz to Smart Potato Trivia. Step back in time with live music and cocktails at California Clipper, 1002 N California Ave, Chicago.

The J. Parker: Looking to swank up your Saturday night plans? Take a break from the dive bars and Handshake specials when you throw on a jacket and hightail it to Lincoln Park. Located on the rooftop of Hotel Lincoln, The J. Parker.

Parker oozes both style and scenic city views. While the rooftop does not take reservations, it’s well worth the wait to witness the spectacular unobstructed panoramas of Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline.

Cozy up on a couch and warm yourself by the fire, or visit during the summer months to work on that tan. Sample a signature non-alcoholic cocktail made with juniper, sage, raspberry, lemon, and jasmine. Or, cheers to another amazing Chi-town weekend with a glass of sparkling Prosecco.

Feeling peckish? Treat the table to a mess of small plates, including Burrata served with raspberry sauce and the perfectly on-point Chicago-style corn dogs. Take in city views and stylish drinks at The J. Parker, 1816 N Clark St, Chicago.

Untitled Supper Club: Unbridled entertainment in a gorgeous Prohibition-era setting, yes, please! Throw things back to the roaring 20s and perhaps brush up on your Charleston when you visit this shining gem of Chicago’s River North.

Related Post: Unique Chicago IL – 26 Most Interesting Things to Do

Part cocktail lounge, park restaurant, and all entertainment, the Untitled Supper Club is 18,000 square feet of pure party. Indulge in the largest selection of American whiskies in the world as you take in sultry R&B and jazz performances.

For an even greater thrill, feel temperatures climb as you soak in titillating cabaret acts featuring burlesque, acrobatics, and more. Wet your whistle with a delicious Pink Lady cocktail, or keep caffeinated with a creamy Espresso Martini made with Cold Brew Liqueur, La Colombe Cold Brew Concentrate, and sweetened with Demerara. Indulge in jazz and cabaret at Untitled Supper Club, 111 W Kinzie St, Chicago.

The Chicago Theater: Once a lush movie palace, the original Theater Chicago was constructed in 1921 for $4 million and featured a 3,600-seat auditorium. Today, the theater is best known for its giant State Street marquee that measures nearly six stories high.

An indelible part of Chicago history, the theater was built in the French Baroque style and contains exterior features modeled after a replica of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. In addition, the grand lobby and staircase borrow heavily from Parisian architecture and leave many visitors breathless.

Related Post: 10 Landmarks in Chicago You Don’t Want to Miss

Make your Windy City evening unforgettable when you score tickets to headliners such as Lyle Lovett, Jill Scott, Ed Sheeran, and more. Catch a show at the historic Chicago Theater, 175 N State St, Chicago.

House of Vans: Calling all skater boys (and girls)! For a little alternative flavor, pull on those baggy jeans and beanie for hours of counterculture fun at House of Vans. The third permanent House of Vans location, the Chicago venue, makes its home in the Fulton Market District.

Housed in a cavernous zone known for warehouse storage, today, this venue keeps the good vibes flowing with DJs, open skate sessions, night markets, and more. Work on mastering your ollie, pick up handmade candles or jam out to up-and-coming talent with a Next Era show. Skate, shop, and jam at House of Vans, 113 N Elizabeth St, Chicago.

Night Crime Tours: Beneath the Second City’s glamorous facade lies a dark history of bloody crime and corruption. Get the 411 on Chi-town’s seedy past, when you embark on an adventure with Night Crime Tours.

Spend 2.5 hours diving into the lives and legends of the city’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone, John Dillinger, Frank ‘The Enforcer’ Nitti, and Cap George Streeter. Discover the tragic tale behind the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, and walk the paths from famous crime scenes.

Related Post: Chicago Architecture Boat Tour Promo Code – 4 Ways to Save Up to 22% Off

Enjoy the comfort of the luxury bus as you swing by historic landmark buildings and neighborhoods such as The Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral, Cook County Criminal CourtHouse, River North, Gold Coast, and Lincoln Park.

Your tour even includes an interactive crime quiz and souvenir pamphlet with photos. * Explore Chicago’s dark history with Night Crime Tours, starting at 600 N Clark St, Chicago.

*Please note that this Night Crime Tour is suitable for guests 21 and over.

Night Life Chicago Clubs

Ready to shimmy and shake your way into some of the best clubs in Chicago Illinois at night? Looking to capture that underground dance club spirit? Or want to splash out with bottle service, Windy City Nightlife offers unparalleled nightlife and clubs:

• Smart Bar – edgy, awesome, and alternative. Smart Bar has made a name for itself thanks to lush lineups featuring techno-heavy dance music. For over 40 years, this bar has dazzled the masses with cutting-edge DJs and LGBTQ-friendly events. Dance to techno beats at Smart Bar, 3730 N Clark St, Chicago.
• TAO Chicago – searching for a taste of Vegas in Chi-town? Bust out your best sequins and stilettos when you make a splash at TAO Chicago. A dynamic two-level party space, late-night revelers can make their nocturnal debut as they sprawl out on Chinese daybeds or pose in front of the koi pond. Savor Asian-inspired cocktails such as the Bangkok Minute or Coiling Dragon. Party in style at TAO Chicago, 632 N Dearborn St, Chicago.

• Beauty Bar – combine your primping and partying when you get down in a retro beauty salon-inspired setting. Beauty Bar Chicago offers a roster of high-flying events, including Friday Night Fever, Grrl Power, and Femme Fatale Comedy. Primp and party at Beauty Bar, 1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago.
• Berlin – an inclusive, critically acclaimed, pan-cultural dance party is what’s on the menu at Berlin. Ready to keep the merrymaking going all night long? Stop by this late-night art and music club for an all-orientations dance party. Proudly serving the LGBTQ community for over three decades, Berlin is the perfect place to watch a drag show or groove out to New Wave 80s. Join the late-night dance party at Berlin, 954 W Belmont Ave, Chicago.

Related Post: Unique Things to Do in Chicago – Hidden Gems & Unusual Adventures

Wandering through Magnificent Mile, Ferris wheel rides at the Navy Pier, and more museums than you can count. The Second City is pure paradise for intrepid tourists.

However, after dinner, what are you to do in this dynamic metropolis of deep-dish pizza and multicultural affairs? Thankfully Chicago nightlife doesn’t skimp on exhilaration.

Tantalize your earbuds with a soul-wrenching jazz performance and a steaming bowl of gumbo at Buddy Legends. Or, splurge on seeing your favorite SNL stars crack jokes and one-liners at the Chicago Theater.

Drink like a local at California Clipper when you order a Chicago handshake special for downtown Chicago nightlife. Or sweat out all the toxins on the dancefloor when you shake what your momma gave you at Berlin.

Chicago nightlife tonight? From crowded clubs where you can let your freak flag fly to stylish rooftops that offer stunning Lake views, there’s endless enchantment to be had after dark Chicago.

Chicago Night Life FAQs

Tell us, Did we Miss Any of the Best Night Life in Chicago?

What’re your favorite things to do in Chicago nightlife?

Leave a comment below!