Edition: Chicago: Straight Up
Concierges' Favorite Nightlife Spots
Author: By Ryan Corazza
You've seen Millennium Park, ventured into the Field Museum, and shopped up and down the Mag Mile all afternoon. With some dinner in your belly and the sun down, it's time to really hit the town.
Dance, Dance
Get on your dancing shoes and head to Le Passage (937 N. Rush St., 255-0022) after 10:30 p.m.Wednesday through Saturday. Be ready for international dance and house music all night at this posh Gold Coast haunt. Groove to hip-hop, Latin, jazz, and house at the laidback Funky Buddha Lounge (728 W. Grand Ave., 312- 666-1695). Miramar Bistro (301 Waukegan Ave., Highwood, 847- 433-1078) turns into a dance club Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. You can also rent out its banquet hall for special8i jlop occasions and private parties.
Chic Peek
The Ghost Bar (440 W. Randolph St., 312-575-9900) sports a trendy, chic interior and bottle service all night long. Sip on a cocktail by its fireplace at The Bar at the Peninsula (108 E. Superior St., 312- 573 6766). With its plush chairs and fireplace, you'd think you're in your own living room. Looking for some wine, but don't want to spring for a whole bottle? Head to The Tasting Room (1415 W Randolph St., 312- 942- 1313) which offers more than 100 wines by-the-glass. Bin 36 (339 N Dearborn St., 312- 755-9463) offers you a 50-cheese menu if you like a little Gouda with your vino.
Amp it Up
Head back to the 1920s at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (4802 N Broadway St., 773- 878-5552 ). The bar boasts décor straight out of the Prohibition Era. The Back Room (1007 N. Rush St., 312-751-2433) offers a trendy setting, ripe with painted murals adorning its walls. It's dimly lit and intimate, if you're looking for that sort of vibe. Owned by the guitar aficionado himself, Buddy Guy's Legends (754 S. Wabash Ave., 312- 427-1190) offers great jazz and Cajun food. Get lucky and you may even catch the master himself playing some 12-bar blues. Kingston Mines (2548 N. Halsted St., 773-477-4646) offers a ton of rib dishes to chow down on while you listen. The club has been voted Chicago's best blues club eight years in a row by the Chicago Music Awards.
Sing Us a Song
The Redhead Piano Bar (16 W Ontario St., 312-640-1000) caters to an upscale crowd. You can get intimate at its tables for two, hang out up front by the piano or set up shop at its rectangular bar. The Zebra Lounge (1220 N. State St., 312- 642-5140) offers patrons some fun off the beaten path. Tucked away in a residential building, the small bar offers a cozy zebra-patterned setting and its pianos churn out all the old favorites. Howl at the Moon (26 West Hubbard St., 312-863-7427) let's you get in the action Sunday nights, where bar-goers can sing or play with the band for free.
Beer Here
Catch a game on one of Jake Melnick's (41 East Superior St., 312-266- 0400) 16 flatscreen TVs. Don't miss out on its charcoal grilled salmon or slowcooked baby back ribs, either. ESPN Zone (43 E. Ohio St., 312- 644- 3776) is a sports fans dream. Sit back and enjoy a game on its insane amount—67 to be exact—of highdefinition TVs. Timothy O'Toole's (622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 312-642- 0700) sports a little bit of everything. “Pool tables, great food, and an ‘everybody knows your name' kind of attitude make Timothy O'Toole's a fantastic option any night,” said Schae Lewis, Chef Concierge at the Inn of Chicago. Fado Irish Pub (100 W. Grand Ave., 312- 836-0066) serves up some traditional dishes like Shepard's Pie, but also offers standard American bar food. Besides its drinks, The Old Town Ale House (219 W. North Ave., 312- 944-7020) features a book sharing library in which patrons are encouraged to borrow from.
Le Passage
937 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60610
A top Chicago nightclub for going on a decade, this Gold Coast neighborhood nightlife haven attracts a high-profile crowd. It seems likely that this will be a club destination in Chicago for years to come.
Miramar Bistro
301 Waukegan Ave., Chicago, IL 60040
This bistro and banquet facility turns into a dance club on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm-2am.
Peninsula Chicago
108 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611
The Tasting Room
1415 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607
Wine bar with a lounge atmosphere featuring more than 100 wines by the glass plus 300 more on the reserve list and an appetizer and dessert menu. Half-priced glasses on Mon. Closed Sun.
Bin 36
339 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610
This spot has everything for the oenophile, with a retail store, tavern, restaurant and cheese bar.
The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge
4802 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640
This 1930s and 1940s inspired jazz club was once a former hang out of the infamous gangster Al Capone. The history of the Prohibition-era gangsters still seeps through the musty walls.
Back Room
1007 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611
Intimate upscale jazz club with local entertainment every night at 9 p.m. Cover $10-$15.
Buddy Guy's Legends
754 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605
World-renowned and local Chicago blues artists are the draw at this club owned by blues legend, Buddy Guy, as is the soul-ful Cajun food and major music paraphenalia also on display here.
Kingston Mines
2548 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614
Louisiana cooking and two blues bands on two stages every night. Cover $12-$15.
Has been designated a:
Concierge favorite
The Zebra Lounge
1220 N. State Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60610
Cozy lounge and piano bar.>
Howl at the Moon
26 W. Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60610
Dueling piano bar with a twist. Cover varies.
Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
41 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611
The menu features choices like burgers, salads, barbecued ribs and charcoal grilled salmon, plus desserts like a chocolate chip cookie sundae.
ESPN Zone
43 E. Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611
ESPN Zone mixes the fun of an arcade with the excitement of a sporting event, serving deliciously fun food.
Timothy O'Toole's
622 North Fairbanks Court, Chicago, IL 60611
Fado Irish Pub
100 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610
The mother of all Irish pubs in Chicago, Fado treats Guinness as a religion and has the feel of last-century Ireland--except when the European football games are on.
The Redhead Piano Bar
16 W. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60610
Top-notch piano players make The Redhead Piano Bar a sought-after venue when it comes to sophisticated live music in Chicago. Gather around the piano, or head toward the back of the room for more intimate conversation.
