Edition: Summer Times
Chicago Nightlife
Author: Amber Holst
Chicago After Dark
Concierges' favorite nightlife spots
What’s your pleasure? Blues? Karaoke? Wine flights? Here’s 30 ways— handpicked by concierges’—to satisfy your nocturnal urges.
LIVE MUSIC
The Back Room offers live jazz nightly in a dimly lit and intimate setting. Head over to Buddy Guy's Legends (754 S. Wabash Ave., 312- 427-1190) where you just may catch the master himself playing some blues. Kingston Mines offers a ton of rib dishes to chow down on while you listen.
LOUNGE
At Krem you can spend the night amid white couches and PYTs, drinking martinis and nodding along to high-rent house DJs. For something on the other end of the spectrum head over to the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, a Chicago classic and former haunt of Al Capone. Patrons line up outside to get into the sleek, bi-level Bella Lounge -and with good reason. Grotto on State provides a welcoming oasis from the bustle of Rush Street.
DANCE
Get on your dancing shoes and head to Le Passage after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Be ready for international dance and house music (and a possible celeb sighting) at this posh Gold Coast haunt. Groove to hip-hop, Latin, jazz, and house at the laidback Funky Buddha Lounge or test your legs at Salsa Friday's at the massive Club 720. The brand new Crescendo - from the folks behind the hip Reserve-is decked out in a retro-Moroccan theme and offers bottle service seating.
NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHTSPOTS
Truly a classic, the Underground Wonder Bar is open late, late night and offers live music nightly. Hamburger Mary's, a popular dining spot in Andersonville, offers entertainment like cabaret singers and karaoke upstairs in what's been dubbed Mary's Attic. Plan B Bar + Kitchen is a one-room bar with an elevated seating area and a DJ playing everything from pop hits to '80s and rock favorites.
WINE BAR
A sleek, lofty space with adjacent restaurant and shop, Bin 36 pours 50 wines by the glass and offers an impressive selection of flights and cheeses. Choose you wine by the glass, by tasting, or go for the flight at The Tasting Room, a comfy gathering place in the happening West Loop.
PIANO BARS
A solid lineup of piano player/singers entertains the crowd every night from 8 until close at The Redhead Piano Bar (p.69), a perennial favorite. Howl at the Moon's dueling pianos engage the audience for a raucous night of rock 'n' roll. The small, late-night Zebra Lounge is located on the first floor of a vintage apartment building and offers sing-a-long piano music nightly.
SPORTS BAR
A relative newcomer on the scene, Victory Liquors is a Golden Domer's nirvana, though this bar caters to all sports fans. Small. Flat Screen. Plasma. ESPN Zone has so many TVs-all boasting HDgoodness- it'll always be airing whatever sport you want to watch. Added bonus: There's a full game room upstairs.
PUB
A real pint of Guinness takes time to pour. So while you're waiting at Fado, take a gander at the great menu or a soccer game broadcast from Europe. Housed in the historic Landmark Jewelers Building, Emerald Loop is a charming Irish pub boasting a dozen beers on tap, a handsome mahogany bar, and ample seating. British comfort food and tasty ales abound at Elephant & Castle.The comfy interior-dotted with British bric-a-brac-adds to the welcoming feel. Escape the hustle and bustle near Navy Pier at Lizzie McNeill's.
GAY
The eclectic Big Chicks is a nice diversion from Halsted Street with a smattering of straights, some lesbians, and random locals from the nabe. Who says gays can't have great sports bars? Crew, located in Uptown, is your typical sports bar sans female bartenders. Put on your dancin' shoes and head over to Hydrate where something's going on every night-from dollar drink deals to drag shows.
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
Krem
1750 North Clark St., Chicago, Illinois 60614
The former location of Sauce, this stylish setting brings new meaning to the words "dining" and "disco."
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.
312 Chicago
1030 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610
This Italian-flaired steak house overlooks a tropical plant-filled atrium, complete with waterfall, providing a tranquil distraction while dining.
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.
Funky Buddha Lounge
728 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610
With an emphasis on Latin, jazz, hip-hop and house provided both by deejays and live bands.
Underground Wonder Bar
10 E. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60610
Live nightly music features mostly jazz and blues, with the occasional guest star appearance. Cover varies.>
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 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.
Howl at the Moon
26 W. Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60610
Dueling piano bar with a twist. Cover varies.
The Zebra Lounge
1220 N. State Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60610
Cozy lounge and piano bar.>
Signature Room at the 95th Floor
875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Sitting high above street-level, the Signature Room in the John Hancock building offers a breathtaking view of the city and a warm ambiance to match. Serving a high-class dining experience, from Sunday brunch to evening cocktails, the Signature Room puts the Magnificent in the Mile!
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.
Emerald Loop
216 N. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60601
With specialty martinis and Irish cuisine, this bar & grill is located right in the Loop.
Elephant & Castle
160 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611
At this English pub in Chicago, expect a mix of traditional English pub fare and American menu items are served here; English-style breakfast is also a draw.
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.
Elephant & Castle
111 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60603
At this English pub in Chicago, expect a mix of traditional English pub fare and American menu items are served here; English-style breakfast is also a draw
Elephant & Castle
185 North Wabash, Chicago, Illinois 60601
At this English pub in Chicago, expect a mix of traditional English pub fare and American menu items are served here; English-style breakfast is also a draw
