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Nightlife - Chicago Lounge Scene

Author: Jody Robbins


Categories: Nightlife



Posh Haunts vs. Unique Spots


Empire Liquors sits next to the venerable Double Door in the Wicker Park neighborhood, the newly opened creation of nightlife entrepreneur Matt Eisler. It's an oasis of calm in this often rowdy neighborhood, and the herringbone slate floor, metallic walls, and Gothic archways all contribute to the ambience here, as do unique cocktail selections. The ambience at The Matchbox is anything but loose; in fact, it's tight as a drum, and that's the way generations of Chicagoans have liked it, and wedging your way through the crowd is just part of the game at this bar that's only 10 feet wide at its widest. Expect to see people from all walks of life and claustrophobics need not apply.

If you're stepping into High Roller-ville, and want to show it, then head to Stone Lotus , the latest see-and-be-seen "liquor spa" that's posh enough for any taste (think 60-foot waterfall). Indulge in the custom drink creations that are served with flavor-matching food combinations that are the brainchild of highly regarded chef Dale Levitski, formerly of Orange, La Tache, and Trio. And for an evening spent in an entirely different manner, head the crew toward the 10pin Bowling Lounge, where good times come at the price of not being afraid to rolling a few gutter balls, or in not making too much of yourself when you exhibit your championship bowling skills. Set in Hotel Sax, this is the bowling high life offered to you on a platter, with 24 lanes in operation, designer bowling shoes, and upscale grill food.

A favorite spot for the locals, you'll see a cross-section of Chicago nightlife consumers in the downstairs, Far East-themed lounge at Japonais, one of the city's premier contemporary Asian restaurants. Overlooking the Chicago River, and sporting a laidback-in-Saigon type of feel, it ranges between candle light-clad conversations and more out-and-out partying as each night progresses. Prepared by renowned sushi chef Jun Ichikawa, the sushi here is worth the trip in and of itself. Set in the Fulton Market District, Chicago's own meatpacking area, the Fulton Lounge is a cool gathering spot for those having dinner at one of the restaurants garnering notice in this area, or visiting one local art gallery or another. The fully sophisticated vibe is very simple with an open floor plan and conversation-friendly noise levels thanks to the high ceilings.

Le Bar
, located right in the heart of the Gold Coast, is warm and inviting. It offers the option of mingling your way through the crowded bar side of the room or relaxing with friends amidst the cushion-heavy couches and enjoying high-end spirits poured tableside. It's a very different atmosphere being served up at the Signature Lounge, where quiet whispers prevail, perhaps in awe of the view here at the top of the John Hancock Center.

Tags

after dark

nearby places of interest

Ai
358 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60654

This River North Japanese Sushi Restaurant & Lounge opened it's doors in late-September 2007.  From the siblings who brought Ringo Japanese Restaurant and Tsuki to Lincoln Park, comes this lounge/restaurant with authentic Japanese cuisine.  

Andy's Jazz Club
11 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

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.

Exposure Tapas Supper Club
1313 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

A new staple in the South Loop, Exposure Tapas Supper Club works as both a restaurant and a music-centric lounge. 

Green Zebra
1460 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

A contemporary, vegetarian-focused restaurant offering small plates, Green Zebra’s menu is comprised of immaculately presented dishes listed from lightest to heaviest and features only the freshest seasonal ingredients. Rounding out the bill of fare is an inventive menu of non-alcoholic cocktails and a stellar half-bottle wine list that pairs flawlessly with the food.

L2O
2300 N Lincoln Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

L20 is a progressive seafood restaurant from acclaimed chef Laurent Gras located in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.  

La Pomme Rouge
108 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, IL 60610

Meaning "The red apple" in French, La Pomme Rouge offers an opulent, parlor-style venue for eating and drinking.  

Market Restaurant and Sports Bar
1113 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607

Famed American cuisine is highlighted at the Market. It is a multi-faceted dining experience offering many different atmospheres in which to eat. Guests can sit outside and relax in the Sidewalk Cafe or have an innovative drink on the roof in the Rooftop Lounge. Inside, there is the Restaurant and Sports Bar with a contemporary vibe and flavorful food by Chef Joe Rosetti--and a Beer Garden connected to the outside.

People Lounge
1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

This Spanish tapas restaurant and music lounge also has a happening bar scene.

Powerhouse Restaurant & Bar
215 N Clinton, Chicago, IL 60661

Targeting the business crowd, Powerhouse, located in Chicago's West Loop, serves a powerful American menu with a focus on steak.  

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

This Chicago brewpub is an outpost of the nationwide chain; the top draw here is the rotating selection of handcrafted beers brewed on-site.

Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

Salud Tequila Lounge
1471 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Chic Wicker Park nightspot Salud features authentic Mexican fare with creative twists, as well as an extensive selection of premium tequilas.

Schoolyard Tavern & Grill
3258 N. Southport, Chicago, IL 60657

A fun beer-and-a-shot spot on the city's North Side, Schoolyard is a good bar to begin your North Side evening...not far from Wrigley Field!

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!

Tavern on Rush
1031 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611

This upscale, two-story lounge and steakhouse features a dramatic lower-level lounge with a gorgeous bar and a clubby restaurant upstairs.

The Boundary
1932 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622

A mix of sports bar and well-heeled social spot, The Boundary is a viable nightlife option in a neighborhood known for its dining more than its drinking.  

Trader Vic's
1030 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This delectable restaurant is island inspired with an Asian fare. This creates for some creative and tastey culinary cooking. It is great for dinner and has a sushi an bar lounge open until midnight.  

Drinks Over Dearborn
650 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60654

This boutique beer, wine and spirits shop carries an inventory carefully selected by Kyle McHugh, a food and wine professional with years of experience in the restaurant and nightlife industries. Not just a shop, Drinks Over Dearborn will also offer a wide range of special events and tastings, including the "Rare & Luxurious Room." Sounds fun.

10pin Bowling
330 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This hip, nightlife-centered Chicago lounge features 24 bowling lanes and an extensive martini list. Edible fare here is served from a small plates menu, perfect for sharing.

Ai
358 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60654

This River North Japanese Sushi Restaurant & Lounge opened it's doors in late-September 2007.  From the siblings who brought Ringo Japanese Restaurant and Tsuki to Lincoln Park, comes this lounge/restaurant with authentic Japanese cuisine.  

Andy's Jazz Club
11 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

B.L.U.E.S
2519 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614

Chicago blues house features local artists every night at 9:30 p.m. Cover varies.

Bamboo Room
616 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173

South Pacific-inspired lounge, with nightly DJs.

Big Chicks
5024 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60640

The colorful Uptown bar caters to a mostly lesbian and gay clientele but is very straight-friendly.

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.

Blue Chicago
536 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

Sample the sounds of the sultry saxophone, the bold bass, the thundering trumpet and the  daring drum beats at Blue Chicago, one of Chicago's best blues clubs. Open seven nights a week, Blue Chicago features some of the best names in blues and jazz.

Casey Moran's
3660 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60613

This top Wrigleyville-area sports bar is a no-brainer to visit if you're visiting the home of the Chicago Cubs, but is a year-round home to sports fanatics and just fans, too.  

Chaise Lounge
1840 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

More nightlife venue than restaurant, the menu at Chaise Lounge is straightforward and the outdoor seating is priceless.

Chi Bar
301 East North Water Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Created by renowned designer, Jeffrey Beers, Chi Bar boasts innovative cocktails, shareabledelights, and sleek ambiance.

Double Door
1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Wicker Park's premier live music venue. Cover varies.

English
444 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60610

From the Eat Well, Drink Better group, comes a new gastropub known as English. Located in the beautiful River North area, English serves good food and offers a wide variety of liquor choices as well as the favored beers and ales.  

Exposure Tapas Supper Club
1313 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

A new staple in the South Loop, Exposure Tapas Supper Club works as both a restaurant and a music-centric lounge. 

Fizz Bar & Grill
3220 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Enjoy any of the multiple Chicago nightlife scenes available at this popular North Side bar. The basics are all in place here and it's good for a solo night at the bar or any kind of group event you can dream up  

Harlem Avenue Lounge
3701 South Harlem Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402

Blues fills the air every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Harlem Avenue Lounge.  

Izakaya Hapa
58 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611

This Asian lounge is a chic new venue for light fare and cocktails featuring their extensive Sake menu.

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.

Lumen
839 W. Fulton Market , Chicago, IL 60607

Lumen is a contemporary lounge and bar environment designed with Chicago's sophisticated urban crowd in mind. With postmodern ambiance and local and international deejay talent, Lumen is an innovative socializing hot-spot.   

Moonshine
1824 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622

This popular Chicago bar and restaurant kicks off the West Division Street strip with a simple, but everything's there bar menu and good, Southern-leaning menu fare.  

NV Penthouse Lounge
116 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

This ultra-hip modern lounge sits atop 7 floors and serves an exclusive crowd. Take in the sweeping views of the Chicago skyline while the new-wave DJs keep the pop music thumping in the background. The outdoor terrace is a popular place to imbibe a pricy, but well-made drink.  

Ohm
1958 W. North Ave., Chicago , IL 60160

Ohm nightclub has a solid roster of guest deejays who mix electronic and Chicago house music for an authentic dance floor experience. The alley way entrance leads to a multi-level venue with a perfect after dark vibe.

Pops for Champagne
601 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60611

Live jazz, huge champagne list, and a fireplace create a memorable atmosphere.>

Redmoon
70 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60605

A sophisticated suburban Chicago night spot with guest DJs weekly, Redmoon delivers with a wide-ranging martini menu and other club features like the huge projection screens showing all kinds of footage.

Rednofive
440 N. Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60622

Dance club with funky atmosphere, intriguing lighting, and an upper VIP level that has been relevant for years now with constantly changing music line-ups and promotions.

Religion
720 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

This reinvented Chicago club is now Religion and was part of Club 720, a top Latin dance spot. The new space rocks more of a DJ-induced sound, dancing and a cosmopolitan club experience without the pretensions.  

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

This Chicago brewpub is an outpost of the nationwide chain; the top draw here is the rotating selection of handcrafted beers brewed on-site.

Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

Roof
201 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60601

High above the Loop this rooftop bar is located inside The Wit hotel.

Roscoe's Tavern
3356 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614

This popular gay and lesbian spot includes six bars and a large dance floor en route to one of the wilder nightlife experiences in all of Chicago.

Salud Tequila Lounge
1471 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Chic Wicker Park nightspot Salud features authentic Mexican fare with creative twists, as well as an extensive selection of premium tequilas.

Schoolyard Tavern & Grill
3258 N. Southport, Chicago, IL 60657

A fun beer-and-a-shot spot on the city's North Side, Schoolyard is a good bar to begin your North Side evening...not far from Wrigley Field!

Schuba's Tavern
3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Intimate setting and great sound blend for great live music shows and a casual environment are all represented at this North Side bar.

Sidetrack
3349 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657

This spacious club is appreciated for its highly social front piano and great people-watching that goes along with its location along one of the busiest boulevards in Boys Town.

Stone Lotus
873 N. Orleans St., Chicago, IL 60610

Asian "tranquility" meets posh, Chicago nighttime scene. Voted best new bar in the country.  

The Boundary
1932 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622

A mix of sports bar and well-heeled social spot, The Boundary is a viable nightlife option in a neighborhood known for its dining more than its drinking.  

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.

The Underground
54 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60610

The Underground is late-night dance spot offering a constantly changing line-up of talent from DJ's to Hip Hop performers and you never know what. It's one of the likeliest spots to catch a high-toned celebrity in Chicago (from David Beckham to classic acts like the Sugar Hill Gang).The decor here recalls a futuristic underground bunker complex-like feel except that the steady wave of beautiful people lends a more positive note to the ambience.

Trader Vic's
1030 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This delectable restaurant is island inspired with an Asian fare. This creates for some creative and tastey culinary cooking. It is great for dinner and has a sushi an bar lounge open until midnight.  

Tryst
3485 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657

Tryst is the most chic place to be if you're in Wrigleyville, that is--if you're not into the whole sports bar mania that is Clark Street.   

Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Excellent cocktails and a manageable noise level make this not-cheap lounge a viable alternative to more high voltage entertainment.

10pin Bowling
330 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This hip, nightlife-centered Chicago lounge features 24 bowling lanes and an extensive martini list. Edible fare here is served from a small plates menu, perfect for sharing.

Blue Chicago
736 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60610

Sample the sounds of the sultry saxophone, the bold bass, the thundering trumpet and the  daring drum beats at Blue Chicago, one of Chicago's best blues clubs. Open seven nights a week, Blue Chicago features some of the best names in blues and jazz. 

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the heartbeat of Chicago. The CSO has numerous concerts and special events throughout the year. See the full list at their website. Tickets range from $10 to $200.

Hard Rock Hotel
230 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601

For a good night's sleep at the coolest hotel on Michigan Avenue Hard Rokc Cafe is your only choice. You can live like the famous just seconds from all your favorite Michigan Avenue hotspots. The hotel provides free internet, a complimentary issue of Rolling Stone and a concierge on hand to give you exclusive insight on all that is happening in the Windy City.  

Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel
8500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60631

Just a short shuttle ride from the O'Hare International Airport, the Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel is a comfortable and affordable place to stay for business and leisure travelers alike.