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Katerina's
The swish Southern European finish and soulful pan-ethnic gypsy jazz and blues makes Katerina's a stylish, soulful destination in less-traveled Irving Park. A sophisticated set of 30- and 40-somethings down martinis, dig the good tunes and hang here all night.
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Kelly's
DePaul students and fans can get elbow to elbow at this classic pub that's been family owned and operated since the day after Prohibition ended. It's directly under the El, so hold onto your glass when a train goes by.
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Kingston Mines
Popular enough to draw big names, it's so hot and sweaty here that blues neophytes will feel like they're having a genuine experience - sort of like a gritty theme park. Two stages ensure somebody's always on.
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Kuma's Corner
'Death to Budweiser...Seriously,' glowers the drink menu at Kuma's. Like formidable heavy-metal themed hamburgers, the drinks here ain't no joke. Be prepared to do some dancing when you order the one delivered by the little plastic robot.
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Lava Lounge
Serious electronic musicheads love this unpretentious, dim and mostly cover-free club. Well-attended DJ nights dot the week and a different female DJ rocks the club every Wednesday for the long-running Flirt. Better still: the beer supply is wide ranging and the cocktails cheap.
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Le Passage
Take a hint from the faux-French name, this restaurant-nightclub is not without its affected pretensions - once past the doorperson's clipboard though, it's a beautiful, club with French-colonial decor. It makes the appropriate backdrop for would-be models and their pursuers, all who try to maintain their poise while sucking down fruity Polynesian concoctions like the 'Scorpion Bowl.'
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Lee's Unleaded Blues
Lee's and Rosa's Lounge are cut from the same cloth; this is a no-nonsense blues local far from touristy parts of town. The cover is low - when there is one - and live music runs Thursday to Monday.
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Leg Room
The Leg Room wins few points for originality, with safari-print stools and schmoozing, scantily-dressed singles, but the laid-back vibe and friendly staff make it the most inviting place to gawk at the Rush Street pick up scene.
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Lodge
Dressed up like a misplaced hunting cabin, the Lodge has a bit more polish than most of its neighbors on Division Street. A Wurlitzer jukebox spins oldies, and the bowls of salty peanuts compliment the abundant beers on tap. The crowd of mostly 40-somethings drink like they mean it, sometimes until dawn.
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Logan Square Auditorium
Logan Square's legions of gentrifying scene-makers need some place to catch grimy, DIY, underground rock, and this spacious former ballroom answers the call. The gigs here, like the neighborhood, are a work-in-progress.
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Matchbox
Patrons jam this extremely cozy bar for some of the best (and most potent) cocktails in the city, made entirely from scratch. Favorites include the Pisco Sour and ginger gimlet, ladled from an amber vat of homemade ginger-infused vodka. When the weather is warm, claustrophobics take solace on the sidewalk patio.
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Metro
After graduating from the Abbey Pub, acts teetering on the verge of superstardom play this former classic theater, which has the sightlines and sound system to make it among the best venues in Chicago.
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Murphy's Bleachers
Getting well-lubricated before the big game is the prerogative of Cubs fans at this well-loved, historic watering hole, only steps away from the entrance to Wrigley's bleacher seats. They jam this place like sardines on game day.
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Neo-Futurists
Best known for its long-running, brilliant Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind , in which the hyper troupe makes a manic attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes. Admission cost is based on a dice throw.
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New Apartment Lounge
The only night to come to this storefront venue on the far South Side is Tuesday, when saxophonist Von Freeman leads his long-running, roof-raising jam to rousing calls from the ultra-casual, deep-listening audience. The session starts at , but if you want to get into the tiny room, come early.
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New Checkerboard Lounge
When the original location of this Bronzeville blues room closed in 2003, enthusiasts mourned - until it reopened in this bigger, better sounding space in Hyde Park. The relocation is more inviting for university kids who often join locals for quality local and national electric blues acts. The cover varies with the reputation of the bluesmen on stage and so does the start time, so call ahead.
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Old Town School Of Folk Music
You can hear the call of the banjos from the street outside this venue, where major national and local acts like John Gorka, Richard Thompson and Joan Baez sometimes play. Best of all, the space has an educational component that offers classes and clinics. The Old Town School's original location in Old Town offers classes for kids.
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Olde Town Ale House
This Old Town neighborhood staple has been the scene of late-night musings since the 1960s - the last time paint was applied. Grab a book from the lending library, put some classic jazz on the jukebox and settle in for atmospheric merriment under salacious paintings and portraits of past regulars created by the owner, Bruce.
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Ontourage
VIPs get all-access to the exclusive recesses of this neon-lit hip-hop and house club, though it's arguably more fun to hang downstairs with the dressed-up commoners. Newly arrived on the Gold Coast club scene, it has a tough road to hoe: this space has housed a revolving door of defunct flash-in-the-pan clubs.
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Playground Improv Theater
This nonprofit temple of improv hosts irreverent pieces by some of Chicago's emerging improv ensembles. The lineup changes every night, but Sunday's Big Yellow Bus show is always a hoot.
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Pump Room
A certain timelessness prevails at this Gold Coast classic, where vocalists and jazz and dance trios provide slow-dance swing Wednesday through Saturday. The black they insist you wear here should be formal, not grunge. There's a full upscale American menu.
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Quenchers
At the north end of Bucktown, Quenchers peddles a global selection of over 200 beers from more than 40 nations. Locals, artisans, laborers and visiting brew masters enjoy Earle Miller's hospitality. Even when the live music gets loud, the bargain prices are worth the noise.
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Rainbo Club
Ground zero for indie elite during the week, the boxy, dark-wood Rainbo Club has an impressive semicircular bar and one of the city's best photo booths. The service is slow and the place goes a little suburban on weekends, but otherwise it's an excellent place to hang out with artsy locals.
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Red Lion Pub
A British-style pub run by gen-u-ine Brits, this cozy spot features UK brews, the best onion rings in the city and regular literary events. The fish-and-chips were a favorite of film critic Gene Siskel.
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Red Rooster Cafe & Wine Bar
Connected to Cafe Bernard, this funky little wine bar makes a great stop before or after meals or the theater. Choose from plenty of wines by the glass.
