-
Richard's Bar
The younger of the two main bartenders in this timeless dive is in his 70s. The bar - with its tall, humming refrigerated coolers for to-go orders and strange mix of Rat Pack and Saturday Night Fever on the jukebox - feels like something out of a Jim Jarmusch movie. Hang around long enough and the owner may bring out a huge platter of food for everyone.
-
Rodan
This sleek, cinematic spot for 30-somethings slides from restaurant mode to bar mode around . Arty videos courtesy of Chicago artists are projected on the back wall, and the space often hosts interesting live collaborations between electronic composers and video artists.
-
Rosa's Lounge
This is hard-core blues. Top local talents perform at this unadorned West Side club in a neighborhood that's still a few decades away from attracting developers. Take a cab.
-
Rose's Lounge
Once your eyes adjust to the dark of Rose's, the eclectic bric-a-brac, drop ceiling and dollar brews make it an odd duck amongst Lincoln Park's yuppie lounges. The ultra-cheap beers are the big draw, bringing in a motley set of spendthrift regulars.
-
Schubas
Something of an alt-country legend, Schubas presents a host of twangy, acoustic artists, and indie rock acts that don't get booked across town at the Empty Bottle. While the bar area itself is friendly and boisterous, the back music room is for serious listening - chatty patrons should expect to be shushed.
-
Second City
A Chicago must-see, this club is best symbolized by John Belushi, who emerged from the suburbs in 1970 and earned a place in the Second City improv troupe with his creative, manic, no-holds-barred style on his way to fame and fortune. Second City's shows are sharp and biting commentaries on life, politics, love and anything else that falls in the crosshairs of the comedians' rapid-fire, hard-hitting wit.
-
Signature Lounge
Have the Hancock Observatory view without the Hancock Observatory admission price. Shoot straight up to the 96th floor and order your beverage while looking out over the glittering city. Top of the world. A floor below is a full restaurant, Signature Room at the 95th. Among its offerings are an around 14 lunch buffet.
-
Simon's
One of Andersonville's few 20-something hangouts, this nautical-themed bar has Clap Your Hands Say Yeah playing on the stereo, and a long bar right out of the '50s. The mural is of the original owner Simon Lundberg and his friends.
-
Skylark
The Skylark is the place to end a long night after exploring southern reaches of the city; it's a bastion for artsy drunkards, who slouch into big booths sipping on strong drinks and eyeing the long room.
-
Small Bar
Its ace jukebox, affordable food menu and kindly staff make this unpretentious gem an easygoing place to spend an evening in the neighborhood. The mirror behind the bar dates back to the 1907 founding.
-
Advertisement
-
Smart Bar
This downstairs adjunct to the Metro is a dance and music-lover's dream, and the DJs who spin here often have more renowned reputations than you'd expect the intimate space to accommodate. A who's-who of forward- looking break artists, house and trance DJs have held down the turntables.
-
Sonotheque
The DJs here spin genres of electronic music that are so hip they don't even have names yet, but are perfectly matched with the futuristic space. This kind of bar would be a snooty disaster in New York, but absolutely down-to-earth patrons and reasonable drink prices make it feel like the corner pub of 2015.
-
Sound-Bar
This 4000 sq ft nightspot rises above the city's other sprawling megaclubs by way of superstar trance and house DJs (John Digweed, Dimitri from Paris etc). There's an amazing sound system and a dramatic setting.
-
Southport Lanes
This old-fashioned, local bar has been classily updated under the thoughtful management of some new owners who oversee the bar itself and an annex with four hand-set bowling lanes. The main bar features an inspirational mural of cavorting nymphs and tables sprawl onto the sidewalk in summer.
-
Spin
Though its clientele consists mostly of gay men in their 20s, Spin has become a popular destination for hetero men and women on the weekends. Serious dancers hit the floor, while chatty cruisers orbit the large bar by the entrance. Don't miss Spin's shower contest every Friday night, when hopefuls of both genders bare (almost) all.
-
Spy Bar
The atmosphere at this subterranean spot is cruise-a-rama, as scantily dressed, good-looking 20-something singles cavort to house music. They don't have plain old waiting staff here though - it's 'startenders' serving the drinks. Enter through the alley and dress nicely (no jeans) to get through the line more quickly.
-
Steppenwolf Theater Company
This legendary ensemble netted a Tony Award in 1985 and put Chicago theatre on the map. It's given the world such actors as Gary Sinise and John Malkovich, and such is the cred of the place that both return for the odd performance. It's very much an actors' company, showing works like True West and David Copperfield .
-
Sterch's
'No Corona. No foolish drinks. Limited dancing,' reads the sign in the window at this otherwise convivial dive. Those rules invite a genial older crowd of writers and grizzled neighborhood types, as does a jukebox stocked with Coltrane and the Stones.
-
Subterranean
DJs spin hip-hop and other styles to a trendy crowd at this place, which looks slick inside and out. The cabaret room upstairs draws good indie rock bands and popular open-mic events.
-
Ten Cat Tavern
Pool is serious business on the two vintage tables that Ten Cat co-owner Richard Vonachen refelts regularly with material from Belgium. The ever-changing, eye-catching art comes courtesy of neighborhood artists, and the furniture is a garage-saler's dream. Regulars (most in their 30s) down leisurely drinks at the bar or, in warm weather, head to the beer garden.
-
Advertisement
-
Underground Wonder Bar
This live-music venue run by musician Lonie Walker features little-known jazz and bluesmen, along with the occasional rock or reggae player. The club is tiny, and Lonie herself takes the stage for her sultry show several nights a week.
-
Velvet Lounge
Tenor saxophonist Fred Anderson (one of the founding members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) owns the Velvet, which left its former historic location around the corner and moved here in 2006. Visiting jazz musicians often hang out here late at night. The place rocks during impromptu jam sessions.
-
Violet Hour
The unmarked, poster-covered edifice and sleek interior lend this newcomer the atmosphere of a highbrow speakeasy. So do elaborately-engineered cocktails that use homemade bitters applied with an eyedropper and come shaken or poured over six varieties of ice. After a few, turn to the menu of playfully haughty bar food by hot-handed Avec owner Justin Large.
-
Vision
Located next to Excalibur, Vision throws some of the best techno parties in Chicago. Big-name DJs like Sasha, Doc Martin and Derrick Carter have all spun here, and the crowds of 2000-strong visit every weekend to dance (rather than pose) under the laser-lit extravaganza. The recently expanded club also plays hip-hop in the smaller of its two spaces.
-
Weed's
Bras hang like animal pelts at this bar where beatnik meets bohemia. If the walls of Weed's could talk, you'd hear some strange yarns, most of them courtesy of dada-esque owner Sergio Mayora, whose name has motivated an unsuccessful bid for mayor.
