Chicago
Popular deli minichain Pastoral has a wine bar at its Lake View shop. Half-glasses are available for $5, meaning you can sample widely. The deli's awesome…
Must-see nightlife in Illinois
Chicago
Despite the name, both men and women (queer and otherwise) frequent Big Chicks, with its weekend DJs, fun dance floor, art displays and next-door organic…
Chicago
Massive Sidetrack thumps dance music for gay and straight crowds alike. Events take place throughout the week: drag-queen nights, movie-viewing parties,…
Chicago
This Monadnock Building branch of local coffee roaster Intelligentsia is styled to look like a traditional Italian espresso bar, with white marble and…
Chicago
SoFo is a normal neighborhood bar with a sweet dog-friendly patio. Then again, there are also raucous live game shows and rock and soul karaoke. And if…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
A century-old vestige from the days when Division St was ‘Polish Broadway,’ the Gold Star remains a divey winner, drawing a posse of bike messengers and…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
At this map- and globe-filled ‘travelers’ tavern – replete with flag-bedecked wallpaper – artsy types sip coffee by day and suds from the 200-strong beer…
Illinois
This atmospheric downtown Rock Island coffeehouse decked out diner-style with banquette seating is chock-full of historic photos, artifacts and propaganda…
Chicago
Practice your home-run swing at Sluggers, a cheesy but popular bar and grill across from Wrigley Field. Sidestep the schnockered Cubs fans and giant…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Gas up on the way at this renowned coffee roaster's Wicker Park branch, tucked conveniently right beneath the L station at Damen. There are four other…
Chicago
The UK beers and more than 80 bottles of single-malt scotch are nearly overwhelming at this cozy, laid-back pub. After enough of them, try the fish and…
Chicago
With threadbare couches and broken-in board games, this Logan Square fave has the homey charm of your uncle’s '70s rumpus room – if your uncle had loads…
Chicago
One of the few lesbian-centric bars in Chicago, the Closet changes mood and tempo at 2am, when the crowd becomes more mixed (male and female), the music…
Chicago
Modern, sunny coffee-slinger Dollop fires up a mean espresso among its caffeinated arsenal. Local baked treats such as Hoosier Mama pies provide the sugar…
Chicago
This triangular bar sets itself apart by functioning as a cafe by day – with pastries and locally roasted coffee – and a Latin American–inspired lounge by…
Chicago
Named after a city in northeastern Poland, this divey, off-the-beaten-path neighborhood pub is marked by a sign featuring two frothy beer mugs. A long,…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Aptly for this gallery-rich street, Standing Passengers displays rotating exhibits from local artists on the walls of its airy, minimalist space. Browse…
Chicago
Goose Island’s popular beers are served in bars and restaurants around Chicago, and much of it is brewed right here. The large, brick-walled pub pours the…
Chicago
Weeds has the tenacity of its namesake flora, sticking to its beatnik-meets-bohemia roots for years while the neighborhood gentrified around it. If the…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
A timeless dive, where flinty locals and aging wise guys openly flaunt no-smoking laws. With its tall, humming refrigerated coolers for to-go orders and a…
Illinois
The original Red Stripe beer was brewed by Galena Brewing Company in the 1930s before a British investor whisked the recipe off to Jamaica. This isn't…
Chicago
This enormous nightspot rises above the city’s other megaclubs by way of big-name touring trance and house DJs, as well as a sturdy lineup of resident DJs…
Chicago
Spyners is a full-on dive bar beloved by lesbians and karaoke fans. The latter flock in Thursday, Friday and Saturday to belt out tunes in a welcoming…
Chicago
While Weathermark is one of the least obnoxious of the neighborhood's upscale pubs, it does get in your face with its nautical theme and rum-based 'sailor…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
It’s one of the city’s classic – not ironic – dive bars, where the wood paneling, kitschy knickknacks and ‘shot-ana-beer’ orders impart authentic Chicago…
Chicago
The jukebox is stuffed with hundreds of live (hence the name) concert recordings by Springsteen, Pink Floyd, the Pixies, Led Zeppelin, Muddy Waters,…
Chicago
If you want lively people-watching in the thick of it all, hit the Plaza. Set in Millennium Park between the Bean sculpture and Michigan Ave, the summer…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
It’s mostly a younger, hipster crowd dancing their asses off at Debonair to '80s new wave, hip-hop, house, trap, drum and bass, and new electro. The main…
Illinois
It's hard to find much to dislike about this massive brewpub. The food menu covers steamed mussels to wood-fired pizza to Texas BBQ, and a roster of beers…
Chicago
A wild night on the Boystown club circuit requires a visit to this frenzied spot, which boasts an open-air feel (thanks to retractable windows) and a…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This small triangle-shaped shop (with a matching three-sided common table) offers beans from its own local roaster in a light-filled corner position near…
Chicago
A friendly neighborhood pub that draws a mix of artsy students from the nearby universities, local condo dwellers and sports fans, all of whom belly up at…
Chicago
A distinct neighborhood hot spot, Simone's packs in the young and beautiful from around Pilsen. Recycled and found materials comprise the cool decor…
Chicago
Johnny's is an ice rink, which explains why you can practically see your breath in the upstairs bar. The wood-paneled, neon-lit room is prime for watching…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This classic ‘slashie’ – the term for a combination bar/liquor store – has hours catering to third-shift locals and the most indomitable night owls. Order…
Chicago
Order a brewski at this bar named after the Cubs' famed announcer and then sip while perusing the photos and memorabilia of local sports heroes that are…
Chicago
This Irish stalwart is a fine example of the corner saloons that once dotted the city. The ample selection of reasonably priced draft beer is served to…
Chicago
The dimly lit L&L is an unapologetic dive bar, complete with curt, seen-it-all staff. It's a great place to duck the Wrigleyville madness. Relax with…
Chicago
The good-looking boys have a lot of action to choose from at the self-proclaimed 'upscale dive' @mosphere (not least the super-hot go-go dancers who…
Chicago
If you're dying for an alfresco drink while on Navy Pier, the beer garden pours them. Rock cover bands add to the quasi-cheesy vibe.
