Bars and Clubs in Chicago

A huge chunk of Chicago’s social life revolves around the residents’ deep love of beer and sports, but it’s not just in the shadow of the stadiums where this bromance of booze and ballgames exists.

There are thousands of bars and clubs in Chicago – dominating every major street and tucked into the quietest residential blocks – so if a home team is playing, it’s a guarantee the game will be on in a nearby drinking establishment. Buckets of bottled beer make it easy to keep the table supplied with rounds of cheap suds, while delicately crafted microbrews show up on tap at even the lowliest dives.

Many gastro-pubs expertly pair food with one of their hundreds of beers, but it’s just as easy to find a hefty slice of deep dish pizza and a Bud. Add to this sudsy cheese-layered mix a fervent post-college energy – fueled by the thousands of Big 10 graduates who swarm the city every year – and party hubs like Rush & Division take on the feel of massive nightly tailgate parties whether there’s a game to go with them or not.

Though bars are easily the most common nightlife destinations, an array of clubs and lounges still draw crowds in the Second City. Chicago is a major hub where the Midwest’s economic and social elite come to live, work, and play, and high-end neighborhoods like River North and the Gold Coast cater to their demands for posh, privileged, and preferential treatment.

Crazy Chicago bars and clubs, chic lounges, and rooftop hotspots provide late-night excitement for the most stylish night owls, and many licenses keep the party going until 5am.