Est. 1970, this local dive has been around for awhile, hosting Karaoke,
trivia, game night, parties, and more.
Karaoke four nights a week!
-Recommended by Post Animal
Patrons sip martinis & other cocktails at this Zebra-themed speakeasy with nightly live piano music.
No-frills bar featuring a large whiskey & bourbon menu plus music from local & touring bands or DJs.
“It’s so Chicago to me. Cash Only, PBRs are $2, no pretense, and I always run into friends whenever I’m there. It’s like Chicago Cheers. I get whiskey, soda, bitters.” — Phillip-Michael Scales
Neighborhood bar serving BBQ, bar food & craft beers inside or in the large beer garden.
Gin-centric cocktails, craft beers & pub grub served in a relaxed urban-rustic bar with cozy nooks.
Honky-tonk bar featuring live country-western music, line dancing & karaoke since 1973.
Lively taproom offering beer tastings, snacks, a retail store & regular live music.
Cash-only hangout featuring a taxidermy theme, table games & a rotating list of cocktails & beer.
Historic sports bar featuring a menu of pizza & pub grub, 20+ beers on tap & a vintage vibe.
Hipster spot for coffee, craft beer & eclectic fare plus popular brunch offerings & live music.
A jukebox, an indoor waterfall & craft beers are the hallmarks of this quirky late-night bar.
Dark, funky multiroom bar/club with DJs & dancing in an unassuming space on a residential strip.
This lively, hip nightspot features DJs spinning techno dance music, beer & cocktails.
A two-story tavern open until 4AM, attracting Chicago’s scenesters and hipster who are in the mood to drink and dance. Locals affectionately refer to the bar as “Mistakes.”
Laid-back, cash-only dive bar near Second City with a storied past, old-school jukebox & funky art.
Creative cocktails & small bites define this sophisticated, stylish bar.
Long-running joint serving up a variety of draft beers & cocktails, with a jukebox & a pool table.
Intimate lounge/club delivering drinks, karaoke & dancing in a vintage setting (the building is over 100 years old). Each night of the week offers something different from live bands and karaoke, to sports nights and burlesque shows. Karaoke is what draws crowds so be sure to partake – you may even be treated to some singers from the neighboring theatre district.
Well-worn, cash-only corner bar, dating to 1897, with vintage decor, neon beer signs & a pool table.
Stylish, modern take on an old-school beer-&-a-shot bar featuring craft brews & a free jukebox.
Cash-only bar with craft beer, pub food & live music amid retro rec-room decor with a photo booth.
Modest convenience store with wine, beer & beverage staples, plus sundries & a down-to-earth bar.
Maria’s is an awesome dive bar with eclectic selections and friendly staff.
Tin-ceiling bar with budget beers, hard-boiled eggs & a jukebox filled with rat-pack classics.
Longtime liquor store with wine, beer & spirits, tobacco, lottery & snacks, with an onsite bar.
Cody’s is not your average dive bar. Enter to find not only cheap beer, a laid-back crowd, and real darts, but a regulation bocce ball court in one of the best backyard beer garden’s in town. Order a beverage and enjoy complimentary snacks aplenty ranging from pretzel rods, cheese, crackers, or salsa and chips. If you need something heartier, patrons are welcome to have pizzas delivered.
Jazz, classical music & dance events are showcased in an open performance space with a full bar.
Artist-friendly lounge hosting live bands, comedians & DJs.
Decades of games, dozens of beers & 60-plus whiskeys in a classic tavern setting with a tin ceiling.
“[At] Emporium I can play pool, air hockey, and they don’t tax on drinks… I order apple juice and Hennessy.” -Ajani Jones
Upbeat grill chain with American grub, martinis & microbrews, plus happy-hour deals.
Two-floor venue with a variety of live entertainment from musicians to DJs to burlesque dancers.
Brewery specializing in raw, intense beers.
-Recommended by Post Animal
“I love stopping by Cafe Mustache in Logan Square for a Schlitz tallboy and a shot of Jameson. Karaoke on Sundays is always hopping, and a great place to slam a ‘Chicago Handshake.'” -White Mystery
“Maplewood Brewery & Distillery just opened up near Avondale, and every beer they brew is delicious!” -White Mystery
This classic liquor store with an integrated taproom is a Chicago favorite.
-Recommended by Varsity
Quality eats, specialty whiskies, and craft cocktails.
Recommended by The Life And Times
“My all-time favorite Chicago bar is probably The Hopleaf for their insane draft beers and the care you know goes into maintaining them. I tend towards whatever harder-to-find Belgian quadruple is on offer.” -In Tall Buildings
“There are so many good breweries in Chicago now, and I’m honestly out of the loop. But my most recent find was when we realized Moody Tongue had discretely opened a very classy taproom one block away from us in our very industrial little pocket of Pilsen. At first I wasn’t drawn to the extra ingredients involved, but I quickly realized the beers are all well in balance and excellent. And you can add oysters to your order.” -In Tall Buildings
“It’s a hip spot with punch cocktails underneath Thalia Hall, one of our favorite venues in the city. There’s a big fish tank behind the bar and at midnight, they give everyone a shot of whiskey to take as they feed the fishes.” -Deeper
“You can get a pitcher of beer for a nickel.” — PEEL
“Food, booze, good times. Get a Tecate and a Mind Eraser.” — Air Credits