Chicago, Illinois, is a beautiful city located on Lake Michigan. Chicago is considered among the largest cities in the United States. This beautiful city is globally renowned for its bold architecture and unique museums, and it is rich in history. Additionally, there are notable landmarks and destinations in various neighborhoods in Chicago worth visiting during the day. As the day turns to night, this beautiful city features some of the liveliest nightlife districts that visiting during a night out will ensure you have a great experience.
The neighborhoods in Chicago feature fabulous pubs, clubs, bars, and laid-back lounges that you can visit. This city is also home to different immigrants. Therefore, you are assured of getting a diverse range of delicacies, drinks, and many more from almost every part of the globe. There are also LGBT community destinations that you can visit during your night out and have a great time, whether straight, gay, yellow, or blue, without any worries. There are multiple nightlife districts in this windy city that you can visit for a thrilling night-out experience. Here are the top 10 nightlife districts in Chicago, Illinois.
# 10 – Wicker Park
Wicker Park has been and is still one of the hipster neighborhoods in Chicago. This neighborhood features very distinct places with an eclectic mix of pubs, bars, clubs, and many more. While in this neighborhood during the day, you can visit art galleries and cafes. Additionally, there is an elevated 2.7-mile path running through this neighborhood. You can go running or biking while having fantastic views of the surrounding scenery. Once the day turns to a night, this neighborhood becomes a lively nightlife district.
A visit to Milwaukee Avenue will take you to some of the most vibrant destinations in the entire region. Some of the best nightlife venues you should never fail to visit during your night out along this avenue include Whiskey Business, SWIG, Debonair, Links Taproom, The Flat Iron, The Revel Room, and High Noon Saloon. Further, while on your night out in this nightlife district, you may see your favorite artist and musicians performing live in one of the nightlife spots.
# 9 – Boystown
This Lakeview enclave was the country’s first LGBT community to be recognized by the city government. A series of rainbow pylons line the streets of this neighborhood. Boystown’s main strip is lined with queer-oriented restaurants and stores, and it is where Chicago’s annual Pride Parade takes place every June. Additionally, this neighborhood is also home to the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ community center. You can visit the eclectic spots in this nightlife district, whether you are straight, gay, blue, or yellow, without any worries. Besides, this neighborhood is one of the places where you can find drinks, music, laughs, and good times just a few distances from the apartments. There are multiple a-must visit spots during your night out. Some of them include The North End (a historic gay bar since the 1980s), Bobby Loves, Charlie’s Chicago, Cell Block, Kit Kat Lounge, The Twisted Vine, Hydrate, and many more.
# 8 – Lincoln Park
Continuing with our top nightlife districts in Chicago, Illinois, is Lincoln Park. This is one of the neighborhoods in Chicago where you will find one life spot next to the other. The most bar-populated area in this nightlife district is along Lincoln Avenue from Wrightwood to Fullerton. You will find locals, visitors, and college students. Most of the people who frequent the nightlife spots in this nightlife district are in their 30s, making it a great neighborhood for a memorable night out experience. You can visit Lincoln Hall for a concert before or after going for drinks. Some of the best spots visiting during your night out in this nightlife district will make your time memorable include Red Lion Pub, Lincoln Avenue Social, The Barrelhouse Flat, Lincoln Tap Room, Elbo Room, Delilah’s, and Prost. The streets in this nightlife district are filled with nightlife enthusiasts looking for a good time.
# 7 – Wrigleyville
This neighborhood is home to the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field. This field is the baseball heaven. The neighborhood is located on the North Side of the city. During your visit to this neighborhood during the day, you can go shopping in the souvenir shops. Additionally, there are hotels and restaurants that you can visit during the day to have quality time. During the night, especially during the Cubs game, this neighborhood has its madness in the best way possible.
The neighborhood features one of the longest clusters of bars in Chicago. The cluster of bars is located from Belmont to grace street, and you will find both residents and tourists in multiple bar hopping scenes. Some of the best nightlife destinations include Irish oak, Deuce’s and The Diamond Club, Sluggers, Merkle’s, Old Crow HVAC, The Cubby Bear, Gman Tavern, and the Smart Bar. Most of the bar-hoppers in this nightlife district are in their 20s.
# 6 – River North
River North, a posh neighborhood in Chicago’s core business district, is a favorite spot for after-work meals and drinks. This beautiful neighborhood is packed with clubs, restaurants, and nightlife, as well as a handful of high-end art galleries. The Wrigley Building, an architectural masterpiece on the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue, is also found in this neighborhood. There are multiple eclectic nightlife spots that you can visit with friends for a memorable night out experience during any day of the week.
Additionally, you will find people from all sorts of life in this nightlife district ranging from hip young professionals to traveling business people and industry owls to freshly turned 21-year-olds looking for a thrilling night out experience. There are dozens of nightlife venues that you can hop into to have a great time. Here are some of the fabulous nightlife spots you can visit while in River North: – El Hefe, Howl at the Moon, Mother Hubbard’s, O’Callaghan’s, Joy District, Hubbard Inn, and Three Dots and a Dash. Most of the lively nightlife spots in this neighborhood are located from Hubbard to LaSalle.
# 5 – Logan Square
This is a quiet neighborhood that features incredible architecture, outstanding parks, restaurants, and a great mix of bars. This locale has a fantastic nightlife venue that makes unbelievable craft cocktails. Apart from unique places you can visit during the day, this neighborhood features one of the liveliest and most exciting nightlife venues. There are great places in this nightlife district that you can visit and grab a cold beer while listening to calm, soothing music after a long tiresome day. Additionally, there are venues with live DJ performances that you can visit to release steam by dancing. You may also visit multiple venues with live music performances. There are incredible nightlife venues in this neighborhood. Some include East Room, Slippery Slope, The Burlington, Logan Arcade, Cole’s, and Township.
# 4 – Pilsen
Suppose you are a nightlife enthusiast and you are into or want to have some Mexican-related drinks and foods. In that case, Pilsen is a great neighborhood to visit. This neighborhood is located on the Lower West Side of Chicago, Illinois. The Mexican-American community mostly occupies the area. During the day, you will find tacos sold by street vendors.
Additionally, there gorgeous murals in various buildings that are great places for photography. You can also visit the museum located in this neighborhood if you are into art during the day. As dusk turns tonight, there are fabulous venues in this neighborhood that make it one of the region’s liveliest and most memorable nightlife districts. Some of the amazing nightlife venues you should never miss visiting in this nightlife district include Skylark, PL-ZEN, Dusek’s Board & Beer, Punch House, and La Vaca Margarita Bar.
# 3 – Old Town
Old Town is a history-rich neighborhood located on the Northside of the city. This amazing neighborhood is home to some of the significant landmarks you can visit during the day as you wait for a thrilling night. As the darkness comes into place, you will find multiple live entertainments ranging from Second City to Zanie’s Comedy Club. Besides, this neighborhood is located close to the Loop and North Avenue Beach.
There are a phenomenal variety of nightlife spots with a divey ambiance. You will find craft beer, unique cocktails, and a wide range of food during your night out in Old Town. You can visit Old Town Ale House to have a cold beer with your friends. If you are into sports, then Old Town Pour House is a great place to catch live games while having a drink with friends at night. Other live and thrilling nightlife spots in this neighborhood include Wells on Wells, Old Town Social, Woodie’s Flat, The VIG, Benchmark, Corcoran’s Grill & Pub, and The Fireplace Inn.
# 2 – Rogers Park
This is another beautiful nightlife district located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a lakeside neighborhood and home to Loyola University. The neighborhood is located in the nethermost part of the city. Additionally, this neighborhood is home to a large immigrant population. Therefore, it has a vast array of delectable restaurants, bars, pubs, and club choices. You will find choices ranging from Peruvian to Indian to Korean to Pakistani. There are restaurants open 24 hours that you can visit during any day to taste foods from different parts of the globe.
Some of them include IHOP, Taqueria Hernandez, and McDonalds. Some of the nightlife restaurants you can visit to catch a bite before hopping into any of the nightlife spots include The Angry Crab, Hyderabad House, and Lahore Food & Grill. There are also LGBT nightlife spots in this neighborhood that you can visit without issues. Some of the amazing nightlife spots you should never miss visiting for a thrilling night out experience include Jackhammer, Rodgers park Social, R Public House, Bulldog Ale House, The Glenwood, Cunneen’s, and Lighthouse Tavern.
# 1 – West Loop
Our top ten nightlife districts in Chicago, Illinois, will not be complete without mentioning West Loop. This is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Chicago that you should never miss for a memorable night out experience. Additionally, the most celebrated restaurants in Chicago are also found in this neighborhood. Therefore, you can be assured of something delicious during your night out. There are great cocktail spots for attending cocktail parties, releasing some steam, and even relaxing to cool off your mind after a long day.
Some of the best cocktail bars are also located in this nightlife district. There are various destinations in West Loop that visiting will make your night out lively and fun. Some of the nightlife venues in West Loop include Lazy Bird, Kumiko, The Aviary, PB&J: Pizza Beer & Jukebox, Lone Wolf, CH Distillery, Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Bandit, and Moneygun.
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