10 Best Chicago Nightlife

Smartbar is a basement nightclub featuring well-known DJs spinning a wide array of dance music, including house, EDM, and techno. You can find Smartbar located just north of Wrigley Field on North Clark Street. 

You can dance the night away with resident DJs like The Black Madonna and Harry Cross, or you can catch a special event. Smartbar’s state-of-the-art Funktion One speakers provide fantastic sound that will keep you moving. The club also hosts a variety of queer events, including the popular Sunday night Queen Party.

Steppenwolf Theater is a popular performing arts venue that hosts year-round shows on its 3 stages. The theater was founded in 1976 and today boasts a company of 49 actors, directors, and playwrights. Performances include well-known actors such as Tracy Letts, Carrie Coon, and Joan Allen, to name a few.

You can find the theater on North Halsted Street, just a block from the North/Clybourn subway stop. For a great deal, you can get half-priced tickets at the theater 1 hour before curtain-up.

The Second City is a well-known comedy club that was the starting place of many famous comedians, including Tina Fey, John Belushi, and Bill Murray. You can find Second City situated on West North Avenue, just south of West Concord Lane.

At the show, you'll see quick-witted improv sketches, humorous songs, and hilarious scenes. The bar offers light food, beer, wine, and cocktails for you to enjoy with the performance. Second City also offers a well-known center that trains thousands of comedians per year.

Leave the ordinary behind and witness the magic right at your table or at one of the main stage shows at the Chicago Magic Lounge. Located just a short walk from the Argyle Red Line station, this unique venue transports you to a bygone era with its speakeasy-style setting, housed in a former laundry building from the '40s.

Every night, magicians perform their tricks at the small and intimate Performance Bar, which doesn’t require a ticket, but fills up quickly so arrive early to secure the best seats. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and delectable small plates while you marvel at the magic. For the main show, book your tickets in advance as they tend to sell out fast.

AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago offers long-established Greek, Ottoman, and Roman spa treatments in a building with beautifully restored historic architecture. AIRE can be found in River West at the intersection of West Superior and North Halsted Streets.

You can enjoy an expansive list of bath experiences, including The Himalayan Salt Ritual or The Signature Wine Experience, which allows you to soak in a bath of antioxidant-rich Spanish Ribera del Duero wine followed by an hour-long massage with grapeseed oil. All experiences include a thermal tour, where you have access to soak in baths of varying temperatures, including an indoor/outdoor bath where you can enjoy the seasonal temperatures.

Untitled Supper Club features a variety of live shows in a Prohibition-era setting and offers a gourmet menu and an extensive list of whiskeys. The club can be found on West Kinzie Street, just west of North Clark Street in River North.

As you explore the club, you'll be taken back in time with the art-deco design and details of the Prohibition period. Entertainment includes burlesque shows, blues performances, and much more. If you're looking for an award-winning meal, they offer a prix-fixe menu that features some of their best dishes.

Joy District is a multilevel venue that features a nightclub, restaurant, and rooftop patio. You can find Joy District located in the River North neighborhood, near the intersection of West Hubbard Street and North Clark Street.

If you're looking for a hip dance spot, you can head to the second-floor dance club, which features top-notch Chicago DJs and a full bar with bottle service. Be sure to check the schedule, as you may catch a celebrity performance. Past performances have included Ludacris, Demi Lovato, and Louis the Child. For a more laid-back vibe, the rooftop is a great spot to enjoy a drink while taking in the panoramic views of the city.

Chicago Underground is a network of tunnels connecting businesses and attractions below the bustling city. You'll find Chicago Underground located South of Wacker Drive and the Chicago River. The Underground is traversed via the Pedway, a series of pedestrian passageways that link 5 miles (8 km) of shopping, offices, and parking lots and take you to underground food stands and coffee shops.

You may also enjoy exploring the underground streets where parts of "The Dark Knight" were filmed or touring the Deep Tunnel Project, which is located 350 feet (107 meters) under the streets. Chicago Underground is also home to a vibrant nightlife scene with a versatile selection of bars and a live music venue.

Replay Lincoln Park features an arcade bar offering a wide variety of craft beers and arcade-themed cocktails. You can find the arcade located in Lincoln Park at the intersection of North Sheffield Avenue and West Wolfram Street.

You can enjoy an impressive collection of pinball and retro games, including Tetris, Pac Man, and Tron, and the best part is they are all free to play. Additionally, the venue often hosts themed events and tournaments, for example, SpongeBob Trivia and Super Smash Bros. Melee Tournament.

Rosa's Lounge is a popular family-owned blues lounge renowned for its ambience and performances and has received recognition from both the New York Times and Rolling Stone. You can find the lounge situated on West Armitage Avenue, just west of North Kimball Avenue.

Performances include modern Chicago artists such as Sugar Blue and Billy Branch, as well as legendary performers like Pinetop Perkins and David Honeyboy. You can order drinks from the bar and find a great seat to enjoy the show in this intimate lounge. Rosa's Lounge also partner’s with local fast food establishments, so food is available by delivery, or you can even bring your own.

Old Town School of Folk Music is a community arts school that offers a wide variety of public music concerts and dance performances. The school and 2 performance venues can be found at the intersection of Lincoln and North Oakley Avenues.

At Gary & Laura Maurer Concert Hall, you can enjoy state-of-the-art acoustics and great views, with all seating close to the action. Myron R. Szold Music and Dance Hall offers a more flexible seating arrangement that allows guests to interact with performers. The Old Town School Cafe features light bites and sweet treats as well as cold beverages, coffee, beer, and wine.