Outdoor bars, old man bars, secret speakeasy bars, 4 a.m. bars, rooftop bars, wine bars, game day bars, cocktail bars. No matter what kind of bar you’re looking for, you’ll find the best bars in Chicago. The Windy City has the best bars around. From beer to wine to cocktails to scotch, when it’s time to get your drink on in Chicago, there’s a bar for that!
1. Best Wine Bar
You know you are in for a treat when you see the massive wine library at Ada St.’s entrance. Come for the wine and enjoy a superb selection of white, red, rosé, and sparkling vinos, but be sure to treat yourself to a cocktail in this cozy upscale brick and polished wood enclave.
1664 North Ada Street
773-697-7069
Yelp: 4.5 stars; 353 reviews
2. Best Beer Bar
Chicago is home to many noteworthy beer bars, but one of the best is Hopleaf in Andersonville. Their huge selection of Belgian and domestic beers will make any dedicated beer lover blissfully happy. Monthly beer specials and delicious lunch and dinner dishes like the duck reuben keep this Chicago hotspot packed every day.
5148 N. Clark Street
773-334-9851
Yelp: 4 stars; 1699 reviews
3. Best Sports Bar
The Westend Bar & Grill is the perfect place for pre-game warmups before heading to see a game at the United Center using the bar’s free shuttles. But even if you don’t have tickets, you won’t miss out on the game with Westend’s 33 plasma TVs on two levels and TV-equipped booths with leather seats. Fish tacos, bison burgers, pizzas, and your choice or craft beers and local brews mean you can watch any game in style and comfort.
1326 W. Madison Street
312-981-7100
Yelp: 3.5 stars; 190 reviews
4. Best Whiskey Bar
Come to Delilah’s for the whiskey and stay to enjoy the punk rock, pinball, and pool in the dark atmosphere here. Delilah's whiskey selection includes more than 600 varieties served up along with weekly film and music screenings and art showings. Enjoy whiskey from every region in Scotland and daily bourbon deals for $3 and under.
2771 N. Lincoln Avenue
773-372-2771
Yelp: 4.5 stars; 434 reviews
5. Best After-Work Drink Spot
If you want a drink after work in Chicago, one of the best after work drink spots is The Bar at the Peninsula Hotel. After work, before a night on the town, or just as a special treat, The Bar’s wines, champagnes, rare whiskies, Scotch flights, and premium cocktails are the perfect wind down or wind up after work.
108 E. Superior Street
312-573-6766
Yelp: 4 stars; 120 reviews
6. Best Dive Bar
Miss the good old days of jukeboxes and ashtrays on every table? Welcome back to Richard’s, one of the best dive bars in the city. Smokers are welcome at Richard’s Bar, the beer is cheap, and you’ll even find hard boiled eggs along with the beer nuts. This is a bar from way back that will make you feel like coming home.
491 N. Milwaukee Avenue
312-773-2251
Yelp: 4.5 stars; 270 reviews
7. Best Cocktails
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Not just cocktails, but a cocktail experience awaits you at The Aviary in Chicago, by the owner of the restaurant Next. Next owner Chef Grant Achatz opened The Aviary in 2011 and serves up more than mere mixed drinks here. You’ll find cocktails like Junglebird, with layered rum, campari, and pineapple-lime syrup. And cocktail drama like Loaded to the Gunwalls served in a glass ship in a bottle with a candle.
955 W. Fulton Market
312-226-0868
Yelp: 4 stars; 778 reviews
8. Best Live Music
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Lincoln Hall is a sister venue for Schuba's Tavern, another cozy bar that features live music opened by brothers Chris and Mike Schuba. This is the bar to go to if you want to experience the Chicago music scene and catch talent on the way up. They have decent beer, standard pub grub, and affordable ticket prices from free to $20.
2424 N. Lincoln Avenue
773-525-2501
Yelp: 4.5 stars; 283 reviews
9. Best Bar with Outdoor Space
If you like alfresco drinking, you’ll like Chicago’s Three Aces. From one pizza/one shot/one beer on Mondays for $13 to $3 cocktails to the 140-seat patio, there’s plenty to love about this place. The patio area is outfitted with overhead lights and picnic tables, and they show movies out there on Mondays.
1321 W. Taylor Street
312-243-1577
Yelp: 4 stars; 635 reviews
10. Most Expensive and Worth It
If you’ve ever wanted to try absinthe, or wondered about Little Death and a Long Sleep, go to The Violet Hour. House rules reflect the upper crust atmosphere and include no cell phone use inside the lounge, no baseball hats, and proper attire. And if you like the cocktail experience here and want to bring it home, plan to book The Violet Hour cocktail catering at your next house party or take one of their cocktail classes.
1520 N. Damen Avenue
773-252-1500
Yelp: 4 stars;1697 reviews
11. Best Local Joint
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If you’re a Sox fan or a history buff or both, then Schaller’s Pump is the bar for you. Cold beer and meat and potatoes are the choices for those who venture to Schaller’s Pump for lunch or dinner at a place that’s been in business for 125 years. With the district Democratic headquarters across the street and baseball stadiums just a few blocks away, this is the place to experience some real Chicago vibes.
3714 S. Halsted Street
773-376-6332
Yelp: 4stars, 53 reviews
12. Best Day Drinking Spot
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Customers rave about the tacos and tequila at Big Star, including walking tacos, fish tacos, carrot tacos and pork belly tacos. Beer, whiskey, cocktails, tequila, and house barrels make up the liquid part of the menu. This is a primo day drinking spot for locals and visitors alike. Affordable prices range from $11 to $30, another plus when you want a place to grab lunch or drink the day away.
1531 N. Damen Avenue
773-235-4039
Yelp: 3.5 stars; 2323 reviews
13. Best First Date Bar
When you’ve got a first date coming up, you want to make it great. That’s not hard to do at Chicago’s Barrelhouse Flat. This place makes a great first date bar with a casual atmosphere, live music on select weeknights, tasty food, and super selection of drinks, including fun cocktails, punches, whiskey, wine, and beer.
2624 N. Lincoln Avenue
773-857-0421
Yelp: 4 stars; 363 reviews
14. Best Juice Bar
Chicago’s got plenty of juice bars, and among the best is The Protein Bar. Specializing in specially blended fruit and protein drinks like HI-5 with kale, spinach, and pineapple, and Millennium Park with chocolate protein, espresso protein, almond milk, and malt, The Protein Bar helps you get your health on. Bars, bowls, soups, salads, and cold-pressed drinks make up their complete menu.
235 S. Franklin Street
312-346-7300
Yelp: 4 stars; 319 reviews
15. Best LGBT Bar
Show tune Sundays and Musical Mondays are just two reasons that Sidetracks is the best Chicago LGBT bar. Spiked fruit slushies, five rooms, open-air upstairs patio, friendly bouncers, tasty bar snacks, strong mixed drinks, events and activities every day of the week, and super clean surroundings are the top reasons reviewers give for loving Sidetracks.
3349 N. Halsted Street
773-477-9189
Yelp: 4 stars; 290 reviews
16. Best New Bar
Rogers Park Social is one of the newest neighborhood bars opened by residents of the area. Craft beers, freshly prepared cocktails, weekday happy hour drink specials, board games, and live music are in store for you here in 2016. And drinks like The Hot Tea with black tea, rye whiskey, allspice dram, amaretto, lemon, clove, and orange bitters will keep you warm until spring.
6920 N. Glenwood Avenue
773-792-1419
Yelp: 4.5 stars; 79 reviews
