50 Best Bars in Chicago

“Highly recommended for first dates, or just going with a group of friends. Been here twice, and everyone there is super friendly, definitely a place to have a lot of laughs and make great memories. 10/10 🙌🏼“

“Went with my daughter and her bestie for brunch.. cute place, my food was really good(avocado toast) and they enjoyed their food and the endless mimosas.. friendly staff,relaxed atmosphere , overall pleasant experience for us😊“

“Adoro l'arredamento vintage. I tarocchi sono divertenti.“

“Enjoyed my first Hot Toddy here!!“

“Upscale, elegant atmosphere. Outstanding cocktails.“

“By far the best 🍔 I’ve ever had! The fusion of flavors 🤯“

“Delicious food and great customer service . Staff super friendly.“

“The interactive coin op playground of the Chciago arcade / bar scene. Priced for a cash night out- cc welcome and there is an atm. Street parking is easy but ya know how that is- taking CTA or Rideshare to Logan Square is simple. Order bites and shareable from Fry Like An Eagle next door and they deliver! Say hey to Dr. Z and be kind to the staff they are great humans there to make sure you have fun!“

“A great place to have a party, the ambience is great and I will be back here again next time, the drinks and food are delicious too!“

“This is a great local bar, but what’s awesome is the food that comes out of this place. I came here in the last month at three different times and there was a different menu of food each time. Which feels like it would be complicated, but it wasn’t. Because every single item was phenomenal. I had the most incredible chicken sandwich this last Monday and then I came back Wednesday thinking I was getting a sandwich and got the most flavorful Filipino tacos with garlic rice and beans and the first time I came here they had SMASH JIBARITOS, a delicious Puerto Rican concept. So no matter when you go there’s gonna be some good food.“

“.great experience always.“

“Amazing experience hosting a private party here! Mary and Allison were so helpful, kind, and attentive. The bartender was also so great and remembered names and orders! This place has great prices and a great vibe. If I ever need to host another party I will certainly be back to do it here!“

“Larry's is always a welcome and relaxing venue. It's a very cozy and intimate vibe.

They host a lot of fun events and activities like Wednesday night trivia and movie nights, and they always decorate for the season.

Bar staff are very friendly and welcoming and can handle a crowd.

They have a range of flavorful cocktails and beer selection and recently added some sandwich and food options from the local Uptown Deli.“

“We enjoyed everything whatever we ordered“

“Loved everything about Osito's! Bartender was fun an mixed us a couple of his special recipes -- outstanding. The atmosphere was relaxed but vibrant. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the yucca fries and whitefish ceviche. Can't wait to go back!“

“I feel bad taking off a star bc i don't know if i can say this is the establishment's fault, but, it's got great drinks, amazing prices, and great music...

But for a place with such affordable drinks and funky music, the vibe is VERY snooty hipster. NOBODY dances or even nods along to the music. I know it's not exactly a nightclub, but there's extremely danceable music and plenty of floorspace, and any time me or my friends would get up to dance a bit, the completely immobile crowd would drain all of the joy. In this sense it's honestly one of the more depressing spots in Chicago.

But if you want to get great drinks at a great price and want to stand still in a too-cool-for-school hipster crowd while listening to good music, it's the place for you.“

“The vibe here is incredible. If you’re lucky you’ll catch Tony behind the bar. A friend told me about this place when I was coming to town, and I’m so glad I stopped in because I had one of the best nights out. This bar feels like it carries so much character and culture. A great mix of locals and folks passing through. Incredible music and patrons who appreciate good music. The bartender Tony is outstanding at his job, it was a treat to meet him and watch him interact with people throughout the night. He introduced me to folks & made me feel so welcome & is just an interesting dude in general. Plus the smoking part is a huge sell for me and something you don’t experience often. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in town!“

“Free hot dogs at midnight. Cool vibe“

“This is a perfect neighborhood cocktail bar. It's definitely nicer and more polished than your average bar, yet still approachable and my favorite spot to meet up with friends. A huge shout out to the staff- consistently kind, and happy to make recommendations. To top it off, the food here is amazing, not just your regular bar-fare. I legit come here for a full dinner as well as a drink. If I had to eat only one food for the rest of my life I would choose their cheesy potatoes in a heartbeat. Highly recommend!“

“Totally love Guthries Tavern! 🏠 Grabbed a Half Acre Daisy Cutter and a Vander Mill cider, plus shared pretzels and mozzarella sticks with friends. Cozy, laid‑back spot with a wall of board games (classic and quirky), friendly bartenders, and zero pretense. Perfect after a Wrigley game or just to chill on a Tuesday night. Neighborhood gem!“

“Friendly staff, great place to be and the chips and salsa are so good!!!!“

“A great place to meet friends and see Drag Queens every other month“

“Cynthia is such a vibe!! This is definitely a fun place to come if you enjoy dive bars. Even the patrons are awesome! 10/10 reccommend!“

“Top notch service, drinks were phenomenal, and the food simply EXCEPTIONAL. Thank you for the VIP treatment on my Anniversary! You peeps are amazing!“

“We rolled in as some sleeveless thirsty travelers late night on a Thursday. We were bathed in nonchalant hospitality. The quality of a bar can stand on the legs of a Strong menu but it’s only excellent when you have exceptional staff. The Scofflaw has the sauce“

“Great music by Ivan Singh!“

“Great vibe! Happened upon it while in Chicago - highly recommend!“

“if there was ever a better Watering Hole In chicago. This Is It, hands down. Chris and his staff are superior at every aspect of being a classy drinking establishment. I recommend it highly, and Shop local all you lovely Neighbors.“

“Liar’s Club has some of my favorite bands on the regular, so I find myself there a lot. My band has played there too, and it’s a great experience - the room sounds good, with a solid PA system. Gary and the rest of the staff are awesome - the polar opposite of the snooty, hipper-than-thou attitude you get at some rock & roll joints. Drink prices are cheap, and parking is always pretty easy. The clientele is consistently asshole-free. Can’t think of anything bad to say about Liar’s.“

“Highly recommended for first dates, or just going with a group of friends. Been here twice, and everyone there is super friendly, definitely a place to have a lot of laughs and make great memories. 10/10 🙌🏼“

“My first time here (new to Chicago) saw High on Fire and Negative Approach. Sounded great! Great staff, great room for music, hope to return many many more times!“

“Queen Mary Tavern is an absolute standout, offering a perfect blend of lively atmosphere, exceptional service, and top-notch food and drinks. From the moment you walk in, the welcoming and vibrant vibe makes it clear that this is a place designed for fun, relaxation, and great memories. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic, making every guest feel valued and well taken care of.

The menu impresses with flavorful, carefully prepared dishes that pair beautifully with a wide selection of drinks. Whether you’re enjoying hearty pub favorites, shareable appetizers, or craft cocktails, every item delivers on taste and quality. The presentation is appealing, portions are generous, and the flavors consistently hit the mark. Queen Mary Tavern excels in creating a complete experience—warm, energetic, and satisfying—earning every bit of its five-star reputation. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone seeking great food, drinks, and an unforgettable atmosphere.“

“Great outdoor spot, great drinks...fun!“

“It’s the orbit room with “hipster”. Still a great jaunt. Anyone who makes a whiskey sour with egg white is good in my book.“

“Girl & the Goat completely exceeded my expectations! very good food“

“Thank you for hosting Open Mic night. Wonderful experience. We’ll be back.“

“Beyond dope. UNPLUGGED LIVE 🎙🔴 #dripPremium“

“A fun, energetic, atmosphere, and wonderful staff! Always a party!“

“Stopped by Four Moon Tavern on a Friday night, had the Pimento Burger and a side of onion rings. Burger was juicy, cheesy, and hit the spot; onion rings were crispy and not greasy. Tossed back a $3.50 bottle of Schlitz during happy hour, can’t beat that. The jukebox was playing classic rock, the vibe was chill, and the staff was friendly. Definitely a solid neighborhood bar with good food and drinks. I’ll be back for sure.“

“If you love dogs go to this bar! I had just lost mine so Nadia put me on the corner next to a bowl of treats... Couldn't have been thirty seconds later three pomeranians are sitting at the door. That continued thru out the night. Needless to say I didn't leave, and my soul was restored that night. Cant wait to see Nadia again!“

“Good atmosphere, good food , unique experience“

“Everything was great. Enjoyed my Brunch“

“Bernice's is the best of Real Chicago! Love this place in Bridgeport!“

“This place has a genuinely cool atmosphere. It's not trying too hard to be anything it's not. Think comfortable and laid-back, but still with a distinct personality. It’s the kind of spot where you can actually relax and have a conversation without yelling, which is a rare find these days. The decor strikes a nice balance between cozy and cool, leaning into a slightly vintage aesthetic that feels authentic.

They've got a solid drink program here. You'll find the usual bar staples, but also some well-crafted cocktails that are both interesting and reasonably priced. The bartenders know what they're doing, turning out consistently good drinks. Whether you're in the mood for a classic or something a bit more adventurous, you won't be disappointed.

Quality Time lives up to its name. It’s an ideal spot for a casual get-together with friends or a low-key date. The unpretentious setting, combined with good drinks and a comfortable noise level, makes it a reliable choice in Logan Square. It’s the kind of neighborhood bar you’ll want to revisit.“

“Gilt Bar "gets it". A foodies playground. Top notch flavor and beautiful decor throughout. The Ron Zacapa 23 Rum is 🤌🏾 Oh, and don't forget to take a few pics in the photo booth downstairs 📸“

“Great food, nice place I really enjoy the night“

“Very good. Our service was excellent we had Maidi as a waitress excellent and the bus boys were efficient and helpful Eating there is an enjoyable time.“

“I LOVE WANGS. The yuzu wings are THE BEST wings I’ve ever had. The atmosphere, vibe, music, drinks, most importantly, the staff. Tung, Sheila, and Linda are the nicest and most amazing bartenders ever. I will be coming back religiously and telling all my friends. I won’t gate keep cause everyone needs to know about wangs.“

“I purchased the 40$ turtle race ticket for Friday. It’s a nice place for getting a bit tipsy while having some fun before the night starts. Staffs are super friendly. But personally the takeout pizza buffet and the well drinks didn’t worth the price for me. They leave like four pizzas on one of the tables thus it can get cold and stiff really quick. I can get much better food and drinks for ten more bucks somewhere non-buffet style. This one is certainly dependent on personal preference.“

“Good musical acts, good drinks.“