Not quite ready to call it a night? Not a problem. Forget grumbling on the sidewalk with other displaced clubgoers. Don’t stare at neatly stacked chairs through a dark restaurant’s window. Above all else, don’t go to bed. It may be 2 a.m. and the door may have shut, but you know what they say...when one door closes, a window opens. Lucky for you you've got a big window on the Chicago scene thanks to our late night guide. Memorize these spots and you'll have the skinny on where your shoes can take you ‘til four in the morning—or even later.
THE NOTE
1565 N. Milwaukee
This live music venue takes on a distinctly club-like feel late night, when DJs spin a heavy dose of hip hop with some funk, soul, and reggae to boot (Saturdays lean more toward the house vein). The casual spot boasts a surprisingly strong liquor offering, including top scotches and the likes of Campari and Pimm's. Getting a spot at the bar can prove a bit difficult—the crowds pour in after 2 a.m., so expect a tight dance floor. If you’re still there at 5 a.m. on Saturday, be prepared (or on the lookout, depending on your goal)—the wee hours at The Note take on a distinctly meet—or meat—market feel. A handful of pool tables in a room to the left of the entry appease those who have thrown in the dancing towel.
Hours: 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 8 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 a.m. Sunday, Tuesday
IGGY’S
700 N. Milwaukee
Looking for a Bacchic night? You supply the debauchery, Iggy’s will take care of the rest. Dedicated to the pleasures of late night eating and drinking, the spot exudes a sort of neighborhood chic, rolling lounge hip and corner joint into one. Eating doesn’t mean munching on bar snacks here—meals include the typical (burgers) as well as must-try specialties like artichoke fritters and chicken and bow tie pasta. Vegetarians can dine with a clear conscience thanks to a variety of meat-free options. Thick velvet curtains swathe the downstairs seating in an intimate feel; additional seating is available at the lengthy bar and in the upstairs lounge.
Hours: 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Monday through Friday; 7 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday; 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday
DELUXE DINER
6349 N. Clark
What’s a late-night lineup without a 24-hour diner? Occupying the former Stacks & Steaks at Devon and Clark, the Deluxe Diner’s freshened-up retro look will keep you eyes open and your mouth watering no matter what the hour. Expect typical diner fare—pancakes, grilled cheese, burgers, omelets, and wings fill the menu. For a sweet twist, check out the ice cream fountain, where you can drown yourself in the ultimate banana split, or the requisite display case stocked to the brim with cakes and pies.
Hours: 24 hours daily
LE PASSAGE
1 Oak
While the cobblestone pathway to the entry may not be the yellow brick road, it can still lead you to a night of upscale bliss. Self-described as a "sexy establishment", the posh Le Passage incorporates both dining, lounge, and bar space into its 10,000 sq. ft., making it ideal for after work decompression sessions, fine dining, and the requisite late-night scene. The Yow Bar turns into a club at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, with DJs spinning international dance and house music until close.
Hours: 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Wednesday-Friday; 7 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday
MARIE'S RIPTIDE LOUNGE
1750 W. Armitage
Part night owl, part chameleon, at Marie’s you can choose your own venue depending on the hour of the day. The scene changes from a neighborhood bar crew to a packed and slightly more hip than Ol’-Man-Joe-from-down-the-block crowd after 1 a.m. What makes it more worthwhile than Wicker Park’s other late night watering holes? Marie herself takes the floor as prima barmaid, much like she has done since the tavern’s 1961 opening. You’ll find the diner-like bar stocked with bottled beer and a solid stash of liquor, though you might have to search behind over-the-top holiday decorations to actually see what’s on the shelves. Crash in a comfy booth if you’re looking for a nightcap, or sing along to the Petula Clark- and Elvis-filled jukebox if you’re in the mood for a rowdy final destination.
Hours: 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Monday-Friday, Sunday; 8 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday
CLUB 720
720 N. Wells
You won't be bored by the end of the night at this four-floor club, making it the place to go with a posse of friends who have different music/dancing preferences. The high-energy first floor, which mainly plays salsa and merengue, differentiates the club from others; skilled and amateur dancers practice their skills in a swirl of color. The other floors are spacious, but the music leans toward your basic hip-hop or trance options. Prognosis: hit the first floor. Intimidated? Get there early for complimentary swing, salsa, merengue, and Argentine tango lessons.
Hours: 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Tuesday, Friday; 8 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday
THIRD COAST
1260 N. Dearborn
Forget the 24-hour Starbucks. This open-til-the-wee-hours café serves up whatever espresso beverage you need to keep your eyes open—and more. The art-laden spot (with both smoking and non sections) serves up a menu that outpaces the traditional hummus and pita offerings of most comparable spots. Begin with a gourmet cheese plate (smoked gouda, camembert, French blue, and dill havarti) for a touch of class. Entrees span from the low-maintenance (grilled sandwiches and pizzas) to real-deal meals, including Pacific crab cakes with chipotle mayo and steak fajitas. Perfect for drinkers and tee-totalers alike, Third Coast offers an impressive wine menu that includes both bottles and glass pours. Purchase a bottle and receive a free appetizer. A limited breakfast menu is available at all times.
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-4 a.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-4 a.m. Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday
DRAGON ROOM
809 W. Evergreen
Too much sake might not be a great idea if you're planning on sticking around for the long haul. This out-of-the-way club's "Drink Dance Eat Sushi" motto manifests itself on three floors. Asian-influenced wall hanging, bright reds, and the requisite dragon heighten the intensity of the thumping techno and industrial. While the upstairs tends to be restricted to VIPs, the basement is an equal opportunity lounge. Want the complete Dragon Room experience? Take a break from dancing and stop by the sushi bar for some late night eats.
Hours: 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Thursday-Sunday
FLASH TACO
1570 N. Damen
Light on the dough after a night on the town? Ten bucks or (much) less will get you some solid Mexican eats, with the requisite grease to sop up your errors of the earlier hours. Conveniently located at the Milwaukee-Damen-North intersection of Wicker Park, you can grab better-than-average burritos, tacos, and chips and guacamole, along with a prime view of the late-night crowd. The joint is generally packed inside and out, where partiers reluctant to end the evening often dance outside the shop. Even better, the folks from Flash Taco bring the same economical eats to their adjacent (and subterranean) Underdogg—giving you cheese-smothered hotdogs, burgers of both the meat and veggie variety, and steak sandwichesto satisfy the munchies.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 a.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Sunday
HARRY'S VELVET ROOM
56 W. Illinois
If you're down to your last few dollars, Harry's is not the place to close out the night. Cigars may not be as hip as they were in the early ‘90s but this subterranean club has expanded beyond its original cigar lounge theme with equally swank results. Now touting itself as a wine/champagne/dessert lounge, Harry's is a date-spot par excellence—assuming you've got the cash to pair with your mellow fashionista attitude. The $10 cover on weekends accompanies a pricey but extensive drink menu, including the requisite wine and champagne rosters. You can generally tell a lot about a club by its flooring—and Harry's rich hardwood serves as a telling base for colorful carpets, leather chairs, and tea light-lit tables, a perfect venue for staring into your lover's eyes until the sun (almost) comes up.
Hours: 5 p.m.-4 a.m. Monday-Friday; 7 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday; 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday
LAKEVIEW LOUNGE
5110 N. Broadway
Got a hankering for a cosmopolitan? Not at Lakeview Lounge, a joint that’s lost some of its rowdy grit over the years but has retained its Texas-like down-in-the-dirt feel. It’s a scene where fashion is a foreign word, Old Style and Pabst are the drink of choice, and drunkenness is the name of the game. The infamously miscellaneous band Nightwatch takes the stage (located behind the bar) on weekends, providing a classic rock-cum-country soundtrack to booze to. Stop by late-night but be prepared: Lakeview breeds “what happened after 1 a.m.?” questioning the next morning.
Hours: 11 a.m.-4 a.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 a.m. Saturday; 5 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday
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