Welcome to our blog on clubs in Chicago! If you’re a fan of nightlife and entertainment, you’re in the right place. Chicago is a vibrant city with a bustling nightlife scene, and its clubs are a big part of that. From intimate jazz venues to huge dance clubs, there’s something for everyone in this city.
If you’re a local looking for new places to check out, or a visitor looking to experience Chicago’s nightlife for the first time, this blog is here to guide you. We’ll cover some of the best clubs in the city, highlight upcoming events, and provide tips and tricks for getting the most out of your night out.
Best Clubs in Chicago-
| Club | Address |
|---|---|
| Smart Bar | Smartbar, 3730 N Clark St, Chicago |
| Tao Chicago | 632 N Dearborn St, Chicago |
| Beauty Bar | 1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago |
| Le Nocturne | 4810 N Broadway, Chicago |
| Electric Hotel | 222 W Ontario St, Chicago/td> |
| Sound Bar | 226 W Ontario St, Chicago |
| Spybar | 646 N Franklin St, Chicago |
| Prysm | 1543 N Kingsbury St, Chicago |
| Debonair Social Club | 1575 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago |
| Lite Chicago | 215 W Ontario St, Chicago |
1. Smart Bar
Smart Bar is a popular club in Chicago located in the basement of Wrigleyville’s rock club Metro. The club is known for its cramped dance floor, which still pulsates to the beat of Chicago’s house music legacy. The late “Godfather of House,” Frankie Knuckles, was one of the club’s original residents. The club is a reliable spot to get down during the weekend, whether you’re coming to sashay with drag performers at the Sunday night Queen dance party or check out sets from residents and of-the-moment touring DJs.
Smart Bar has a 400-person capacity and is a testament to Chicago’s storied dance music history. The venue hosts a weekly Sunday night party called Queen, which carries the torch for the city’s house music scene. Internationally renowned DJs like the Blessed Madonna, Derrick Carter, and Mark Farina often perform at the club, along with a stacked lineup of resident selectors. The club’s cosy confines and European sound system make it an ideal place to lose yourself to dancing, whether you’re listening to cutting-edge DJs or dusty old records.
- Location: Smartbar, 3730 N Clark St, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
Saturday – 10:00 pm to 05:00 am
Sunday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
2. Tao Chicago
Tao Chicago, a popular nightclub in the River North neighbourhood, boasts a multi-level space that serves as an upscale Asian restaurant on the first floor and a high-energy nightclub on the second. The restaurant offers a menu of extravagant dishes such as Chilean sea bass, Peking duck, and lobster wontons beneath the gaze of a 16-foot statue of the Buddhist deity Quan Yin. Meanwhile, the club’s decor is lavish and ornate, with towering murals, a disco ball mounted beneath a 10-foot-tall Japanese bell, and Asian-influenced artwork. The club can accommodate up to 1,000 partygoers, and world-renowned DJs like Deadmau5 and Afrojack have performed there.
To gain access to the nightclub, guests should be prepared to pay a substantial cover charge or reserve VIP reservations in advance. The club attracts an exclusive crowd, including celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Taraji P. Henson, and Chicago Cubs players. The nightclub offers multiple private dining rooms, a grand staircase with Chinese daybed-inspired sofas, and a large bar. Its periphery features secluded booths for those looking to take a break from the club’s intensity. Dressing to impress is encouraged at Tao Chicago.
- Location: 632 N Dearborn St, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – 5 to 10 pm
Tuesday – 5 to 10 pm
Wednesday – 5 to 10 pm
Thursday – 5 to 10 pm
Friday – 5 to 11 pm
Saturday – 5 to 11 pm
Sunday – 5 to 10 pm
3. Beauty Bar
The Chicago outpost of Beauty Bar hosts popular recurring parties such as Emo vs. Pop-Punk and Friday evening happy hours. Guests can also often score a manicure and a martini in the front room. Ladies can make their nails fabulous before joining their partners on the dance floor or sipping a dry martini. The retro furniture, glittery walls, and checker floors create the vibe of a hair salon straight from the 1960s.
DJs at Beauty Bar energize the crowd with tunes ranging from pop, hip-hop, techno, and funk. Guests can also enjoy themed dance parties, where they can make their best Prince and Michael Jackson impersonations or a throwback to the 1990s. On Thursdays, local comedians take the stage for a night of laughs before guests indulge in mani-martini specials. Overall, Beauty Bar’s Chicago location offers a unique and kitschy nightlife experience for locals and visitors alike.
- Location: 1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – 07:00 pm to 02:00 am
Friday – 07:00 pm to 02:00 am
Saturday – 07:00 pm to 03:00 am
Sunday – 09:00 pm to 02:00 am
4. Le Nocturne
Le Nocturne is a relatively new addition to the Chicago nightlife scene, located in the Uptown area for those who prefer to avoid travelling to the Loop. The club’s founder, a French expat who loves house music, has created a casual and relaxed atmosphere, with a “come as you are” dress code.
The interior of Le Nocturne features a dance floor flanked by a 25,000-watt European audio system and an array of nearly 100 pieces of intelligent lighting that move and shift colours in response to the music. Guests can take a break from the beats on the small sidewalk patio before returning to the crowd inside. On Thursday nights, ladies can enjoy free admission with RSVP, and the playlists focus on hip-hop, dancehall, afro-pop, and top 40 hits.
- Location: 4810 N Broadway, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – 10:30 pm to 04:00 am
Friday – 11:00 pm to 04:00 am
Saturday – 11:00 pm to 05:00 am
Sunday – 04:00 to 09:00 pm
5. Electric Hotel
The Electric Hotel, located in an old River North warehouse that used to operate as an electrical supply company, has transformed the space into a German-inspired nightclub. The exposed brick walls, neon signs, and disco balls hanging from the ceiling provide an Instagram-worthy backdrop for patrons. The club is open three days a week and has become a popular spot for DJ after parties.
Upon checking in, guests can head straight to the dance floor to dance the night away. The club’s party atmosphere, along with its bottle service, keeps the celebration going until at least 3 am, with extended hours until 5 am on Saturday nights. The Electric Hotel has successfully harnessed the power of steady beats and moving bodies on the dancefloor, making it a must-visit destination for those looking for an unforgettable nightclub experience in River North.
- Location: 222 W Ontario St, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
Saturday – 10:00 pm to 05:00 am
Sunday – Closed
6. Sound Bar
Sound Bar is another popular club in River North that provides plenty of space to dance with its 4,000-sq-ft dance floor. This electric club combines luxury and advanced technology to transform the Chicago party experience. It features laser lights beaming across the dance floor, a crisp sound system reverberating tunes from world-renowned DJs, and enormous video projections made possible by its minimalist design that incorporates the newest sound equipment to rock its patrons’ senses.
Guests at Sound Bar can quench their thirst at any of the nine full-service bars located across its two levels. Additionally, there are four boutique lounges for guests to cool off or make a VIP reservation for their crew. Those who want a more private experience can rent an entire room for a private shindig.
- Location: 226 W Ontario St, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
Saturday – 10:00 pm to 05:00 am
Sunday – Closed
7. Spybar
Located in the River North gallery district, Spy Bar has been known for its deep, underground techno sound for some time. The club has a basement location that gives it an illicit after-hours bottle-service feel. It also has premium sound equipment to host big-name houses, techno, and electro DJs who visit weekly.
Spy Bar’s 4,500-sq-ft venue features a powerful dance floor and chill lounge to suit any party style. With its minimalist, industrial design, guests can get close to the stage where resident DJs mix tunes. Their high-profile DJ lineup brings a combo of techno, house, and hip-hop to the basement club.
- Location: 646 N Franklin St, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 10:00 pm to 05:00 am
Saturday – 10:00 pm to 05:00 am
Sunday – Closed
8. Prysm
PRYSM is a Lincoln Park nightclub that offers live music acts, nightclub performances, and special events to its patrons. The club’s massive 10,000 square feet of space features three separate areas, including the Main Room and the Mezzanine, where EDM music plays, and the Champagne Lounge, nicknamed No.9, where hip hop music is the main attraction. PRYSM’s state-of-the-art sound and lighting system create an unforgettable guest experience, enhanced by a 20 square feet LED wall, which can be customized for specific events.
The club features three full-service bars, table reservations, and a VIP suite for guests. With a total capacity of 850, PRYSM can host intimate atmospheres for smaller groups and a big room ambience for larger events. Guests can also enjoy an intimate experience at the second-floor Champagne Lounge, No.9, where artists occasionally host after-parties and DJ sets.
- Location: 1543 N Kingsbury St, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
Saturday – 10:00 pm to 05:00 am
Sunday – 10:00 pm to 04:00 am
9. Debonair Social Club
Debonair Social Club, located in the iconic Flat Iron Building in Wicker Park, attracts a young, trendy crowd with its energetic dance parties and artistic vibe. The club has two floors, with comfortable lounges, full-service bars, and DJ booths on each level. Upstairs, patrons can watch live bands perform, while downstairs, a raucous dance hall provides the perfect backdrop for dancing to the DJ’s beats.
Debonair’s DJ lineup is versatile and keeps the party going with hip-hop, house, techno, New Wave, and ‘80s synth beats. Theme nights and events add to the lively atmosphere, making it a veteran on Chicago’s party scene. Despite the neighbourhood’s transformation, Debonair Social Club remains a popular destination for those looking to order bottle service and dance late into the night.
- Location: 1575 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – 09:00 pm to 02:00 am
Friday – 09:00 pm to 02:00 am
Saturday – 09:00 pm to 03:00 am
Sunday – Closed
10. Lite Chicago
LITE Chicago is a textbook River North nightclub with all the features you’d expect. The club’s spacious and dimly lit interiors set the scene for an evening filled with loud music, bright lights, and plenty of people to strike up conversations with on the dance floor. The club offers bottle service with the option of having your bottle delivered to you adorned with a sparkler for an extra touch of glamour.
While there’s nothing particularly unique about LITE Chicago, it’s the perfect place to splurge on something special, with high-ticket options including champagne, cognac, and entire bottles of Louis XIII that can set you back $5,500 (though you can also score a half-ounce shot for $100).
- Location: 215 W Ontario St, Chicago
- Operating Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 10:00 pm to 02:00 am
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – 10:00 pm to 02:00 am
Friday – 10:00 pm to 02:00 am
Saturday – 10:00 pm to 03:00 am
Sunday – 10:00 pm to 02:00 am
CONCLUSION:
Chicago’s club scene offers a diverse range of options for anyone looking to enjoy a night out. From underground dance clubs to upscale jazz venues, there is no shortage of entertainment in this city. Whether you’re a fan of electronic music, hip-hop, or live performances the Windy City has something to offer.
And with new clubs and events constantly popping up, there’s always something new to discover. So, next time you’re planning a night out, consider exploring some of the clubs in Chicago – you never know what kind of amazing experience you might have!
