Bars in Chicago, IL

Our guide to bars in Chicago

Bars and pubs cover everything from neighborhood dives and sports bars to cocktail lounges, wine bars, brewpubs and taprooms. Many serve food – burgers, wings, pub fare or a full kitchen – while others offer little beyond snacks or host food trucks.

Bars are busiest in the evenings and late at night, especially Thursday to Saturday. Happy hour, usually in the late afternoon, offers discounted drinks and appetizers. You must be 21 to drink alcohol anywhere in the US, and many bars check ID at the door.

Opening hours

Based on 129 bars in Chicago with published hours, the typical weekday schedule runs from 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM. 88% are open on Sundays, 69% are open seven days a week and 95% stay open until 10 PM or later.

Prices

Across 9 menus from bars in Illinois, the median item costs $7.00; half of all priced items fall between $6.00 and $9.00. The most common menu sections are Appetizers.

Services

Of 153 bars with detailed profiles in our guide: 94% list “delivery”, 84% list “wheelchair-accessible car park”, 81% list “wheelchair-accessible entrance”, 77% list “dine-in”, 76% list “accepts reservations”, and 71% list “wheelchair-accessible toilet”.