From nightclubs to supper clubs, soul to salsa, there’s no shortage of hot places to hang out, dance and get into the music that beats throughout every neighbourhood in Chicago. And don’t forget, this is the home of the blues where you can see legends like Buddy Guy perform live and still hear the echoes of Muddy Waters in blues clubs throughout Chicago.

Rock, Pop & Hip Hop

Beat Kitchen - This “hard-to-define” venue features local and national punk, indie, hard rock acts and even Monday night sing-alongs. Over 30 kinds of beer, upscale bar food and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere await you.
2100 W. Belmont Avenue

Beauty Bar - Head to this retro salon-style bar for manicures and martinis, edgy DJ sets and late-night dancing.
1444 W. Chicago Avenue

Bottom Lounge - Tucked away on a quiet block in Chicago's West Loop this rock bar aims to create a fun night for all. Don’t forget to scope out the rooftop deck before you leave and take in Chicago’s amazing skyline.
1375 W. Lake Street

The Chicago Theatre - Built in 1921, The Chicago Theatre was the first large, lavish movie palace in America. This magnificent space has evolved into one of the city’s most exciting venues for concerts, live theatre, dance and special events.
175 N. State Street

Delilah’s - In the Lakeview neighbourhood Delilah’s is a legendary punk rock n’ roll bar that embraces garage bands and a bourbon, whiskey, and scotch drink menu.
2771 N. Lincoln Avenue

Double Door - This Wicker Park venue, is primarily a rock club for people who like to see live music in intimate quarters, though the club's hip-hop, Latin, country and electronic offerings are equally successful.
1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Elbo Room - A Lincoln Park staple, the Elbo Room offers one of the city’s best venues for live music. Bands range in style from alternative rock to reggae to funk. An up-close-and-personal place, it fills up fast on weekends with a laid-back and welcoming crowd.
2871 N. Lincoln Avenue

Empty Bottle - Known throughout the city for its extreme devotion to the local and indie scenes, the Empty Bottle is an ideal venue for a personal concert. Featuring established and underground acts on a full-size stage, the music is consistently first-rate.
1035 N. Western Avenue

The Hideout - Located in the centere of an industrial corridor along the north branch of the Chicago River, the Hideout focuses on music, art, poetry, plays, performances, rock, and rebellion.
1354 W. Wabansia Avenue

Howl at the Moon - This bar is famous for their duelling pianists who encourage their guests not only to enjoy the show, but become a part of the action as well.
26 W. Hubbard Street

Lincoln Hall - With a state-of-the-art sound and video systems, full kitchen, three stocked bars and spectacular music hall, this venue is the perfect setting for live performances.
2424 N. Lincoln Avenue

Metro - For 25 years, the Metro has been paving the way for emerging artists and new music genres. Legendary bands like the Ramones, the Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M. and Nirvana played here early in their careers, and the rest was history.
3730 N. Clark Street

Schubas - From local punk bands and hip hop acts to singer-songwriters who perform nightly in the intimate back room, Schubas’ cosy, friendly atmosphere continues to attract talented musicians. Comfort food is available nearby at the adjoining Harmony Grill.
3159 N. Southport Avenue

Subterranean - This popular Wicker Park spot has a DJ mixing on the first floor and live music acts of every type on stage in the upstairs "Cabaret Room".
2011 W. North Avenue

The Redhead Piano Bar - For more than fifty years, this has been the perfect nightspot for fantastic music, lively conversation and meeting people. The walls are lined with sheet music and the famous stars of yesteryear.
16 W. Ontario Street

Jazz and Blues

Andy’s Jazz Club - Founded in 1951, this premier venue features mainstream, bebop and swing and is one of Chicago’s most respected jazz establishments. It also serves lunch and dinner.
11 E. Hubbard Street

Blue Chicago - A roomy, ’20s-style club featuring local bluesmen and -women; one paid admission gets you into Blue Chicago and its sister club, Blue Chicago on Clark. The booths are roomy and the vibe is still the best in the neighbourhood. By the way, dancing is greatly encouraged.
736 N. Clark Street/536 N. Clark Street

B.L.U.E.S. - Veterans of the blues circuit have been performing here since 1979. Experience blues the way it should be: up-close and no-nonsense, with plenty of drinks and a friendly crowd.
2519 N. Halsted Street

Buddy Guy’s Legends - From The Rolling Stones and Van Morrison to Junior Wells, David Bowie and John Mayer, this club continues to play host to the A list. It’s also a major archive of blues memorabilia, including rare photos, Grammys and a stellar guitar collection. Open seven nights a week.
700 S. Wabash Avenue

Green Mill - A broad spectrum of jazz is played by both legendary and up-and-coming performers in this authentic 1940s-era club. Deep, smoky jazz sounds fill the space until 4AM on Saturdays. The Green Mill’s a true Chicago gem.
4802 N. Broadway Avenue

House of Blues - This restaurant and club offers pop, jazz, R&B, country, rock and late-night blues seven nights a week. Its world-famous Sunday gospel brunch shouldn’t be missed.
329 N. Dearborn Street

Kingston Mines - Chicago’s oldest and largest blues club, this no-frills music house has two stages large enough to accommodate full bands but small enough to keep the musicians connected to the audience.
2648 N. Halsted Street

M Lounge - - Look for signature martinis, an excellent wine selection and a terrific mix of traditional and modern jazz. M Lounge boasts fuzzy throws, soft candlelight and even screens that projects performances from the main stage up front.
1520 S. Wabash Avenue

Pops for Champagne - is the nation’s most acclaimed champagne bar (over 100 labels) and is the perfect spot to sip, listen to great music and relax by firelight. Be sure to also check out their re-designed lower level jazz lounge, Watershed Pops For Champagne. Named for the Great Lakes Watershed, the bar menu is dedicated to regional craft beers and small-batch spirits.
601 N. State Street

Rosa’s Lounge - The club is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. A blues haven that feels like home to both the novice and the seasoned blues fan.
3420 W. Armitage Avenue

Latin/Salsa

Nacional 27 - An amazing restaurant featuring thrilling Latin-American favourites (from all 27 Latin countries) turns into an after-hours nightclub featuring the spicy grooves of salsa, merengue and quebradita. This is one of the hippest clubs in town.
325 W. Huron Street

Rumba - The glitz and glamour of pre-revolutionary Havana come alive at this trendy dinner and dance destination. Rumba offers Latin-American fusion cuisine, an in-house humidor and live Latin sounds from cha-cha to Afro-Cuban.
351 W. Hubbard Street

Dance Clubs

Debonair Social Club - Located in the historic Flat Iron Building, the Debonair club provides a place to dance, drink, dine and listen to live music.
1575 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Excalibur - Located in Chicago’s hot River North neighbourhood, this granite castle houses four floors of dancing, live music and entertainment, as well as a restaurant, billiards hall and game arcade.
632 N. Dearborn

Funky Buddha Lounge - Featuring Moroccan décor and Victorian-style easy chairs, this combination lounge and upscale dance club in trendy Lincoln Park offers Latin, jazz, hip hop and house music provided by live bands and DJs.
728 W. Grand Avenue

Griffin Lounge - Look for a blend of Old World architectural pieces and contemporary design in this enormous lounge.
326 W. Chicago

The Hangge-Uppe - Located in the popular Rush and Division Street area, this club is the perfect place to dance the night away to five decades of music on two separate floors.
11 W. Elm

The Shrine - A state-of-the-art live performance space and high-end lounge located in the emerging South Loop neighbourhood.
2109 S. Wabash Avenue

Sound-Bar - Stainless steel, smoked glass and custom furniture create a great vibe at this stylish, ultra-modern club. It’s got state-of-the-art sound, a large dance floor and international DJs spinning music throughout.
226 W. Ontario Street

The Underground - Designed as a top secret, military hideout, the Underground is a nightlife staple for celebrity appearances and late night partying in Chicago’s chic River North neighbourhood.
56 W. Illinois Street

VLIVE - This live music venue and nightclub features plenty of booths for bottle service clients, separate VIP rooms and a large wood dance floor.
2047 N. Milwaukee Avenue