There is so much to do in Chicago that it is sometimes easy to forget to sleep. Why sleep if it means you could be missing something? As bar time approaches, there’s no need to go home. Make your way to one of the many Chicago hotspots for some after hours fun. Whether you want to dance, hang out with the locals at the neighborhood corner bar and shoot whiskey, or play pool until its breakfast time, Chicago’s afterhours scene has your ticket. Check out some of the coolest after hours spots below for whatever it is you may be looking for tonight. Wherever you choose, you’re sure to have a ball.

Ravens
2326 North Clark Street Chicago, IL
Raven’s is a chilled out neighborhood bar that is open until at least 4am every night, 365 days a year. The beer garden is a fun place to hang and people watch in the warmer months, and inside Raven’s has a sports bar type feel to it. The bartenders are friendly, and the place is never super crowded so you will have a pretty easy time finding a place to sit down and talk to your fellow night owls. You’ll find a large selection of tap beer as well as a full bar for whatever it may be you’re craving for a nightcap. Oh, and the free popcorn is an added bonus.

Smart Bar
3730 North Clark Street Chicago, IL
If your looking for a solid club spot to keep the party going, check out Smart Bar. This place is usually pretty packed late night, but the line is quick moving and once you're inside you’ll feel the beat and the vibe and forget about the fact that you have been out partying for 8 hours already. Drinks here are reasonably priced and super stiff, and the bartenders will make sure your feeling pretty good by 4am, 5 am on Saturdays.

Wicker Park Tavern
1958 W North Avenue Chicago, IL
Wicker Park Tavern is by far one of the coolest after hours spots in the city. No matter what day of the week, the feeling in this sprawling Tavern is one of fun. Fun people having a fun time, whether it be chatting with the bartenders, lounging on one of the leather couches, or dancing to the tunes from their killer juke box. Food is served here as well if you’re looking for a late night nosh, and drink prices are cheap- including $2 PBR’s and $3 Goose island Drafts all day every day. Bar opens at 11am, and closes at
4am, 5am on Saturdays.

Estelle’s
2013 W North Avenue Chicago, IL
So we had to put Estelle’s on the list, because if Wicker Park Tavern is just not your scene, walk right across the street to Estelle’s. If The Tavern is Strawberry Ice Cream, Estelle’s is Pumpkin Pie - both superb depending on your taste. Estelle’s is known for their excellent beer selection, with over 15 drafts and a ton of bottles to choose from. Tuesdays is $2 draft beer night, and not to be missed. The feeling is art deco, and there’s a pretty sweet jukebox to shake your hips to. Open from 7pm-4am nightly, 5am on Saturdays.

Underbar
3243 N Western Avenue Chicago, IL
Head over to Underbar for some cool conversation with much of Chicago’s other late night wanderers. An awesome beer selection, a cool laid back vibe (think intimate candle lit tables), and a sophisticated crowd. Many of the people that flock to Underbar are fellow bartenders from the surrounding area, and always up for some after work late night cocktails. The bartenders spin music from their iPods, and are usually open to requests. Open 9pm until 4am nightly, 5am on Saturdays.

Betty’s Blue Star Lounge
1600 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL
If you have always wondered what it was like to time travel, hit up Betty’s late night. The drinks are stiff and you may not quite remember how you got home to your bed when you wake up in the morning. The dance floor is big and always bumpin’, with DJ’s spinnin’ vinyl until 4am every night, 5 am on Saturdays. Betty’s also throws some pretty cool themed bashes and has nightly drink specials, including ½ priced cocktails on Mondays.

Vision
632 North Dearborn Street Chicago, IL
If liquid courage is bubbling over the top and you’re looking for someplace to dance until the sun comes up, check out this massive downtown nightclub. Vision is especially geared for those who like electronic music. The various rooms all feature different sounds (from house to trance, glitch, Drum n Bass, etc and the main room is playing host to some international superstar on the decks. Saturdays are the hottest night here. Drinks can be a bit pricey but no more so than many of the other downtown clubs.

Old Town Ale House
219 W North Avenue Chicago, IL
This old beer bistro is one of Chicago’s legendary dives to sip your whiskey until the wee hours of the morning. The art on the wall is pretty sweet, and the jukebox will be spouting out Blues and Jazz tunes throughout the night. Most of the patrons that frequent this watering hole are regulars, and it is also a favorite to many comedians that come through town, as Second City is just down the street. Check out Old Town for the perfect nightcap.

O’Callaghan’s
29 west Hubbard Street Chicago, IL
We have to throw an Irish Bar in the mix somewhere, after all this is Chicago and Irish bars are found at every corner. If you want to top off your night with the perfect pint of Guinness, check out O’Callaghan’s. This Irish haunt has a mellow laid back feel for being in the heart of downtown, and is a breath of fresh air from the ear splitting dance clubs around the corner. A late night menu is also
offered if you need a midnight (or 3am) snack. Open from 11am until 4am daily, 5am on Saturdays.