Dorian's in Chicago hides behind a small Wicker Park record shop. The listening booth doubles as the waiting room before the bar and stage open behind a back curtain.
Tip: Walk through the storefront record shop; the bar runs behind it. Live jazz most nights, Italian-made hi-fi sound system, no cover before 22:00.
Address: 1939 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Innertown Pub on West Thomas has poured cheap beer in Ukrainian Village since 1983 with free pool, darts, a Tom Waits jukebox and a back room of taxidermy and rummage art.
Tip: Cash preferred, kitchen-free. Open to 02:00 weeknights, 03:00 Saturday. The crowd shows up after 22:00 and the booths fill last.
Punch House in Pilsen runs beneath Thalia Hall with nightly Song Selector DJ sets spinning disco, cumbia, funk, soul and Latin sounds from a vinyl booth at the back.
Tip: No cover, walk in. Punch bowls serve four to six; the McPunch fish sandwich is the kitchen's reliable order through the late hours.
Estereo in Logan Square is the Heisler agave-forward bar that opens at noon with coffee, pivots into Latin American cocktails by afternoon and runs vinyl most nights.
Tip: Open until 02:00 every night. The turntable runs Latin and tropical selections from afternoon onward; tacos and arepas served until close.
Hopleaf in Andersonville has poured Belgian beer on Clark Street since 1992, with 62 taps, 200 bottles, mussels and frites and a conversation-only no-TVs house rule.
Tip: Open 12:00 to 23:00 most nights, 24:00 on Friday and Saturday. Kitchen runs through to 22:00 or 23:00. Limited reservations via Tock, walk-in usually fine.
Innertown Pub on West Thomas has poured cheap beer in Ukrainian Village since 1983 with free pool, darts, a Tom Waits jukebox and a back room of taxidermy and rummage art.
Tip: Cash preferred, kitchen-free. Open to 02:00 weeknights, 03:00 Saturday. The crowd shows up after 22:00 and the booths fill last.
Nisei Lounge in Chicago opened 1951 as the oldest tavern in Wrigleyville, two blocks south of Wrigley Field, with pool tables, board games and a wall of infused Malort.
Tip: Game-day mornings open at 11:00, regular open at 17:00. The Malort wall has six flavors poured neat; the dart boards are free.
California Clipper in Humboldt Park has run a 60-foot mahogany bar and a tiny stage since 1937, reopened after a two-year pandemic hiatus with cocktails and live country.
Tip: Closed-ish Sunday, opens 16:00 Friday and Saturday. Saturday runs to 03:00. Live country and rockabilly bookings most weekends, no cover.