5 late-night dives in Chicago, editor-picked by TableJourney. All Chicago nightlife.
Hopleaf Bar ★ 4.7
Andersonville · 5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
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 ★ 4.5
Wicker Park / Bucktown · 1935 W Thomas St, 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.
Nisei Lounge ★ 4.5
Wrigleyville / Lakeview · 3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
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.
The California Clipper ★ 4.5
Humboldt Park · 1002 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
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.
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar ★ 4.6
Bridgeport · 960 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60608
Maria's Packaged Goods in Bridgeport opened 1986 and pairs a working liquor store with a bar that shares a wall with Polish Korean restaurant Kimski next door.
Tip: Thursday through Saturday run to 02:00. Walk between the bar and Kimski with the same drink; the cocktail program goes deep on Malort.