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Aria Bar
The Loop
200 North Columbus Drive
312-444-9494

Get a taste of the Far East in the East Loop at this sushi and sake bar. The globally inspired lounge, which provides plenty of wide open space for ogling, features plush seating, imported Italian tile flooring, glass-beaded wallpaper, sari-inlaid tables, and secluded nooks with sheer curtains for more private encounters. Going solo? There’s a sushi bar where you can chat up the chefs, a small bar if you want face-to-face time with the bartender, plus communal seating if you want to swap sushi with an associate. $$$

Hours*
Sunday–Thursday, 11:00 PM–12:00 AM
Friday–Saturday, 11:30 AM–1:00 AM


Buddy Guy’s Legends
South Loop
700 South Wabash Avenue
312-427-1190

Come visit Chicago’s premier blues club — now at its new location. Owned by Buddy Guy; there is a local and national blues bands every night. Enjoy a full menu and bar. $$

Hours*
Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
Saturday, 5:00 PM–3:00 AM
Sunday, 5:00 PM–2:00 AM


Bar Novo
The Loop
1 West Wacker Drive
312-372-7200

This bar inside the Renaissance Hotel is cooler than your average lobby bar. Snacks include “truffalo” wings, decadent drumsticks glazed in a truffle-honey sauce, or a mini-Cuban sandwich garnished with a Coronita. The cocktail list offers innovative sips such as the Botanical Mule (vodka, ginger liqueur, vanilla, lime, and ginger beer) and the Cazadores Shrub (tequila, acai liqueur, rosemary, and lime). Looking for a nightcap or sweet treat after dinner? Order a bottle of bubbly and fun-to-share desserts such as s’mores fondue or vanilla crème brûlée with peach compote and shortbread cookies. $$

Hours*
Monday–Thursday, 1:00 PM–12:00 AM
Friday–Saturday, 1:00 PM–2:00 AM
Sunday, 1:00 PM–12:00 AM


Billy Goat Tavern
The Loop
330 South Wells Street
312-554-0297

The Billy Goat Tavern serves up the cheeseburgers made famous by a 1970s Saturday Night Live TV skit. The cook’s quick grill technique means the burgers are ready in no time, so the Goat is a popular lunch spot for busy traders. During late afternoon, the place gets busy again with municipal workers and more traders hashing over the day and having a draft or two. To earn a free drink, try to pronounce the mile-long Greek name painted on the wall across from the taxidermy goat-head behind the bar. $

Hours*
Daily, 6:00 AM–12:00 AM


Brando’s Speakeasy
The Loop
343 South Dearborn Street
312-265-1823

Nestled in the Loop, Brando’s Speakeasy aims to offer something for every crowd — martinis for the lounge set, Italian food for the snackers, karaoke for entertainers at heart, DJ dance parties for clubbers, and drink specials for the frugal. Lounge tunes, old-school standards, and classic rock tunes fill the air during the week, and weekends lend themselves to plenty of dancing to house beats and Euro-club mixes. $$

Hours*
Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–2:00 AM
Saturday, 11:00 AM–3:00 AM
Sunday, 11:00 AM–2:00 AM


Emerald Loop Bar and Grill
The Loop
216 North Wabash Avenue
312-263-0200

Brought to you by the guys behind Vaughn's Pub and Mystic Celt, this pub is located in the historic 35 East Wacker Drive Building. Its prime Loop location makes it a destination for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, so expect a mix of professionals, tourists, families, and couples. Traditional Irish fare and grill favorites dot the menu, which also includes specialty martinis. $$

Hours*
Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
Saturday, 9:00 AM–3:00 AM
Sunday, 9:00 AM–2:00 AM


Encore Lunch Club and Liquid Lounge
The Loop
171 West Randolph Street
312-338-3788

Theatergoers looking for a post-show place can head to this splashy restaurant/lounge. Located next to the Cadillac Palace Theater, the spot attracts a big lunch crowd and gets the post-work partiers too. The room is anchored by a large curvy bar where you can order specialty martinis. Food includes low-carb options for lunch and cocktail cuisine in the evening. $$

Hours*
Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM–1:00 AM
Saturday, 4:00 PM–1:00 AM
Closed Sunday


Eno Wine Room
The Loop
200 North Columbus Drive
312-946-7000

You’ll find a tasty trifecta of wine, cheese, and chocolate at this Loop wine bar in the chic lobby of the Fairmont Hotel (its sister spot is at the Intercontinental Hotel). Wine is available by the bottle, glass, or as part of a themed flight, while charcuterie and artisanal cheese plates are available accompanied by fruit spreads and nuts. Approachable servers specialize in tableside education, and they also teach a series of classes for those who want to brush up on their knowledge of world-class wines (the list has more than 300 varieties). For those diners with a sweet tooth, locally-crafted truffles round out the eating experience. $$

Hours*
Daily, 4:00 PM–11:30 PM


Hackney’s Printers Row
South Loop
733 South Dearborn Street
312-461-1116

Located in one of the oldest buildings in Printers Row, this is the first city location of the family-owned suburban chain. Brothers Ed and Jim Hebson have brought a cozy pub atmosphere to this historic neighborhood. Hackney’s offers something for everyone, from their famous Hackneyburger and French-fried onion loaves to a strawberry spinach salad with raspberry vinaigrette. Patrons can also enjoy one of many imported beers on tap, like Stiegl Pils, Tucher Hefe Weiss, Bass, and Harp. $$

Hours*
Monday–Tuesday, 11:00 AM–12:00 AM
Wednesday–Thursday, 11:00 AM–1:00 AM
Friday, 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
Saturday, 10:30 AM–1:00 AM
Sunday, 10:30 AM–12:00 AM


Jimmy Green’s Bar and Grill
South Loop
825 South State Street
312-386-9000

Part South Loop bar, part great Chicago restaurant, Jimmy Green’s is a modern take on a Chicago sports bar. More a sports lounge with a creative dining menu, Jimmy Green’s believes a great neighborhood deserves a great sports bar, with twenty-seven screens, a great music mix, more than 100 beers (sixteen on tap) — all just two blocks from the Chicago Hilton Hotel and near Soldier Field. $$

Hours*
Sunday–Friday, 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
Saturday, 11:00 AM–3:00 AM


Kroll’s South Loop
South Loop
1736 South Michigan Avenue
312-235-1400

Kroll’s is a full-service restaurant and upscale sports bar specializing in live charcoal grilling and roasted meals. It accommodates both intimate groups and large parties. This restaurant has a wide variety of beer and wine and a full liquor bar. $$

Hours*
Sunday–Thursday, 11:00 AM–12:00 AM
Friday–Saturday, 11:00 AM–2:00 AM


M Lounge
South Loop
1520 South Wabash Street
312-447-0201

This contemporary space features honey-colored walls, comfy couches, and low-slung table seating in hues of cranberry, chocolate, and sage, plus a twenty-eight-foot walnut bar with blue lights illuminating the liquor. No overpriced bottle service here — look for signature martinis and a wine cabinet stocked with wine and champagne instead. The sound system kicks out traditional and modern jazz, or else you can soak up live jazz on select weeknights. So what’s that “M” stand for? It’s to honor the owner’s wife MaryAnn. $$

Hours*
Tuesday–Thursday, 6:00 PM–1:00 AM
Friday–Saturday, 6:00 PM–2:00 AM
Closed Sunday and Monday


Miller’s Pub
The Loop
134 South Wabash Avenue
312-263-4990

Miller’s Pub has been serving world-famous BBQ Canadian baby back ribs, prime rib, steaks, chops, seafood, salads, burgers, and sandwiches since 1935. We have a full late-night dining menu and a private dining room is available. Come see our great beer list and cocktail menu. We have a 4:00 AM liquor license. $$

Hours*
Daily, 11:00 AM–1:30 AM


Monk’s Pub
The Loop
205 West Lake Street
312-357-6665

Warning to people with peanut allergies: Stay away from Monk’s. The empty shells on the floor alone are enough to choke an elephant. The look here is a bizarre hodgepodge of Bavarian monastery meets Hollywood memorabilia convention. The evening crowd, however, isn’t really the type to kvetch about interior design. A mix of blue collar, white collar, and no collar, they’re happy to contemplate the large beer selection and fifteen varieties of burgers. $$

Hours*
Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–2:00 AM


Potter’s
The Loop
Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
312-917-4933

A prime location makes this sophisticated hotel bar and lounge named for the Palmer House founder Potter Palmer a convenient spot for theatergoers and Loop professionals. Showy glass-enclosed columns of white feathers flank the bar area, which is a few steps above the main seating area. Playing off Chicago’s storied history, the feathers evoke the seductive dances of Sally Rand, the entertainer famous for performing in a nude body suit during the Century of Progress exposition in Chicago in 1933. Oversize black-and-white photos of native Chicagoans, such as Hugh Hefner, John Belushi and Walter Payton, round out the decor. Look around as you linger over retro libations like the Singapore Sling, Gin Fizz, and Kir Royale, or order a round of chichi bar appetizers from Lockwood chef Phillip Foss. $$$

Hours*
Daily, 4:00 PM–12:00 AM


Scout Waterhouse
South Loop
1301 South Wabash Avenue
312-705-0595

Paving the way for modern sports bars in the South Loop, this tavern and restaurant goes beyond your average beer-and-shot spot. Bringing together an intimate dining environment with wide-open spaces, warm copper finishes, and a rustic, lodge-like vibe, the spot’s menu includes sandwiches, burgers, flatbreads, seafood items, and small plates, bridging contemporary American fare with classic bar food favorites. On weekend nights you’ll find crowds cutting loose to a DJ, but during the week it will be more low-key, with smaller groups of friends sipping on signature cocktails or from the extensive brew list featuring craft microbeers. $$

Hours*
Sunday–Friday, 11:00 AM–2:00 AM
Saturday, 11:00 AM–3:00 AM


Square One
South Loop
1400 South Michigan Avenue

A spot so new it doesn’t yet have a website or phone number! This South Loop lounge, adorned with thirty-foot high ceilings and reclaimed wood floors, will feature a focus on classic craft cocktails, such as Old-fashioneds and Bloody Marys, when it opens in Spring 2012. Patrons will be able to pull up a seat at the twenty-three-foot cement bar and have the bartender mix up a drink based on their favorite ingredients or sample wine via wine dispensers that allow you to purchase amounts ranging from an ounce to a glass. Nibbles include cheese pairings, meats, and light sandwiches. An area called “the living room,” outfitted with a u-shaped couch, fireplace and TV, can be reserved for private parties.


Tantrum
South Loop
1023 South State Street
312-939-9160

Tantrum is a sophisticated cocktail lounge in the South Loop with a kaleidoscope-design glass door under a copper awning leading to an L-shaped room, antique fixtures, and plush chairs created by furniture designer Francois Frossard. Fans of the place say they keep coming back for the A+ chocolate martini and the eclectic jukebox with songs ranging from Van Morrison to Morphine. Besides the good libations and tunes, we think it’s one of the most romantic spots downtown — check out the very secluded booths in the back. Martinis are the main event here, but the mahogany bar is also stocked with imported beers, scotches, and wines. $$

Hours*
Monday–Friday, 5:00 PM–2:00 AM
Saturday, 8:00 PM–3:00 AM
Sunday, 7:00 PM–12:00 AM


Three Peas Art Lounge
South Loop
75 East 16th Street
312-624-9414

If you're interested in art but intimidated by traditional galleries, grab a drink and ogle the walls at this South Loop spot. Comfy armchairs and a small bar lined with stools provide plenty of space to lounge and take in the latest featured artwork in a laid-back setting. Owners Maya-Camille Broussard and Chrishon Lampley select a different emerging artist to feature every month, and focus for the most part on paintings, pottery and photography -- the "three P's" that gave way to the lounge's name. An early closing time makes this spot more fit for an after-dinner drink. Choose from handful of wines by the glass, three bottled beers and a small but tasty roundup of cocktails, including a vodka-spiked fruit punch and a peach cobbler martini served in a cinnamon-rimmed glass. Also on the menu: Metropolis coffee and tea, plus treats such as turtle cupcakes and lemon cake. $

Hours*
Monday-Saturday, 4:00 PM–11:00 PM
Closed Sunday

 

*Please note that hours are subject to change. Please check with the restaurant prior to dining to ensure that no changes have been made since this information was posted in this publication.

 

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