City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 863-7427

Address: 26 W. Hubbard St.

Description: Round up your pack and head to the Chicago location of this small national chain to howl the night away with the wild and crazy dueling piano players. On weekend nights, expect the place to be wall-to-wall (it’s popular with birthdays and bachelorette parties); weekday shows are a little less dense, but no less rowdy, as conventioneers and business travelers often make this their post-work release. Buckets, bombs, and the shareable 24-ounce Wailin’ Bones mixed drinks loosen up even the most modest. Thursday features full bands all night. Cover $5 to $10. Open nightly.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Address: 806 S. Plymouth Ct.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Address: 16 W. Ontario St.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 202-9221

Address: 308 W. Erie St.

Description: A bit of L.A. pretension reigns supreme at this posh nightclub with its private alley entrance and beautiful people (in other words, dress right and your chances of getting in are higher). Ladies who look the part often skip the line, while guys usually pay a price to get in, though table reservations for bottle service carry some clout. If you’re aiming for VIP status, plan to drop a thousand bucks or more for bottles of high-end champagne, vodka, rum, whiskey, or other such liquids; in other words, beer does not rank here. Cover varies (not cheap either). Doors open at 11:30 p.m. on Wed and Thurs, 11 p.m. on Fri and 10 p.m. on Sat. Be fashionably late.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 321-8738

Address: 505 N. Michigan Ave.

Description: Don’t let the limited menu of wine, cheese, and chocolate at this Michigan Avenue spot deter you—while it’s spare on diversity, it’s high on quality. A cozy dark-wood sliver of a wine bar, Eno draws in a mix of after-work locals and visitors staying in the attached InterContinental hotel. Not an oenophile? The knowledgeable and friendly staff makes the whole choosing process easy, as does the variety of wine flights available. Pair with cheeses hailing from as close as the farmlands of Wisconsin to the far reaches of Spain. The mouthwatering selection of chocolates and truffles is ever-changing, but if the menu features anything from Madison’s Gail Ambrosius, it’s a sure thing. Open Sun through Thurs early evening to late night, Fri and Sat from 1 p.m.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: Shop: (773) 506-9463; bar: (77

Address: 5418 N. Clark St.

Description: Creative cocktails that include made-in-house ingredients, hard-to-find wines and beer, and an inventive small plates menu attract a loyal clientele to this cute Andersonville wine bar and lounge. Reasonable prices and friendly staff don’t hurt either. Grab a spot at the long bar or, if weather permits, head to the back for a table in the “secret” patio. Favorites from the seasonal food menu include duck confit rillettes, za’atar-spiced marcona almonds, and the signature cowboy sandwich with pulled pork, Gouda, and sweet pickled onions. Weekday specials sweeten the deal, and the neighboring wine shop means if you like what you’ve been drinking, you can take it home too. Open for dinner nightly.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 243-9712

Address: 840 W. Randolph St.

Description: Like a heady French perfume, Maude’s woos you in with the promise of romance and rendezvous, Paris-style. Its dimly lit space, eclectic lighting, deliberately rustic furnishings, and limited French-inspired menu (foie gras and raw oysters included) appeals to a hip, young crowd looking for that je ne sais quoi. Reservations are highly recommended to sit upstairs at the communal tables, but you are welcome to embrace the vibe in the downstairs bar too. Be sure to try the Smokey Violet cocktail. No cover. Open Tues through Sat evening.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Address: 601 N. State St.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (773) 292-1616

Address: 954 N. California Ave.

Description: With a staff that reads like a who’s-who from some of Chicago’s favorite drinking and dining spots, it’s no wonder this Humboldt Park spot has become a favorite hangout for chefs and other restaurant industry vets. The cozy, lived-in vibe—an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and local artwork—makes it a perfect spot to kick back while sipping wines and beers from small producers. For the food, chef Duncan Biddulph chooses local and seasonal ingredients when possible for small and large plates, such as Belgian-style mussels, organic burgers, and house-made chicken liver pâté. Rootstock is a bit off the beaten path, but worth the trek. Open Mon through Sat for dinner and late-night dining. Sunday brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during spring and summer.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 644-7600

Address: 56 W. Illinois St.

Description: Evoking a secret military hideaway, complete with hidden alley entrance, this offering from nightclub mogul Billy Dec crosses the line into dance club with its pounding DJ sets. But its many seating options—paired with artillery cases for cocktail tables—impressive cocktail and bubbly list, and a menu of upscale, late-night light bites elevate the atmosphere. Clever cocktails include the “seductively fruity, skinny with a bit of danger” Bond Girl. Expect a wait after midnight; once you’re in, you’re at ease, soldier. Cover generally $20. Open Thurs, Fri, and Sun till 4 a.m., Sat till 5 a.m.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Address: 1520 N. Damen Ave.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (773) 868-0608

Address: 1480 W. Webster Ave.

Insider Pick:

Description: In 1994, this Lincoln Park favorite jump-started the wine bar trend in Chicago—and it shows no signs of slowing down. Artisanal and family-owned wineries are the focus of the more than 40 wines by the glass and 500 reserve wines from around the world; learn more about them at regular wine tastings and classes. Matching the impressive grape selection is an equally flavorful and wine-friendly selection of internationally influenced small plates, including grilled shrimp skewers, Alsatian-style tarte flambée, and a selection of cheeses and cured meats. The neighboring movieplex makes this a great pre- or post-flick stop. Or simply settle in for an evening of intimate conversation at a cozy table. Open nightly.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (773) 227-3530

Address: 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Insider Pick:

Description: Amazing cocktails, amazing prices (most $8). You ask for more? You get a friendly, hipster crowd, live music with no cover charge, and an ever-changing storefront gallery designed by local artists—by the way, don’t let that display window throw you off, you’re in the right place. Finding a seat at this spot in increasingly cool Logan Square might require your own creativity; it’s small and often jammed. The homey outdoor patio expands capacity by a handful (open year-round, as long as there isn’t ice on the ground). Live music most nights and a last-Friday soul and funk music party. No cover. Open nightly.

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 649-9640

Address: 1510 N. Wells St.

Description: This spacious, 2-story addition to Old Town from the Four Corners Tavern Group (Brownstone, Sidebar, Schoolyard) begs the question: Why didn’t anyone think of this before? We’re talking about the retractable roof that means they can boast a year-round beer garden. And that’s just one of the appeals: There are also 46 TVs for watching a multitude of sports, 12 tap beers and 34 bottles (not only Bud and Miller Lite, but also Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen and Dogfish), and a menu to satisfy munchies like mozzarella coins and hot soft pretzels, and bigger appetites like cheeseburgers, Asian salads, and fish tacos. The famous Four Corners’ skillet cookie hits the sweet spot. Open daily (Sat and Sun from 11 a.m.).

City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 527-5973

Address: 431 N. Wells St.

Description: As the name suggests, this 5,300-square-foot River North spot references the stock market with its financial industry characterizations—the menu is called the “Wells Street Journal.” But the top draws here are the tabletop taps at five premium booths. Book ahead of time if you want to take advantage of these trendy, pay-as-you-pour seats. Or just pull up a barstool for a regular or tall-sized draught and upscale bar food like bison burgers, crab cakes, and truffle mac and cheese. The Pajama Jam brunch serves up everything from turkey chili to chicken quesadillas to homemade pop tarts. Open daily from lunch through late night.