Best Clubs In Chicago For A Great Nightlife

Chicago is known for its vibrant nightlife and some of the best nightclubs in the world. Whether you like electronic dance music, hip-hop, or rock, a club in Chicago will suit your tastes. The city has everything from small, intimate venues to big dance clubs. If you’re looking for a quirky night out, good Chicago bars downtown have excellent city skyline views! 

With so much to offer, Chicago nightlife will keep any partygoer entertained. So let’s explore some of the best nightclubs in Chicago, the prices, and what they’re known for!

1. Debonair Social Club

Address: 1575 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Price Range: $5-$15

Timings: Wed to Sun from 10 pm-4 am

Famous for: After-parties such as Lollapalooza

Ratings: 4.7

Theme: Primarily Hollywood Parties

Debonair Social Club is one of the most popular clubs in Chicago. Located in the Wicker Park neighbourhood, this club has a vintage and aesthetic setting. Some of the most well-known artists who have performed here include Diplo, Skrillex, and A-Trak. This is one of the best clubs in Chicago and is a popular spot for after-parties such as Lollapalooza and Pitchfork Music Festival.

2. Primary Night Club

Address: 5 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60610

Price Range: $10 -$40

Timings: Fri to Sat from 10 pm-4 am

Famous for: State-of-the-art sound system

Ratings: 4.5

Theme: Best for House, Disco, Techno, Tech-House, and DNB music genres. 

Primary Night Club is one of the best clubs in Chicago and is located in the River West neighbourhood. It is known for its dance parties and amazing DJ lineups. This Chicago Nightclub has an excellent sound system and a large dance floor, accommodating up to 600 guests. The club also has an outdoor patio area. 

3. 439 Nightclub

Address: 439 N. Orleans St., Chicago, IL 60654

Price Range: $20 to $30

Timings: 10 pm to 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays

Famous for: Vibrant and Lively Atmosphere

Ratings: 4.2

Theme: Mexican Dive Bar with Mariachi bands. 

439 Nightclub is also one of the best clubs in Chicago, Illinois. This Chicago nightclub is known for its diverse range of music, including electronic, hip-hop, and Top hits, and its spacious dance floor is perfect for letting loose and having fun with friends.

4. Berlin Nightclub

Address: 954 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Price Range: $5-$15

Timings: Thu-Sun from 10 pm-4 am

Famous for: Alternative and Underground Music

Ratings: 4.3

Theme: LGBTQ Friendly!

Berlin Nightclub is one of the most famous clubs in Chicago, located in the Lakeview neighbourhood, and is known for its alternative and underground music scene, focusing on electronic, industrial, and new-wave genres. The club has a unique atmosphere, with a dimly lit interior decorated with vintage posters and artwork. 

5. Le Nocturne Chicago

Address: 4810 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640

Price Range: $10-$30

Timings: Fri and Sat from 10 pm - 4 am.

Famous for: Trendy Bar and Light-Show

Ratings: 4.6

Theme: Large-scale events and parties!

Le Nocturne is another one of the most well-known clubs in Chicago, Illinois. The neighbourhood of this club is known for its vibrant bars and restaurants. Le Nocturne is a club that offers a high-end clubbing experience, mostly in the electronic and dance music genres. 

6. Stereo Nightclub

Address: 5616 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Price Range: $20 to $30

Timings: Fri and Sat from 10 pm - 4 am

Famous for: Energetic Atmosphere and Great Music

Ratings: 4.4

Theme: Techno House 

Stereo Nightclub is a great Chicago nightclub known for its energetic atmosphere, great music, and diverse crowds. The is one of those clubs in Chicago that has a modern and chic interior, a spacious dance floor and a lively sound system. This Chicago nightclub hosts various events, including weekly parties featuring local and international DJs, live music performances, and special events for holidays and other occasions.

7. Esmeralda's Lounge

Address: 2539 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

Price Range: $5 to $10

Timings: Fri and Sun from 8 pm to 2 am

Famous for: Latin music

Ratings: 4.5

Theme: unavailable

Esmeralda's Lounge is one of the best clubs in Chicago in the Logan Square area. It offers a unique and intimate atmosphere, along with Latin music. The club is decorated with vibrant colours and also has a small dance floor. Various events are conducted at this place, including live music performances, dance lessons, and salsa nights. The drinks and cover charges are very reasonable, making it a great spot for those looking for an authentic Latin experience. 

8. Studio Paris Nightclub

Address: 59 W Hubbard St #2, Chicago, IL 60654

Price Range: $20-$50

Timings: Fri-Sat from 10 pm-4 am

Famous For: Spacious Dance Floor, Luxurious VIP areas, and State-of-the-art lighting

Ratings: 4.6

Theme: Primarily Electronic Dance Music

Studio Paris Nightclub is for sure one of the most happening clubs in Chicago. The club comes with a chic and modern vibe with a huge dance floor, luxurious VIP areas, and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The club offers many events, including themed, corporate, and private parties. The drinks and cover charges can be higher, but we suggest you save money as you would not want to miss the luxurious ambience and top-notch entertainment. Don’t forget, you also need to keep the cost of living in mind!

9. Spybar

Address: 646 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654

Price Range: $20-$50

Timings: Wed-Sun from 10 pm-4 am

Famous for: Excellent Service and Entertainment.

Ratings: 4.2

Located in the River North area, Spybar is one of the premier clubs in Chicago. The club has a modern interior with a huge sound system. There are multiple bars and a dance floor as well. This club in Chicago has been named one of the top 100 nightclubs in the world by DJ Mag, and it has won multiple awards for its excellent service and entertainment. 

10. DISCO

Address: 111 W Hubbard St, 3rd floor, Chicago, IL 60654

Price Range: $10-$20

Timings: Fri-Sat from 10 pm-4 am

Famous for: Retro 70s and 80s-themed decor

Ratings: 4.1

DISCO is one of the most unique and vibrant clubs in Chicago, Illinois. The club is known for its retro 70s and 80s-themed decor, with disco balls, neon lights, and vintage disco music. This Chicago club has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and it's a great place to go with friends for a fun and nostalgic night out. 

11. Beauty Bar

Address: 1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Price Range: $5-$15

Timings: Thu-Sat 9 pm-4 am

Famous For: Retro-inspired Decor with vintage beauty products and salon chairs

Ratings: 4.3

Beauty Bar is a famous nightclub in Chicago. This is one of those clubs in Chicago known for its retro decor and vintage beauty products, and salon chairs. Beauty Bar conducts a number of events, including DJ sets, live music performances, and dance parties. 

12. Smartbar

Address: Smartbar, 3730 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

Price Range: $10-$20

Timings: Wed-Sun 10 pm-4 am

Famous for: Electronic Dance Music

Ratings: 4.7

Smartbar is one of those clubs in Chicago that is located in the Wrigleyville neighbourhood. It has a history that dates all the way back to the 1980s and is known for its focus on electronic dance music. Smartbar is a must-visit Chicago club for anyone who wants an unforgettable electronic dance music experience.

13. Tao Chicago

Address: 632 N Dearborn St, Chicago, 60654

Price Range: $15-$50

Timings: Thu-Sat 9 pm-4 am

Famous For: Towering murals and a disco ball mounted beneath a 10-foot-tall Japanese bell

Ratings: 4.7

Tao Chicago functions as an Asian-inspired restaurant on the first floor and serves dishes like Peking duck and lobster wontons. This nightclub in Chicago has a disco ball mounted beneath a 10-foot-tall Japanese bell, which is the best part about this club in Chicago. The cover charges for this club, however, are expensive.

14. Sidetrack

Address: 3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, 60657

Price Range: $5-$30

Timings: Mon-Fri 3 pm-2 am; Sat 3 pm-3 am; Sun 1 pm-2 am

Famous For: Serving the LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years

Ratings: 4.5

This is one of the biggest clubs in Chicago that has served the LGBTQ+ community for over four decades. You can start your week by singing along to your favourite show tunes on Musical Mondays or bust out your best moves during the Friday night dance party. When you need to refuel, order one of the signature frozen cocktails. The space can accommodate more than 1,000 people at a time, boasting multiple levels, rooms and even a rooftop deck. 

15. Electric Hotel

Address: 222 W Ontario, Chicago, 60654

Price Range: $15-$30

Timings: Wed 10 pm-3 am; Fri 10 pm-4 am; Sun 10 pm-5 am

Famous For: Instagram-friendly neon signs and Late after-parties

Ratings: 4.4

Boasting exposed brick walls, Instagram-friendly neon signs and a bouquet of disco balls hanging from its ceiling, this is one of those clubs in Chicago that is open three days a week until at least 3 am., making it a popular spot for DJ after-parties. Located in an old River North warehouse that once operated as an electrical supply company, the Electric Hotel now powers of steady beats and moving bodies on a dancefloor, making it one of the best clubs in Chicago.

16. Sound-Bar

Address: 226 W Ontario St, Chicago

Price Range: $10-$30

Timings: Thu, Fri 10 pm–4 am; Sat 10 pm–5 am (closed Sun-Wed)

Famous For: Techno and House Music DJs, European Theme

Ratings: 4.3

With a solid lineup of resident DJs, seven bars spread throughout the space and a powerful sound system, the various dance floors at this club in Chicago always seem to boast a spectacular scene. This, combined with the intense crowd during events, makes it one of the most happening clubs in Chicago.

17. Blind Barber

Address: 948 W Fulton Market, Chicago, 60607

Price Range: $10-$30

Timings: Mon-Sun 10 am–8 pm; Backroom: Thu–Sat 5 pm-midnight

Famous For: Barber-themed club

Ratings: 4.7

The spot operates much like its locations in New York, Los Angeles and Philly. It may look like a harmless barbershop, but Blind Barber hides a not-so-secret speakeasy among Chicago's most popular clubs. The dimly lit space is oozing with style—and the dance floor is just large enough to accommodate a small crowd of revellers. We recommend getting a reservation unless you love queuing up.

18. The Underground

Address: 56 W Illinois St, Chicago, 60654

Price Range: $10-$50

Timings: Thu, Fri 10 pm–4 am; Sat 10 pm–5 am

Famous For: High-end clientele

Ratings: 4.7

It is one of Billy Dec's long-running River North nightclubs in Chicago. It's a reliable spot to catch sets from touring DJs and potentially spot some local baseball, basketball and football players shelling out for bottle service, which is a testament to the greatness of this nightclub in Chicago.

19. LITE Chicago

Address: 215 W Ontario St, Chicago, 60654

Price Range: $15-$40

Timings: Tue, Fri 10 pm–2 am; Sat 10 pm–3 am; Sun 10 pm–2 am

Famous For: Contemporary Theme and Lively Atmosphere

Ratings: 4.5

Looking for a textbook River North nightclub? LITE Chicago has a hollow space, dim lighting, confetti drops and bottles of booze adorned with sparklers, which is why it has become one of the Chicago nightclubs that are always bustling. Make your reservation and show up for an evening filled with loud music, bright lights and plenty of people to talk with on the dance floor.

20. LiqrBox

Address: 873 N Orleans St, Chicago, 60654

Price Range: $10-$30

Timings: Tue–Fri 5 pm–4 am; Sat 5 pm–5 am; Sun 9 pm–4 am

Famous For: Contemporary Theme and Lively Atmosphere

Ratings: 4.4

Anyone with an early bedtime need not apply—LiqrBox doesn't open until 11 p.m. and keeps rocking until 4 am., making it one of the most party-loving clubs in Chicago. Neon lighting, graffiti and bright sculptures decorate the long corridors, where you're likely to spot groups knocking back shots dispensed from a miniature slot machine. This expansive nightclub in Chicago serves many of its cocktails in plastic boxes, allowing guests to sip booze while safely exploring the massive three-level space. It is amongst some of the best nightclubs in Chicago to explore Chicago's nightlife.

The scene in Chicago is one of the best in the world, and these 20 clubs represent the best clubs in Chicago. Whether you're a local or a visitor, you will find some of the best clubs in Chicago that suit your tastes and provide an unforgettable experience. From the legendary Smartbar to the retro-themed Beauty Bar, Chicago's clubs offer something for everyone. So, get dressed up, grab your friends, and hit the town for a night of dancing and fun at one of these best clubs in Chicago if you're a student planning to move to Chicago, look at some comfortable student accommodations in Chicago and find your home away from home! So, if you do plan to move here, check out our student city guide for Chicago in 2023 to make the most of your experience. 

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