Nightclubs in Chicago: Where to Enjoy a Night Out

I love living in Chicago, one of the biggest reasons being that there's so much to do here. You'll never get bored, from music festivals like Lollapalooza to delicious food and iconic sites to keep you busy. 

But one of my favorite weekend activities is clubbing and trying out different nightclubs in Chicago. It has a huge variety of nightlife, similar to cities like London and Lisbon. 

Whether you live in the city too or are visiting, you should check out some of the top Chicago nightlife. 

Below I've listed some of the top nightclubs in Chicago, including my favorites, to help you have a fantastic time in the city. ‍

Top Nightclubs in Chicago

Below I've listed the top 14 nightclubs in Chicago. No matter what neighborhood you're in or what kind of vibe you're looking for, there's an excellent option below.

Berlin

First up is Berlin, one of the top nightclubs in the whole city, thanks to its fun and welcoming vibe. Berlin always has a diverse crowd near Boystown, a large LGBTQ neighborhood in the city.

Berlin's open from Wednesday to Sunday, featuring a different theme, DJ, or show each night. There is a cover most nights, but it's open late, even on weeknights, so you can stay all night partying!

PRYSM

PRYSM is another great club in Chicago with a classic nightlife vibe. There are a lot of good DJs who play here, and there are also multiple bars if you want to grab a drink before you hit one of the two dance floors.

Sound Bar

If you are in River North, Sound Bar is a lavish nightclub to go to with electric DJs. The club is only open on Friday and Saturday nights, but it stays open late and has DJs worldwide come to perform. 

If you want to guarantee admission to a particular show here, you can buy tickets online, so there is no need to wait long and pay cover!

Le Nocturne

Le Nocturne is another one of my favorite nightclubs in Chicago. It's in Uptown, right off the Lawrence Red Line, so you can get to it quickly, and the bartenders are friendly.

This bar is a smaller place compared to many of the clubs on this list, but there's still plenty of space to dance with friends and have a great night, especially if you are staying further away from downtown.

Beauty Bar

Beauty Bar is a unique place to go. Not only does it have a huge bar and fun dance floor with themed nights, but it also offers manicures, as the name suggests.

If you get there early enough, there is a happy hour on Friday and Saturday, and no cover on certain nights or before a specific time.

Electric Hotel

Electric Hotel is another River North favorite, a more upscale club if you want to have a fancier night out or celebrate an event. My favorite part of Electric Hotel is the colorful and fun vibe and decor, which is very aesthetic, and all the lighting is great too. 

The Underground

Staying in River North, The Underground is another one of the best nightclubs in Chicago. It's a great place to go for late-night dancing if you want a traditional club scene. If you have a group of girls you want to have a fun time with, I would highly recommend coming here. 

Spy Bar

Another one of the fun clubs in Chicago is Spy Bar, where you can dance to techno and electronic music. It's also in River North, which is a great place to go on weekends if you have yet to guess that by now! 

Plus Spy Bar, can get to by public transportation. The club tends to have more female DJs than many clubs, so you can dance and support other girls in their careers.

Tunnel

I love Tunnel, another one of the Chicago clubs in River North. The club has good music and drinks. If you want somewhere to do bottle service for a special occasion, this is one of the best places to do it. 

Hydrate Nightclub

Hydrate is easily one of the best clubs in Chicago, and it is a gay club in Boystown where everyone is welcome. I like it here because it opens earlier than others but stays open just as late, too, even on Mondays.

Debonair Social

For good Chicago nightlife outside of River North and Boystown, check out Debonair Social, right off the Damen Blue Line stop. It has two floors, each with a different DJ and a different vibe for music, so you have options depending on your mood that night. Food is also available all night, which is always a good move.

The Hangge-Uppe

One of my favorite bars in the city is The Hangge-Uppe in Gold Coast. The club has a good mix between a club and a bar, and the music is always on point. There are two levels, so you have some options for where to dance or hang with friends before the club gets going. 

Smartbar

Smartbar is a fantastic place in Wrigley, where there's usually a techno DJ. There are tickets required for the shows here, but you can save money if you buy ahead, before the day of the show. And there are a lot of great bars in Wrigley where you can go before you head to Smartbar. 

DISCO

One of the best nightclubs in downtown Chicago is DISCO in River North. As you can guess by the name, the club is a disco-themed place with lots of fun lighting, mirrors, and disco balls. And, the music is fun and usually disco, but not always in case disco isn't your favorite. 

Spend the Night Out With Pilot!

Going clubbing with friends when you travel is tons of fun, but before you do that, you need to plan your trip! Whether you're going to Chicago or somewhere else, you can use Pilot to plan the perfect trip.