Best of
Best bars in the West Loop, Chicago.
The West Loop's bar scene runs from Michelin-starred cocktail rooms to French-café wine bars to the punk-rock venue on the western edge. Below is a curated short list of West Loop bars grouped by what you might be in the mood for, with every pick linking to its full business listing.
Cocktail rooms
Serious cocktail programs in restaurant-attached or standalone spaces.
- Smyth the Loyalist The Loyalist is the more casual ground-floor gastropub beneath the Smyth tasting menu — long-running cocktail program.177 N Ada St 1st 101, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Avec Bar seating at Avec is a long-standing way to get into one of West Randolph's most-loved restaurants without a reservation.615 W Randolph St Ll-3rd FL, Chicago, IL, 60661
- Inkwell Cocktail-focused bar on West Lake Street.1039 W Lake St 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
Wine bars and small plates
Wine programs with food worth showing up for.
- Bar Tutto Italian wine bar and trattoria on West Randolph.1110 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL, 60607
- LA Serre / Bar LA Rue La Serre / Bar La Rue — French wine bar on West Fulton Market.820 W Fulton Market 1, 2, & 18, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Bisous Chicago French café-bar — bottle list, by-the-glass pours, espresso through the day.938 W Fulton Market 1st, Chicago, IL, 60607
Live music and party spots
Bars where the music or the room is the draw.
Frequently asked questions
- Where are the best cocktail bars in the West Loop?
- The Aviary attached to Next Restaurant is the highest-profile cocktail destination. The Loyalist (beneath Smyth) runs a long-standing program. Bar seating at Avec, Bar Tutto, and most of the Randolph Restaurant Row restaurants offers cocktails plus food.
- Does the West Loop have wine bars?
- Yes — Bar Tutto (Italian-focused) and La Serre / Bar La Rue (French) are the marquee wine-bar concepts. Most of the marquee restaurants also have substantial by-the-glass programs at the bar.
- Where can I see live music in the West Loop?
- Cobra Lounge on North Ashland is the long-running punk-and-rock venue, paired with All Rise Brewing in the same building. The Mine Music Hall on West Lake Street books mid-sized shows. City Winery on West Randolph is a 300-seat live-music room.
- Are there sports bars in the West Loop?
- Several restaurants double as casual sports-watching spots, particularly during United Center games. We don't yet curate a dedicated sports-bar page — check the full directory for current options or use the map to find bars near United Center.
- Where can you drink late in the West Loop?
- West Loop bars typically close by midnight or 1 AM weekdays, later on weekends. Good Night John Boy and Cobra Lounge are the longer-running late-night options. Check each bar's page for current hours.