Best of
Bars and nightlife in the West Loop, Chicago
The West Loop's bars and nightlife scene runs from Michelin-starred cocktail rooms and French-café wine bars to working breweries, hotel rooftops, and the punk-rock venue on the western edge. The format-specific lists are broken out below — pick by what you're in the mood for.
Explore by format
- All bars Cocktail rooms, restaurant-bars, taverns, and speakeasies
- Wine bars Wine-focused trattorias and bottle programs
- Breweries & taprooms Working breweries inside and just outside the neighborhood
- Rooftop bars Hotel rooftops and the Fulton Market terrace
- Sports bars Game-day rooms near the United Center
- Happy hour Published weekday deals and oyster specials
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. See the cocktail bars page for the full list.
- What is the best rooftop bar in the West Loop?
- Aba in Fulton Market is the most-cited West Loop rooftop and frequently appears on Chicago-wide rooftop lists. The other rooftops in the neighborhood are at hotels (Holiday Inn rooftop pool, Emily Hotel rooftop cinema), each with their own access rules.
- What is the best wine bar in the West Loop?
- Bar Tutto is the clearest wine-bar by format — a trattoria built around a wine program. The Oakville Grill & Cellar is the wine-cellar-as-centerpiece pick. For a wine program inside a Michelin restaurant, Sepia.
- Which West Loop brewery is best to drink at?
- Haymarket Pub & Brewery is the long-running pick — fully-realized brewpub format on Randolph. Cruz Blanca is the most interesting menu pairing (Mexican beer styles with Bayless's tacos). All Rise inside Cobra Lounge is the most casual.
- What time does happy hour start in the West Loop?
- West Loop happy hours typically run 4–6 PM on weekdays. A handful of restaurants (like Bocaditos) offer a second late-night happy hour around 8:30–9:30 PM. See the happy hour page for current published deals.
- 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. City Winery on West Randolph is a 300-seat live-music room. The Mine Music Hall on West Lake books mid-sized shows. See the live-music-and-theaters page for the dedicated music venue list.
- 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.