Everyone knows that River North is home to some of the best nightlife spots in the city, but what are the best bars to visit?
We recently took a couple of trips to the area to survey the night scene, and these bars really stood out amongst the rest:
420 N. Clark St.
There’s nothing fancy about Boss, and that’s perfectly fine. In fact, that’s what adds to the bar’s appeal. There’s nothing crazy about the menu either, but you’ll find good, greasy bar food and the usual drinks. This one is the ultimate late-late night spot, keeping its doors open until 5 am on Saturdays and 4 am every other day. Boss has been a staple in the River North area for over 25 years now, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
155 W. Kinzie St.
Moe’s has found a nice recipe for success with Mexican food, a massive space, and TV’s everywhere. This place has two floors, with the top overlooking the bottom as a sort of VIP area. As a Mexican place, they have a large selection of tequila, margaritas, and of course, sangria. It’s a great place to come during the day too. The open atmosphere and tall ceilings make it seem like you’re having a private lunch even if the place is pretty packed. It’s definitely packed at night though, so be prepared for that.
169 W. Kinzie St.
To call Highline fashionable would be an understatement. The lighting is dim enough that it creates an intimate atmosphere without being too dark or annoying, and the bar uses its 10,000-square-foot space impeccably. Really though, it’s a nice place. There’s a Bloody Mary bar during the day, and sports games are always flashing across their 24 TV screens. They have a pretty wide selection of wines and craft beers available to top it all off.
110 W. Hubbard St.
The atmosphere at Hubbard Inn can only be described as contemporarily elegant. It carries with it an old school feel, with a personal library type area in the back and rustic decoration throughout. They have a chalkboard with all of the drink specials on it, and their menu is what really sets them apart. They have a drink called the Dancing Floor, and it’s on my bucket list. It includes espresso, egg whites, dark chocolate & tequila, among other things. They also offer inventive food options like lamb meatballs, bacon wrapped dates, etc.
149 W. Kinzie St.
Formerly John Barleycorn, Old Crow Smokehouse is one of the more popular bars among those in their mid-twenties – and that alone is enough to make the list. It’s much more than that, though. Old Crow boasts an extensive food menu (actual BBQ – not just your typical pub food), live music, and events hosted in conjunction with Moe’s. This is the only place on the list with a rooftop bar as well. It gets pretty crazy here at night, but it’s also perfectly located for after-work drinks with your colleagues. If you’re just not feeling it, you can always walk through the pass-thru on over to Moe’s.
435 N Clark St.
My personal favorite, Bub City, is the only country-themed bar in the area. Whether it’s from a live band or just the bar’s speakers, they keep the country music playing at all times. This place is a refreshing change of pace to many of the other bars around the city, and the atmosphere is great. Some of the standout elements include an American flag made out of beer cans, a lit-up Santa wearing an empty beer case on his head, and a rules list that includes no drama or know-it-alls. Bub City serves your good ol’ comfort food, and they have a pretty decent beer list. It can get a bit loud and rowdy on weekends, but what bar in River North doesn’t? They also have the biggest Whiskey selection of any place in the area, so if this is your drink of choice, this place is probably pretty close to heaven for you.
There you have it, the 6 Best Bars in River North. Not the neighborhood for you? Check out the 5 Best Kept Secrets in the South Loop.