HI Chicago

Discover some of the best bars in one of Chicago's hippest neighborhoods, Logan Square. It's an easy train ride from HI Chicago and a sure bet for a fun night on the town!

cover photo: Bradley Siefert from Flickr

Logan Square Pub Crawl

Set up like a pool hall with arcade games, this is a gathering place for fun on your feet.

For those not looking to sit on their bum all night, the Emporium at Logan Square has foosball, air hockey, and live music.

They also host meetups, mixers, and gaming tournaments. Outside food is welcome, but there's also an indoor food truck for when you're hungry.

Heads up whiskey fans - this bar is a whiskey hub! For those of you with other preferences, fear not, it's a full bar. 

If you want to feel like a local, the Emporium is where the locals go. This is where they meet up with friends, throw bachelorette parties, and reveal they suck at PacMan. You can get an inside peak with the RedEye feature on Emporium below or go check it out yourself!

Cover photo credit EmporiumChicago via Instagram.

Emporium

A stylized cocktail bar with a menu full of sipping tequila and a pro-pooch policy.

Perched on the corner of Milwaukee Avenue stands Estereo: cafe by day, bar by night, its huge garage door walls open up to let the outdoors in.

While you're soaking up the sunset, the Saturday night DJ will help you smooth the transition from day to night with vinyl latin music. 

With a massive menu of Anejo (aged sipping tequila), you can sink into the soothing beaches of central America right from your seat. 

Don't like to travel? Their cocktails are sweet, colorful, and pack a hefty punch, with reviewers saying one is enough to get you on the dance floor. 

If you're keen to stop by in the daytime, their coffee is strong too.

And the place is pup friendly, so you might just make a new furry friend.

Cover photo credit BowWowMeowChi via Instagram.

Estereo

For serious whiskey and great grub, you can trust the horse.

You may be curious about the burgers ($5 after 5pm on Wednesdays), drafts ($4 on Thursdays), and brunch (every weekend from 10am-3pm), but let me assure you - the food at the Rocking Horse is not something you want to miss.

With burgers, ribs, soups, and roast vegetable salads, you will not be drinking hungry. Get a behind the scenes look at how they're famous finger food is made with Chicago's Best.

A classy bar that looks peeled from the Prohibition era, the Rocking Horse hosts a back patio, arcade games, and pool tables.

Cover photo credit thechicagodrinkingsociety via Instagram.

Rocking Horse

One for the artists, this secret speakeasy is only open from 9pm-4am.

Described as a "living, breathing, evolving space" the East Room can be found tucked inside a deeply artistic space, complete with repurposed elevator.

There's nightly events and a separate dance floor and lounge area. East Room is complete with a full bar of cocktails and brews - though no food, and keep in mind this speakeasy is cash only. Take a moment to check out the antique cash register while you grab a drink - not a card reader in sight! (Cover charge at the door is $5.00.)

No cash? No problem. An automated teller has got you covered, and it's rumored to come with a free shot. 

Cover photo credit robkarlicphotography via Instagram.

East Room

The Owl keeps the party going strong, staying open until 4am daily and 5am on Saturdays.

Okay, so Chicago does shut down at the fairly early hour of 2AM. So where do Chicagoans go for a late night? And why is everyone wearing "The Owl" hats?

It's because the king of late night has everyone else beat. If it's late and you're still awake, you'll find your kind at the Owl.

The vibe here is that of a neighborhood bar that always has room for one more. 

With wallet-friendly specials every night (often taking lagers and wells drinks down to $5), there's separate menus for beer, wine, and cocktails.

But brainstorm your music choices now, because when the DJ's on break it's up to you to run the jukebox. And your picks WILL cause drunken sing-a-longs. 

And since it is such a neighborhood hub, the Owl is an active host of event nights. There's up-and-coming DJs, holiday fests, and sometimes the Owl gets truly funky with events all their own, like a Yacht Rock Party (nautical attire encouraged). Check it out.

Cover photo credit devillmatic via Instagram.

The Owl

Open until 2am 7 days a week, Cole's has grub, games, and live music for those age 21 and up.

Chicago is the originator of Chicago-style jazz and the Chicago blues. It also has a deep history in comedy, acting as the original stomping grounds of countless stand-up comedians before they hit their big break. 

At Cole's Bar, you can witness that legacy come to life.

With stand-up comedy on Wednesdays and live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Cole's is a local hotspot for Chicago culture.

$2 PBRs, $4 drafts, a great staff, and a location "right in the middle of hipsterville" guarantee you'll have a good time. 

This is a no-frills place to play pool with the locals, sip cheap spirits, and enjoy the neighborhood vibe. 

Cover photo credit Harveyfoxband via Instagram.

Cole's Bar

Get moving with a DJ, dance floor, and Slippery Slope's famously bottled cocktails.

If you're looking for the party, you found it. Slippery Slope has the dance scene down, with a lightning-fast entrance line matched only by its bartenders' astonishing ability to serve up drinks to a throbbing crowd lickety-split. 

This thriving scene has red-lighting to get the mood just right, and bottled cocktails to keep you drinking and moving at the same time.

With a DJ continually rated "awesome" and a bleacher stand where you can show off your moves, the club is a great atmosphere with an easy out if you've finished sweating on the dance floor. 

Comfy bucket seats and a glam 70s vibe await. Heavy Feather has a photo booth and candle-lit tables to match its psychedelic cocktail menu. 

Not your style? Their bartenders are some of the best in Logan Square, and can mix up whatever request you dish out. 

They even have boozy milkshakes! So don't be surprised when your root beer shake is 20% vanilla vodka.

Cover photo via Slipperysloped via Instagram.

Slippery Slope

Das Radler is a German beer hall built for big groups to enjoy some serious brau and 
kraut.

When your day is so rough that you need a 2 liter boot filled with beer, it's time for Das Radler. 

If you're traveling with your ten closest friends and can't imagine a restaurant that will seat your party AND entertain it with games, it's time for Das Radler.

And when you're loving Chicago but hating its cold windy winter, thinking it might be time to duck indoors for some hot poutine, haus kraut, and Bavarian-made burgers... yep, it's time for Das Radler. Watch the video below to see chefs at the Radler behind the scenes taking a modern approach to your favorite German dishes.

With an impressive beer list and food the locals call "heavenly," The Radler (or Das Radler according to its owners) is one stop that will keep your Chicago adventure flowing. 

Looking for a breakfast spot? Das Radler offers a Sunday brunch with $5 mimosas, topping their signature burgers with fried eggs. 

Cover photo credit DasRadler via Instagram.

The Radler

A neighborhood tavern with a highly cultivated beer & wine list.

The real specialty of Spilt Milk is that it's more like Cheers than your typical tavern. 

Patrons can barely get in the door without being welcomed, seated, and served waters while they mull over the menu. 

That's because Spilt Milk specializes in good service. 

Wine is served in generous portions, and the menu isn't specialized, ensuring there's something for everyone. Even those that don't drink: the banana shake has its own cult following.

Be on the lookout for references in the menu and the decor to the tavern's previous identity as the town pharmacy.

Cover photo credit bryanlech via Instagram.

Spilt Milk

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Logan Square Pub Crawl

Emporium

Emporium

Estereo

Estereo

Rocking Horse

Rocking Horse

East Room

East Room

The Owl

The Owl

Cole's Bar

Cole's Bar

Slippery Slope

Slippery Slope

The Radler

The Radler

Spilt Milk

Spilt Milk

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