The best clubs in Chicago for dancing the night away – Time Out

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It should come as no surprise that the city that gave birth to house music boasts some amazing nightclubs.
Photograph: Grace DuVal
There’s no arguing that Chicago is a city that helped shape dance music, thanks to DJs like Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles, who began spinning a new strain of disco music (later dubbed house music) in the 1980s. Sadly, you can’t bust a move inside the most legendary Chicago nightclubs of that era (RIP The Warehouse), but a new crop of late-night destinations has stepped in to make sure the beat goes on. Much of Chicago’s club scene is concentrated in River North, where you’ll find dark subterranean lounges, cocktail bars as well as dance clubs atop restaurants. But there are nightclubs throughout the city as well, many of which host weekly themed parties and host talented DJs and electronic acts year-round. From reggaeton to disco to EDM, Chicago’s nightclubs are bumping music for all ears. Searching for an energetic dance floor and killer soundsystems? Hop in the queue at some of the best nightclubs and dance clubs in Chicago.
RECOMMENDED: Discover the best bars in Chicago
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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This subterranean club adjacent to Metro is a testament to Chicago’s storied dance music history, hosting a weekly Sunday night party (Queen!) that carries the torch for the city’s house music scene. The Wrigleyville venue is the local home base of internationally renowned DJs like the Blessed Madonna, Derrick Carter and Mark Farina—plus a stacked lineup of resident selectors. Whether you’re listening to cutting-edge DJs or dusty old records, Smart Bar’s cozy confines and European sound system make it an ideal place to lose yourself to dance.
While the first floor of Tao Chicago functions as an Asian-inspired restaurant, serving dishes like Peking duck and lobster wontons, the venue’s second floor is one of the city’s hottest nightclubs. The 1,000-capacity space features towering murals and a disco ball mounted beneath a 10-foot-tall Japanese bell, setting the scene for packed parties soundtracked by some of the world’s biggest DJs (Deadmau5 and Afrojack performed during the club’s opening weeks). Cover charges tend to be expensive and reservations are nearly essential for marquee acts, but if you’ve got cash to burn, this is one of the Chicago nightlife scene’s glitziest locales.
Chicago’s outpost of the kitschy Beauty Bar concept falls in line with iterations in New York and San Francisco, outfitted with sparkling walls and ’60s beauty salon furniture. Hang out under the disco ball at popular recurring parties like Emo vs. Pop-Punk or show up for nightly happy hours (7pm-9pm). And if your nails need a bit of work, you can often score a manicure and a martini in the front room.
A relatively new addition to Chicago nightlife scene, Le Nocturne channels the more casual vibes of a French nightclub, complete with a relaxed “come as you are” dress code. Residents have included prominent Chicago house DJs like Ron Carrol and Paul Johnson, exemplifying the club’s reverence for homegrown talent. Inside, you’ll find a dance floor flanked by a 25,000 watt European audio system and an array of nearly 100 pieces of intelligent lighting that move and shift colors in response to whatever is spinning. And if you need a break from the beats, there’s a small sidewalk patio where you can refuel before returning to the crowd inside.
This massive Northalsted club has been serving the LGBTQIA+ community for over four decades. Boasting multiple levels, rooms and even a rooftop deck, the space can accommodate more than 1,000 people at a time. Start your week off right by singing along to your favorite show tunes on Musical Mondays or bust out your best moves during the Friday night dance party. When you need to refuel, order one of the signature frozen cocktails.
It may look like an unassuming barbershop, but Blind Barber hides a not-so-secret speakeasy that’s among the most popular places to party in town. The spot operates much like its locations in New York, Los Angeles, Philly and Nashville: Stop by to get a haircut during the day or swing by in the evening and enter the back room for snacks, drinks and some tunes provided by local DJs. The dance floor can get snug on the weekends, but the dimly-lit space is oozing with style and is just large enough to accomodate a small throng of revelers.
Located in an old River North warehouse that once operated as an electrical supply company, the Electric Hotel now harnesses the power of steady beats and moving bodies on a dancefloor. Boasting exposed brick walls, Instagram-friendly neon signs and a bouqet of disco balls hanging from its ceiling, this nightclub is open until 4am on the weekends, making it a popular spot for DJ afterparties.
A slick, modern, multilevel Euro-style destination in River North’s crowded club scene, this venue has kept clubbers busy ever since opening in 2004, hosting touring progressive house and techno DJs on a regular basis. With a solid lineup of resident DJs, seven bars spread throughout the space and a powerful sound system, the various dance floors at this club always seems to boast a spectacular scene.
Situated above Celeste in River North, Disco wears its retro aspirations on its sleeve, boasting a gigantic lighted dance floor and plenty of massive mirror balls. The playlists are also a conscious throwback to the ’70s, filled with key disco (duh), funk, soul and house music cuts. Show up on Friday and Saturday nights for Champagne and dancing in this Instagram-worthy club.
This two-tiered nightclub brings the party to Lincoln Park … just across the street from Whole Foods. You’ll find big-name DJs like Steve Angello and Afrojack dropping beats, plus parties featuring local and regional selectors behind the decks. PRSYM boasts three bars, plenty of tables for your bottle service splurges and a VIP suite that you can rent out if you’re feeling extra flush.
Founded in 1995, this 300-capacity River North club plays up its “global vibe,” inviting underground techno and electro artists from around the world to perform. The cramped confines make this one of the area’s more exclusive dancefloors, so you’ll need to show up early (or book a table) if you want to ensure a spot at the party.
Part-ritzy supper club, part-nightclub, Fame offers evening eats and late-night entertainment in a bi-level River North space. If you’re stopping by for dinner, expect elevated American fare served under chandeliers, including smoked stuffed mejool dates and grilled octopus served as shared plates as well as entrees like a Prime ribeye and cacio e pepe. The second-floor nightclub is where the party gets started, with DJs (often accompanied by violinists or trumpeters) pumping tunes through a powerful Funktion One audio system. 
Tucked away below The Hampton Social in River North, The Bassment is a speakeasy and music lounge with a swankier vibe than most typical nightclubs. Expect to hear everything from live jazz and acoustic sessions to DJ sets, plus there are comfy leather couches and chairs for when you want to take a break. If you need a refreshment, try The Bathtub—a cute vodka-based cocktail served in a tiny bathtub.
The multilevel River North venue sports a club on its second floor, where you’ll find themed parties, local DJs spinning tunes and high rollers popping bottles at tables. After you work up a sweat, head upstairs to the lush rooftop to cool off.
Situated above Tree House in River North, this long and narrow nightclub is inspired by London’s underground network of tunnels—built to provide secret escape routes for the royal family and facilitate espionage. Just don’t expect any Anglophile trappings at this relatively standard River North nightclub. With booth lining one wall, a bar on the other and couches in the middle of the room, those willing to spring for VIP tables and bottle service won’t have trouble finding a place to sit down (at least until the dance floor starts forming). Rows of hanging LED lights create a lively atmosphere, synchronized to whoever is spinning on stage.
Looking for a textbook River North nightclub? LITE Chicago has the cavernous space, the dim lighting, confetti drops and bottles of booze adorned with sparklers. Make your reservation and show up for an evening filled with loud music, bright lights and plenty of people to strike up conversations with on the dance floor.
Miss the days of drinking juice boxes with your friends? This expansive River North club serves many of its cocktails in plastic boxes, allowing guests to safely sip booze while exploring the massive three-level space. Neon lighting, graffiti and bright sculptures decorate the long corridors, where you’re likely to spot groups knocking back shots that are dispensed from a miniature slot machine. Anyone with an early bedtime need not apply—LiqrBox doesn’t open until 11pm on the weekends and keeps rocking until 4am in the morning (5am on Saturdays).
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When you’re the mood for a proper nightclub but tired of the typical River North rotation, this 10,000-square-foot venue in West Loop is a perfect alternative. With different floors, rooms and DJs in every corner of the vibrant warehouse, The Mine has become a popular spot for fans of reggaeton and Latin music. Keep an eye out for weekly events, but make reservations ahead of time when world-class DJs visit.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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