Chicago, the birthplace of house music, boasts a dynamic and diverse club scene that caters to every taste. From high-energy nightclubs with world-renowned DJs to intimate speakeasies pulsing with local beats, the city offers endless possibilities for a sensational night out. Whether you’re a seasoned clubber or a first-timer, prepare to be swept away by the rhythm and energy of the Best Dance Clubs In Chicago.
Here’s a guide to some of the hottest spots where you can dance the night away in the Windy City:
1. TAO Chicago
People enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and music at TAO Chicago nightclub.
Photo: Lively crowd with drinks in hand dancing at TAO Chicago as the DJ plays music.
TAO Chicago stands out as a premier destination for nightlife enthusiasts. Housed within a stunning 126-year-old building, formerly the Chicago Historical Society, TAO offers a sprawling 7,000-square-foot nightclub experience. Expect to witness performances by celebrated DJs such as Robin Shultz, Loud Luxury, and The Chainsmokers, ensuring a night filled with high-energy music. The atmosphere is electric, characterized by luminous strobe lights and powerful beat drops that define the quintessential nightclub experience in Chicago. Be prepared for overpriced drinks as part of the upscale ambiance. TAO is the perfect spot to let loose with friends and immerse yourself in the vibrant Chicago club scene.
📍Address: 632 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654
🕒Club Hours: Friday: 10:00 PM – 4:00 AM, Saturday: 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM
2. Sound-Bar
Enthusiastic crowd dancing under purple lights at Sound-Bar Chicago, a stylish nightclub.
Photo: Sound-Bar Chicago nightclub with people dancing and enjoying the music in a purple lit atmosphere.
Sound-Bar is an upscale and stylish Chicago nightclub renowned for its sophisticated atmosphere and state-of-the-art sound system. This expansive 20,000-square-foot club welcomes guests with European minimalist décor, sleek flat-screen monitors, and captivating laser lights, creating an immersive experience for house music lovers. Sound-Bar promises a night of dancing in Chicago until the early hours, making it a prime location for those seeking a high-energy and visually stimulating club experience.
📍Address: 226 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654
🕒Club Hours: Friday: 10:00 PM – 4:00 AM, Saturday: 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM
3. The Listening Room
The Listening Room, home of House Calls, offers a more intimate and underground nightclub experience in Chicago. Located in a basement setting with minimal lighting, the focus here is squarely on the music and the vibe. The DJ stage is centrally positioned, allowing for an immersive experience as you dance through the night to reverberating beats. With strong drinks and a pulsating atmosphere, time seems to blur in this underground haven, making it easy to lose track of the hours while enjoying Chicago’s house music scene.
📍Address: 613 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
🕒Club Hours: Friday: 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM, Saturday 10:00 PM – 3:00 AM
4. Joy District
Joy District Chicago rooftop bar with lush greenery and city views.
Photo: Joy District nightclub in Chicago featuring a vibrant rooftop with plants and city skyline.
Joy District is a multi-level venue in the bustling River North neighborhood, offering a diverse nightlife experience. This Chicago nightclub features multiple floors, including a premier nightclub space and an airy rooftop deck. The rooftop transforms into a tropical oasis during summer nights, adorned with lush greenery. Joy District provides a unique setting to enjoy late-night dancing under the stars (or city lights), offering a refreshing escape within the urban environment of Chicago.
📍Address: 112 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
🕒Club Hours: Monday—Friday: 4:00 PM–2:00 AM, Saturday: 11:00 AM–3:00 AM
5. Celeste
Celeste Chicago nightclub rooftop garden with Victorian decor and tropical plants.
Photo: Rooftop garden at Celeste nightclub in Chicago with Victorian style and green plants.
Celeste, situated in the historic Louis Sullivan building, is a deluxe multi-story club in Chicago offering a variety of atmospheres. The first floor hosts a classic pub, while the second floor, the Deco Room, celebrates Chicago’s architectural heritage. The third floor is the Disco Room, a vibrant dance space with an electroluminescent floor inspired by iconic clubs in London, Paris, and Tulum. Finally, the fourth floor features the Roof Garden, a year-round Victorian-decorated rooftop bar with tropical greenery. Celeste provides a multifaceted clubbing experience, catering to different moods and preferences within one venue.
📍Address: 111 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
🕒Club Hours: Wednesday—Friday: 7:00 PM–4:00 AM, Saturday: 7:00 PM–5:00 AM
6. Good Night, John Boy
Good Night, John Boy transports you back to the 1970s club scene in Chicago. From the retro brown and orange wallpaper to vintage TVs, the décor is a nostalgic tribute to the era. This Chicago club comes alive in the evening with a vibrant and electric energy, enhanced by a sparkling disco ball and stylish vintage décor. The dimly lit space creates an alluring and groovy vibe, making Good Night, John Boy a unique and memorable destination for a night out.
📍Address: 905 W Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60607
🕒Club Hours: Wednesday—Friday: 5:00 PM–Late, Saturday—Sunday: 10:00 AM–Late
7. Beauty Bar
Beauty Bar offers a uniquely themed Chicago nightclub experience. By day, it might resemble a retro salon, but by night, it transforms into a club featuring martinis and a DJ spinning Y2K classics. The pink-tinted lighting and disco balls create a fun and whimsical atmosphere. Beauty Bar is a perfect spot for a fun weekend escape, offering a blend of retro charm and energetic music in Chicago.
📍Address: 1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
🕒Club Hours: Thursday-Saturday: 7:00 PM-2:00 AM
8. Blind Barber
Photo: Blind Barber Chicago daytime barbershop facade hiding a nightclub entrance.
Blind Barber offers a hidden gem within Chicago’s nightlife. Functioning as a barber shop by day, it transforms at night when you enter the speakeasy backroom. This dimly lit red room is a cocktail lounge serving refreshing drinks and playing euphonious beats, creating an intimate and stylish atmosphere. Blind Barber is considered one of the best speakeasy clubs in Chicago, offering a unique and secretive nightlife experience.
📍Address: 948 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
🕒Club Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9:30 AM-1:00 AM, Friday, 9:30 AM-2:00 AM
9. Prysm
Energetic dance floor at Prysm Chicago nightclub with DJ and dynamic lighting.
Photo: Prysm Chicago nightclub dance floor with people dancing and a DJ performing with visual lighting.
Prysm is an upscale and vibrant Chicago nightclub featuring two dance floors, three cocktail bars, and high-tech lighting that syncs with the DJ’s beat. Known for its energetic atmosphere, Prysm also hosts underground event series called Serum on Fridays. During Serum events, the club transforms with a more intimate setting and lower lights, focusing on a night of pure dancing and immersive music experience.
📍Address: 948 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
🕒Club Hours: Friday: 10:00 PM – 4:00 AM, Saturday: 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM
10. Spy Bar
People enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and music at TAO Chicago nightclub.
Photo: Spy Bar Chicago underground nightclub with a DJ playing electronic music to a dancing crowd.
Spy Bar is a literally underground Chicago nightclub, located in a cozy basement in the heart of the city’s dance scene. This 4,500-square-foot club blends high-octane clubbing with an intimate lounge atmosphere. Spy Bar is renowned for its DJs who spin electronic, techno, and house music, making it a quintessential destination for underground music enthusiasts in Chicago.
📍Address: 646 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654
🕒Club Hours: Friday—Saturday: 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM
11. Smart Bar
Smart Bar Chicago dance floor with colorful lights under the Metro music venue.
Photo: Smart Bar Chicago nightclub dance floor with flashing lights and DJ booth located under the Metro.
Smart Bar, located in Wrigleyville underneath the Metro music venue, is known for hosting underground DJs and musicians catering to the dance music community. This premiere nightclub in Chicago has gained recognition for showcasing cutting-edge acts and celebrating Chicago’s rich dance music history and the LGBTQ+ community. Smart Bar offers a swanky nightclub experience with ambient lighting, a full bar, and consistently show-stopping sets.
📍Address: 3730 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
🕒Club Hours: Thursday, Friday, Sunday: 10:00 PM – 4:00 AM, Saturday: 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM
12. Bounce
Photo: Bounce Chicago, a sports bar during the day, transforms into a nightclub at night with bottle service.
Bounce is a unique venue that transitions from a casual sports bar during the day to a vibrant Chicago nightclub at night. Housed in the former Parliament building, Bounce offers a lively atmosphere with blaring music and an energetic crowd. While TVs are present, at night the focus shifts to the party scene with frequent bottle service and groups enjoying shots, making it a high-energy and less sports-focused nightclub experience.
📍Address: 324 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
🕒Club Hours: Thursday—Friday: 7:00 PM–4:00 AM, Saturday: 12:00 PM–4:00 AM
13. The Hang Uppe
The Hang Uppe, located in Chicago’s Gold Coast, is a beloved and casual bi-level bar that offers three distinct levels for entertainment. Unlike most Chicago clubs on this list focused on a singular music genre, The Hang Uppe provides diverse options. With a DJ booth upstairs playing current hits and a downstairs floor featuring 80s rock, The Hang Uppe caters to a wide range of musical tastes, providing multiple choices for moving and grooving within one venue.
📍Address: 14 W Elm St, Chicago, IL 60610
See Also: The Best Chicago Concert Venues For Live Music
