8 Trendy Bars in Chicago That Could Be Your New Favorite Hangout

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There are plenty of bars to pop into around Chicago, but if you’ve been looking for something a little fresher, a little trendier, a little more eclectic - a place for you to make some great new memories with your friends when you go out, the list gets a little smaller. Luckily, we know what’s up in Chicago.

GiftYa

Gift cards are a pain. You carry around a million of them, never knowing how much is actually on them, and then when you really need it, you can’t find the one you’re looking for. GiftYa has the solution to all of your struggles. An entirely virtual, customizable gift card, you can send one of these to anyone you’d like, and all of their transactions will take place online. 

GiftYa knows how tough it can be to find a good bar that you’ll want to go back to again and again. And that is why they’ve partnered with the bars below to help you find customizable gift cards for you to gift to your friends so you can all save on your next night out.

1. The Owl

This hollow is a safe haven for Chicago’s nocturnal crowd.

You’ll have a hoot any night out at The Owl. Image courtesy of The Owl Chicago Instagram

• Website: owlbarchicago.com
• Neighborhood: Logan Square
• Address: 2521 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

From the outside it looks a bit innocuous, like a hole in the wall, but when you step inside, you’ll see exactly why The Owl is such a beloved part of the Logan Square area. 

The owl decor scattered around the place really reinforces their brand, but it’s the late night party that goes on every night that really brings home what The Owl is about. This party is for people who love to be out late.

Choose from a beer list with over 20 options on tap or from one of their in-house cocktails to satisfy whatever craving you’re having. You might not be able to see it coming, but you’re going to love your experience at The Owl.

Buy a GiftYa To The Owl >

“Hoot, hoot. Owl is a quirky and mysterious bar for the adventurous...This bar is ideal for getting late night drinks, sharing stories, and listening to music.” - Yelp Review

2. Estelle’s

Treat yourself to good beer and even better food.

Amazing food and even better beer? Estelle’s is the best place for dinner and a drink. Image courtesy of Estelle’s Instagram.

• Website: estelleschicago.com
• Neighborhood: Wicker Park, West Town
• Address: 2013 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Estelle’s doesn’t have a huge food menu, but the menu that they do have is all highly rated by people who’ve had it. With burgers proclaimed to be some of the best in the city, you can’t really go wrong with the food here.

They also have a beer menu with quite a few options on tap. If you prefer drafts to bottles or cans, this is definitely one of the places in Chicago that you should try if you’re looking for a wide variety of options.

There are a few fair in-house cocktails on their menu as well, so if you prefer something a little sweeter (or stronger), Estelle’s has got you covered.

Buy a GiftYa To Estelle’s >

“I too often forget Estelles has some of the best burgers in the city. Perfectly seasoned, always to temp, delicious ingredients & always wash down well with a brew. They've now been embedded in my burger bible.” - Yelp Review

3. Lazy Bird

Come for the music and stay for the atmosphere at this Chicagoan gem.

Handcrafted with several original recipes, the cocktails at Lazy Bird are to die for. Image courtesy of Lazy Bird Chicago Instagram.

• Website: lazybirdchicago.com
• Neighborhood: Fulton Market, West Loop
• Address: 200 N Green St., Chicago, IL 60607

Want to feel bougie this weekend? Lazy Bird in Chicago will get you there. With a gorgeous decor and an even more beautiful selection of their own original cocktail recipes, Lazy Bird is the place to go to if you want to feel important for a night.

They offer live music several nights a week from local artists who are trying to get their names out there. Keep in mind, though, that they don’t take reservations, so you may want to get in early on a night when there’s music if you want to make sure you have some seats.

Buy a GiftYa To Lazy Bird >

“Wow. A hidden gem...The decor and gemstone rich colors made me feel so cozy and invited...Live band playing, romantic seating with a thoughtful, colorful drink menu.” - Yelp Review

4. Remedy

Funky, spunky, and maybe a little drunk-y: Enjoy a night to remember at this Chicago dive bar.

For a good time, an artsy crowd, and plenty of opportunities to let out your wacky side, stop by Remedy! Image courtesy of Remedy Instagram.

• Website: remedybarchicago.com
• Neighborhood: Bucktown
• Address: 1910 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

If you’re looking for a place for you and your friends to have some memorable nights, Remedy is definitely a place to try out. 

Equipped with a large beer list, plenty of wine, and new cocktails you never knew you needed to try, Remedy is made for making memories (and maybe immediately forgetting some, too). 

On Wednesdays, Remedy hosts what they call “Weird Wednesdays,” where you’re invited to come in and enjoy a drink or several while you and everyone else partake in some kind of artistic endeavor. Sometimes it’s coloring, sometimes it’s painting, but it’s always a lot of fun.

Buy a GiftYa To Remedy >

“100% swanky without holding a nose up in the air. Flat storefront, roomy on the inside. This is a favorite place to have some drinks and catch up with friends...It's soon to become one of our neighborhood go-to bars.” - Yelp Review

5. Blind Dragon

Sing your heart out while you savor an Asian-fusion cocktail in one of Blind Dragon’s private karaoke rooms.

Karaoke has never been so stylish. Book a private room at Blind Dragon for your next party. Image courtesy of Blind Dragon Instagram.

• Website: blinddragon.com
• Neighborhood: River North
• Address: 613 N Wells St., Chicago, IL 60654

Decked out with oriental decor, Blind Dragon really wants to help you immerse yourself into everything their bar has to offer. The bar has a number of cocktails infused with both traditional North American spirits, as well as some that are more common in Asia.

If you’re looking to host a birthday party (or even just a party!), Blind Dragon also has a few private karaoke rooms that you can rent out to host a private karaoke session with your friends.

In the private karaoke room package, you can also choose between two packages that will get you a food platter for everyone to share, as well as 1-2 punch bowls and bottles of champagne. Blind Dragon is definitely a place to have a party.

Buy a GiftYa To Blind Dragon >

“Coolest spot in town. Delicious drinks, great crowd. Music is on point and service is top notch. To top it all off, coolest private karaoke rooms in town with world class equipment. This is my new jam!” - Yelp Review

6. Old Town Pour House

Love beer? Old Town Pour House has quite the selection for you to choose from.

They might be traditional, but their beer selection certainly ventures into unknown territory. Image courtesy of Old Town Pour House Instagram.

• Website: oldtownpourhouse.com
• Neighborhood: Old Town
• Address: 1419 N Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

If you love good food and even better beer, Old Town Pour House is the perfect place for you to test out with your friends this weekend. Home to one of the largest and best beer lists in all of Chicago, there will almost always be something new for you to try here.

As self-proclaimed “beer geeks,” the people at Old Town Pour House love beer - and they want you to, as well. They like to highlight beers from local producers, while also rotating some other regional, national, and global beers produced by the little guys.

Buy a GiftYa To Old Town Pour House >

“Food has always been good and beer selection is even better. Lots and lots of taps that always get rotated through so the beer is always fresh. Also there's a ton of TVs if you want to catch a game.” - Yelp Review

7. Broken English Taco Pub

Bottomless mimosas and fresh, street-style tacos are a hallmark of this taco joint.

Tacos and margaritas? Yes please!. Image courtesy of Broken English Taco Pub Instagram.

• Website: tacopub.com
• Neighborhood: Old Town
• Address: 1400 N Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

Love tacos? Love them even more when they’re packed with fresh, fun, authentic ingredients that you would see in a taco sold on the side of the street in Mexico? The owners of Broken English Taco Pub gathered their recipes from native Mexicans.

These are tacos that you are not going to want to miss out on - especially when they’re paired with a freshly made margarita or an original Taco Pub cocktail recipe. Stop in for brunch on the weekend.

Buy a GiftYa To Broken English Taco Pub >

“Ok if you thought California tacos were good. Guess again. This trendy, instagrammable taco spot smelled good all the way from the block over...Will 100% be back next time I visit Chicago! Staff was super friendly as well.” - Yelp Review

8. Bar Cargo

Fill up on pizza and drinks for brunch or dinner.

Who would have thought that non-Chicagoan pizza could be so good? Check out their drink specials to see when the next bottomless drink day is. Image courtesy of Bar Cargo Instagram.

• Website: barcargo.com
• Neighborhood: North River
• Address: 605 N Wells St., Chicago, IL 60654

Love pizza and bottomless drinks? Bar Cargo has got you covered. It might not be Chicago-style pizza, but you are going to love it anyway.

Bar Cargo makes what they describe as “Roman Style Pizza.” It has a thicker, light and airy crust and is topped with funky and fresh ingredients that will have you running back for more.

Buy a GiftYa To Bar Cargo >

“The restaurant is great for a casual date night, or grabbing drinks with some friends after work. Plenty of TVs and a great draft list if you want to catch the game.” - Yelp Review

The time for stressing over where you and your friends will meet up to catch up every week has come to an end. With one of these bars, you’re bound to find one of your new favorite, trendy hangouts.