Loyola University Chicago - Nightlife

Formerly Domaine, Level is a late-night dance club that doesn’t waste time serving food. Martinis are labeled level 1–10, so pick one to sip before you head out to the elevated dance floor. Jeans are okay, but no hats or tennis shoes.

French house music and Polynesian drinks make this dimly lit club stand out among the after hours joints in the area. Put your name on the VIP list to help avoid long lines to get in on the weekends. Le Passage is truly one of the more innovative, intriguing clubs in Chicago.

If you’re looking for a place to relive your wildest fraternity-oriented dreams/nightmares, Bar Chicago is the place for you. Don’t look for martinis here; slide through the crowd and grab yourself a domestic bottle or a souvenir mug of “Hooligan Juice” at the bar, then bong a beer on your way back to the dance floor for good measure. The best (or worst) part is that you can stay pretty much as late as you want: the bar is open until 4 a.m. from Wednesday–Friday, and 5 a.m. on Saturdays. Put your name on their mailing list for the chance to win a free VIP party.

“Hammies” is Loyola’s unofficial student bar. Most students spend an unhealthy amount of their time there. Some attest to pouring more money into this newly renovated north side bar than they did into their college education. Drinks are on the cheap side, and they’ve got one of the city’s many great burgers.

Barleycorn was originally built in 1890 by an Irish immigrant. John Dillinger frequented the place in the ‘20s, when it stayed open as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Barleycorn’s also has a Wrigleyville location that attracts a young crowd with its mammoth dance floor.

Chicago’s most famous local microbrew, Goose Island produces dozens of different varieties of beer. The Wrigleyville branch is baseball-themed, with a larger-than-life mural of several Hall-of-Famers, none of whom played for the Cubs.

Especially popular with DePaul students, McGee’s may have more beers on tap than any other bar in the city. Thirty different varieties await your pleasure as you watch the big game on one of dozens of flat screen TVs. Like euchre? You can play in a tournament every Monday night at McGee’s.

Groove to the sweet sounds of improvised jazz while trying to find elbow space at the bar. Every now and then, one of the bar’s more famous patrons will step on stage and perform with the band.

If you’re looking for a bar to play games at, go to Streeter’s. You’ll find pool, foosball, and Ping-Pong tables all crammed into this underground establishment.

In addition to being a good place to grab beer during a Bears game, Dublin’s serves as yet another one of Chicago’s great burger choices. Drinks aren’t too expensive considering the area it’s in, and the staff is pretty friendly. Plus, their kitchen is open until the wee hours of the mornin’.

Looking for a good dive bar? Bruno’s is one of the best. Frequented by locals as well as students who stop in for a quick one before class, this bar/liquor store is a great place to watch a game if you want to hear expert commentary from about seven guys sitting at the end of the bar. Beer and booze are on the cheap here, and it’s easy to get on speaking terms with the bartenders. Just a little hole in the wall, Bruno’s is great for drinking a beer and hearing the recap of the Cubs game.

Moody’s has the best beer garden in Chicago. Period. Once you leave the dark, cave-like interior of the bar and step into this veritable Eden of booze and burgers, you’ll never want to leave. Ivy covered brick walls open up into an area charmingly set with picnic tables and oak trees, all centered gracefully around a central waterfall. If this is not enough to draw you in, Moody’s has the best burger in the city, hands down. Just going for the drinks? Get a cheap pitcher of Berghoff Dark, sip sangria, or order the Moody Mama for a fruitier option.

Originally a Colorado institution, Rock Bottom is currently challenging Goose Island’s status as most popular local microbrewery. This huge establishment is frequented by a heavy after-work crowd in one of Chicago’s busier business neighborhoods.

Slinging beers since 1949, this small local tavern also serves up popcorn and pinball to the tiny crowd that wedges its way into the bar.

Still not done drinking when Hamilton’s closes at 2 a.m.? Head north on Sheridan road and hit the “O,” Loyola’s favorite four o’clock bar. If you’re still functioning well enough for semi-physical activity, one half of the bar holds four dart boards and a pool table, and a couple of arcade games sit near the bathrooms.

The Hunt Club is one of those bars that is great during the summer, but loses some of its luster in the cold winter months. The outdoor patio, which spills out onto the busy State and Rush triangle, is perfect for sipping a cocktail in the sun and watching the crowds go by. Drinks are pricier than they are in Rogers Park, but not too bad for downtown. Fridays and Saturdays: $3 Chamberry shots

This Mexican themed bar/restaurant slings tequila shots and all kinds of south-of-the-border beers. Enjoy standard Mexican fare with a tequila martini, or just toss back a shot followed by a spicy, but fruity, sangria chaser. During the summertime, the Maple Street patio provides a bit of cool shade. Specials: You get chips and salsa instead of peanuts at the bar. That can count as a meal for a hungry college student!

What used to be the Pumping Brewing Company bar has been remodeled into a lounge/bar and restaurant. The restaurant serves things like ahi tuna and jerk pork-chops and offers both an entree-sized menu and a “tasting” menu, with items for about $4. After 10 p.m., there’s either live music or a DJ. The lower level features a game room with big-screen TVs and a pool table.

Within steps of Wrigley Field, this new bar has some of the best specials in the city. Whether stopping by after a Cubs win or making a special trip down for their fabulous tater tots, count on the Full Shilling to fill you up with food and drinks for a small price.

Another of Chicago’s premier music joints, the House of Blues is located right on the north bank of the Chicago River. All kinds of musical acts visit the HOB, from local indie bands to international sensations, from Dr. John to Pantera. Many shows are all-ages, and prices range from $10–$25.

Formerly called ImprovOlympic, IO may be second only to the Second City in the famous Chicago improvisational comedy scene. This Wrigleyville club showcases teams of improv players who craft scenes spontaneously from audience suggestions. The theater is smoke-free and air-conditioned, with comfortable seats and few obstructed views.

This renovated theater is one of the best places in the city to hear live music of any sort. Get down on the floor with a tightly packed crowd of musical devotees and just breathe in the scene. Metro helped spark the career of the Windy City’s own Billy Corgan and his Smashing Pumpkins, and he has been known to stop by every now and then. Many shows are all–ages, and prices range from $5–$40.

You could call Pick Me Up Café the opposite of a bar. It’s the sort of place you stay up all night and drink coffee instead of beer. Open until 3 a.m., this café is the perfect place for Loyola students to go with or without their books before their 2st birthday. Get a milkshake, one of many flavored cappuccinos, or a delectable turkey sandwich, and breathe in as much of the eclectic, smoky air as your lungs will allow. Don’t forget to bring a couple of bucks for the jukebox.