11 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Chicago

Smartbar is a basement nightclub featuring well-known DJs spinning a wide array of dance music, including house, EDM and techno. You can find Smartbar located just north of Wrigley Field on North Clark Street. You can dance the night away with resident DJs like The Black Madonna, Harry Cross, and Sassmouth, or you can catch a special event. Smartbar’s state-of-the-art Funktion One speakers provide fantastic sound that will keep you moving. The club also hosts a variety of queer events, including the popular Sunday night Queen Party.

Steppenwolf Theatre is a popular performing arts venue that hosts nearly 700 shows every year. The theatre was founded in 1976 and today boasts a company of 49 actors, directors, and playwrights. Performances include well-known actors such as Tracy Letts, Cary Coon, and Joan Allen.

You can find the theatre on North Halsted Street, 1 block from the North/Clybourn subway stop. Half-priced tickets are available at the theatre 1 hour before curtain-up. On Tuesdays, the theatre hosts a “pay your age” special.

The Second City is a well-known comedy club that was the starting place of many famous comedians, including Tina Fey, John Belushi, and Bill Murray. You can find Second City situated on North Wells Street, just south of West Concord Lane. At the show, you'll see quick-witted improv sketches, humorous songs, and hilarious scenes. The bar offers light food, beer, wine, and cocktails for you to enjoy with the performance. Second City also offers a well-known centre that trains thousands of comedians per year.

Berlin is a gay and lesbian bar featuring an exciting dance scene with '80s, disco, and new wave music. The club is situated on Belmont Avenue, just east of North Sheffield Avenue. In addition to the wide array of dance music, the space also offers special themed nights and live shows. The bar offers strong mixed drinks, beer, and wine. If you're in search of an inclusive place to dance with great energy, look no further. The club is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations.

AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago offers long-established Greek, Ottoman, and Roman spa treatments in a building with beautifully restored historic architecture. AIRE can be found in River West at the crossroads of West Superior and North Halsted Streets. You can enjoy an expansive list of bath experiences, including The Himalayan Salt Experience or The Wine Bath Experience, which allows you to soak in a bath of antioxidant-rich Spanish Ribera del Duero wine followed by an hour-long massage with grapeseed oil. All experiences include a thermal tour, where you have access to soak in baths of varying temperatures, including an indoor/outdoor bath where you can enjoy the seasonal temperatures.

Untitled Supper Club features a variety of live shows in a Prohibition-era setting and offers a gourmet menu and an extensive list of whiskeys. The club can be found on West Kinzie Street, just west of North Clark Street in River North. 

As you explore the club, you'll be taken back in time with the art-deco design and details of the Prohibition period. Entertainment includes burlesque shows, blues performances, and much more. If you're looking for an award-winning meal, they offer a prix-fixe menu that highlights Chicago Italian food from the '20s and '30s.

Joy District is a multilevel venue that features a nightclub, restaurant, and rooftop patio. You can find Joy District located in the River North neighbourhood, near the intersection of West Hubbard Street and North Clark Street. If you're looking for a hip dance spot, you can head to the second-floor dance club, which features top-notch Chicago DJs and a full bar with bottle service. 

Be sure to check the schedule, as you may catch a celebrity performance. Past performances have included Ludacris, Demi Lovato, and Louis the Child. For a more laid-back vibe, the rooftop is a great spot to enjoy a drink while taking in the panoramic views of the city.

Chicago Underground is a network of tunnels connecting businesses and attractions below the bustling city. You'll find Chicago Underground located South of Wacker Drive and the Chicago River. The Underground is traversed via the Pedway, a series of pedestrian passageways that link 5 miles of shopping, offices, and car parks and take you to underground food stands and coffee shops. You may also enjoy exploring the underground streets where parts of "The Dark Knight" were filmed or touring the Deep Tunnel Project, which is located 350 feet under the streets. Chicago Underground is also home to a vibrant nightlife scene with a selection of bars, including a late-night dance club, a 1920s speakeasy, Japanese and tiki bars, and a live music venue.

Replay Lincoln Park features an arcade bar offering a wide variety of craft beers and arcade-themed cocktails. You can find the arcade located in Lincoln Park at the crossroads of North Sheffield Avenue and West Wolfram Street. You can enjoy an impressive collection of pinball and retro games, including Tetris, Space Invaders, and Tron, and the best part is they are all free to play. When you're ready for a late-night snack, there is a small menu available featuring burgers and fries.

Rosa's Lounge is a popular family-owned blues lounge renowned for its ambience and performances and has received recognition from both the New York Times and Rolling Stone. You can find the lounge situated on West Armitage Avenue, just west of North Kimball Avenue. Performances include modern Chicago artists such as Sugar Blue and Billy Branch, as well as legendary performers like Pinetop Perkins and David Honeyboy. You can order food and drinks from the bar and find a great seat to enjoy the show in this intimate lounge.

Old Town School of Folk Music is a community arts school that offers a wide variety of public music concerts and dance performances. The school and 2 performance venues can be found at the crossroads of Lincoln and North Oakley Avenues. At Gary & Laura Maurer Concert Hall, you can enjoy state-of-the-art acoustics and great views, with all seating close to the action. Myron R. Szold Music and Dance Hall offers a more flexible seating arrangement that allows guests to interact with performers. The Old Town School Cafe features light bites and sweet treats as well as cold drinks, coffee, beer, and wine.