One of the greatest things about Chicago is the nightlife~ Chicago is full of great clubs, bars, and after hour eating establishments. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s time to switch from indoor bars to exciting outdoor rooftop bars! Rooftop bars in Chicago are great places to visit for many reasons; not only will you get to grab a drink in a cool establishment, but you can also grab a view of the Chicago skyline! Check out the list below and be sure to stop by one of these great locations.
The J. Parker
1816 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Source: The J. Parker
We put The J. Parker first on our list for a reason. Most of the popular rooftop bars are located in The Loop or River North, and we totally get it. They’re awesome. If however you’re looking for something a little different head north to Lincoln Park and to the 14th floor of the Lincoln Hotel and you’ll find yourself the beneficiary of panoramic views of Lincoln Park, the shores of Lake Michigan and a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline looking south.
My wife and I lived in Lincoln Park for a couple of years and grabbing a drink here in the summer never got old. Head to the Green City Farmers Market on Saturday morning and then cross the street to grab a cocktail and soak in the views. Now that’s a great start to the day!
Cindy’s Rooftop Restaurant
12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Source: Cindy’s Rooftop Bar
When people think rooftop bars in Chicago, they think of Cindy’s. Not only will this bar give you great views of Lake Michigan and Millennium Park, but you also get a five-star dining experience.
Cindy’s is open until 1am on weekdays, and 2am on weekends, making a great late night spot too for a nightcap drink or even a midnight meal. This bars rooftop is covered, so you can enjoy Cindy’s year round, even in the bitterly cold Chicago winters!
AIRE
100 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
Source: Hyatt Centric
AIRE is the hidden gem of rooftop bars. You will pay a bit of money to dine here, but remember, it’s about the atmosphere! There are very few rooftop bars in Chicago that offer the high end atmosphere that AIRE does. Make sure to plan your time here on a clear night, there is no awning covering the lounge area. If it’s a rainy or windy night, reschedule for another time. It will be worth it!
Drumbar
201 E Delaware Pl, Chicago, IL 60611
Source: Drumbar
Forbes magazine named Drumbar the best rooftop bar in Chicago, and they did so for a good reason. Drumbar was also named the “Best Whiskey Bar” by GQ Magazine. They have an incredible indoor lounge, as well as an outdoor terrace with downtown and speakeasy-style decor. Located at the top of the Raffaello hotel, this rooftop bar is a must-see for locals and tourists alike. With all cocktails being $16, you know exactly what you are going to pay. No hidden fees or upsells. Spots fill up fast, so be sure to fill out a reservation!
Raised
1 West Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Source: Raised Bar
Not only is Raised a great place to grab drinks, but they have an incredible menu. All of their menu items are made using ingredients sourced from within 200 miles of the restaurant. Sometimes, you want to grab a meal while you are at a bar, and this is the place to do it. The cool thing about this bar is that there are no reservations, making it a great choice for you and your friends when you just randomly decide that you want to attend a rooftop bar.
No matter which rooftop bar in Chicago you want to attend, going to either one of these locations means you will have a great night filled with memories!
The ‘L’ or ‘el’ train is one of the most popular methods of Chicago public transportation. The Chicago elevated railway operates 24 hours a day and can pretty much get you anywhere you need to go. You can download the 
So maybe you’re not near an L station, that’s OK. The buses are literally everywhere which means there is a good chance you can catch one nearby. They run 24 hours a day, have a fleet of 1,800 buses and run more than 2,400 routes covering over 2,200 miles. Fares are affordable and you can also use your Ventra card or pay as you go.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the only free zoos in the country. The Lincoln Park Zoo is also one of the oldest zoos in the country! It may not be as large as other zoos, but it has over 230 different species of animals on a 35 acre lot. A great place to spend an hour with your family, or take a walk on your lunch break. This zoo has monkeys, reptiles, polar bears, and even tigers!
Millennium is one of the largest public parks in Chicago. Its original intention was to celebrate the entrance into the third millennium. You can view exhibits, architecture, a beautiful garden, and even go ice skating! This park even offers concession stands. This is among one of the best places to go in Chicago, and admission is always free. Get an unclose and personal experience on our 
This place is so awesome we either stop in or talk about it on almost all our 
For those who love art, the National Museum of Mexican Art is a completely free attraction open to the public. The museum is divided into separate sections for each era of latin american art and culture! This approach also makes this museum appeal to lovers of history. Exhibits change frequently, so check out what they have before you make an appointment. If you have been before, chances are that you can go again and see some entirely new works of art!
Located on Columbus Drive, Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world! For those who want a fun experience in Chicago should come on by and check this fountain out. This is also a great place to spend your lunch break, or take your family to see the fountain go off! This is one of our favorite places to get a group picture after the 
If you are looking for a good laugh, look no further than the legendary Second City in Chicago. Stars like Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell. Alan Alda, Bill Murray, and John Candy got their starts right here. It’s not an ordinary comedy club. This is where some of the funniest and brightest comedians perform. There is a reason this is one of the most notorious comedy theaters in the United States!
The Cadillac Palace Theatre, part of the Theatre District in Chicago’s Loop, has roughly 2300 seats, the perfect size for Broadway shows! The performances are always changing, and there is always something you must see here. Parking is limited in this part of town, we recommend taking an 
The Broadway Playhouse is also part of Broadway in Chicago. New York is not the only place you can see Broadway shows! Chicago has some of the best shows available right here in the Windy City. This theater was originally closed and converted into a movie theater, but in 2004 it was restored to its original glory as a place to see some amazing live shows in Chicago. Events change frequently, so be sure to look at their calendar to find a show you might want to attend!
This legendary theater has everything from music to dance. You may come for the performance, but the architecture is like a show itself! This theater values culture and frequently runs donations to help folks who might not be able to afford to come and experience live shows in Chicago. How cool is that!? If you want to see a wonderful performance in Chicago, check the 
What makes this place so special is how 100% authentic and unique their productions are. There is a beauty of an intimate theatre that doesn’t have the production budget of the shows you will see in Chicago’s Theatre District. The performers have so much passion, the stories are fascinating to follow, the prices are reasonable and the variety can’t be matched anywhere. Tucked right inside the beautiful Lincoln Park neighborhood, this is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in getting a feel for what “real” Chicago theatre looks like.
The Chicago Symphony Center has some of the most beautiful musical performances in the world. All lovers of classical music must attend a show here if they get the chance, as it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their in house orchestra is world class, and they also bring in other guest performers and some of the most talented conductors in the world. The building is also known for its great acoustics, making it an even more memorable experience.
Quite possibly our favorite tour to take in Chicago when we aren’t taking one of our tours. How can you possibly beat being on a boat, in the sun, downtown Chicago, looking at all these beautiful buildings while drinking an ice-cold beer? The guides do an absolutely incredible job. The material comes at you really fast, so listen carefully. And if you like what you saw and what a slightly more intimate experience take a 
If we wrote this little piece 5 years ago we might have included seeing a Cubs game as part of our 
The Shedd Aquarium is an indoor aquarium located on Lake Shore Drive. To date, it contains over 30,000 different animals! There is a reason that this aquarium was the most visited aquarium in the United States for several years. There will not be many chances to see wildlife from all over the world, so take advantage of this while you are here. The Shedd Aquarium is also involved in conservation and the fair treatment of animals!
The Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) is one of the top tourist attractions in Chicago due to its spectacular views of the city. There is no better way to see the city than from the Willis Tower Skydeck! It’s also a great spot to get some pictures of the Chicago skyline. If you have your family with you, there are discounts available, as well as cheap or free admission for children.
