ConvoPlaces

Quiet bars for conversation in Chicago

40 venues, ranked on what OpenStreetMap actually records about each one.

How this page is built. Every venue below is drawn from OpenStreetMap and scored on recorded facts — Someone wants a bar where they can actually hear each other talk. OSM records no noise level, so ranking uses proxies: outdoor seating, absence of live music, smoking policy. Venues that OpenStreetMap knows nothing relevant about are left off rather than padded in, which is why this list is shorter than the total number of bar-type venues in Chicago. Full method.

Compare at a glance

Rank# Venue Outdoor Hours Smoking Access Indoor
1 Corcoran's Grill & Pub Yes Yes No smoking No Yes
2 Nobody's Darling Yes Yes No smoking Not recorded Yes
3 The Beetle Bar and Grill Yes Yes No smoking Not recorded Yes
4 The Walk In Chicago Yes Yes No smoking Not recorded Not recorded
5 Lone Wolf Yes Yes Not recorded Yes Not recorded
6 South Branch Yes Yes Not recorded Yes Not recorded
7 The Northman Beer & Cider Garden Yes Yes No smoking Not recorded No
8 VU Rooftop Bar Yes Yes Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
9 Bitter Pops Yes Yes Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
10 The J. Parker Yes Yes Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
11 Gilt Bar Yes Yes Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
12 Elephant & Castle Yes Yes No smoking Not recorded Yes
13 Utopian Tailgate Yes Not recorded No smoking Not recorded Yes
14 O’Neil’s on Wells Yes Not recorded No smoking Not recorded Yes
15 Tuman’s Tap and Grill Yes Not recorded No smoking Not recorded Yes
16 Hawkeye’s Bar & Grill Yes Not recorded No smoking Not recorded Yes
17 Brando’s Speakeasy Yes Not recorded No smoking Not recorded Yes
18 Big Chicks Yes Not recorded No smoking Not recorded Not recorded
19 Will's Northwoods Inn Yes Not recorded Outside No Not recorded
20 Kasey's Tavern Yes Not recorded No smoking Not recorded Yes

Swipe the table sideways for the remaining columns. recorded   recorded as absent   not recorded in OpenStreetMap. A dash means the tag is missing, not that the facility is. Showing the top 20 of 40.

The ranked list

  1. Corcoran's Grill & Pub

    Bar · 1615 North Wells Street, Chicago, 60614

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–1:30am; Sat 10:30am–2:30am; Sun 10:30am–1:30am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  2. Nobody's Darling

    Bar · 1744 West Balmoral Avenue, Chicago, 60660

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Wed–Thu 5pm–11pm; Fri 4pm–midnight; Sat 2pm–midnight…

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  3. The Beetle Bar and Grill

    Bar · 2532 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, 60622

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–1am; Thu 4pm–2am; Sat 12pm–2am…

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  4. The Walk In Chicago

    Bar · 2727 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 12pm–3am; Sun 12pm–2am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  5. Lone Wolf

    Bar · 806 West Randolph Street, Chicago, 60607

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Step-free access

    Hours: Mon–Tue 4pm–2am; Wed–Fri 12pm–2am; Sat 12pm–3am…

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

  6. South Branch

    Bar · 100 South Wacker Drive

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Step-free access

    Hours: Mon–Tue 11am–9pm; Wed–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri 11am–9pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

  7. The Northman Beer & Cider Garden

    Bar · 233 East Riverwalk, Chicago, 60601

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Sun 11am–11pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published

  8. VU Rooftop Bar

    Bar · 133 East Cermak Road, Chicago, 60616

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating

    Hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–11pm; Fri–Sat 4pm–1am; Sun 4pm–11pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Opening hours published · Has a website

  9. Bitter Pops

    Bar · 3357 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, 60657

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating

    Hours: Mon–Sun 8am–9pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Opening hours published · Has a website

  10. The J. Parker

    Bar · 1816 North Clark Street, Chicago, 60614

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating

    Hours: Mon–Tue 4pm–11pm; Wed–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri 11am–midnight…

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Opening hours published · Has a website

  11. Gilt Bar

    Bar · 230 West Kinzie Street, Chicago, 60654

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating

    Hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–11pm; Fri–Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 5pm–10pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Opening hours published · Has a website

  12. Elephant & Castle

    Pub · 185 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, 60601

    • Hours published
    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Sun 11am–2am

    Why it ranks here: Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  13. Utopian Tailgate

    Bar · 1608 North Wells Street, Chicago, 60614

    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  14. O’Neil’s on Wells

    Bar · 411 South Wells Street, Chicago, 60607

    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  15. Tuman’s Tap and Grill

    Bar · 2159 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, 60622

    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  16. Hawkeye’s Bar & Grill

    Bar · 1458 West Taylor Street, Chicago, 60607

    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  17. Brando’s Speakeasy

    Bar · 343 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, 60604

    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  18. Big Chicks

    Bar · 5024 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, 60640

    • Outdoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  19. Will's Northwoods Inn

    Bar · 3030 North Racine Avenue, Chicago, 60657

    • Outdoor seating
    • Smoking: Outside

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  20. Kasey's Tavern

    Bar · 701 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, 60605

    • Outdoor seating
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking
    • Air conditioning

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Non-smoking indoors · Has a website

  21. Goose Island Beer Company

    Bar

    • Hours published
    • Indoor seating
    • Step-free access
    • Non-smoking
    • Air conditioning

    Hours: Mon–Sun 10am–8pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Step-free access

  22. United Club - C16

    Bar

    • Wi-Fi
    • Hours published
    • Indoor seating
    • Step-free access
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Sun 5am–9pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Step-free access

  23. Farraguts

    Bar · 5240 North Clark Street, Chicago, 60640

    • Hours published
    • Indoor seating
    • Access: Limited
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Sat midnight–2am, 3pm–midnight; Sun midnight–3am, 3pm–midnight

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Step-free access

  24. Burke’s Public House

    Bar · 5401-5403;5401 North Broadway, Chicago, 60640

    • Hours published
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Tue–Fri 4pm–11pm; Sat–Sun 11am–11pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  25. Burwood Tap

    Bar · 724 West Wrightwood Avenue, Chicago, 60614

    • Hours published
    • Smoking: Outside

    Hours: Mon–Sun 11am–3am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  26. Kitty O’Shea’s

    Bar · 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60605

    • Hours published
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Thu 7am–10pm; Fri–Sat 7am–midnight; Sun 7am–10pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  27. Old Town Ale House

    Bar · 219 West North Avenue, Chicago, 60610

    • Hours published
    • Indoor seating
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Fri 3pm–4am; Sat 12pm–5am; Sun 12pm–4am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  28. Sleeping Village

    Bar · 3734 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, 60618

    • Outdoor seating
    • Step-free access
    • Air conditioning

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Step-free access · Has a website

  29. On Tour Brewing

    Bar · 1725 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, 60622

    • Outdoor seating
    • Step-free access

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Step-free access · Has a website

  30. Deadbolt Bar

    Bar · 2412 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647

    • Hours published
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 5pm–3am; Sun 5pm–2am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  31. Reed's Local

    Bar · 3017 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, 60618

    • Hours published
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Fri 5am–2am; Sat 2pm–3am; Sun 2pm–2pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  32. Easy Does It

    Bar · 2354 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647

    • Outdoor seating
    • Step-free access

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Step-free access · Has a website

  33. Weegee's Lounge

    Bar · 3659 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, 60647

    • Hours published
    • Smoking: Outside

    Hours: Mon–Sun 5pm–2am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Has a website

  34. Logan 11 Bar & Kitchen

    Bar · 2230 North California Avenue, Chicago, 60647

    • Outdoor seating
    • Step-free access

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Outdoor seating - a quieter option · Step-free access · Has a website

  35. The Aberdeen Tap

    Bar · 440 North Aberdeen Street, Chicago, 60642

    • Hours published
    • Access: Limited

    Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–2am; Sat 11am–3am; Sun 11am–2am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

  36. Valedor

    Bar · 1620 North Milwaukee Avenue

    • Hours published
    • Step-free access

    Hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–11pm; Fri–Sat 5pm–1am; Sun 5pm–11pm

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

  37. After Lounge

    Bar · 1338 West Fulton Market, Chicago, 60607

    • Hours published
    • Step-free access

    Hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri–Sat 5pm–2am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

  38. Bisous

    Bar · 938 West Fulton Market, Chicago, 60607

    • Hours published
    • Step-free access

    Hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–2am; Fri 3pm–2am; Sat 3pm–3am…

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

  39. Estereo FM

    Bar · 1001 West Fulton Market, Chicago, 60607

    • Hours published
    • Step-free access

    Hours: Mon 4pm–2am; Tue–Sun 7:30am–2am

    Why it ranks here: Bar rather than a pub floor · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

  40. Pilot Project Brewing

    Pub · 2140 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647

    • Hours published
    • Step-free access
    • Non-smoking

    Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–10pm; Fri–Sat 9am–11pm; Sun 9am–9pm

    Why it ranks here: Non-smoking indoors · Opening hours published · Step-free access · Has a website

Where they are

40 venues on the map Loads OpenStreetMap tiles on demand

Frequently asked questions

How many Chicago bars are on this list?

This page ranks the top 40 of 886 bars in Chicago that OpenStreetMap records at least one relevant detail for. Of the 40 shown, 1 have Wi-Fi recorded and 28 publish their opening hours.

Which of these bars stay open late?

Corcoran's Grill & Pub, Nobody's Darling, The Beetle Bar and Grill, The Walk In Chicago and Lone Wolf are open until 11pm or later on at least one day of the week, according to the opening hours published in OpenStreetMap.

Which of these bars are step-free?

Lone Wolf, South Branch, Goose Island Beer Company, United Club - C16 and Sleeping Village are tagged as wheelchair accessible in OpenStreetMap. Accessibility tagging is incomplete, so it is worth confirming with the venue.

How is this list ranked?

Venues are scored on the facts OpenStreetMap records about them - bar rather than a pub floor, outdoor seating - a quieter option, no live music, non-smoking indoors, opening hours published - and ranked by that score. A venue with no relevant detail recorded is left off the list entirely rather than padded in. Nothing on this page is a paid placement.

Other guides for Chicago

Data last refreshed from OpenStreetMap on 30 July 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us — or fix it directly in OpenStreetMap, and it will flow through on the next refresh.