Best nightlife neighborhoods in Chicago
United States · 12 neighborhoods · Updated October 2026
Printer's Row, Financial District and Greektown have the liveliest evenings of the 12 neighborhoods we compared in Chicago. Looking for quiet nights instead? Start from the other end of the list.
| # | Neighborhood | Nightlife | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Printer's Row | 10.0/10 Very lively | 6.7/10 Good |
| 1 | Financial District | 10.0/10 Very lively | 6.6/10 Good |
| 1 | Greektown | 10.0/10 Very lively | 6.1/10 Fair |
| 1 | Near South Side | 10.0/10 Very lively | 6.1/10 Fair |
| 1 | Cook County | 10.0/10 Very lively | 5.7/10 Fair |
| 1 | West Loop Gate | 10.0/10 Very lively | 5.7/10 Fair |
| 1 | Northalsted | 10.0/10 Very lively | 5.7/10 Fair |
| 1 | Wrigleyville | 10.0/10 Very lively | 5.7/10 Fair |
| 1 | Jewelers Row | 10.0/10 Very lively | 5.4/10 Fair |
| 10 | Lower West Side | 9.0/10 Very lively | 5.6/10 Fair |
| 11 | Central Station | 7.0/10 Lively | 6.7/10 Good |
| 12 | Hyde Park | 1.0/10 Very little | 5.7/10 Fair |
How we measure it
Nightlife counts the bars, pubs and clubs within walking distance of the addresses checked in each neighborhood, or its center. Livelier is not better or worse: it depends on what you want. Methodology