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Not everyone is old enough yet to experience the Chicago nightlife legally. Here are some legal alternatives, and some places that go easier on youngins.
2011 W North Ave (btwn N Milwaukee Ave & N Damen Ave), Chicago, IL
Rock Club · Bucktown · 35 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: A live music venue in Wicker Park this place has a lot of 17+ shows to check out. Check their websiste though because some shows are 21+
American Restaurant · Near North Side · 221 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Between the games on the TV and the Pool tables this place is great for a night out, and because they serve food all night they don't card at the door. You still have to be 21 to drink though ;)
American Restaurant · University Village - Little Italy · 39 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Get here early (before 10p) especially on weekends and they won't be carding at the door because they serve food. They also have karaoke, sports games and dancing :)
3730 N Clark St (btwn Racine & Waveland Ave), Chicago, IL
Music Venue · Wrigleyville · 90 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: A lot of their shows are 18+ so you don't have to be 21 to get in. Just check online in advance. The tickets are cheaper online anyway!
Shannon Jeropke: Dress to impress and you should have no trouble getting into this bar, especially with an ID, by going in through the back (sports bar) side. Don't bother with the front the lines too long!
Shannon Jeropke: This 18+ club is located on Chicago's north west side. It's got a Latin flare just make sure to dress up and get there pretty early because it's busy and it's not open as late as some of the bars.
329 N Dearborn St (btwn Kinzie St & Wacker Dr), Chicago, IL
Music Venue · Near North Side · 197 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: They have a lot of 18+ shows (usually earlier in the evening) so you don't have to worry about not getting in. Check online to be sure though. Tickets are cheaper online too!
Lounge · University Village - Little Italy · 21 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Vintage is a college bar, and therefore they card like a college bar, and act like a college bar. 'nough said. Go on Thursday nights during the school year for the best "college bar" scene!
322 E Illinois St (btwn N Columbus Dr & N McClurg Ct), Chicago, IL
Bowling Alley · Streeterville · 46 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: They only go 21+ after 9p so get there early if you're younger. They have bowling, pool, and games on the TV so there's plenty to do. Maker sure you meet their dress code on the weekends though!
Pub · University Village - Little Italy · 24 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Another "College Bar" in the hear of the UIC College scene. Usually packed on Thursday's and Friday's it is everything you expect in a college bar.
Shannon Jeropke: They have dancing on Friday's and Saturdays, but they serve food earlier so get here earlier if you're younger for a good time! Tip: It's packed... walk in like you own the place and you'll be fine.
Hookah Bar · University Village - Little Italy · 11 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: The only Hookah bar in Little Italy, it is conviniently located by the UIC college bars and is a great back up idea if you don't get in to one of the bars ;)
Shannon Jeropke: Get here early while they are still serving food and they won't be carding at the door. Around 10p though it becomes more of a club and they card HARD! Beware if you have a fake!
Shannon Jeropke: It's a restaurant, so they don't card at the door.... even well after 12a on a Saturday night! And they have plenty of non-alcoholic fun to offer!
1321 W Taylor St (btwn Throop St & Loomis St), Chicago, IL
Bar · University Village - Little Italy · 97 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Again "College bar" in a "college town" in the summer they have an outdoor patio you can chill on and they serve food pretty late so get there by 9ish and you'll be fine ;)
128 S Halsted St (Btwn Monroe & Adams), Chicago, IL
Pub · Greektown · 17 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Dugan's just doesn't care... you can just walk right in 90% of the time and no one will question it. Just make sure you don't show up wasted.
Shannon Jeropke: The ultimate Loyola College bar! Expect it to work like a college bar! They serve food and so as long as you get there early it's not a problem. Furthermore they have dancing on weekends :)
Bar · University Village - Little Italy · 41 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Another "College Bar" that serves food and has "college bar rules" It's particularly useful on Thursday nights and again you'll always get in if you get there early enough ;)
Bowling Alley · Near North Side · 47 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Get here early and you can walk right in. Sometimes they card at the top of the stairs sometimes they don't. It's a bowling alley and they have food and sometimes they have dancing on weekends!
875 N Michigan Ave (btwn Delaware Pl & Chestnut St), Chicago, IL
Lounge · Streeterville · 304 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: It's open till 1a and it has the most awe inspiring views! They serve food all night so they don't card at the (elevator) door lol. The only downside is the price. There's no cover but it's not cheap!
Dive Bar · University Village - Little Italy · 19 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Do you know little Joe? If you do check it out! Otherwise you might have problems. They do have karaoke on Wednesday nights and serve food early so if you're in little Italy check it out.
Shannon Jeropke: Open till 3a of Friday and Saturday this is a great place to come with a mixed crowd. They have a bar for the older people but it's still a bowling alley for those who are underage.
2135 N Milwaukee Ave (at Rockwell St), Chicago, IL
Performing Arts Venue · Logan Square · 67 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: See who is playing and maybe catch a show! Goldstar and stubhub usually have good deals and the show will be over in time to either hit a late night bar or grab some late night grub.
201 E Randolph St (btwn Columbus Dr & Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Amphitheater · Grant Park · 101 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: There are plenty of FREE concerts put on by the City of Chicago during the summer time. Grab a blanket and make a picnic out of it! Yes open alcohol is allowed in Millenium park!
1060 W Addison St (btwn Sheffield Ave & Clark St), Chicago, IL
Baseball Stadium · Wrigleyville · 573 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Catch a late night Cubs game if their in town. You can get tickets cheaply online and at the gate, and the night games will go past 11p!
Shannon Jeropke: Catch a late night White Sox game! The tickets are super cheap on stubhub.com and other discount sites! During the summer night weekend games they often have a post game fireworks show!
201 E Randolph St (at Millennium Park), Chicago, IL
Skating Rink · Grant Park · 36 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Open Mid Nov- through Mid March this Ice rink is open late on certain nights. If you bring your own skates its free! Otherwise a rental is only $10
Shannon Jeropke: There is almost always a special event going on at Navy Pier and a lot of them are free! Check out their website to see whats going on. Worst case the pier itself is always a fun time!
Lake Michigan Lakefront (at N Lake Shore Dr), Chicago, IL
Hiking Trail · Grant Park · 133 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: While the beaches close at 11p the lake shore path is open all night to people looking to bike, run, or walk... It's a great place to spend time on a beautiful night!
Shannon Jeropke: It's open till 11p when the cops chase everyone out, but you can come back pretty much 20 min later after they're gone and stay at the beach all night long if you want lol
Bowling Alley · University Village - Little Italy · 4 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Open late, this bowling alley isn't just for students (however students get a MAJOR discount). It's usually not too busy either. It's on campus so check it out for good CLEAN fun!
1007 W Harrison St (University of Illinois at Chicago), Chicago, IL
College Academic Building · University Village - Little Italy · 21 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Any UIC student will tell you, you haven't lived till you've had drinks on the roof of BSB! It's almost always quiet, and the view is phenomenal and breath taking!
56 S La Grange Rd (btwn Harris Ave & Cossitt Ave), La Grange, IL
American Restaurant · 60 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: They serve food and they are open till 1a and they are walking distance form the La Grange Road Metra station so you don't have to drive there. Their burgers are to die for!
Shannon Jeropke: The door often times goes unwatched especially after 1p when there is no cover and this bar is open till 4a on weekends. Just walk right in like you own the place!
3111 River Rd (btwn Belmont Ave & Grand Ave), River Grove, IL
Bowling Alley · 11 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Not technically in Chicago carding is not an issue at Brunswick Zone, but they do have a bar for those over 21! This one is accessible using public transportation.
Shannon Jeropke: On Saturday Nights Zero Gravity is 16+ which is great if you have a younger crowd. It's open till 3 or 4a but the downside is they don't have any alcohol.
Shannon Jeropke: This place is 18+ but it's only open on Thursday nights. It's worth check out if your over 18 but under 21 and you want to go to a dance club though
Shannon Jeropke: It's a Brunswick Zone so it's all ages, but they also have an amazing intimate lounge area and the whole place is a rather cool! Almost worth checking out on it's own. But you'll have to drive here!
Shannon Jeropke: If you find yourself in Naperville for the night, this Brunswick Zone is open till 1a and has a full bar with great drink specials for the older folk. It's also not far from Downtown Naperville.