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In the beautiful Sofitel Hotel (see Sofitel Chicago Water Tower), a fashionable, over-30, mixed crowd fills this lobby lounge after work, lingering until the wee hours. Black-clad servers dispense martinis with scrumptious flavors such as chocolate and raspberry.

Tucked along an alley and down a flight of stairs is the alluring Le Passage. The candlelit, wood-paneled room is divided by gold-wrapped columns. Velvet chairs are free for lounging early on, but later they’re reserved for big spenders. The dance floor fills up late, with DJs playing pop remixes.

A smartly dressed, urban professional crowd steps out here for old school R&B.

A popular gathering place, NetWorks airs news and sports on an array of TVs.

Run by the elegant Peninsula hotel, this café serves inventive salads, open sandwiches and pastries.

A jazz trio, opulent decor, and a forward-leaning continental menu serve diners here. Celebrities love its famed “booth 1.”

Enter through the back doors in an alley parallel to North Avenue and head upstairs to Chicago’s self-appointed “Supreme Funk Parlor”. The high-energy, sardine-packed dance floor certainly lives up to its moniker. Monday is gay night, featuring Latin house music, while Friday night caters to hiphop enthusiasts. The downstairs Border Line Tap bar is a perfect stop if you’re early, or simply need a break from dancing.

British ex-pats hang here for a taste of home that fits the bill with plenty of pints from across the pond. Upstairs is an outdoor deck for warm-weather carousing.

An in-store steakhouse and power-eatery, furnished in upper crust style by the Ralph Lauren Home shop while elegantly attired hostesses sport Polo.