traveldk.com

This swank dessert bar transports you to a candy land, where light fixtures resemble honeycomb and bar stools look like hard candy. It’s a novelty bar that gives perpetual dieters an excuse to indulge, if not in the sinful desserts offered, then at least in the luscious libations, such as ice wine, sweet martinis, or grappa.

Nightlife goes sky-high at this intimate club on the 33rd floor of the W. Chicago Lakeshore hotel. Locals and guests mingle among ’70s retro furnishings while soul and light house music provide the beat (though there’s no dancing) to a backdrop of stunning views.

An illegal speakeasy during Prohibition, this tiny piano bar has stood the test of time and competition, packing in loyal revelers nightly. Zebra prints dominate the décor, and martinis are the drink of choice. Singing along with the pianist to show tunes, torch songs, and oldies is expected.

This favorite is easily identified by the fat, happy Buddha statue outside. Inside, a mixed crowd of urban hipsters and young professionals sip everything from beer to bubbly in the low-ceilinged lounge. As the evening unfolds, the dance floor heats up with clubbers grooving to soul, salsa, hip-hop, R&B, house, rap, and reggae.

You don’t have to be a beauty school grad to let your hair down at this off-the-beaten-track dance club: in fact, helmet-style hair dryers serving as hanging lights are the only reference to the cute name. A varied crowd packs the neon-lit dancefloor, while local DJs spin techno, house, and hip-hop. Distortion Sundays feature punk and indie music, as well as cult and Kung Fu videos.

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.

This lofty space is a triple pleasure, with its high-end restaurant, casual café, and sociable wine bar. The large, zinc-topped oval bar is a lively setting for couples to share conversation and a cocktail, or for singles to mingle. “Wine flights” are a must-try, offering four half-glasses of different, but related, wines.

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.

This small, aluminum-clad nightclub forgoes dancing, and instead focuses on the pure enjoyment of the music. In fact, every visual aspect here serves to enhance the fantastic audio system: padded walls absorb sound, while the square-cut metal ceiling tiles diffuse it throughout the room. The sonic theme is further complemented by sleek steel and cool gray décor.

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.