The 10 best Lincoln Park bars

What is it? A rock and roll dive on Lincoln Avenue.

Why we love it: Delilah's has one of the best jukeboxes in town in the main room (so you can play DJ Fridays and Saturdays) and hires DJs for Sunday through Thursday who know their Buzzcocks from their Bullocks. Add a selection of more than 1,000 whiskeys (bourbon, Scotch, Irish) and around 300 beers (Belgian, microbrews, seasonals) plus frequent free movie nights, and you have a bar to call home. 

Time Out tip: Open 365 days a year, Delilah's has some pretty decent specials: $1 beers on Mondays and $2 or $3 bourbons every day, among others.

Address: 2771 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat 11am-3am; Sun 11am-2am

What is it? A year-round rooftop bar offering seasonal cocktails, small plates and stunning views of Lincoln Park from the 13th-floor roof of the Hotel Lincoln.

Why we love it: If you haven't crossed the J. Parker off your Chicago bucket list, grab a glass of sparkling rosé and get to work. With its mesmerizing views of the city and Lincoln Park, this rooftop bar with a retractable glass roof is a must for entertaining out-of-towners any time of the year.

Time Out tip: On particularly beautiful summer days, arrive early and be prepared to wait for a seat to open—it's worth it, promise!

Address: 1816 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 4-11pm; Wed, Thu 11am-11pm; Fri 11am-midnight; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10am-10pm

What is it? A legendary blues club that's been a popular Lincoln Park destination since 1968.

Why we love it: Kingston Mines offers live music on two stages spread across two rooms every Thursday through Saturday. Alternate between the spaces to find a show that suits your mood, whether it’s a regular like blues singer and guitarist Joanna Connor or a touring band. 

Time Out tip: The cover and beer prices are reasonable, and you can also order up some bar food and Southern fare, including fried okra, carrots and celery, and pecan pie.

Address: 2548 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Thu, Fri 7pm-4am; Sat 7pm-5am

What is it? A two-level British pub with a library.

Why we love it: There's a lot to look at inside the Red Lion Pub. Gaze up and you'll spot the Tudor beams that line the ceiling, and under that, there are bookshelves lined with tomes about British history and literature. There are 14 draft lines that frame the bar and three fireplaces for those cold Chicago nights. The menu is populated by pub food (Scotch egg, Irish nachos, poutine) and a fantastic collection of suds and bourbon.

Time Out tip: This is a great place to hide out in the winter and take advantage of the cozy fireplaces.

Address: 2446 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-1am; Fri 4pm-2am; Sat noon-2am; Sun 10:30am-midnight

What is it? An intimate craft cocktail lounge that gets packed on the weekend.

Why we love it: Get the royal treatment at King of Cups, a cozy lounge with a medieval Rococo design that includes a throne, chandeliers, a suit of armor, velvet curtains and gilded wallpaper. The regal theme also plays out in the inventive drink menu, including options like the Grand Poobah made with vodka and aloe watermelon liqueur. 

Time Out tip: You can get a tarot reading in the back hallway, but don't worry, you’re sure to have a good night no matter what the cards hold.

Address: 2238 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Daily 5pm-2am

What is it? Hogsalt Hospitality's notoriously difficult-to-get-into pub on Armitage Avenue.

Why we love it: Anglo-Indian gastropub Armitage Alehouse transports guests to London circa the 1920s, offering some of the most gorgeous scenery found in a Chicago establishment. Dim lighting complemented by walls lined with antique oil paintings, chandeliers and vintage furnishings will make you feel like you're in a BBC period drama. 

Time Out tip: Tables are hard to come by, so try your luck at the bar for a round of gimlets and old fashioneds.

Address: 1000 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 4-10pm; Wed, Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-10:30pm; Sat 10am-10:30pm; Sun 10am-10pm

What is it? A rooftop deck perched atop the Second City in Old Town.

Why we love it: Utopian Tailgate spotlights the many joys of tailgating—including tableside keg service, stadium seating and cornhole. The 10,000-square-foot space comes from the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group (the folks behind the West Town Bakery and Homestead on the Roof) in partnership with the famed Chicago comedy club. The sprawling all-year space is decked out in greenery, bright colors and plenty of flatscreen TVs. 

Time Out tip: Expect to pass time between drinks with mini-golf, foosball, bocce and giant board games.

Address: 1610 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri 5pm-1am; Sat 11am-1am

What is it? An Irish pub with a covered patio.

Why we love it: There’s a lot more Gaelic cheer at Galway Arms than just the Guinness on tap. The pub grub is authentic, featuring corned beef and cabbage with white wine mustard sauce and traditional shepherd’s pie. Most of the staff is actually Irish, and it’s rarely too crowded to nab a table. Choose between the vintage woodwork inside and the expansive patio that’s covered and heated in the winter. 

Time Out tip: You can catch live Irish music at 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Address: 2442 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Fri noon-midnight; Sat, Sun 10am-1am

What is it? A spacious, seaside-inspired smokehouse and oyster bar that opened in 2024.

Why we love it: Briny Swine brings a host of Southern-inspired specialties to the heart of Lincoln Park. Guests can feast on Carolina-style barbecue, Lowcountry favorites and freshly-shucked bivalves and seafood, and wash them down with a selection of whiskeys, beers and more from the expansive bar. 

Time Out tip: TVs show the games, but you can also hear the sounds of live blues, bluegrass, honkey tonk and jazz several nights a week.

Address: 2577 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Thu noon-10pm; Fri noon-midnight; Sat 10:30am-midnight; Sun 10:30am-9pm

What is it? A gathering spot for bookworms and craft cocktail fanatics.

Why we love it: There's one thing you should know before you go to Kibbitznest: the shop is a WiFi-free zone, which means that the owners prefer that you leave your laptop at home and save phone use for taking photos of the beautiful surroundings. Shop a curated selection of new and used books before settling in for a drink, like Agatha's Choice, with gin, tonic, creme de cassis and lime. 

Time Out tip: Keep an eye on the shop's events calendar for book club discussions, live music and comedy nights.

Address: 2212 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614  

Opening hours: Tue 6-10pm; Wed, Thu 4-11pm; Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 1pm-midnight; Sun 1-7pm