If you live in Chicago, you know that the West Loop is the city’s undisputed headquarters for evening drinks. While the neighborhood is famous for high-end mixology, most West Loop bars tend to be upscale cocktail lounges or wine bars that leave you with a pricey bill.
Don't get me wrong—I love a fancy craft cocktail as much as the next person—but sometimes you want a spot that focuses on casual consumption and a relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for the best bars in the West Loop that offer great vibes without the velvet ropes, here are three of my absolute favorites.
Emporium Arcade Bar is a staple of the Fulton Market bar scene for many reasons: it’s a premier arcade bar, they boast a massive variety of craft beers, and their cocktail list is surprisingly inventive. Essentially, Emporium is an "upscale" arcade bar—offering high-quality beverages and excellent service alongside vintage cabinets.
What really sets Emporium apart from other West Loop bars is its continuous support of the local brewing community. It’s the perfect place to take friends to play a few rounds of Donkey Kong while sipping a rotation of local craft brews from Revolution, Hopewell, Goose Island, Half Acre, and more.
Beer, on beer, on beer—that is exactly what you can expect when walking into Chicago's Haymarket Pub & Brewery. This is a unique West Loop destination because they house a full production brewhouse and fermentation room on-site, providing a cool industrial view from the bar.
The beer is as fresh as it gets. My personal favorite is their Chicago Tavern Beer. Available on draft, this brew is NABA international beer awards silver medal winner and goes great with food.
Pro-Tip: If you want a curated look at the neighborhood’s best pours, check out our Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour. We handle all the logistics so you can focus on indulging in the best the West Loop has to offer.
Lone Wolf is about as classic and casual as it gets in the West Loop. While they offer expertly curated craft cocktails and an impressive tap list, they keep things unpretentious serving up Chicago-style hot dogs, grilled cheese, and fried pickles.
There is nothing better than grabbing a stool at the bar at Lone Wolf for late-night cocktails, knowing that if the munchies hit, a $5 hot dog is at your service. When you're exploring West Loop bars, there is no better way to end your night than with a nightcap here.
The West Loop has become the "Restaurant Mecca" of Chicago. At Chicago Food & City Tours, we love exploring this culinary landscape with our guests. However, if you’re feeling nostalgic for the old school Chicago feel and want to try the city's most iconic bites, River North is the place to be and our Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour is the food tour for you.
Gina Schammel is the Sales & Private Events Director for Chicago Food & City Tours, Chicago’s premier culinary tour provider with years of experience showcasing the city’s food scene.
A recognized expert in Chicago hospitality, Gina serves as an official Choose Chicago Ambassador and sits on the Associate Board for Growing Home, a USDA-certified organic urban farm in Englewood. With a career dedicated to food tourism and event planning, Gina has spent years vetting the best West Loop bars and restaurants to ensure visitors and locals alike experience the authentic flavors of the city. When she isn't designing custom corporate outings, you can find her exploring the stalls at Eataly or enjoying a quiet drink at Gold Star Bar.
