3 reviewed party hostels · from €15.92/night · Hostelworld rated
Chicago’s nightlife doesn’t just happen: it spills out of dive bars, rooftop terraces, and basement clubs across the city. Wrigley Hostel sits on Clark Street, a five-minute walk from the neon glow of Wrigleyville’s bars, where Cubs fans and backpackers mix over cheap domestic pints. The hostel scene here is small but sharp: expect free breakfast, organised bar crawls, and a crowd that’s more likely to be planning the next stop than crashing early. Most party hostels cluster in Wrigleyville or Lakeview, where the L train rattles past every ten minutes, ready to whisk you to downtown clubs or late-night deep-dish spots.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Crazy party hostel in the heart of a vibrant River North neighbourhood, just two blocks from Michigan Avenue filled with bars and clubs. An amazing on-site cocktail bar is a perfect spot to meet locals and other travellers. The hostel also offers plenty of social activities for guest socializing like weekly table football tournament.
Fun party hostel with vibrant common areas and nice atmosphere. The friendly staff will take you to a free city tour. Free daily activities to explore the city with fellow travellers like pub crawls, blues, and jazz club outgoings. And after a crazy night out, enjoy free continental breakfast served every morning.
Wrigley is a perfect hostel for all party maniacs. Highly recommended for concert goers and travellers looking to meet new people Well-located right in the centre of a famous party area Wrigleyville. The hostel offers fun social activities, like pub crawls, BBQ events, walk tours and much more. Free tasty breakfast included.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A four-bar crawl through River North and Old Town. The route hits dive bars like Old Town Ale House and clubs like Spybar. Includes a free shot at each stop and a drink specials list for the night. Groups are capped at 20 people, so you’ll actually meet others. Starts at 9pm, but the group doesn’t hit the clubs until after 11pm.
A larger crawl with 50-100 people, covering Wrigleyville and Lakeview. Stops include The Lodge Tavern and Clark Street Ale House. Free shots, drink discounts, and a shot wheel at the first bar. The crowd is mostly 21-28, and the crawl ends at a club with a £5 cover waiver for participants.
How Chicago's nightlife zones break down
The epicentre of Chicago’s party hostel scene. Clark Street is lined with dive bars, sports pubs, and late-night taco stands. The L train stops at Addison, putting you two stops from downtown. Wrigley Field looms over the neighbourhood, and the energy spikes on game days: expect £6 beers and impromptu street parties.
Chicago’s club district, packed with rooftop bars and high-end lounges. The streets around Franklin and State are pedestrian-only on weekends, and the crowd is older: think 25-35. Cover charges add up fast, but the people-watching is top-tier. Walkable from the Loop, but Ubers back to Wrigleyville cost £10-12 after midnight.
The hipster alternative to Wrigleyville. Milwaukee Avenue is dotted with cocktail bars, vinyl shops, and 24-hour diners. The crowd is younger and more local, and the drinks are cheaper: £7 cocktails and £4 PBRs. The Blue Line L train runs straight to the Loop in 20 minutes.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A Wrigleyville staple with a beer garden that fits 200 people. The crowd is a mix of backpackers and locals, and the jukebox leans towards rock and alt-country. Pint of Old Style is £3.50 during happy hour. Gets packed after Cubs games: arrive by 9pm to grab a picnic table.
Chicago’s best underground club, tucked below the Metro concert venue. Techno and house dominate the decks, and the sound system rattles your ribs. Cover is £10-15, but it’s worth it for the late-night sets that run until 5am on Saturdays. Dress in black: this isn’t a sneakers-and-jeans crowd.
A dive bar that’s been serving cheap drinks since 1958. The walls are covered in political cartoons, and the regulars will chat with anyone. Whiskey shots are £4, and the Bloody Marys come with a beer chaser. Cash only: there’s an ATM in the back, but it charges £3 per withdrawal.
A speakeasy hidden behind an unmarked door in Wicker Park. Cocktails cost £12-14, but they’re worth it: expect smoked ice and house-made bitters. Reservations are essential after 8pm. The crowd is older, but backpackers slip in early for the £8 happy hour drinks.
A River North club with a rooftop terrace and a strict door policy. House and techno rule the main room, while the upstairs lounge plays hip-hop. Cover is £15 on weekends, but it’s waived if you arrive before midnight. Dress sharp: no trainers or hoodies.
A Logan Square bar with live jazz and experimental DJ sets. No cover, and cocktails are £9-11. The crowd is artsy but friendly, and the back room has a pool table. Happy hour runs 5-7pm with £6 well drinks. Cash preferred, but cards are accepted.
A Wrigleyville dive with 50 beers on tap and a patio that fills up after Cubs games. Pints are £5-6, and the bar snacks: pretzels and pickled eggs: are free. The crowd is a mix of students and locals, and the bartenders don’t card if you look over 25.
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