Best Craft Beer Bars in Chicago

What Makes Chicago a Great Craft Beer City?

Chicago has 80+ independent breweries within city limits, more than any other Midwest city. Logan Square and Ravenswood have emerged as the two brewing epicenters, with both neighbourhoods supporting multiple world-class operations. This concentration creates a natural ecosystem where breweries push each other toward excellence.

The Chicago craft beer scene splits between two productive models: taproom-focused breweries like Begyle, Empirical, and Dovetail, which prioritize production quality and neighbourhood community; and destination bar/restaurant hybrids like Revolution, Piece, and Hopewell, which combine brewing with hospitality and food service. Both models produce exceptional results, offering different experiences depending on what you seek from an evening out.

Most taprooms pour pints for $6-9, making Chicago notably affordable compared to coastal beer cities. The international bottle programs at The Map Room top out around $18-22 for rare Belgian abbey ales. For more neighbourhood bar discoveries beyond craft beer, explore our after-work bar guide featuring local favourites across the city.