Gonna be in Chicago next month for a weekend and I made this list and need to eliminate some spots due to it being way too long, was wondering if anyone had any input
Chicago nightlife
Three Dots and a Dash
Simone's
Rose Lounge
Old Town Ale
The Exit
Galway Bay
The Exit
Delilah's
The Empty Bottle
Scofflaw
The Violet Hour
Aliveone
The Flat Iron
Maria Packaged Goods
The Broken Shaker
Hopleaf Bar
Town Hall Pub
Matilda
Places to eat
Pequods
Vito and Nick's
Pizanos
Ellys Pancake House
Bongo Room
Tonys Italian Beef
DMK Burger Bar
Crisp
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Carbon
Yes Thai
Leghorn
Valois
The Duck Inn
Irazu
Bartoli
What you ought to cut depends on what you're looking for. I can give you my thoughts on the places you've listed that I've been to, though.
- Empty Bottle: Good bar, generally good music, definitely gets lively. Though during the day you can just go in and chill out a little more quietly.
- Scofflaw: They're mainly known for their gin cocktails and mood lighting. This place always gets brought up on "Chicago date ideas" articles and I feel like I see 2-3 first dates in progress every time I go. Which is fine, but kinda funny. Anyway, the drinks are good and they've got GREAT fries along with good finger food. Their entrees are pretty middling, but most people don't eat legit meals there.
- Violet Hour: Complete snooze fest, if you ask me. The whole "secret bar that everyone knows about" thing kinda ruins it, and the staff is kind of precious about seating. One time my fiancée and I showed up to meet with friends who were already seated, and they made the biggest deal out of just sitting next to them, despite the fact that there were PLENTY of open seats. I know they're going for a more low-key atmosphere, but yeesh. The cocktails are good, but nothing amazing, and it's pretty pricey, so it's a hard pass for me.
- Hopleaf: Fantastic beer bar with very good food. Crowded every night, and ridiculous during prime hours on weekends. But if you want a gigantic selection of beer, you can't really beat it.
- Pequod's: Really the only place I'll get deep dish. I'm not a huge fan otherwise, but Pequod's is damn good the 1-2 times a year I eat it.
- Bongo Room: Super overrated. I'm assuming you were thinking of going there for brunch. If you were going to the Wicker Park location, go to Lokal instead and get the chorizo biscuits and gravy. If you were going to the Andersonville location, you have a bunch of other locations to check out that are likely way better with half the wait time. I like Big Jones, but a ton of people here live in Andersonville and will likely have better recommendations.
- Crisp: Dope KBBQ wings. Sometimes the seating is crowded, but you're not usually sitting down for more than 20-25 minutes anyway. Seoul Sassy is your friend, and don't skimp on that sauce they have at the table.
- Honey Butter Fried Chicken: Very solid chicken sandwiches and wings, though their 2-piece leaves something to be desired. I'd eat Parson's hot chicken over it any day.
- Leghorn: Another very solid chicken place - their nashville hot sauce is a little mild, but the quality of the chicken is consistently good. If you go, get the thigh meat. You won't regret it.
- Bartoli: My go-to spot for tavern style pizza. Get a large with bacon, pepperoni, and provolone.
