Logan Square has several wonderful bars, but this cavernous dive—the middle sibling from the group behind Estelle’s in Wicker Park and Remedy in Bucktown—features potent drinks and a dance party erupting in the back every weekend.

The cool kids and industry frequent this two-level bar with a large back patio on the quiet corner of Chicago and California in Humboldt Park. DJs spin edgy tunes and bartenders serve beers and simple mixed drinks. This is where to go when drinkers are sick of pop music, bros, and trixies.

One of the longest-running karaoke bars in the city, Hidden Cove is a North Side neighborhood bar through and through that invites guests to belt out a tune into the wee hours of the night. Don’t look for anything complicated drink-wise, just enough to keep the party going.

Punk rockers and goth kids rely on Exit, one of the most-beloved and sometimes misunderstood bars in Chicago. The neighborhood is probably still considered Lincoln Park, but unlike other sports in that ‘hood there are few Big Ten grads sporting garb inside. The first floor is more laid-back, where patrons bob their heads to tunes from Fugazi and other punk bands of that ilk. Upstairs is where visitors unleash their dance moves. The secret is Exit is friendlier than you think — just don’t be a jerk about it.

Chicago’s most legendary jazz bar is where Al Capone used to hang out in Uptown. Green Mill is one of the loveliest Chicago bars with a beautiful bar that stretches from east to west in addition to historic art deco sculptures, fixtures, and an iconic neon sign beckoning. Live jazz bands perform most of the time, giving night owls a unique option after 2 a.m.

Sometimes a shot and beer just doesn’t do it. Barrelhouse Flat in Lincoln Park goes beyond with many impressive craft cocktails to begin or cap a great night out. Mixologist types will be in heaven, as is undoubtably one of Chicago’s best cocktail bars, which is rare for a late-night spot. There’s also food until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

While Chicago has plenty of other places to listen to blues—especially on the South Side, which many consider the birthplace of electric blues—Kingston Mines near DePaul/Lincoln Park provides an accessible jumping-off point for folks new to the musical genre. It also sells barbecue and crispy French fries for great drinking food, and multiple stages provide a unique experience regardless of the hour.

A variety of characters fill-up longtime favorite Old Town Ale House, which opened in 1958 on North Avenue, as the bar has remained the same as the neighborhood gentrified. Check out the obscene, yet corny paintings that decorate the dive, which is a favorite of Anthony Bourdain and packed with true Chicagoans willing to chat up Second City patrons and pretty much anyone.

Craft beer lovers have a great place to hang out until the early morning at the Clark Street Ale House in River North. The bar even has hand-pulled beer pumps for cask-conditioned beer. It’s a great place for a barrel-aged night cap.

This infamous River North bar recently underwent a face-lift in 2014, expanding with more seating and a new kitchen. It’s been around since 1987 and is an everyman bar that harkens back to the days when the area was much sketchier. Also a solid happy hour spot for basic mixed drinks and domestic brews — named after Mayor Richard J. Daley’s nickname that’s immortalized in Chicago newspaper columnist Mike Royko’s famous biography Boss—Boss Bar draws a variety of folks from office workers to local politicians.