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Best of Chicago: Nightlife Part of the Places of a Lifetime series from Traveler magazine

Expert recommendations of the best clubs, bars, and other after-dark venues.

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Buddy Guy’s Legends
South Loop blues club owned by famed guitarist Buddy Guy; patronized by touring acts like the Rolling Stones when in town. “Buddy’s got damn good taste in music; if he’s there, he’ll sit in.”—Bob Koester, founder, Delmark Records. Admission from $10. 754 S. Wabash Street; tel. +1 312 427 0333. www.buddyguys.com

Green Mill
Prohibition-era jazz club with vintage décor, sweeping bar; patrons shush you for talking. Don’t miss Deep Blue Organ Trio, every Tuesday. “Serious about jazz; legendary Sunday night Poetry Slam.”—Matt McGuire, editor, MetroMix.com. 4802 N. Broadway Street; tel. +1 773 878 5552. www.greenmilljazz.com

Hopleaf
North Side Andersonville tavern for beer aficionados in a suds-loving town; renowned for rare, imported, and obscure brews. “No better bar in the country for Belgian selections.”—Matt McGuire. 5148 N. Clark Street; tel. +1 773 334 9851. www.hopleaf.com

The Second City
Cabaret-style setting for famed improv sketch comedy that launched John Belushi and Bill Murray. “A lot of talent you’ll see later on TV is here.”—Hedy Weiss, theater critic, Chicago Sun-Times. Mainstage tickets from $14. 1616 N. Wells Street; tel. +1 312 337 3992. www.secondcity.com

“Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”
Radio news quiz show with comic guests and NPR newscaster Carl Kasell tapes most Thursday night at Chase Auditorium. “Go because it’s really hard to get ‘Oprah’ tickets.”—Peter Sagal, host, “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” Tickets $20. 10 S. Dearborn Street. www.npr.org/programs/waitwait

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