Things to Do in River North, Chicago

Adjacent to the Magnificent Mile, known for its shopping and tourism. The area features a mix of art galleries and restaurants, with notable spots along Wabash Avenue.

The Merchandise MartSpecialty Store
Blue ChicagoLive Music
IndienneIndian

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Top things to do in River North

The Merchandise Mart
★ 4.5 · 2.5k
Specialty Store
commercial building in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Mon–Fri
9 AM – 5 PM
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in River North

Blue Chicago
★ 4.7 · 1.8k
Live Music· $20–30
Late-night blues club with a casual crowd of adults (21 & over) enjoying music & drinks.
Mon–Tue
Closed
Wed–Fri
8 PM – 1:30 AM
Sat
8 PM – 2:30 AM
Sun
8 PM – 1:30 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Indienne
Michelin ★
Indian· $$$$
In a city where kitchens break molds and defy expectations, Chef Sujan Sarkar makes a splash of his own on this quiet strip of River North.
Website ↗
TARY
★ 4.7 · 1.0k
Café & Bakery· $20–30
Food is our medicine. At the heart of every dish is tary — a rare, gluten-free superfood packed with essential micro and macro elements, harvested from the golden steppes of Kazakhstan.
Website ↗Map ↗
Fado Irish Pub
★ 4.5 · 2.6k
Sports Bar· $10–50
A traditional Irish atmosphere, with Guinness, whiskey & pub food faves, plus European soccer on TV.
Mon
1 PM – 12 AM
Tue
10:30 AM – 12 AM
Wed
5 PM – 12 AM
Thu
11:30 AM – 12 AM
Fri
11:30 AM – 1:30 AM
Sat
11:30 AM – 1:30 AM
Sun
9:30 AM – 4 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Arbella Cocktail Bar
★ 4.6 · 1.3k
Cocktail Bar· $20–60
Hip, lofty lounge where intricate, globally inspired cocktails pair with eclectic small plates.
Mon
4 PM – 12 AM
Tue–Fri
4 PM – 2 AM
Sat
5 PM – 3 AM
Sun
6 PM – 1 AM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Portillo's
★ 4.4 · 24.4k
Italian· $10–20
Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs.
Every day
10 AM – 1 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Shamrock Club
★ 4.5 · 646
Bar· $10–20
Down-to-earth neighborhood bar with a typical range of drinks & pub grub, plus a pool table & patio.
Website ↗Map ↗
The Hampton Social - River North
★ 4.7 · 5.1k
American· $30–90
Breezy hangout serving seafood & beach-themed cocktails in stylish, nautical surroundings.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 11 PM
Fri
11 AM – 12 AM
Sat
10 AM – 12 AM
Sun
10 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Matilda Restaurant
★ 4.9 · 1.7k
Mexican· $50–100
At Matilda, we invite you to explore the vibrant crossroads of Mexican and Peruvian cuisine. Rooted in tradition and elevated with creative freedom, our menu is a tribute to the cultures that inspire us, and the memories we create at the…
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 2:30 PM, 4 PM – 10 PM
Fri
11 AM – 2:30 PM, 4 PM – 11 PM
Sat
11 AM – 11 PM
Sun
11 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago
★ 4.8 · 2.5k
Tapas· $40–90
Small plates menu of traditional Balkan dishes, plus regional spirits, offered in rustic-chic digs.
Mon–Thu
12 PM – 10 PM
Fri
12 PM – 11 PM
Sat
10 AM – 11 PM
Sun
10 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Mercadito
★ 4.6 · 5.9k
Mexican· $30–80
Mixologists make cocktails in an intimate space at this modern lounge with Latin-style small plates.
Mon–Wed
11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Thu–Fri
11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Sat
10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Sun
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
River Roast
★ 4.6 · 5.7k
American· $30–80
Vibrant social house for refined, modern American tavern fare like whole roasted chicken, fish & beef, plus scenic river views.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 9 PM
Fri
11 AM – 9:30 PM
Sat
10 AM – 9:30 PM
Sun
10 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Storyville Chicago
★ 4.5 · 1.9k
Restaurant· $20–80
Po' boys, gumbo & jambalaya, plus cocktails, in a hip venue with red leather booths & chandeliers.
Mon–Wed
4 PM – 12 AM
Thu–Fri
4 PM – 2 AM
Sat
11 AM – 3 PM, 4 PM – 3 AM
Sun
11 AM – 3 PM, 4 PM – 12 AM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
The Green Door Tavern
★ 4.5 · 1.6k
Sports Bar· $20–30
Long-running watering hole featuring American fare in a comfy, vintage setting.
Mon
5 PM – 10 PM
Tue
4 PM – 12 AM
Wed–Thu
4 PM – 2 AM
Fri
11:30 AM – 2 AM
Sat
11:30 AM – 3 AM
Sun
11:30 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Dearly Beloved
★ 4.7 · 772
Cocktail Bar· $40–100
A Chicago cocktail bar and restaurant in River North offering an elevated craft cocktail menu and modern American cuisine in a luxurious ambiance.
Mon–Tue
Closed
Wed–Thu
4 PM – 1 AM
Fri
4 PM – 2 AM
Sat
4 PM – 2 AM
Sun
4 PM – 1 AM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗