The Best Bars in Chicago for New Year's Eve

Deciding on where you want to spend your New Year's Eve is not as easy as that, it also depends on where you can get in. For weeks tickets to all the best New Year's Eve parties have been sold out, but there are several bars around Chicago where you can spend your night and still have a great time. Here are some of my favorite bars in Chicago where you can enjoy New Year's Eve.

Religion, 720 North Wells Street

Three flights up brings you to one of Chicago's newest bars, Religion. Taking its cues from the existing architecture the church look and feel is played up with a grand DJ booth designed to look like a pulpit with accompanying organ. House music is the sound of choice and the bartenders keep the drinks coming with more than decent consistency in their pour. A considerately large dance floor, long bar that is well staffed, good house music, plenty of seating and an entire VIP loft make this a great bar to spend New Year's Eve at.

Le Passage, 1 Oak Place

In the heart of the Gold Coast lies the newly transformed Le Passage a trendy bar that makes a great spot to ring in the New Year with friends. Bottle service is available or two well stocked bars can be visited to keep you happy. On every trip I have found the DJ very accommodating when it comes to music preference and the bartenders and other staff very attentive. Be sure that you dress to impress for this establishment so that you don't find yourself waiting in line all night.

Rockit Bar and Grill, 22 West Hubbard Street

Rockit Bar and Grill is so much more than a bar and guaranteed to be a fun place to spend New Year's Eve dinner followed by drinks and partying. Fine dining, a lounge filled with comfortable seating, large television screens and pool tables. Because of the popularity of Rockit Bar, I recommend making reservations early for dinner and once inside staying for the evening's festivities. If on the other hand you just want to enjoy the bar, make sure you are there early because the line forms fast and when the lounge is near capacity, the doormen get choosy.

Salud Tequila Lounge, 1471 North Milwaukee

Salud is a tequila lounge, but not what everyone might think of a tequila lounge as being. There are those that think of tequila like a fine wine, meant to be appreciated and savored, and the people behind Salud Tequila Lounge feel that way too. Dining and sipping tequila go hand in hand here and with more bottles of tequila here than anywhere else in Chicago, Salud can take care of you all night.

Funky Buddha Lounge, 728 West Grand Avenue #1

The smell of chocolate that pervades the air around Funky Buddha Lounge is just a small part of the charm that makes up the Funky Buddha Lounge. Cloaked booths, Buddha decorations and paintings and a snug dance floor make Funky Buddha Lounge one of my favorite places to spend a night out. It also has the reputation of having one of the most diverse crowds in Chicago, and I have experienced this on my many trips to the bar. Be prepared for a large and enthusiastic crowd and a cover charge that varies by day.