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River North · Speakeasy

The Drifter

A real hidden-door speakeasy with nightly live entertainment, inside a building that predates most of downtown.

Date nightCelebrating
Neighbourhood
River North
Style
Speakeasy
Known for
Housed beneath Green Door Tavern, built in 1872 · Nightly live entertainment Wed-Sat · Called 'Chicago's last true speakeasy' by local press
Prices
$$$ · cocktails ~$17–21
Getting in
Book ahead. Especially weekends, via the website
Hours
Historically Wed-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat 5pm-3am, closed Sun-Tue; confirm current hours
Address
676 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654

WebsiteInstagramMap

Checked: Checked Nov 2026: official site live with current hours, contact and entertainment calendar; Yelp shows active reviews through late 2026. No closure reports found.

Photo: The Drifter, from their website.

Part of these nights

River North, alley doors and hidden stairs

Same neighbourhood

Also in River North

Tiki$$$ River NorthThree Dots and a DashA full basement tiki fantasy down an alley stair under a wall of skulls: thatched ceilings, carved masks and a 200-plus rum backbar filling a sprawling subterranean room. The attached 16-seat Bamboo Room is the quieter, rum-focused counterpart.Book ahead Hotel bar$$$ River NorthThe Berkshire RoomA candlelit salon inside the ACME Hotel: tufted leather banquettes, intimate two-tops and a classic back bar. The signature move is Dealer's Choice: pick your glassware, base spirit and flavour profile and let the bartender build something unlisted.Book ahead Lounge$$$ River NorthCelesteA four-storey, turn-of-the-century building that shifts character as you climb: a hushed whiskey bar at street level, an Art Deco supper club above it, a disco floor with a DJ booth, and a garden rooftop at the top. Built for moving between rooms over a full night rather than planting yourself at one bar.Book ahead