River North's Bar Scene Is Booming: A Cozy New Neighborhood Tavern and a Swanky Riverfront Club Are Both on the Way

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Near North · July 23, 2026

Near North neighbors, your social calendar is about to get a whole lot busier — because two exciting new drinking and dining destinations are headed to River North, and they couldn't be more different from each other.

First up, meet News Bar — a brand-new neighborhood tavern concept teased for 806 N. Clark Street. Drawing inspiration from classic Irish pubs and city taverns, the bar is already under construction and is targeting a spring 2027 opening. It promises to bring a relaxed, locals-first watering hole to a stretch of Clark Street that's already buzzing with nightlife energy. Think: a place where you actually know the bartender's name.

On the more upscale end of the spectrum, The Carlyle Club is gearing up to open this August at 316 N. Clark Street — right along the riverfront inside the storied Reid Murdoch Building, a Chicago landmark dating back to 1914. Taking over the former The Kitchen American Bistro space, The Carlyle Club will feature a dramatic 72-seat patio, 10-foot-tall double doors designed to blur the line between indoors and out, and river views from nearly every seat inside. Expect an energetic, upscale dining and cocktail experience that makes the most of one of River North's most iconic addresses.

From a laid-back neighborhood pub to a glamorous riverside club — River North is proving once again that it has something for everyone. Which new spot are you most excited about? Tell your neighbors in the Socialhood comments below!

Sources:
1. https://whatnow.com/chicago/restaurants/news-bar-concept-bringing-neighborhood-tavern-option-to-river-north/
2. https://www.optionpremier.com/blogs/the-carlyle-club-is-opening-on-chicagos-riverfront-in-river-north-this-summer