Survivability Rankings for Bar in Chicago

StreetSpring's 2026 ranking of Chicago neighborhoods to open a Bar, at a good address, from Sheffield Neighbors (84.0% survival) to Kenwood (66.0%).

•13 min read

By Robert Koons | Last reviewed: October 2026 | Methodology

Quick Summary

  • Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
  • #1 Neighborhood: Sheffield Neighbors: 84.0% at a good address, 83.4% at a typical address for Bar (36 ranked neighborhoods share the 84.0% good-address figure)
  • Neighborhoods at or above 70% at a typical address: 55 of 99 ranked
  • Average across the 99 ranked neighborhoods (typical address): 71.0% for Bars
  • Most challenging area: Kenwood: 66.0% at a good address, 56.2% at a typical address
  • Revenue Capture Score: the most important factor in choosing a location, StreetSpring's proprietary estimate of the revenue a business can capture at a specific address
  • Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →

Table of Contents

Summary

StreetSpring's 2026 analysis shows the best neighborhood in and around Chicago to open a Bar is Sheffield Neighbors, with a projected chance of lasting two or more years of 84.0% at a good address and 83.4% at a typical address (36 ranked neighborhoods share the 84.0% good-address figure). Its highest scored address is at 84.0% and its lowest at 78.2%. The last-ranked neighborhood is Kenwood, at 66.0% at a good address and 56.2% at a typical address. Neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation: always check your specific address.


What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Chicago to Open a Bar?

Sheffield Neighbors ranks #1 of the 99 ranked neighborhoods in and around Chicago for Bar survivability, with a projected chance of lasting two or more years of 84.0% at a good address as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:

RankNeighborhoodMetroAt a good addressAverage (typical address)Best LocationsChallenging Locations
1Sheffield NeighborsChicago84.0%83.4%84.0%78.2%
2Palmer SquareChicago84.0%82.8%84.0%79.0%
3Logan SquareChicago84.0%81.3%84.0%62.4%
4Wrightwood NeighborsChicago84.0%80.4%84.0%71.8%
5Lake View EastChicago84.0%79.2%84.0%58.8%
6Old TownChicago84.0%79.1%84.0%66.0%
7Park WestChicago84.0%78.4%84.0%58.4%
8Graceland WestChicago84.0%78.1%84.0%61.0%
9HermosaChicago84.0%77.5%84.0%55.6%
10Humboldt ParkChicago84.0%77.1%84.0%53.0%

However, individual locations vary widely, and even in lower-scoring neighborhoods there are pockets that perform exceptionally well. Real-time data from StreetSpring accounts for recent openings, closures, and seasonal shifts that static rankings cannot.

The ranking runs on the good-address figure (the 90th percentile of the scored addresses in each neighborhood). Average is the typical address; Best and Challenging Locations are the highest and lowest scored address in the neighborhood. Every figure is the projected chance of lasting two or more years, as printed in the linked file. See our full methodology →

Try StreetSpring to see if this location is still the best and see if there are locations to rent in this area right now.


Where in or Around Chicago Would a Bar Make the Most Money?

Where a Bar would make the most money in or around Chicago comes down to the exact address. The Revenue Capture Score is the most important factor in choosing a location: StreetSpring's proprietary estimate of the revenue a business can capture at a specific address.

Sheffield Neighbors is ranked #1 for Bar survivability, at 84.0% at a good address and 83.4% at a typical address; Kenwood is ranked last of the 99, at 66.0% at a good address and 56.2% at a typical address. Revenue at a specific storefront is what the Revenue Capture Score estimates, so check it for each address you are weighing.

The same business type carries a different projected chance in every ranked neighborhood of a city, so the address is worth testing before you sign. Opening a Bar in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across the 99 ranked neighborhoods, the average projected chance that a new Bar lasts two or more years is 71.0% at a typical address. The interplay between location characteristics and business type produces unique survivability scores for every combination.


What Should I Consider When Opening a Bar in or Around Chicago?

When selecting a location for a Bar in or around Chicago, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. Revenue Capture Score comes first when comparing locations: it turns local competition and consumer spending into the share of revenue a business can expect to win. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. We apply advanced machine learning to massive commercial real estate datasets to build accurate models. Some competition is beneficial to attract customers with similar intents to the same area. StreetSpring uses its own proprietary forecasting tools to make these predictions. StreetSpring scores 500+ business types: 153 base business types, most of them at 5 price points, which is 569 type-and-price combinations you can choose in the tool.

This can be summarized as:

Revenue Capture Score = Projected Market Share × Forecasted Spend on Specific Business

Related: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool.


Where in or Around Chicago Should I Start a Bar?

According to StreetSpring's data, optimal neighborhoods include Sheffield Neighbors, Palmer Square, and Logan Square, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Kenwood, North Mayfair, and East Beverly. Remember that a neighborhood average smooths over wide variation: your exact block could significantly outperform. Because local conditions evolve weekly, the live survivability tool offers a more current snapshot than any published ranking.

Related Articles:


What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago to Open a Bar?

Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Bar in Chicago is Sheffield Neighbors, at 84.0% at a good address and 83.4% at a typical address (36 ranked neighborhoods share the 84.0% good-address figure), followed by Palmer Square and Logan Square. 55 of the 99 ranked neighborhoods are at or above 70% at a typical address.

However, market conditions change daily, and it's best to use StreetSpring's live data to check the Survivability Score for a specific address.


Can a Bar Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Chicago?

Yes, neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation. Even in neighborhoods ranked outside the top 10, individual storefronts with strong foot traffic, low direct competition, and favorable lease terms can outperform the area average. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.


How Often Are Bar Rankings in Chicago Updated?

StreetSpring recalculates survivability scores regularly using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Rankings are updated quarterly; the live tool always reflects the most current predictions for any address in Chicago.


Is a Bar a Good Tenant for Chicago Landlords?

In Sheffield Neighbors, the projected chance that a new Bar lasts two or more years is 83.4% at a typical address and 84.0% at a good address, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.

Landlord Survivability Data for Bar in Chicago

For landlords evaluating tenant applications, StreetSpring's data provides a clear comparison across the top neighborhoods. In Sheffield Neighbors, a Bar has a projected chance of lasting two or more years of 83.4% at a typical address. In Palmer Square, it is 82.8% at a typical address, and in Logan Square, 81.3% at a typical address. Get a live Survivability Score for your specific storefront in the live tool.

StreetSpring provides highly detailed forecasts: revealing how long hundreds of business types are likely to last at a specific address.

Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity


What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Chicago for My Business Overall?

You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Chicago to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago.


Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Chicago are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.

View technical data for Chicago

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the figures shown here.