Survivability Rankings for Bar in Chicago
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Chicago to open a Bar, from Kennedy Park (93% survival) to Irving Woods (80%).
By Bobby Koons | Last reviewed: May 10, 2026 | New data weekly | Methodology
Quick Summary
- #1 Neighborhood: Kennedy Park — 93% average survivability for Bar
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 86 of 86 analyzed
- City-wide average: 88% for Bars
- Most challenging area: Irving Woods at 80%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~5.9% more expected revenue in Kennedy Park
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Bar Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Bar Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Bar a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
Kennedy Park leads Chicago's 2026 survivability rankings for Bar operators with 93% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 96% and the most challenging locations in Kennedy Park at 84%. The worst neighborhoods include Irving Woods with 80% average chance. Location-level factors like visibility and adjacent tenants can override neighborhood-level trends.
Where in Chicago Should You Open a Bar?
Kennedy Park ranks #1 of 86 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Chicago for Bar survivability with a score of 93% as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
Notable runners-up worth a second look
| Rank | Neighborhood | Best Locations | Average Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Park | 93.0% – 97.0% | 90.6% – 94.9% | 83.0% – 87.0% |
| 2 | Main-Chicago | 94.0% – 97.0% | 89.8% – 94.2% | 87.0% – 91.0% |
| 3 | Southwest | 94.0% – 97.0% | 89.6% – 94.0% | 69.0% – 73.0% |
| 4 | Rogers Park | 94.0% – 97.0% | 89.5% – 93.8% | 72.0% – 76.0% |
| 5 | Morgan Park | 95.0% – 97.0% | 89.4% – 93.8% | 72.0% – 76.0% |
| 6 | Roseland | 95.0% – 97.0% | 89.2% – 93.5% | 74.0% – 78.0% |
| 7 | Kenwood | 93.0% – 97.0% | 88.8% – 93.2% | 85.0% – 89.0% |
| 8 | River North | 93.0% – 97.0% | 88.2% – 92.5% | 85.0% – 89.0% |
| 9 | Margate Park | 92.0% – 96.0% | 88.1% – 92.4% | 85.0% – 89.0% |
| 10 | West Village | 92.0% – 96.0% | 88.0% – 92.4% | 70.0% – 74.0% |
Why density alone doesn't determine the winner
These averages are directional, not definitive; the best decision comes from analyzing your specific storefront. Our live tool reflects the latest competitive landscape — these static rankings may already be slightly out of date.
Survivability ranges reflect best and worst storefront conditions within each neighborhood. 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 Bars Earn the Most in Chicago
In Kennedy Park, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~5.9% more than the average location in or around Chicago.
On the other hand, in Irving Woods, the worst possible location could result in making ~8.4% less than the average location in the city.
A great concept in the wrong location will almost always underperform a good concept in the right one. Opening a Bar in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across 86 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Bar is 88% for lasting more than 2 years — due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. The same location can be excellent for one business type and poor for another.
What to Think About When Launching a Bar in Chicago
Location quality is the dominant factor in survival outcomes. A high Survivability Score isn't a nice-to-have — it's the floor every candidate address must clear. Revenue Capture Score is the single best indicator of whether a business will thrive at a location. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. Our platform incorporates data from thousands of neighborhoods nationwide. Areas with complementary competitors tend to generate higher overall foot traffic. StreetSpring leverages exclusive data sources and custom models for these projections.
| Area to check | What can go wrong | How to de-risk it |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted hours | Late-night or early-morning ops blocked by zoning, neighborhood association, or shared-wall restrictions. | Confirm the permitted hours-of-operation are in your lease AND in the local code. Pull recent variances or complaints from the zoning portal. |
| Insurance + compliance | General liability quoted at a starter rate, then jumping 2-3x once you add property + workers' comp + business interruption. | Get binding quotes from 2 insurers before signing the lease. Most landlords require minimum coverage levels — read those terms first. |
| Parking & visibility | Storefront looks great from the sidewalk but is invisible from the road. | Drive past at 30 mph from both directions. Count street parking + nearest paid lot capacity at peak hours. |
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. New competitor openings and closures happen weekly — the live tool ensures you see the latest picture.
The Best Place to Start a Bar in Chicago
The neighborhoods with the highest survivability for this business type are Kennedy Park, Main-Chicago, and Southwest, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Irving Woods, Downtown, and Pilsen. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool. However, market conditions change daily, and it's best to use StreetSpring's live data to check the Survivability Score for a specific address.
Related Articles:
- Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- National City Survivability: Bar
Which Chicago Neighborhoods Are Strongest for Bars?
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Bar in Chicago is Kennedy Park with 93% average survivability, followed by Main-Chicago and Southwest. 86 of 86 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.
For the most accurate predictions, always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform.
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. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Fresh Is Our Chicago Bar Ranking Data?
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.
The Landlord's View of Bars in Chicago
In Kennedy Park, StreetSpring forecasts a 90.6% – 94.9% average chance for a new Bar to survive more than 2 years, 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 Kennedy Park, a Bar has a 90.6% – 94.9% average chance of surviving more than 2 years. In Main-Chicago, the range shifts to 89.8% – 94.2%, and in Southwest, it is 89.6% – 94.0%. Get a live Survivability Score for your specific storefront at no cost.
StreetSpring generates location-specific predictions tailored to your exact site.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
Top-Survivability Chicago Neighborhoods for Bars
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 static ranges shown here.
Visual Data
Related Resources
Same business type in other cities:
- City Survivability Rankings for Bar
- Survivability Rankings for Bar in Atlanta
- National Neighborhood Survivability Rankings for Bar
Related:
More Questions About This Location
Further questions, with answers anchored on this neighborhood's actual data.
What's the single biggest factor in survival for a Bar in Chicago?
Site selection is the highest-leverage decision. The 48-97% range for Bars in Chicago (49-point spread) reflects what location alone can change — independent of brand, operations, or marketing.
How does Chicago's demographic profile affect a Bar?
Chicago has a metro median household income of ~$103K and a median age of 37 (ACS data). These two factors enter the survivability model alongside competition density, lease economics, and accessibility — the model's average score for Bars in Chicago is 80%.
How comprehensive is the Bars data for Chicago?
For Bars, the Chicago model produces survivability scores from 48% (low-end neighborhoods) to 97% (top neighborhoods), averaging 80%. Each storefront address gets a precise score that reflects block-level variation.
Where does Chicago fall in national rankings for Bars?
Across 24 US metros, Chicago sits at rank #16 for Bars, averaging 80% on StreetSpring's survivability scale. National range: 77-83%.
What other business types score similarly to Bars in Chicago?
Per StreetSpring's Chicago corpus, peers of Bars (within 2 points of the 80% average) include Portuguese Restaurant.