Analogue marries craft cocktails and NOLA-inspired fare. With a rotating drink menu, “purls," & Cajun food in a room reminiscent of an 80s rock club you’ve got one of Chicago’s most idiosyncratic bars Read more.
Aviary exhibits dedication to innovation & theater, delivering cocktails in unexpected forms and flavors. This may not be your average bar, and that’s exactly the point. Read more.
Berkshire Room oozes a cool, modern ambiance that hints at exclusivity. Nevertheless, the drinking agenda is decidedly democratic and the crowd ranges from locals & industry types to hotel guests. Read more.
Billy Sunday is a sanctuary for bitters lovers, with a vast collection of vintage and modern amari. If you can decipher terms like wormwood, gentian, Fernet or kola nut, you’re in the right place. Read more.
A boutique hotel housed in a dramatic 1890s building, The Chicago Athletic Association serves top-notch cocktails from multiple bars, including “The Game Room” (classics) and “Milk Room” (whiskey). Read more.
This mahogany-retrofitted, Michelin-starred gastropub is one of Chicago’s best causal restaurants. Its array of bar seating makes L&E a sure bet for a well-made Old-Fashioned any time of the day. Read more.
This modern Victorian parlor has an impressive stash of gins from around the world. One-part hip living room, one-part casual saloon, the cocktails run the gamut from fresh and fruity to big and boozy Read more.
Broken Shaker serves classics and “Chicago-Inspired” contemporaries. With names like “B#!ch Don’t Kill My Vibe,” the bartenders serve up some of the city’s best cocktails with a side of cheeky humor. Read more.
Banana leaf-print wallpaper surrounds as Paul McGee & his team serve a menu that delves into the classic tiki canon, while still offering innovative options that McGee calls “slightly weirder.” Read more.
Violet Hour exudes a 1920s speakeasy vibe. While the drinks are innovative, the bar remains old-school: Don’t be surprised if the bartender gives you a sideways look when you pull out your cell phone. Read more.