Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Chicago's Best Bars
The Violet Hour is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

1. The Violet Hour

9.1
1520 N Damen Ave (at Pierce Ave), Chicago, IL
Speakeasy · Wicker Park · 256 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: If there’s a single place in the city that signifies “cocktail bar,” it’s this Victorian-esque Wicker Park lounge. Order the First Snow cocktail: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr

The Drawing Room is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

2. The Drawing Room

937 N Rush St (at E Walton Pl), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Streeterville · 78 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The O’Leary’s Cow, a bitter mix of Old Weller 107 bourbon, Campari, Fernet and coffee liqueur with a rinse of peaty Laphroaig, is—like most drinks here—perfectly complex. http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Sepia is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

3. Sepia

8.3
123 N Jefferson St (btwn W Washington St & W Randolph St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · West Loop · 64 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The winner: the Sepia Mule, the bar’s take on the Moscow Mule, made with ginger-infused vodka for a spicy-yet-refreshing sip: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Pump Room is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

4. Pump Room

1301 N State Pkwy (at E Goethe St), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Gold Coast · 94 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Cocktails at this revived classic nightspot are competently executed versions of the classics. Order the ginger margarita made with Olmeca Altos tequila: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

The Barrelhouse Flat is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

5. The Barrelhouse Flat

2624 N Lincoln Ave (at W Wrightwood Ave), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Lincoln Park · 90 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Make a meal out of small plates like the wings, slicked in a gingery soy-caramel glaze and tossed with cucumber kimchi and sip on the perfect stirred Sazerac: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr

Nacional 27 is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

6. Nacional 27

325 W Huron St (at N. Orleans St.), Chicago, IL
Latin American Restaurant · River North · 61 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Clubgoers will appreciate the better-than-average drinks at this salsa hot-spot. Order the Chadwick mojito: sweet and gingery with a subtle after bite of habañero pepper: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

The Matchbox is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

7. The Matchbox

8.6
770 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL
Bar · River West · 73 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Every drink tastes like a classic cocktail should, replete with a healthy dose of booze. The margaritas and gimlets are still the draw: smooth, delicious and sweet: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Weegee's Lounge is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

8. Weegee's Lounge

8.7
3659 W Armitage Ave (btwn N Monticello Ave & N Lawndale Ave), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Logan Square · 24 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Drinks are stiff and true to tradition, order a classic sidecar or sloe gin fizz: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Coq D'Or is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

9. Coq D'Or

8.0
140 E Walton Pl (at E Delaware Place), Chicago, IL
Hotel Bar · Gold Coast · 41 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The best part about the Coq d’Or is the live music on weekends. Read more.

La Mez Agave Lounge is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

10. La Mez Agave Lounge

8.4
108 W Kinzie St (at Clark), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · River North · 14 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The best drink here is closest to a classic margarita: the Double DAAisy, well-balanced with Espolón tequila reposado, Cointreau, lime juice, orange and agave: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

The Bar at The Peninsula is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

11. The Bar at The Peninsula

108 E Superior St (5th Floor Lobby Level), Chicago, IL
Hotel Bar · Streeterville · 31 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Warm lighting and Art Deco decor give the place its timelessness. Order a martini, and you’ll be asked, “With what kind of olives?” Get the ones stuffed with blue cheese: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Sable Kitchen & Bar is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

12. Sable Kitchen & Bar

505 N State St (at W Illinois St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Near North Side · 196 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Order the Fools in Paradise, which makes whiskey go down smoothly by mixing it with cinnamon-infused pear brandy and citrus: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

NoMI is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

13. NoMI

8.8
800 N Michigan Ave (North Rush Street), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Streeterville · 107 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Drinks boast intriguing ingredients such as Corsair red absinthe and cinnamon bitters and the view is nothing to complain about: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

The Aviary is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

14. The Aviary

8.8
955 W Fulton Market (at Morgan St.), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Fulton Market · 175 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: This bar is built on theatrics: including a Rob Roy served in a vacuum-sealed bag of lavender air, an ice slingshot for the In the Rocks and more: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Bernard's is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

15. Bernard's

8.5
11 E Walton St (Rush), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Near North Side · 18 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The bartenders have a way with whiskey—the green Chartreuse and sherry in the Witch & the Warlock balances the bite of rye: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

The Whistler is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

16. The Whistler

9.0
2421 N Milwaukee Ave (at W Fullerton Ave), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Logan Square · 110 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Order the Rosemary Collins, essentially a Tom Collins with a sprig of rosemary, which provides a refreshing burst of flavor on the tongue and in the nose: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Bar Deville is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

17. Bar Deville

701 N Damen Ave (at W Huron St), Chicago, IL
Bar · West Town · 67 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Order the Bar DeVille cocktail, a potent elixir of rye, Campari, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, bitters, simple syrup and egg white, it's a frothy delight: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Scofflaw is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

18. Scofflaw

9.3
3201 W Armitage Ave (at Kedzie Ave), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Logan Square · 149 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The Sutter’s Mill cocktail is a standout, with Four Roses bourbon, honey ginger syrup, lime, Averna and cubes of vanilla ice: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

19. Tiny Lounge

4352 N Leavitt St (btwn N Lincoln Ave. & W Montrose Ave.), Chicago, IL
Lounge · North Center · 75 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Bartenders don’t stop at the classics, creating original drinks like the Subourbon: bourbon, amaro, blood orange liqueur, ginger beer and lemon juice: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.

Simone's Bar is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

20. Simone's Bar

8.2
960 W 18th St (at Morgan), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Pilsen · 135 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: If you’re lucky, you can snag a couch in the back by the fireplace where you can take in the cool vintage bar, sip some seasonal glogg and check out the friendly neighborhood crowd.

Palm Court at The Drake Hotel is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

21. Palm Court at The Drake Hotel

8.7
140 E Walton Pl (at Michigan Ave.), Chicago, IL
Tea Room · Gold Coast · 33 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: You can’t sit among the sparkling fountain and oversized flower arrangements, slowly sipping your perfectly shaken martini, without thinking that your mom was right all along: You are special.

Naha is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

22. Naha

500 N Clark St (at W. Illinois St.), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · River North · 65 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Try the pear brandy, made by infusing Seedling Farms pears with brandy in a dark space for three-and-a-half months. Read more.

The Publican is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

23. The Publican

8.9
837 W Fulton Market (at N Green St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Fulton Market · 358 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The Publican’s winey boudin blanc; garlicky kielbasa; apple-studded, fennel-kissed pork breakfast sausage; and chunky, sweet spiced headcheese will fulfill your wildest dry-&-wet-cured porcine dreams. Read more.

iNG Restaurant is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

24. iNG Restaurant

951 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL
Molecular Gastronomy Restaurant · Fulton Market · 23 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: The nanobrewer leads collaborative beer-making experiments that results ina beer made with espresso and doughnuts, an IPA with curry spices and a brown ale made to resemble an Old Fashioned. Read more.

Hamburger Mary's / Andersonville Brewing is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

25. Hamburger Mary's / Andersonville Brewing

5402 N Clark St (btwn Balmoral & Rascher Ave.), Chicago, IL
Burger Joint · Andersonville · 42 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: In addition to three mainstays (including the Mary Hoppins pale ale), brewer Brandon fills a fourth tap with rotating seasonal beer and has limited-edition bottles like the gluten-free Goldilocks. Read more.

Paris Club Bistro & Bar is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

26. Paris Club Bistro & Bar

59 West Hubbard Street (btwn N Clark & N Dearborn St.), Chicago, IL
French Restaurant · Near North Side · 114 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Stone Wolf Vineyards in McMinnville, Oregon, designated a pinot gris and pinot noir for Paris Club, which began going through a recyclable keg of tap wine a night. Read more.

ENO is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

27. ENO

7.3
505 N Michigan Ave (InterContinental Hotel), Chicago, IL
Wine Bar · Streeterville · 21 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: California's Silvertap Wines created two custom blends for the bar: a white blend of sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, and a multivintage red blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and a little zinfandel. Read more.

Harvest is one of Chicago's Best Bars.

28. Harvest

7.9
540 N Michigan Ave (Marriott Chicago Magnificent Mile), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Streeterville · 6 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: This Mag Mile restaurant turned its rooftop into a garden, which grows hops and houses beehives. Chef Myk Banas plans to create house wines each year, including a viognier, a zinfandel and a cabernet. Read more.