50 Best Bars in Chicago

“Hello,Au Cheval takes the hype and hits it out of the park. As you would expect we ordered the classic single cheeseburger with bacon and I believe the fried chicken wings and it was 12/10. Service was amazing and very helpful. It is a must in Chicago. Make reservations early and go to the bars around west loop.“

“Some of the best steak I've ever had. The wagyu tartare was good, if a little mayo heavy. They really like bbq chips and chimichurri sauceIt tasted good but was abit heavy handed. The gin cocktail was amazing and the sommelier was very knowledgeable and accommodating.“

“First of all, the service is excellent. Our server was helpful, and pleasant, always showing up at the proper time. I thought the atmosphere on the lower level was a little too dark for my taste but it didn't detract from the service or the food. Dine upstairs if you prefer more lighting but it's also dim. Now the food. The salads were amazing. Our table had the lyonnaise and the wedge salads. Both were excellent. The ribeye steak, fried chicken, steak frites, all wonderful and recommended. One of our party ordered the salmon which is cooked medium. He said he should have ordered it well done but that is more his preference. Our server asked if it was OK and he said yes so no reflection on the quality of the dish. The creamed spinach is good but very rich. The mashed potatoes were amazing. I will definitely return just to try more dishes. Sorry no pictures. Drinks were amazing as well. Oh, forgot to mention large portions on everything.“

“Amazing outing the vibes in here were amazing. There was amazing music and the staff was so courteous. When we sat at the bar our orders were immediately taken and made well. There were a few snacks behind the bar for purchase but we did not see a menu for food.“

“Love the atmosphere here in sushi san, feels like a Japanese izakaya vibe with a bunch of people enjoying their drinks and sushi. The sushi here are top notch and worth the money, I especially love their nigiri sets that comes with rolls and sashimi. Their Japanese pancake with matcha butter was also something that I really enjoyed! I would definitely come back again more often!“

“I returned for dinner the following week after my initial brunch visit and the menu was exciting for me everything was delicious. The lamb skewers and octopus was perfectly cooked and flavored. My main dish the branzino was light perfectly cooked and the olives and fennel complimented the fish wonderfully... a 5 star for me The black truffle puff is a highlight a must perfectly warmed light and airy bread with an excellent taste and perfect crisp. 5 star. The chili garlic oysters, a bit small but tasty and cooked perfectly. 4 stars The almond pastry croissant 5 stars... delicious and the creme inside gave it the right hint of sweetness. The chocolate meringue flambeau was yummy. The piece of caramel inside I wish it had melted but the banana, caramel, chocolate cake bon a petite... 4.5 stars For brunch I had the steak and eggs. It was in a tomato base which I was unaware that it would be served that way, and I'm not a tomato fan, but nonetheless it was decent. 3.75 My bestie ordered warm seafood salad and stated that if was delicious 5 stars . Red blend wine was great Light red for the fish was the perfect bitter without being sour 4.8 stars The mimosas lemon/citrus were also perfect. 5 stars“

“As a food hall, the choices were pretty good, while the interior was just okay (nothing like Revival Food Hall with its unique signage and seating for every stall). We ordered the feta encrusted with sesame and honey, which was incredible! Other choices were pretty standard.“

“Absolutely excellent bar, amazing staff who are calm, kind, and knowledgeable. The entire environment is intentional and high quality. We sat at the bar and got to see the drinks being prepared which was a great experience. Have heard good things about the food though we didn’t try any this time. The drinks are INCREDIBLE. This is a MUST GO in Chicago. We made a mistake with our reservation and they were kind enough to still put us on the waiting list and we were able to include this in our trip. Very grateful and will come again!“

“I catered from Maharaj and I just wanted to say the food was absolutely exceptional! The aloo tikki especially was a crowd favorite, but it all tasted great (I got the palak dal, gobi mutter, and paneer mahkani). They were excellent with the preparation, the quality, and the timeliness, all for a reasonable price of ~$20 per person.“

“I'm a sucker for Heritage's Happy Hour Oyster for a while so had to circle back for the restaurant week. The whole experience was giving East meets West as it covers a good range of dishes/inspired cuisine. I was pleasantly surprised with how each courses was planned out, with very balanced flavor combinations, leaving me full but not uncomfortably stuffed. My favorite we're definitely the tuna crudo, braised beef and fiancier, hopefully that make the official menu one day. Overall great experience and the downstairs speakeasy space makes it so fun to eat and catch up.“

“Old Americana with class, unique and fitting music, friendly and welcoming staff, amazing drinks, and the 8oz wagyu cheeseburger is a spiritual experience. The happy hour prices are way too low for what you get, I would’ve paid triple. I would happily travel from states away just to dine here, and will likely be doing so in the future. Without exaggeration the single best dining experience I’ve ever had.“

“Started off with a nice Libre Pensee red wine, with a steak tartare appetizer. For entrees Laura had the striped bass which was heavenly and I had the scallops which had a Cajun like presentation which enhanced the taste of the scallops. For dessert we had chocolate ganache which was exceptional.“

“My boyfriend and I have been coming here almost every weekend for the last few months because it really is THAT GOOD!! Our favorites are the Nashville Hot Fried "Chicken" sandwich with the Smoked Gouda Mac and the Country Friend Portobella, but we've tried just about every vegetarian thing on the menu and haven't found a dud yet!“

“Visited this spot on New Year's Eve with some good friends. Great vibes and fun mini golfing! Good way to stay active on your night out. Also some games scattered around the place. Very friendly staff. We had an amazing night there. Highly recommend!“

“Smoky rooms, Punk music and Gothic VibeThat’s Warlord for youImmaculate is the word for this restaurant!Visited on a Sunday evening, ordered scallops, Sirloin for our appetisers. Ordered Fois gras too which had a bust of flavours in mouth and a must try. Got Ribeye for the mains and ofcourse had to get the burger. With just two ingredients this burger definitely is a front runner up for Chicago best burger. Lastly ended our dinner with dessert which met and matched the food expectations as other food.“

“We stopped in here while waiting for our daughter to deliver her baby at NW Hospital near by. We were seated at a great table with out reservations! The food was amazing and the service was even better. Great atmosphere and so welcoming! Baby came about 3 hours after we left the restaurant? We plan on making it an annual dinner celebration on her birthday ?“

“Was in Chicago for business and happened to walk by the Broken English Taco Pub around lunch time- we hadn't planned on eating there but we were hungry and could smell the food from the street and it smelled delicious- so we decided to give it a try. We are so glad we did! The atmosphere was nice and service was great. We decided to try their Chipotle Queso as an appetizer and it was delicious- it is made with goat cheese and was very unique compared to the usual queso you get at other establishments. We decided to split a 6-pack taco tray and tried the following tacos: carne asada, borderland brisket, and camarones. All three were packed with flavor and absolutely delicious- my personal favorite though was the carne asada (their salsa verde is awesome too!). Overall a 10/10 and highly recommend you stop in if you're in the area. Prices seemed very fair considering their location (the downtown Chicago Loop).“

“Was sent here to enjoy a drink while we waited for our table nextdoor from the owner Armando at La Scarola. Despite not being a smoker, there was nostalgia around enjoying a drink in the smokey Cheers inspired ambience. A bartender even put on Svengoolie which just wrapped it all together. I enjoyed a Limoncello and my date a whiskey neat. Enjoying a little taste of old school Chicago wasn't originally planned but definitely appreciated!“

“It was cool. Met some friends on St. Paddy's Day for a happy hour drink. My beer was $6, and her ranch water was $9 (not sure what the happy hour special was), but it was a one and done with no issues. It's super dark inside even on a bright day, so if you are a day drinker, this might be your vibe. Not so much for me.“

“This is such a great neighborhood spot. The service is impeccable. The food is delicious and they’re always mixing up new and unique drinks…coffee all the way to cocktails. I love that dogs are allowed out on the patio. It’s become a weekly walk stop on nice mornings for my pup and I!“

“Great beer, board games available and atmosphere. However if you would please turn the heat on it would be most appreciated. It's odd to still be in jacket and scarf while indoors and still chilled. Great place in the summer but maybe their heats broken Jan 15,2024.“

“This was one of the most expensive meals I have ever had. It was worth every penny. Your experience likely begins when you almost miss the restaurant, which has an almost secretively subtle gold address sign marking the location. It feels exclusive and special. The interior is beautiful, the lighting is classy and romantic, and the tables are well-spaced. The wait staff is on their A-game throughout, keeping water topped off, explaining the menu, and making sure you get what you want. My wife and I started with the old fashioned, which was flawless. We shared a Spanish Omelet with black truffle shavings, which could have been more generous on the truffle but had impeccable flavor. As for the steaks, you do not choose the cut or size of your portion-- you basically just choose the type and flavor profile of the cow you will be eating and the restaurant takes it from there. I was a little skeptical of this process, but the steak that came out was the best I have ever had and was a more than satisfactory portion. It was perfectly cooked, very well salted, and every bite was as good as the first. We ordered the tallow potatoes as a side, which essentially were almost Lincoln logs. They were divine-- best potatoes I have ever had. The sommelier helped us picked a wine that was not something I would ordinarily have, but perfectly complemented the steak. As an FYI, the wine list is 100% Spanish, so we needed and were grateful for the somme's help. Ultimately, this restaurant was the real deal. It's expensive, but worth it, and I would happily return.“

“Enter from the cozy looking patio with wooden fence. We easily found bar seating for 2 without a reservation but it was mid-week. We had the asparagus and cheeseburger with an egg. The asparagus was surprisingly refreshing served cool fresh veggies complemented the hamburger.The burger was fantastic. It had well melted cheese and two patties on a grape bun with what seemed like crispy sweet potato egg was cooked perfectly for a burger not too runny and wet yoke did pop absorbed right back in to the burger really complementing all the flavors .“

“I LOVE going to Ositos. It’s the perfect spot for brunch, dinner, or just for a drink to catch up with a friend. I have never been disappointed with food or drinks here! I highly recommend the quesaditzin (entree) and Palomaso (cocktail). Seriously the quesaditzin is so good, I crave It all the time!!!! Also, parking lot in the back is easy to miss, but it’s free! Lastly, the staff has always been so friendly!“

“This is probably my favorite bar ever. The ambience is dope. The pictures in the picture frame change. The drinks are amazing! The colors, the candles - this place is just rad! The drinks are really, and the staff is friendly, and super helpful. Oh, and did I mention that they do tarot card readings in the back? This place is so cool. Every big city needs a bar like king of cups!!“

“All you can eat fish 'n chips days are not to sleep on.The fish is awesome. Batter is thin, golden and incredibly crunchy yet gentle. Very tasty and satisfying!The last time I was there I was quite disappointed by availability of whiskeys. Lots of options were out.Scottish imported beer was there as always and as always great pours with perfect foam head.“

“Best birthday dinner ever! Food was incredible. The atmosphere was spectacular and service was impeccable. We loved Rose! Thank you for making this a wonderful dinner experience for my birthday and my family who traveled into Chicago for the weekend! Great way to end their visit!“

“The taquitos are quite good. And the home made salsas are fab. You need to try both! But the tomatillo avocado was my favorite. The drinks were nice and they have a nice local craft beer selection. The piña poblano was spicy and the draft margarita was delicious.“

“First time visiting . Came with my boyfriend . I ordered the Feelin' Cute drink and he ordered the Booze Cruise. Both drinks were great ! Food was amazing . Loved the buffalo wings ! Didn't catch our server's name but she was great. Awesome Service and great ambiance. Nice chill spot ! Safe to say we will be returning soon !“

“I have been coming here for over 30 years ! Love this place ! My mouth waters just looking at the pictures on their menu! It’s been a while and I didn’t realize they now take reservations! My husband and I are long over due for a date night and I think I know what I’m asking for on our ten year anniversary! Lol yum! Can’t wait to visit again!“

“TL;DR - If you’re even slightly thinking about coming here, just do it. Revolution has the best beer in the city, fantastic food, and incredible staff.A lot of breweries in Chicago excel in making their one or two specialty styles of beer, and that’s it. Revolution, on the other hand, is able to guarantee high quality and incredibly drinkable beer across just about every style you can think of. I normally hate those dark, boozy, 15+% ABV beers, yet I drink every single one that Rev puts out and I love it. Their “Hero”-series IPAs will make even the biggest IPA hater second guess their hatred. And their sours (usually released during the summer) are so good, you will question how something this good can be alcoholic. Revolution doesn’t put out a beer that isn’t incredible, so you can pick a beer at random and be sure to enjoy it.Recently, the Brewpub renovated their space and, with it, re-did a lot of their menu. The space is cozy, yet upscale (the seating is significantly comfier than it once was with new plush seating). The new food is also really high quality - much higher than you would expect from a brewery. A lot of detail is put into plating and presentation (Mushrooms & Tofu, for example, looks like a piece of art), and still it tastes somehow even better than it looks. In addition to more upscale menu items, you’re also able to get a lot of that “typical” bar food here that fully delivers (pretzel, cheese curds, fries, etc.). The only gripe I could possibly have here is on the pricing of some of the food. This does not apply to the whole menu though, just some items that feel like they are priced higher than they should be (e.g. Lion’s Mane mushrooms, a starter, costs the same as the Mushrooms & Tofu, an entree, despite being significantly less food and sharing some similar ingredients. Why?!). If you can view this less as a bar and more like a nicer restaurant (which, with the renovation completed, is easy to do), then the pricing is a lot more palatable.The ambiance, food, and drinks are all great, but it’s the staff at Revolution that keeps me coming back though. They’re all so friendly, personable, passionate, and professional - they are the kind of people that make your night out feel special. My fiancé and I have celebrated birthdays, engagements, job offers, anniversaries, and so much more here because of how wonderful the staff are in celebrating and creating such a fun environment to be in. They make Revolution a place we want to go whenever we want to have a good time out. There are just too many people to name (Magnolia, Drake, Erwin, Makenna, Amy, Matt, just to name a few) - but rest assured that we love just about everyone who has served us here. So much so, that my fiancé and I are getting married here later this year!This is the easiest 5 stars I have ever handed out. I have so little to say about places that are “meh”, so the length of this review should show how much I love it here. I’ve come here at least every week for the last 2+ years, and I don’t have any intention of slowing down anytime soon. If you’re still reading this, please stop reading and start drinking, and do it at the Brewpub! You won’t regret it!Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options here. Standouts include the veggie burger (vegan by default), Mushrooms & Tofu (vegan), and a delicious pretzel with beer cheese (vegetarian and oh so good).“

“Hosted a big birthday party in the back room. They let us bring decorations and cake and Hannah our server was so wonderfully attentive to everyone’s orders and keeping them all straight. She let us adjust the music volume to our liking, and the entire staff was just so wonderful all around. Will absolutely be back!!“

“Not your average neighbourhood barThis place literally carries whiskey from around the world, easily can be rated the best spot for collection of whiskey in the cityChill vibe and good music and the best part is the price. Great steal price for the whiskey’s offered“

“I went to LIPS with a group of family and friends for my cousin’s birthday. The performers definitely put on an amazingly entertaining show!! The food portions were a bit small for the cost but nonetheless delicious! We all had a great time!“

“Original cocktails in an original setting. Very good service, very good drinks that you won't find everywhere (their own touch on the classics too), good ingredients and bottles behind the bar. Pick your atmosphere: you can sit a the counter where it's more like a speakeasy, or at a table in the bustling bar, or in the lobby area of the apartment building where it's more like a quieter lounge. My favorite bar in uptown.“

“I absolutely love everything about La Scarola except the limitations with getting in. Simply put, reservations must be placed by phone during restaurant hours. Showing up without run is likely to result in an hour plus wait or being turned around. If you overcome this hurdle, you'll understand why it's a staple that keeps patrons returning whenever they can. I've never ordered an item that I didn't enjoy and I dream about their vodka sauce and grilled octopus. Add to that pricing is reasonable and they're usually a handful of featured items to keep things interesting. In terms of ambiance, the walls are filled with photos to celebrity and notable diners. Thank me later.“

“Visiting for work a couple days and had some down time to kill. 1st day, met Frank.. super friendly and made me feel welcomed. Played darts with some people from Belgium. Touch tunes and drinks are priced right. Met Jeff and regular and Mark the 2nd day I came. Great dive bar!!“

“The Wolfhound Pub offers a delightful experience with its exceptional food and cocktails, especially noteworthy are their espresso martinis and lemon drops which are truly outstanding. Brendan, Emily, and the entire staff create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making patrons feel right at home. Whether you're stopping by for a meal or drinks, expect nothing less than a consistently fantastic time at The Wolfhound.“

“We were able to grab a few seats at the bar - we ordered fries and a few cocktails. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they reopened. They have a really good pickle beer that is made at brewery close by. I look forward to returning and trying more of their food menu.“

“I don't usually write reviews, but have nothing but great things to say about this place. Even during a busy mothers day weekend, we received top notch service from Fernando. Shout out to Fernando, thanks man! Food was awesome. Recommend the olive oil cake and benedict.“

“Had a birthday party here for 10 people we hadddd a ball we had so much fun when I say to need to come you should they even let me bring in food the owner was very nice stayed on point with Communication in booking the room they really need to have a bottle service spent 200$ on shots but a very cool place to go will come back again thank you“

“The coolest bar in Rogers Park! They have a small but fun cocktail selection, great beer & cider selection, super super friendly staff and the best vibes. They have no food but you are allowed to bring any takeout you want or you can directly order to your table from any restaurant you want. Such chill vibes honestly. We were here as a huge group last week for our friends birthday party (about 40 of us) and our waiter has been a saint with taking sssoooo many orders and hand delivering them to the correct person, and with the most fun attitude too! It honestly doesn’t get better than this.“

“Great traditional, old school steakhouse. Started with the house salad (basic but good) and seared tuna (very good and good portion for the price). Had the 19oz Strip (cooked med-rare to perfection) and salmon (go steak over fish) with brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. Sprouts were delicious and perfect, mashed were a little dry. Family style size sides.Our server, Lee, was AMAZING and a true professional!! If you can sit in his section I highly recommend it - you will be glad you did.“

“Loved the vibe here - very cozy spot with a neighborhood vibe. Only reason it's not five stars is that the espresso martini on tap was painful to drink. I wouldn't have ordered it if I had known it was pre-made. The irish coffee slushie drink my friend got was great, though.“

“This is the coolest pizza spot in the neighborhood. Pizza is undeniably delicious with each bite offering a delightful medley of textures and tastes with its perfectly crisp crust and generous toppings satisfied my craving.The staff is very friendly and attentive“

“the staff at the robey are all great to Dee that works in the restaurant to Anthony gates that works at the front desk also mick that works upstairs . the food is 5 star quality and drinks are very good . the rooms are a chicago down to earth feel with shaded glass windows from converted office to rooms with a stunning view of the city . a must go to for your bucket list for places to go with two roof top bars up room and cabana club to give you that city view with welcome to the robey feeling .“

“I have been to Steak 48 dozens of times. Given the restaurant options in Chicago, they are clearly doing something right. The staff is great. The atmosphere and environment is upbeat. The food is always spot on and the servers are incredible.“

“The hits at nettare were fantastic but the misses were also pretty bad. we did the tasting menu with the drink pairing and I would say it was very worth the price. it was a lot of food and they were incredibly generous with the alcohol. my favorites by far were the skate wing and the burnt ends. our server was very friendly and it was cool that all the alcohol came from Michigan. I thought the interior was really nice but some of my friends think it's too sterile.“

“This is my absolute favorite neighborhood bar. They have Aviary style cocktails at Portage Park prices and amazing culinary fare. They have the best happy hour specials, and the staff is extremely nice and accommodating. The atmosphere wins the vibe check, and their music is always on point. Not that basic top 20 ish. I hosted my birthday party at their downstairs bar, which has a totally different cocktail menu. Our guests loved the venue and said the service was top notch. The owners are great!“

“This is one of my favorite bars on earth, and I’ve done my best to see visit as many as I can across four continents. I took a break of about five years in between visits once and the bartenders still remembered my name. Classy. As you know, it’s cash only. Some other rules are that you can’t fall asleep at the bar. But, being drunk on its own is fine. I think there is still no TV, thank goodness.“