50 Best Cocktail Bars in Chicago

“Have been twice and my experience has been great“

“Esme is truly an experience to have. We did the menu and the wine pairing and it was amazing. From the presentation to the food was unbelievable and will definitely do it again as it changes quarterly“

“Nice ambiance! Will eat here again“

“This was the most flavorful meal I have had in years! We asked for house picks and shared amongst 3 of us. AMAZING. Service exceptional. The staff all helped each other with smiles- so nice to see. Chef Joe Flamm was present, pleasant and engaged with staff and customers. Treat yourself to something special.“

“Excellent place and service“

“The food was amazing and such a great to place to take my partner who is vegan. We got the supplemental course for the vegan and non vegetarian tasting menu and thought it was worth it. The cocktail list was fun and delicious. The service was incredible, they were knowledgeable and attentive but subtle and allowed to enjoy the evening. I couldn’t recommend more.Dietary restrictions: Vegan friendly“

“Kind hearted people are quite rare to find as cooperate people or as individuals also. I'm sharing a 4 years friendship and business relationship i've shared with Mr Ralph Carico for being such an awesome, kind and specially oriented. Thank you for being supportive each time i buy and invest in digital stocks and coins with your firm.“

“Couple from Argentina here really pleased about our experience. Great general atmosphere and drinks. Perfect bar if you are looking for some nice background music and really good drinks. Amanda was amazing, learned a lot from her and her passion for mixology. Definitely a must visit if in Chicago and worth it sitting at the bar.“

“excellent food - we both the spring rolls and the egg rolls. the crab fried rice and vegetable salad with rice noodles were also really tasty.“

“Great variety and unique flavors. Great vibe.“

“So good! We shared the pulled pork wrap with I believe Swiss cheese. Also the yucca fries and some spinach empanada. My aunt had a Cafe Con Leche also. Everything was so delicious service was good bathrooms were spotless environment atmosphere very cute and comfortable. Definitely will be back to try other things exclamation point to be honest I've had Cuban food before and I thought it was kind of bland but everything here was seasoned so well full of flavor!“

“First off, the vibes here are immaculate. The restaurant is located on the second floor of Soho House, and the ambiance is very intimate--perfect for a smaller party. The menu is pretty straightforward. There aren't a lot of options to choose from, but each item is very unique. What we ordered: Caliente en los Trópicos: pretty yummy! Supposed to be spicy, but the spice is not overbearing at all. An interesting cocktail. Ceviche: a great way to start the dinner. Very shareable; love the balance of sour and savory flavors. Tuna Tostada: my favorite! I've never had a tuna tostada before, and it's nothing like what I expected. Mussels: you cannot go wrong with the mussels. The bread goes so well with this. Considering the dishes seem so original and the quick service, I'd definitely recommend this spot to my friends.“

“The food was innovative, unique, delicious, and worth the culinary experience. Our servers were up on all the dishes and gave a taste temping explanation of each dish we ordered. Highly recommend S.K.Y. Staff was welcoming and made our dining pleasure feel very special.“

“Thoroughly enjoyed the meal! The volcanes starter was delicious. We shared the Chilean Bass and the Turf Platter among three people and feasted. Washed down with a pitcher of Mezcal margaritas. The Molé Enchiladas was a great side dish as well.“

“Cannot say enough wonderful things about this place. Beautiful atmosphere, excellent service and delicious food and drinks. Beber, Comer, Querer is on the wall and truly a motto for this place. The drinks are on point, the Al Pastor is legit and the Choclate Tres leche is a must.“

“Great food and exceptional service“

“Great upscale lounge with good vibe and service and attractive crowd. Server was very helpful and friendly. Ordered some food also. Disappointed because few vegetarian options but this is a place I would typically go after dinner. Could have been just me but felt drinks were a little watered down“

“This place has a vibe all its own. Dark and quirky. Bartenders you’ve known for years five minutes after you walk in. 10/10 would recommend.“

“The atmosphere was more casual & rustic than expected (basically a heated garden shed), and the menu is small, but the food was amazing. The brussel sprouts were delicious. The trout was very good, but could have used a heartier veggie pairing like potatoes. Their Bad Romance cocktail was one of my favorites. I probably wouldn't return for a while since the majority of their menu is red meat and cheese (which I don't eat) but perhaps when their menu is updated seasonally, if they have a different seafood option. The back patio looked nice for warmer weather. (Note it is quite a small venue with only 1 bathroom.)“

“Great Food. Would highly recommend.“

“Absolutely beautiful cocktail lounge. Located on the second floor with a killer view of Wrigley. Tons of different cocktails and delicious food. Great place to go when you are looking for something different than another sports bar. Its worth going in just to see how pretty it is.“

“A great place to have a party, the ambience is great and I will be back here again next time, the drinks and food are delicious too!“

“It’s the best. Great Bartenders and excellent cocktails“

“Great music by Ivan Singh!“

“I like to visit this place during the week because it is relatively chill on nights that are not fridays and saturdays. Their food is fantastic and they have a wonderful assortment of great drafts to choose from.pool table in the back and enough Miller highlife to supply an army of beer drinkers.They have an eclectic array of spirits! This joint is a must visit for those looking for a place to relax and feel classy while they do it.“

“Like a flash back to the 70’s, before I could hold a cocktail but fancied doing so.....“

“Darkest bar in Chicago where I can get a real Vesper = my kind of bar, hands D.“

“The food, the cocktails, and the service were all amazing. Kyle, was wonderful!“

“Had an awesome time. Thanks you great service“

“Atmosphere, service, food, drinks..... everything was great. Highly recommend.“

“Excellent Service and Delectable Flavors …“

“The food was great. The wait staff was courteous and professional.“

“Gretel is a neighborhood staple. The food is outstanding. From the proteins to the pasta to the burger... everything is A-grade. It's my go to spot with friends. Drinks are high quality -- the old fashion is a must-try. Service is always friendly and knowledgeable. Cool lounge area downstairs too to enjoy apps and drinks.“

“Beautiful time, great food!“

“amazing experience from the moment we walked in the door. visited July 2023“

“My good friend Lisa took me there and it tasted great! Service is also great“

“A not so hidden gem as of late now that reviews are catching up with the imaginative menu and exceptional dining experience Community Tavern has been consistently providing over the past several years. Menu is full of unique dishes… elevated dumpling and noodles are a signature. Beautifully plated and generous- but not overly. Cocktail menu is fun, with zero proof options that are spot on. Save room for baked Alaska. Oh, and ambiance is chic but allows the focus to be where it belongs. On the food. Upscale West Loop experience in modest Portage Park for a lot less and no pretense.“

“Enjoyed the Christmas pop-up, very festive and the food is fantastic!“

“Love this place. The drinks are amazing, the food hits the spot, and the bartenders are what make this place a gem in Chinatown.“

“The food and staff were amazing! Such a friendly staff who were extremely welcoming and attentive. I have never ordered ‘seconds’ at a restaurant until today! The tostadas were out of this world and the shrimp taco was delicious. A must try!“

“This place is the coolest bar I have been to in a long time, hip and fun but not pretentious. They paid attention to every detail when building and designing. The white marbel bar has clean lines and looks fresh. All of the hardware finishes look sharp and clean. The patio is large and inviting with a fire place and plenty of tables to sit at. The drink menu is creative and refreshing and the staff is kind and welcoming. I cannot say enough good things about this gem of a bar. I am excited to hang out this fall on the patio by the fireplace with good drink in My hand.“

“Excelente food and great service“

“Wonderful dinner today after a show! Great food, lovely menu and super nice staff! Highly recommend!!“

“We happened upon this restaurant during a visit from New England. It was the best meal we had in Chicago. The restaurant is fabulous! We had delicious soup with incredible warm rolls, salad and 4 different amazing entrees. The restaurant has great windows to enjoy natural light and is quiet enough to have a conversation. All this with white tablecloths and a reasonable price.“

“The beer selection was fantastic and felt very rustic and cozy inside. fantastic space“

“An amazing experience...servers / bartenders are attentive and talented and the food and drinks are out of this world.“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Medi Kitchen & Cocktail in Chicago, and it was truly a gastronomic adventure that exceeded all expectations. From the moment I stepped in, the warm and inviting ambiance set the stage for what turned out to be an unforgettable dining experience. To start, I ordered the Potato Borak as an appetizer, and it was a revelation in flavor. The crispy pastry wrapped around creamy mashed potatoes and herbs created an exquisite contrast in textures, and the accompanying dipping sauce added a delightful tangy kick. It was an ideal prelude to the culinary journey that awaited. The Fattoush Salad was a refreshing and colorful medley of fresh vegetables, toasted pita bread, and a zesty dressing that awakened the palate. The balance of flavors and textures in this dish was impeccable, making it a perfect palate cleanser before the main course. Speaking of the main course, the Beef Kabob and Shish Tawook were nothing short of spectacular. The Beef Kabob was tender and succulent, with a delightful smoky char that added depth to the taste. The Shish Tawook, featuring marinated chicken skewers, was incredibly flavorful and cooked to perfection. Both dishes were served with fragrant saffron rice and a medley of grilled vegetables that complemented the proteins superbly. The crowning jewel of the meal, however, was the Fairouz drink. Each sip was a symphony of textures and flavors, a sweet crescendo to an already exceptional meal. What sets Medi Kitchen & Cocktail apart is not just the outstanding cuisine but also the impeccable service. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, offering recommendations and ensuring that every need was met. In conclusion, my dining experience at Medi was nothing short of extraordinary. The culinary artistry, attention to detail, and warm ambiance combined to create a memorable evening. I can confidently give this restaurant a resounding 5/5 rating, and I eagerly anticipate my next visit to savor more of their delectable offerings. If you're in Chicago and looking for a taste of Mediterranean cuisine at its finest, Medi Kitchen & Cocktail is an absolute must-visit.“

“They were short staff and only one person being the bartender , host and waitress. She warned us that she was supper short on staff but that her staff was on the way. She was super nice and attend us well, drinks were great and we had a good time. She handled everything well!“

“Wow, we had the best experience here. I think it’s our new favorite place in Chicago. Draven is amazing, definitely order whatever he recommends. The drinks we got were delicious, unique, and balanced. The atmosphere is perfect for a cozy and intimate evening (during the week, can’t vouch for the weekend). The meadowlark was so much better than any other bar we have tried. I graduate nursing school next month and have decided this is where I absolutely want to celebrate. Love meadowlark!“

“The best neighborhood cocktail bar that I've been to, amazing service and a staff that knows their cocktails and a ton of options on the menu or you can choose whatever you want.We came in on a Friday at 530p and sat at the bar and Joe was our bartender. He was so friendly and we chatted the entire time we were there. We ordered a bunch of different drinks and they were all great, I loved the Scotsman in Paradise, great if you like scotch paired with something tropical.Can't wait to come back and try all of the cocktails they have. By the time we were leaving at 7p every seat in the small place was filled.“