50 Best Bars in Chicago

“.great experience always.“

“A nice burger and they have $4 old styles so it’s a win in my book.

Burger was good, had charred onions and aioli, they make all their sauces in house.

Only complaint is they don’t have ketchup, could be an easy fix, they also didn’t have French fries but served the burger with something else, some kind of green pepper that was tough whose name I’m forgegginv but that wasn’t very good. Fries and ketchup would go a long way but fantastic burger.“

“Went with my daughter and her bestie for brunch.. cute place, my food was really good(avocado toast) and they enjoyed their food and the endless mimosas.. friendly staff,relaxed atmosphere , overall pleasant experience for us😊“

“Adoro l'arredamento vintage. I tarocchi sono divertenti.“

“By far the best 🍔 I’ve ever had! The fusion of flavors 🤯“

“Hands down the best hotel experience I’ve had thus far in life. I cannot imagine staying anywhere else in Chicago now! I will be sure to book here next time I’m downtown. Special shoutout to Nina (unfortunately that’s the only name I remember, but everyone deserves their own shout out). She was so so kind and thoughtful. I was deeply touched that she carried my luggage out because the bellman was away briefly. That’s what makes hotels like this stand out! 🙂 I actually got a little teary eyed writing this just upon reflecting on the kindness of the staff. All the best! - James Schauff 🫶🏼“

“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!“

“We enjoyed everything whatever we ordered“

“Top notch service, drinks were phenomenal, and the food simply EXCEPTIONAL. Thank you for the VIP treatment on my Anniversary! You peeps are amazing!“

“Great music by Ivan Singh!“

“Gilt Bar "gets it". A foodies playground. Top notch flavor and beautiful decor throughout. The Ron Zacapa 23 Rum is 🤌🏾 Oh, and don't forget to take a few pics in the photo booth downstairs 📸“

“Awesome Chicago Dogs and atmosphere! Great waitress and warm, cozy and fun atmosphere!“

“It’s the orbit room with “hipster”. Still a great jaunt. Anyone who makes a whiskey sour with egg white is good in my book.“

“I feel bad taking off a star bc i don't know if i can say this is the establishment's fault, but, it's got great drinks, amazing prices, and great music...

But for a place with such affordable drinks and funky music, the vibe is VERY snooty hipster. NOBODY dances or even nods along to the music. I know it's not exactly a nightclub, but there's extremely danceable music and plenty of floorspace, and any time me or my friends would get up to dance a bit, the completely immobile crowd would drain all of the joy. In this sense it's honestly one of the more depressing spots in Chicago.

But if you want to get great drinks at a great price and want to stand still in a too-cool-for-school hipster crowd while listening to good music, it's the place for you.“

“YASSSSSSS! Perfect cocktails, delicious! 🍸amazing service!“

“Precioso lugar,con variedad de opciones para comer“

“Very nice staff and the food was amazing 🤩“

“2nd time in. I love everything about this place and I really don't like many things. If I got specific, it would be philosophic and embarrassing. Just come get energized, refreshed, and regain your trust in humanity. Love you guys down 💖“

“"Outstanding food and presentation. The service was fantastic, especially from the hostess“

“Best restaurant in Chicago ! ❤️“

“70s vibe, tasty drink, great service, and plenty of water refills. I’m a fan. 🍹💫✨👍🏻“

“Punks for the Planet! is going to be such an AWESOME event! And it's FREE to shop, ALL AGES, and only at Emporium Logan Square!!! Sunday, April 26th, 1-5pm“

“Enjoyed my first Hot Toddy here!!“

“One of the best wine shops that I know. The staff is very knowledgeable and they hand pick bottles from around the world. You can also have wine and cheese at their bar. A real gem for all the craft beer and wine connoisseurs!!!“

“Upscale, elegant atmosphere. Outstanding cocktails.“

“This is a great local bar, but what’s awesome is the food that comes out of this place. I came here in the last month at three different times and there was a different menu of food each time. Which feels like it would be complicated, but it wasn’t. Because every single item was phenomenal. I had the most incredible chicken sandwich this last Monday and then I came back Wednesday thinking I was getting a sandwich and got the most flavorful Filipino tacos with garlic rice and beans and the first time I came here they had SMASH JIBARITOS, a delicious Puerto Rican concept. So no matter when you go there’s gonna be some good food.“

“An incredible experience at Alma (Hotel Zachary)!

We went for their Sunday Afternoon Tea (available on select non-game day Sundays) and it was absolutely amazing! The space is chic and stylish, and you can’t beat the iconic views of Wrigley Field—such a unique and beautiful setting for tea.

We were welcomed with a glass of sparkling rosé, followed by a delicious pot of tea—I chose the Mallorca Melon, which was light, fruity, and perfect for summer. The tea selection changes seasonally, which makes me excited to come back and try something new!

The food was just as impressive: a beautifully presented spread of fresh pastries, sandwiches, and desserts, all of which were super flavorful and clearly made with care.

Huge shoutout to our server, Amir—he was outstanding! Friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

We’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend Alma for anyone looking for a special afternoon out in Wrigleyville!“

“I really like the rooftop during happy hour! I thought the margarita slushy was delicious. The food isn’t mind blowing, but it’s tasty and the space is very cute. Semi-related, I did reach out twice to try and book the space for an event but they never got back to me 🤷🏼‍♀️“

“Loved everything about Osito's! Bartender was fun an mixed us a couple of his special recipes -- outstanding. The atmosphere was relaxed but vibrant. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the yucca fries and whitefish ceviche. Can't wait to go back!“

“Thank you for hosting Open Mic night. Wonderful experience. We’ll be back.“

“Great food, amazing ambiance and incredible staff. One of the nicest Chicago steakhouses I’ve been to. Highly recommend.“

“Girl & the Goat completely exceeded my expectations! very good food“

“Free hot dogs at midnight. Cool vibe“

“A wonderful spot to sit down and have a drink and apps. The bartender Carli was very kind a gave great suggestions which made the experience that much better. Matt was very personable, talking to me about music and my visit to Chicago, great vibes all around. I’m from the south and I wish we had oysters half as good as the pickled oysters on the menu. Hats off to Queen Mary’s“

“The vibe here is incredible. If you’re lucky you’ll catch Tony behind the bar. A friend told me about this place when I was coming to town, and I’m so glad I stopped in because I had one of the best nights out. This bar feels like it carries so much character and culture. A great mix of locals and folks passing through. Incredible music and patrons who appreciate good music. The bartender Tony is outstanding at his job, it was a treat to meet him and watch him interact with people throughout the night. He introduced me to folks & made me feel so welcome & is just an interesting dude in general. Plus the smoking part is a huge sell for me and something you don’t experience often. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in town!“

“Amazing experience hosting a private party here! Mary and Allison were so helpful, kind, and attentive. The bartender was also so great and remembered names and orders! This place has great prices and a great vibe. If I ever need to host another party I will certainly be back to do it here!“

“Totally love Guthries Tavern! 🏠 Grabbed a Half Acre Daisy Cutter and a Vander Mill cider, plus shared pretzels and mozzarella sticks with friends. Cozy, laid‑back spot with a wall of board games (classic and quirky), friendly bartenders, and zero pretense. Perfect after a Wrigley game or just to chill on a Tuesday night. Neighborhood gem!“

“if there was ever a better Watering Hole In chicago. This Is It, hands down. Chris and his staff are superior at every aspect of being a classy drinking establishment. I recommend it highly, and Shop local all you lovely Neighbors.“

“I won't rate the food because it's only snacks. They do have menus from nearby restaurants though, which is really cool.

This is a wonderful cocktail bar. The bartenders are really good at what they do. I think Luke is usually working when I go there? He is really good at what he does and super fun to watch. Very precise and intentional with the way he makes drinks.

I always feel very welcome and relaxed here. It is sort of strange that it is in the base of an apartment complex. I think if I lived here I would be a bit weirded out by all of these strangers in the lobby of my building.

It's nice to get drinks and then go wherever in the lobby, at the bar, or out in the back patio area of the building.

Trivia on Wednesdays is always fun as well.“

“Cozy atmosphere and great food.“

“This place is a real gem not to be missed. It’s unpretentious, with approachable knowledgeable staff. The prices are unbeatable and they always have some fun or funky wines to try. I love the monthly deep read nights, the atmosphere and music is always well curated. I just hope to get into one of their classes, but they sell out quick!“

“One of our favorite places to eat when we’re in Chicago. Love the atmosphere, food and cocktails. Will be back soon.“

“Great outdoor spot, great drinks...fun!“

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

“Dope. Needed 25 characters for Facebook to post the review. Also the bartender was a super nice guy.“

“I live across the street and go here often; I have never had a bad experience. From the wine shop , to the grab and go coffee & pastries, Nettare never disappoints. But, the star of the show is dinner. It is a rotating menu, and all of them have been delicious.
You need to go here!“

“Beyond dope. UNPLUGGED LIVE 🎙🔴 #dripPremium“

“Friendly staff, great place to be and the chips and salsa are so good!!!!“

“Good atmosphere, good food , unique experience“

“Hands down the best hotel experience I’ve had thus far in life. I cannot imagine staying anywhere else in Chicago now! I will be sure to book here next time I’m downtown. Special shoutout to Nina (unfortunately that’s the only name I remember, but everyone deserves their own shout out). She was so so kind and thoughtful. I was deeply touched that she carried my luggage out because the bellman was away briefly. That’s what makes hotels like this stand out! 🙂 I actually got a little teary eyed writing this just upon reflecting on the kindness of the staff. All the best! - James Schauff 🫶🏼“