50 Best Bars in Chicago

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

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

“Enjoyed my first Hot Toddy here!!“

“Highly recommended for first dates, or just going with a group of friends. Been here twice, and everyone there is super friendly, definitely a place to have a lot of laughs and make great memories. 10/10 🙌🏼“

“.great experience always.“

“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 📸“

“We enjoyed everything whatever we ordered“

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

“We rolled in as some sleeveless thirsty travelers late night on a Thursday. We were bathed in nonchalant hospitality. The quality of a bar can stand on the legs of a Strong menu but it’s only excellent when you have exceptional staff. The Scofflaw has the sauce“

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

“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😊“

“Fantastic from start to finish.“

“Staff was friendly and the service was great. I was really impressed by the drink selection and got lost looking at everything. Traveled from Orlando solo and I frequent similar bars in my area and I'll be sure to stop in the next time I'm in Chicago.“

“Very good. Our service was excellent we had Maidi as a waitress excellent and the bus boys were efficient and helpful Eating there is an enjoyable time.“

“A fun, energetic, atmosphere, and wonderful staff! Always a party!“

“Cynthia is such a vibe!! This is definitely a fun place to come if you enjoy dive bars. Even the patrons are awesome! 10/10 reccommend!“

“Went there today for the first, but definitely not last time. The food was extraordinary.“

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

“LOVE Gemini. Their bottomless has a great variety, and my food has been amazing every time!“

“The interactive coin op playground of the Chciago arcade / bar scene. Priced for a cash night out- cc welcome and there is an atm. Street parking is easy but ya know how that is- taking CTA or Rideshare to Logan Square is simple. Order bites and shareable from Fry Like An Eagle next door and they deliver! Say hey to Dr. Z and be kind to the staff they are great humans there to make sure you have fun!“

“I've been here twice and both times, phenomenal. The dry aged ribeye and burger are delicious, and the constantly changing menu always has something new to discover. Sit at the open kitchen and watch the fire magic happen! Yes, the music is loud, but it's a vibe for sure. The bar might be limited in size, but that doesn't stop them from making a great cocktail. Great old fashioned and a legit whiskey sour, I was very impressed.“

“Delicious food and great customer service . Staff super friendly.“

“Great rooms and very friendly staff. They did a great job at helping us understand how the rooms worked and how we can pick the different songs of our choice. Bartenders are very kind and helpful. I would recommend this spot if you are on the search of something to do with friends“

“Just discovered a new cocktail bar in the Logan Square/Avondale area. It’s cozy, rustic, and has super welcoming vibe. The cocktails are unique and creative; great quality without the crazy price tag. I heard they have DJs on weekends too.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the famous tamales from Claudio, the Tamale Guy. 6 pieces for $12 is a steal.“

“Great taco restaurant, great food and service. Edil, thank you for the great service, very kind and timely service. The best.“

“What a wonderful place! Great location with plenty of parking. The hospitality and service was 5 star. The food and specialty cocktails were excellent. We had a 1972 class reunion there today. Mike Moreno is one of our classmates. He and his family treated us like royalty. I wish I lived closer because it’s a beautiful place.“

“Highly recommended for first dates, or just going with a group of friends. Been here twice, and everyone there is super friendly, definitely a place to have a lot of laughs and make great memories. 10/10 🙌🏼“

“Great Food and Friendly Service“

“Raphael is the absolute best. He made our night & we couldn’t have had a better experience he deserves the biggest raise in the world. 10/10, 11/10 the maximum amount out of ten possible in the world.“

“Desert Hawk in Chicago has quietly become one of the city’s must visit destinations for burger lovers, pairing a laid back neighborhood bar atmosphere with the outstanding creations of Shorty’s Smash Burgers. The signature smash burgers are packed with bold flavor, featuring perfectly caramelized beef, inventive toppings, and the unforgettable crispy cheddar cheese skirt that has earned a devoted following. Whether you’re stopping in for craft cocktails, wings, or one of Chicago’s most talked about smash burgers, Desert Hawk and Shorty’s deliver an experience that’s well worth the visit.“

“The perfect bar, I fear. I can’t believe I have ANY pictures in this place because I’m always just talking to someone or playing pool or queueing up songs on the jukebox. There’s something about this place that you can’t really take a picture of: the people are always friendly and chill, you can tell it has a low staff turnover rate, the food is ALWAYS good. This is the kind of bar which would be the ultimate muse for a poet from the 1800s. My one drink photo is an espresso martini that was made with love, but know that they put just as much love into every beer they pour. It just isn’t as instagrammable.“

“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!“

“I was blown away by the performers and the fashion, not to mention the beautifully decorated space! A truly magical experience!“

“I love rainbo club but had a really icky experience there tonight. Bouncer with a “lex” tattoo was a real prick. Snatched my ID out of my hand and literally jabbed it in my face giving it back to me (fully legal age/ID) and was all around really frustrating to all of my friends in line. Maybe just be a tad bit kinder? Or don’t work late night if you get cranky? 😅“

“We had the best evening.. Anthony and Dave and Sam were absolutely the best . What a wonderful dinner. The presentation was amazing. Plus they were friendly and helpful and put up with our shenanigans. You want a wonderful fun evening.. totally recommend! Thank you to everyone… best place in Chicago“

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

“Nobody can beat the classic pasta dishes at La Scarola. Escarole soup and escarole with beans; they have it and it's excellent. Be sure to save room for dessert; the cannoli is as good as it gets and the best Spumoni anywhere.“

“Fabulous addition to the neighborhood! A great spot to have a glass solo, meet up with friends, take a class, or bring a bottle home. They were super accommodating when I brought in a group of girlfriends, seating us at the back table with very attentive service. Very reasonable prices, too.“

“Excellent spot to grab a free hot dog before the ball game. My only complaint is they packed up the hot dog station before the game started!! Good beer selection and generally a good crowd here. Very busy on weekends and often week nights as well. The patio is lovely.“

“My friend and I went to a Cubs night game and decided to celebrate the win with some pizza afterward. We found this place on Google and were so glad we did. The atmosphere was fun and unique, with a cozy camping-style vibe and colorful lights. I ordered the large Hawaiian pizza, and it was fantastic. The staff were incredibly friendly, and our server even said it was better than Lou Malnati’s. Honestly, I have to agree! Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.“

“I am so glad this spot has opened up in the South Loop! I was there once for charcuterie and drinks, and once for a tasty coffee and scone to go - both experiences were excellent!“

“Stopped in for lunch. The salads were excellent, gumbo delicious, and the corn bread is out-if-this-world amazing!“

“Go for the lowkey vibe and experience. Love the art and the back story.“

“Upscale, elegant atmosphere. Outstanding cocktails.“

“This is one of my favorite bars in the city. I love that it's nearby my neighborhood, it's a lovely addition to the area. The food is delicious, I recommend the dill pickle pasta salad and the burger. The cocktail menu changes seasonally I think, so there's always something new to try. Cocktails are always nicely balanced and tasty. The staff is so friendly and I love the atmosphere. Busy on the weekends but weeknights are a bit quieter. Visit immediately.“

“There aren't many rum bars in the city; so if that's your thing, Queen Mary's has to be on your list. The place isn't big, and you can't make reservations. But I found it cozy, and their staff is AMAZING. I used caps because they have a solid grasp on their selection and made excellent recommendations.

By the way - they serve a wide variety of spirits (not just rum) but I came for the rare bottles you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere. Another thing I liked was the price; all their pours were reasonably priced. Next time I go, I'll try some of their small bites or several items from their cocktail menu.“

“Recently threw a birthday shuffleboard party for my husband at The Royal Palms in Gowanus and it was so much better than we expected. First of all the shuffleboard game added a little fun competition among the guests and encouraged mingling and meeting new people. But I also can’t say enough about the helpful and attentive staff. The vibe is really fun and the catering was delicious. I got so many compliments from our guests. Will definitely refer it to friends and come again.“