The Aviary in Chicago is definitely a unique and memorable experience. The drinks are incredibly creative and presented in ways you probably won’t see anywhere else. Every cocktail feels like a little performance, and the staff does a great job explaining the ingredients and concepts behind them. The atmosphere is modern and stylish, which makes it a great place for a special night out.
The only downside is that it’s a bit overpriced for what you get, but you’re really paying for the experience and creativity as much as the drinks themselves. If you enjoy trying interesting, experimental cocktails and don’t mind spending a little extra, it’s definitely worth checking out at least once.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Brandy Jay
The Alinea group always delivers an amazing experience and The Aviary is no exception. We did the 3 drink experience which gave us an opportunity to get 6 different drinks from their menu. Some presentations came with fire, others with smoke. No matter what, they all came with incredible flavor. I had one pick that didnt sit well with me, and the waitstaff replaced it with a different option immediately. Incredible service. It is not cheap, but it IS worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan P
Love the cocktail courses
Sarah
Sitting at uncomfortable high tops in the entryway, staring at the coat rack, and being rushed through courses is not the same nor what we expect based on past experiences. The price tag isn’t worth it unless you can guarantee the experience. It’s clear the formula isn’t working anymore if they are leaning into money grab strategies. We’ll always love The Aviary memories, but we won’t be recommending it anymore due to the cost/benefit/risk analysis.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Tony Steuer
I have done the 5 course Aviary experience and I am about to do the 7 course experience. I have no doubt it will be exquisite based on past visits. Cocktails are fun and innovative and food pairings are a treat and fun as well. I also wish to note. Service and hospitality are amazing. I had to cancel due to snow storm the first time at the last minute and they refunded and let me pick my own rescheduling I have also emailed hospitality services with questions and requests and they have always been helpful and pulled off most any request I had. And if they are not, well, no one is perfect, but they come pretty damn close to perfection in my opinion!!! My thanks always to staff!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
marek kurowski
We did the new year eve tasting. The drinks were very cool and tasty
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zac Mendez
We did the 5 tasty experience, cocktails were fun and delicious but the food was so disappointing, we felt sick after eating the dessert “Foei Popsicle”
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Benjamin Graham
Aviary was a hit—my fiancé absolutely loved it. Creative, beautifully presented cocktails and a memorable experience overall. Pricey, but worth it for a special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Manuel Pena
We the did the 7 course chef plate. Well worth the price for the one of kind experience. The food paired with the drinks, has humbled me as a chef and foody. It's a very private and intimate dinner, the staff were very kind of knowledgeable about all courses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Shirley
What a tremendous and unique experience! The staff was incredibly accommodating in celebrating our anniversary dinner with us. We chose The Kitchen Table experience with 7 drinks and tastings. It was a journey of the senses through a culinary wonderland! The pairings and presentations were unlike anything I’ve had before and we’re already thinking of when to return!
Loved the ambient atmosphere and unique drinks 🍸 (Visited in 2023)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Ramirez
I came for the cocktails and stayed for the experience. Creative, theatrical drinks with so much attention to detail this bar really elevates the craft of mixology.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
K Z
just wow.. if you can give this one. a try, you will not be disappointed at all...by far one of the most amazing places I have eaten at. if I could give it 100 stars I would. Sat at the chefs table and tht is totally worth it...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Truffle Explosion
Daniel S
The staff were very kind but I was disappointed that despite asking about it when ordering, my NA cocktail was still incredibly sweet. I was also a little surprised that the waiter didn’t check if we were enjoying our drinks — because other details were not missed (eg water glasses were topped up seemingly after every sip)
Willa Rivera
Small bar but super cozy and well run. Loved the drinks.
** ⭐**
The Aviary in Chicago is definitely a unique and memorable experience. The drinks are incredibly creative and presented in ways you probably won’t see anywhere else. Every cocktail feels like a little performance, and the staff does a great job explaining the ingredients and concepts behind them. The atmosphere is modern and stylish, which makes it a great place for a special night out.
The only downside is that it’s a bit overpriced for what you get, but you’re really paying for the experience and creativity as much as the drinks themselves. If you enjoy trying interesting, experimental cocktails and don’t mind spending a little extra, it’s definitely worth checking out at least once.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
The Alinea group always delivers an amazing experience and The Aviary is no exception.
We did the 3 drink experience which gave us an opportunity to get 6 different drinks from their menu. Some presentations came with fire, others with smoke. No matter what, they all came with incredible flavor. I had one pick that didnt sit well with me, and the waitstaff replaced it with a different option immediately. Incredible service.
It is not cheap, but it IS worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the cocktail courses
Sitting at uncomfortable high tops in the entryway, staring at the coat rack, and being rushed through courses is not the same nor what we expect based on past experiences. The price tag isn’t worth it unless you can guarantee the experience. It’s clear the formula isn’t working anymore if they are leaning into money grab strategies. We’ll always love The Aviary memories, but we won’t be recommending it anymore due to the cost/benefit/risk analysis.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
I have done the 5 course Aviary experience and I am about to do the 7 course experience. I have no doubt it will be exquisite based on past visits. Cocktails are fun and innovative and food pairings are a treat and fun as well. I also wish to note. Service and hospitality are amazing. I had to cancel due to snow storm the first time at the last minute and they refunded and let me pick my own rescheduling I have also emailed hospitality services with questions and requests and they have always been helpful and pulled off most any request I had. And if they are not, well, no one is perfect, but they come pretty damn close to perfection in my opinion!!! My thanks always to staff!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We did the new year eve tasting. The drinks were very cool and tasty
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We did the 5 tasty experience, cocktails were fun and delicious but the food was so disappointing, we felt sick after eating the dessert “Foei Popsicle”
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Aviary was a hit—my fiancé absolutely loved it. Creative, beautifully presented cocktails and a memorable experience overall. Pricey, but worth it for a special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
We the did the 7 course chef plate. Well worth the price for the one of kind experience. The food paired with the drinks, has humbled me as a chef and foody. It's a very private and intimate dinner, the staff were very kind of knowledgeable about all courses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a tremendous and unique experience! The staff was incredibly accommodating in celebrating our anniversary dinner with us. We chose The Kitchen Table experience with 7 drinks and tastings. It was a journey of the senses through a culinary wonderland! The pairings and presentations were unlike anything I’ve had before and we’re already thinking of when to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved the ambient atmosphere and unique drinks 🍸
(Visited in 2023)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came for the cocktails and stayed for the experience. Creative, theatrical drinks with so much attention to detail this bar really elevates the craft of mixology.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
just wow.. if you can give this one. a try, you will not be disappointed at all...by far one of the most amazing places I have eaten at. if I could give it 100 stars I would. Sat at the chefs table and tht is totally worth it...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Truffle Explosion
The staff were very kind but I was disappointed that despite asking about it when ordering, my NA cocktail was still incredibly sweet. I was also a little surprised that the waiter didn’t check if we were enjoying our drinks — because other details were not missed (eg water glasses were topped up seemingly after every sip)
Small bar but super cozy and well run. Loved the drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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