From the front door of The Other Side, you sense it: this isn’t a club, a bar, or a sterile clinic — it’s a sanctuary that’s reinvented what “going out” means for people in recovery. Daylight welcomes the aroma of fresh coffee in a relaxed café ambiance. Nightfall, and the same space quietly shifts into a sober-bar: mocktails stand in for old habits, and laughter, conversation, music, and community replace what once was.
This place doesn’t just claim to support recovery — it lives and breathes it. With 10 weekly support groups, rotating events, and a social calendar full of gatherings, you get structure and freedom. Families and friends aren’t left on the sidelines either: there are family-support meetups and community-building spaces, so recovery becomes a network, not a lonely grind.
And the vibe? Unpretentious. Comfortable. Subtle. No judgment. No “Are you sober enough?” — just open arms, open conversation, and open doors. Pool tables, music, games, non-alcoholic drinks — if you want to unwind, laugh, connect, or just be present, it works.
If you needed a place that says “Yes — you can have community, belonging, fun, and still stay clean,” The Other Side delivers. It’s proof that recovery doesn’t have to be sacrifice of self; instead, it can be rebirth, rediscovery, and real connection.
You get more than a sober space: you get hope, fellowship, and a new kind of “night out” that doesn’t demand a price beyond your presence.
Julie Edwards
This is a unique and amazing coffee shop, not just because it's a sober bar, because it has expert baristas, fun events, and meeting space for art, meetings and community gatherings. The staff is downright amazing! So is the coffee ☕
Nocturnal Miss So
Lots of great 12 step groups here. Highly recommend CoDA group (co-dependence anonymous)
Kinzie Ridgewell
Great matcha! Had fun games and toys for the kids too!
Amanda Mullen
Love the delicious tea and art support groups at the Other Side Coffee shop!
Flying Angel angelica
I spoke with a Jessenia (I forgot how to spell their name, I'm sorry if that's incorrect), and she was very polite and helpful as I tried to order my drink. I like a chai from Starbucks but with soy milk, but they didn't have that, so she helped me to find what to use to make an equivalent to that, and it was delicious. I liked it befrer than the one I order at Starbucks.
Tana Fritz
I attended the family meeting on Wednesday night and was very impressed with the knowledge, support and resources available. I would recommend this meeting to anyone that has a loved one that struggles with addiction.
Magdalena F
Inappropriate violent behavior. Whether: it's acting scared if someone taps on kitchen door asking where the bathroom is, slamming doors (or creating ruckus) during CoDo meetings, &
slamming bar chairs against the counter while a customer is replacing Narcan ( damaged by the weather elements).
Or finally the manager wanting to have a meetings because I ask for the name of the SMART Recovery Facilitator casting the in-person 4-Point meetings. It's obvious this location believes it has Zero Accountability, just like the organization Liv4lali that they host.
Just to be clear SMARTRECOVERY.ORG is separate from Liv4lali they are not one.
I do not recommend this location due to; gaslighting incidences & inappropriate violent behavior displayed on several occasions.
Capt'n
Awesome coffee shop by welcoming people. Would definitely recommend visiting to a friend.
ThwaitesAwaits
The ham and jack sandwich was excellent, as was the raspberry paloma. Good vibes overall.
A little disappointed that on a Saturday night it was almost entirely grey hairs; I was hoping for a younger crowd.
That said, I'll probably be back. There are so few places where someone in recovery can socialize without alcohol being the main focus.
This is the first time I've wanted to give a negative review just to preserve a space for myself. :D The staff are so kind, the food and drinks are excellent, the space is lovely and comfortable, there's air hockey and Space Invaders and they play Bob Ross clips. It's a return of the so-called "third space" that has otherwise largely evaporated, and it's the healthiest expression of such; no encouragement to drink or smoke, just to focus and enjoy and be present.
I really love TOS, and these are things that might make it even better: - It could use a bug zapper outside, the garage windows are lovely but flies sneak in. - The content they play on TVs could be expanded; I hope to contact management soon and see if they can regularly screen classic movies, nostalgic commercials, samurai films and absurd martial arts comedies, whatever might keep people more engaged in staying. - I wish they had lunch hours on Sunday, e g. 10-3, so that they were still accessible for coffee or a sandwich.
Still, I think it's a fantastic place and an important place, on par with the way I feel about the public library. We need more spaces to relax and interact with our community, and TOS excels at that.
Chris Brown
Very clean and comfortable. It's nice to have a place to hang out without the normal temptations that are especially bad for some of us.
Christine Feliciano
Great overall experience Best Sober Bar in Northwest Suburbs Excellent food, drinks, service, entertainment, and humans I am so grateful for this space
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephy Miehle
Cozy, comfortable spot with nice mocktails and coffee drinks. Excited to try some food next time! I'd easily come back and love that we have such a welcoming, inclusive place in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TJ Sean
Nice and quick service. Coffee tasted good. Thank you. May i know what beans you use?
From the front door of The Other Side, you sense it: this isn’t a club, a bar, or a sterile clinic — it’s a sanctuary that’s reinvented what “going out” means for people in recovery. Daylight welcomes the aroma of fresh coffee in a relaxed café ambiance. Nightfall, and the same space quietly shifts into a sober-bar: mocktails stand in for old habits, and laughter, conversation, music, and community replace what once was.
This place doesn’t just claim to support recovery — it lives and breathes it. With 10 weekly support groups, rotating events, and a social calendar full of gatherings, you get structure and freedom. Families and friends aren’t left on the sidelines either: there are family-support meetups and community-building spaces, so recovery becomes a network, not a lonely grind.
And the vibe? Unpretentious. Comfortable. Subtle. No judgment. No “Are you sober enough?” — just open arms, open conversation, and open doors. Pool tables, music, games, non-alcoholic drinks — if you want to unwind, laugh, connect, or just be present, it works.
If you needed a place that says “Yes — you can have community, belonging, fun, and still stay clean,” The Other Side delivers. It’s proof that recovery doesn’t have to be sacrifice of self; instead, it can be rebirth, rediscovery, and real connection.
You get more than a sober space: you get hope, fellowship, and a new kind of “night out” that doesn’t demand a price beyond your presence.
This is a unique and amazing coffee shop, not just because it's a sober bar, because it has expert baristas, fun events, and meeting space for art, meetings and community gatherings. The staff is downright amazing! So is the coffee ☕
Lots of great 12 step groups here. Highly recommend CoDA group (co-dependence anonymous)
Great matcha! Had fun games and toys for the kids too!
Love the delicious tea and art support groups at the Other Side Coffee shop!
I spoke with a Jessenia (I forgot how to spell their name, I'm sorry if that's incorrect), and she was very polite and helpful as I tried to order my drink. I like a chai from Starbucks but with soy milk, but they didn't have that, so she helped me to find what to use to make an equivalent to that, and it was delicious. I liked it befrer than the one I order at Starbucks.
I attended the family meeting on Wednesday night and was very impressed with the knowledge, support and resources available. I would recommend this meeting to anyone that has a loved one that struggles with addiction.
Inappropriate violent behavior. Whether: it's acting scared if someone taps on kitchen door asking where the bathroom is, slamming doors (or creating ruckus) during CoDo meetings, &
slamming bar chairs against the counter while a customer is replacing Narcan ( damaged by the weather elements).
Or finally the manager wanting to have a meetings because I ask for the name of the SMART Recovery Facilitator casting the in-person 4-Point meetings. It's obvious this location believes it has Zero Accountability, just like the organization Liv4lali that they host.
Just to be clear SMARTRECOVERY.ORG is separate from Liv4lali they are not one.
I do not recommend this location due to; gaslighting incidences & inappropriate violent behavior displayed on several occasions.
Awesome coffee shop by welcoming people. Would definitely recommend visiting to a friend.
The ham and jack sandwich was excellent, as was the raspberry paloma. Good vibes overall.
A little disappointed that on a Saturday night it was almost entirely grey hairs; I was hoping for a younger crowd.
That said, I'll probably be back. There are so few places where someone in recovery can socialize without alcohol being the main focus.
Restaurantji Recommends
This is the first time I've wanted to give a negative review just to preserve a space for myself. :D The staff are so kind, the food and drinks are excellent, the space is lovely and comfortable, there's air hockey and Space Invaders and they play Bob Ross clips. It's a return of the so-called "third space" that has otherwise largely evaporated, and it's the healthiest expression of such; no encouragement to drink or smoke, just to focus and enjoy and be present.
I really love TOS, and these are things that might make it even better:
- It could use a bug zapper outside, the garage windows are lovely but flies sneak in.
- The content they play on TVs could be expanded; I hope to contact management soon and see if they can regularly screen classic movies, nostalgic commercials, samurai films and absurd martial arts comedies, whatever might keep people more engaged in staying.
- I wish they had lunch hours on Sunday, e g. 10-3, so that they were still accessible for coffee or a sandwich.
Still, I think it's a fantastic place and an important place, on par with the way I feel about the public library. We need more spaces to relax and interact with our community, and TOS excels at that.
Very clean and comfortable. It's nice to have a place to hang out without the normal temptations that are especially bad for some of us.
Great overall experience
Best Sober Bar in Northwest Suburbs
Excellent food, drinks, service, entertainment, and humans
I am so grateful for this space
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cozy, comfortable spot with nice mocktails and coffee drinks. Excited to try some food next time! I'd easily come back and love that we have such a welcoming, inclusive place in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice and quick service. Coffee tasted good. Thank you. May i know what beans you use?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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