50 Best Cocktail Bars near Elmwood Park

“Can’t rate the food since I didn’t have any. But this little cozy spot is exactly what I needed. No shame on those city young spots but having people around you that are respectful and friendly is key.
Great music, staff are nice and everyone knew eachother. Will come back again and again“

“Смачно. Весело. Приємний персонал. Гарна музика👍🥂🤘🤙👍“

“Foodie and gals it’s are addictive. Warning!! 💕💕💕💕“

“Jacob was an amazing server. We loved the food (Thai shrimp and charcuterie) and drinks (Autumnal Shift and Karma Chameleon) We will definitely return for another Karma Chameleon.“

“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.“

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

“Absolutely LOVED loved loved The Meadowlark. We came for cocktails with friends on Wednesday night before our 7pm dinner reservation. Upon check in, the hostess escorted us to four seats at the corner of the bar. The bar itself is the most cozy and feels like being at a friend’s house if that friend had a bar in their living room. The bartender was incredibly personable as well as being knowledgeable about the various cocktails on the menu. Before a round of classic cocktails we had to try some of their specialties. The pool party, field trip and pizza party were all remarkably good and interesting without being cloying or sweet. If I lived in Chicago, I would be frequenting this bar on the regular.“

“Great food and interesting menu to say the least. 10/10 would eat and drink again!“

“We had a fair experience at Lilac Tiger. Went in on a Friday night and were seated fairly quickly. My cocktail was great. My friend's, not so much. We ordered the vada pav and the chettinad paneer curry. My friend also got mussels. Everything was alright. Very few vegetarian options and the ones we ordered were okay. Service was a little spotty. The hostess who greeted and seated us was very professional and was amazing.
We weren't super impressed but the place is worth checking out and we will definitely want to give it another try.“

“I love the diversity of the people who come here. Just an amazing atmosphere of unique individuals that bring so much to the place whenever I'm here. And some of the best bartenders in the city!“

“my best friend and I just had the BEST experience at the whale! Our waitress taylor was incredible and the manager (so sorry but we never got his name because he was just being so nice to us) was incredible as well. We will definitely return with friends and recommend anyone to try it out! classy, but not snobby, cool decor, warm kind and accommodating staff, and great food and cocktails are just the cherry on top! try the carrot cake after your meal :) Thank you again to taylor and the manager again <3“

“Been here several times, always a blast and great drinks. Last visit was weird. Kinda stuffy. Bartender was uninterested and ok with letting customers wait along time before taking order. I hope things are not changing.“

“I like Whiskey Girl! We can watch the WNBA and Unrivaled there with the sound ON. The food is good, and the folks who work there are very sweet. One person was particularly welcoming to us, we later found out that was the owner!

Parking: there is a lot in the back with a few free spaces if you can get there early!“

“The owner Jeremy is a true artisan. He's a guy from the industry who is experimenting and loving his life. This place is creative, wholesome, organic, and real. Amazing atmosphere for a date, getting together with friends, or just to hang.“

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

“Carrie is their co-owner and her passion for their business is evident in their engagement in the community. They have several events a month to invite adults of many interests and backgrounds. The Skokie Chamber recently had an event at Take Flight and there were only positive remarks about the ambiance, atmosphere, location, and drinks served. She was an excellent cocktail coach explaining how to make delicious cocktails with their in house distilled liquor. PLUS- t *think* you can bring food in from @Village Inn around the corner! You guys at Take Flight deserve the growth you dream of after the perseverance you endured through your opening with COVID. Thank you for your commitment to supporting our non-profit and thank you for your engagement in the Skokie Community. I look forward to hearing about all your successes.Cheers,Giselle @ The Skokie Chamber of Commerce“

“My first time at the Modern Plate today. I was blown away by the beautiful dining and club room. The food is absolutely amazing and filling. The owner Ted is a very passionate man about his restaraunt, and I admire that. It absolutely shows that there is concern and care that goes into every corner of the Modern Plate. Now, I was here for an event in the club room, but rest assured, I WILL be coming here for just the dining experience and the food. I live about 50min away, but it is...THAT good. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a beautiful dinner and a night on the town.“

“Great variety and unique flavors. Great vibe.“

“Great happy hour daily 5-6pm The burgers are so good !! Always fun“

“Was brought here with a local friend. Hung out in the back. Outside, under the stars and playing on the drums. Definitely a place high on my return list.“

“Great Drinks and Amazing Atmosphere. Our go to spot!“

“Very nice and friendly bartenders. They are very good at making any kind of drinks.“

“Great food and a local gem!!! We ate out on the patio and had a lovely meal“

“We recently hosted a cocktail class for a bachelorette party at this venue, and it was an absolute blast! Kayla, our mixologist for the evening, was incredibly engaging and thorough, making the entire experience enjoyable.Diana, the Events Manager, went above and beyond by reaching out to inquire about the bride's wedding colors. This thoughtful touch allowed them to create a welcome drink that perfectly matched the event. The entire process was seamless, and we were genuinely impressed by the attentiveness of the entire staff.I highly recommend this venue for hosting events such as birthdays, bachelorettes, or any special occasion!“

“I love this place! We were there on 5/29/22 and Wes was wonderful as well as the drinks!“

“Food are great And good drinks too“

“Elena, ryne, Matt. The staff at the pines room have an amazing vibe. The restaurant is small but that's the appeal. It's an amazing place to hang out and couldn't be a better spot as a regular bar. The drinks are very well made and the staff is very attentive and personable. 100% recommend to check out.“

“Pretty space, intimate and friendly staff.“

“We understand why it’s named Gretel… if you’re wondering where Hansel is, he starved to death waiting for his burger. To be fair, it’s one of the best burgers you can get in Chicago BUT you should not come here if you have any other plans that evening. It took 30 minutes longer to be seated than they initially told us (over an hour and a half total). Once we were seated, pretty sure the waiter forgot about us at our table, but it didn’t really matter because the vibes were high 👌🏼 The drinks were great, but consider bringing your own because you’ll grow a five o’clock shadow waiting for your next round. The host, Jonah, was the shining star of the evening and was truly hilarious. But our waitress kept trying to argue that “well” and “well done” were different levels of doneness, so that was annoying (and slightly concerning). Overall, the food was phenomenal, but it was a very slow experience - the antithesis of “fast” food.“

“The place is the best for chill vibes. We come here on Fridays and Saturdays when we want to have great cocktails and talk to each other.Aaron and the rest of the team are great. If you like Gin, Whiskey, or Vodka come here as soon as possible!“

“This place is a must visit. My wife and I have been here twice and they don’t miss! Love the Chicago spin they put on a lot of their dishes. Each dish is well balanced and so flavorful and their cocktails are tasty too! Every team member we have interacted with is always knowledgeable and welcoming. There is no doubt this place will continue to get more popular and is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Can’t wait to go back“

“I’ve been to Brasero twice now - delicious and such a blast both times! A fantastic wine list and the food is to die for.

The noodles, prawns, branzino, endive salad, cheese bread, ceviche and more were delicious. I can’t wait to go back again.

You have to get the prawns and ask for sourdough to dip in the extra sauce. Sooo good!! I wish they did delivery - I would order delivery for it since it was so yummy.“

“Estimados encargados de El Solazo: Espero este mensaje les encuentre bien. Me dirijo a ustedes como un cliente frecuente y admirador de su restaurante, en el cual siempre disfruto de una comida deliciosa y un servicio excepcional. Sin embargo, en mi última visita, experimenté una situación que considero importante señalar para su atención y mejora. El día de hoy, martes 26 de noviembre, llegué a cenar a las 8:45 pm confiando en la información publicada en sus redes sociales, donde claramente se especifica que el horario de cierre es a las 11:00 pm. No obstante, a las 9:30 pm ya se estaba anunciando el "último llamado" para bebidas alcohólicas. Además, durante mi estancia, fui testigo de cómo dos familias fueron rechazadas para cenar por el mismo motivo: el restaurante estaba cerrando antes de tiempo debido a "la falta de clientes". Entiendo que puedan surgir situaciones operativas, pero considero que este tipo de decisiones impacta negativamente en la experiencia de sus clientes. Cuando se anuncia un horario de cierre, los clientes planeamos nuestras visitas en base a esa información. De no ser posible mantener el horario anunciado, sería más transparente ajustarlo oficialmente en sus plataformas para que las personas puedan planear con anticipación y, en caso necesario, optar por otras opciones. Por último, quiero mencionar que esta inconformidad fue compartida con nuestra mesera, quien nos escuchó con amabilidad. Sin embargo, creo que esta situación requiere un ajuste desde la gerencia para evitar malentendidos en el futuro. Agradezco de antemano su atención a esta situación y espero que se tomen las medidas necesarias para garantizar que su excelente servicio sea consistente en todos los aspectos. Atentamente, Jesus Jesse Hernández“

“I had the mac and cheese with the steak on top absolutely divine🤍“

“my first time here with my nephew and I love it ..the bartender is freaking awesome much love to Ms. Kim .. my awesome friendly makes you feel very welcomed I got to beat my nephew in darts .lol wish there was a pool table though .. but I will definitely be back. the serves is awesome s must visit“

“The food, atmosphere, and service were all exceptional! Everything, down to the drink names, perfectly complemented the ambiance. This is an absolutely beautiful place to enjoy dinner and great food. The shawarma rolls, pork chops, and Moroccan tagine were all outstanding. If you enjoy sweet and refreshing cocktails, I highly recommend the 'Gotta Have Faith.' Overall, I would definitely return to try more dishes and highly recommend visiting this unique spot. It’s truly a must-visit!“

“Great food and wonderful service!“

“Great food/drinks Great service Great prices We will be back.“

“One of Julia’s greatest talents, she is always caring and calmed tense situations and prevented unpleasant confrontations. Julia’s professionalism and dedication adds great attraction to Richmond’s Sports Bar!“

“Loved the atmosphere the drinks and especially the entertainers!!!“

“First time here since the Rivers Casino expansion. Nice long bar with plenty of seats. Vibe and music is bumpin' as well. Ordered a Dirty Martini and was asked if I wanted dry vermouth with it. Friendly and smiley bartenders. Cute martini glass but could not really taste the alcohol. Some interesting characters at the casino in general, but more so here sitting at the bar. There are game machines on the bar top as well.“

“Had an amazing evening at the Kennedy Rooftop’s heated igloos in Wicker Park! The cozy ambiance combined with panoramic views of Chicago’s skyline made for an unforgettable experience. Sipping on their signature cocktails while nestled in a warm igloo was the perfect way to enjoy a winter night. The staff was attentive, and the menu offered a delightful array of options. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking to enjoy the city’s beauty in a unique setting!“

“Saturday afternoon stop for a brew and snack. Wings were on the Smokey side.“

“Definitely worth leaving a warm house on a cold day! Great barszcz with a spicy zing, hearty hunter's stew and delicious sausage!“

“Just that you will have an awesome time!“

“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.“

“Free hot dogs at midnight. Cool vibe“

“Excellent place and service“

“Great food and exceptional service“