50 Best Cocktail Bars near Evanston

“Always amazing cocktails! We are big fans.“

“I will drive across the state for the fries with garlic aioli. Yummy!!“

“Delicious food and awesome atmosphere and staff!“

“Good, service, atmosphere! Just the best!“

“Our server was Trey!! I had the smash burger and a margarita! Everything was so delicious! I recommend this place to anyone! It is a Mexican spot so getting a burger was sorta strange but once I read the beef was mixed with Chorizo I was sold and just had to try it. It didn’t disappoint. The Guacamole/ salsa and chips were as very tasty! A must try“

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

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

“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.“

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

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

“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“

“Truce is undoubtedly one of the best chill bars in Chicago. If you’re looking for unique drinks that wow you, Truce is the place you want to go to. One of the owners, Rami, made my wife and I feel right at home. The food and snacks are insanely great. the overall vibe is unbeatable. This place sets the bar for hospitality and quality. Can’t wait to come back!“

“I had a fun evening at the Meadowlark. A cute spot for a date with tasty cocktails.

Perhaps much more importantly, I had feedback for the Meadowlark that was received and taken very seriously by the management team. They reached out directly to me as a follow-up. I appreciated their communication and willingness to hear my concerns. That really sets them apart as a business who cares and want to be integrated within the community.“

“Great vibe, great staff, well made and designed cocktails 🍸“

“You would never know. Just walk on by. But it’s your loss if you do. The food is amazing. Flat out good. So much better than any of those downtown corporate places. Cooked with heart and profoundly good flavor, texture and palate. Next door to perhaps the best pasta in the Midwest, this restaurant and bar should be on your list.“

“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 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!“

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

“We were in town for NYE and settled in the Whiskey Girl Tavern to bring in the New Year as there was a Moulin Rouge show included! When we went to buy the tickets, the highest package ticket was the only one available for $30 but it was never explicit what that entailed. When we got there, we were able to get a table. Live singer and guitarist were great. Loved loved loved to see the LGBT community in a safe, authentic, expressive environment. Glad we were able to enjoy our drinks and a bite to eat before the show. We ordered the white pizza, I don’t think that is what we got. It seemed like any other cheese pizza. It was okay but wouldn’t order again. We were very much looking forward to the burlesque show but to be honest it was just alright. DJ was pretty good, just wished the show was actually a show. We could barely see or hear anything from a table with what should have been clear sight. Overall, the NYE experience was just okay but we want to come back and give it a second chance to catch a game next time we’re in town.“

“Place has a speakeasy disco vibe. On a Sat the DJ was spinning real vinyl with jazz, 80s, and similar to create a chill vibe. The disco balls helped as well. Though I always appreciate unique cocktails and this place falls nothing short of a tasty twist. Order from Olven. He was very helpful and kind.“

“Lovely place for a cocktail, conversation and live music. Lots of seating options so you can get as close or far to the music as you’d like. Bartenders do a great job creating original craft cocktails with seasonal options. Service was exceptional“

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

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

“Delicious cocktails:) I will definitely go back!“

“You won’t ever get a watered down drink from Take Flight!

My wife and I have had tons of mini-dates here (I suggest Village Inn Pizza next door), we’ve shown up for game nights, and on weeknights I’ve gone solo just to have a few drink and get some work done too.

Whatever the occasion, if you’re looking for quality drinks and a comfortable place to sit for a while, this is it!

Also, you should order their pretzels.“

“Esme is truly an experience to have. We did the menu and the wine pairing and it was amazing. From the presentation to the food was unbelievable and will definitely do it again as it changes quarterly“

“Went here for a social event and Mitch and Joe took good care of our group!

The low lighting created a nice intimate atmosphere, great space for groups of 2-4 I’d say. Music was just slightly louder than I’d like for a conversation for a bigger group, but loved their playlist here.

The Horchata2Ways was my favorite drink, absolutely loved that one“

“The Sparrow on Elm Street is one of those rare Chicago gems that feels effortlessly timeless. The moment you step inside, you’re transported — the atmosphere blends vintage elegance with a cozy, intimate charm that’s hard to find anywhere else in the city. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down, breathe a little deeper, and actually enjoy the moment.

The service is consistently attentive without ever feeling intrusive. The staff knows their craft, from the way they describe the cocktails to the way they read the room. Whether you’re there for a quiet solo drink, a date night, or a catch‑up with friends, they create a space that feels warm, welcoming, and beautifully curated.

The cocktails are the true highlight — balanced, thoughtful, and crafted with intention. Every drink feels like it was made specifically for you. The menu has personality without being pretentious, and the flavors are layered in a way that shows real skill behind the bar.

What I love most about The Sparrow is the energy. It’s sophisticated without trying too hard, intimate without feeling small, and stylish without losing its sense of comfort. It’s the kind of spot you remember long after you leave — a place that becomes part of your personal Chicago map.

If you’re looking for a bar that delivers atmosphere, craftsmanship, and a touch of old‑world charm, The Sparrow is absolutely worth the visit.“

“Favorite bar in Avondale!!“

“Food are great And good drinks too“

“We did the igloo experience and it was so much fun, especially for guests from out of town. The furniture and overall atmosphere was very festive. A bit pricey but that's to be expected for this type of experience. Service was excellent. Food was good.“

“White Sox Bar!!!!!!!!😂!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! N n n n n n“

“Just that you will have an awesome time!“

“Amazing experience! The food was great…best steak that I’ve ever had!“

“Great staff and every thing we ordered was absolutely fantastic.“

“Great variety and unique flavors. Great vibe.“

“My friends and I hosted our friend’s 30th birthday party at Room 13 this past weekend. I couldn’t recommend this space enough! It was a great atmosphere; small enough to feel intimate but still spacious enough for everyone to spread out. The food was pretty decent and the drinks were delicious!
Joanna and Devon were SO helpful with setting up before the party and during the party. I can’t thank them and the rest of the staff enough for being so kind and helpful the entire night! Definitely looking forward to visiting again in the future!!“

“Love the low key environment and drinks was 🔥🔥“

“The food was great. The wait staff was courteous and professional.“

“The food was incredible, staff was very kind and accommodating, portions were generous, and prices were reasonable. The cuban sandwich was phenomenal, the quality of the bread was the best I’ve ever had. The ropa vieja was also true to the cuban classic, and the yuca fries and croquetas were spectacular as well. Having grown up in Miami and being Cuban, my expectations were high and they exceeded every mark. Will definitely be back. Thank you to Rafael and Jose for making the experience so wonderful!“

“I stopped by here for a margarita after visiting Restoried Bookshop. The margaritas were SO GOOD! They were also having trivia and movie night. I left my books but was able to coordinate with the staff to pick them back up. They went above and beyond! I will definitely return!“

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

“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.“

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

“Excellent service and attention from the workers there. They knew the menu well and gave great recommendations. Food was delicious and it was Iike eating at my mommas house. The drinks were amazing and love the decor. It was like being in Puerto Rico. Will visit again“

“On the evening of July 5 my wife and I tried Avaspi on Belmont Avenue in Lakeview for the first time. It will not be the last! I love lamb and am quite particular as to how is it prepared. The “lamb delight” menu item was the best lamb I have ever had in a restaurant: tender, succulent, and prepared to perfection. The side salad accompanying it was not your ordinary side salad! My wife and I both enjoyed the Mixed Meze appetizer plate. Each of the five items was quite good but the muhammara was to die for. We ended our meal with tea, baklava and kubralice. The décor and ambience were refreshing and relaxing, and the service was outstanding. The pricing was very reasonable. Please give it a try. We do not think you will be disappointed.“

“Pretty space, intimate and friendly staff.“

“$20 bottomless wings on Monday and $10 pizzas for happy hour (5-7 PM). Great deal! Amazing service! Did not get the waiter's name but we loved his positive energy!

Small caveat is that the wing sauces were sauced inconsistently. Some batches were super saucy, others a bit drier. Standout flavors were honey miso and truffle parm.“

“excellent food - we both the spring rolls and the egg rolls. the crab fried rice and vegetable salad with rice noodles were also really tasty.“