50 Best Cocktail Bars near Skokie

“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.“

“This place is fantastic! The food, drinks, service, everything. So good. The outside is a little hard to find as it’s not marked, but it’s worth finding. The octopus was wonderful. So well cooked and great flavors. The yuca frites are addictive.“

“We went to Hampton Social for my sister’s bachelorette in Nashville, and it was an unforgettable experience! The atmosphere is super cute and fun, with a laid-back yet vibrant vibe. The cocktails were delicious, and the staff made it extra special by bringing my sister some shots with a sparkler for her bachelorette. Since her bridal party was small and the guitar shots were too much for our group, this thoughtful gesture made the day even more memorable. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great drinks and a fun atmosphere!“

“Delicious food and a vibrant atmosphere. I had the pleasure of dining recently with friends, and every dish, from the Octopus to the Sea Bass was cooked to perfection. The cocktails sent our experience over the top, long with the amazing wait service. Anytime I am back in Chicago, Bar Siena will most certainly be a mandatory stop!“

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

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

“So much fun. Creative cocktails that look amazing and taste even better.“

“Cosmic and Carnal Cocktails, Phenomenal Food and Stupendous Staff Members! 10’s Across The Board! Oh, the sound system and curated DJ Sets will have even the deceased DANCING 🕺“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience at The Pearl Club. We started with espresso martinis which was a great start to the night and a great cocktail. We moved onto food with their house made banana bread ice cream which was one of the best scoops we have ever had. We paired it with their banana bread cocktail which was a well balanced drink which paired well with the dessert. The service was amazing and one of the managers Scott along with the rest of the staff were incredibly welcoming and professional. We really enjoyed the ambiance of the place especially the upstairs which was cozy and great for a date night. An added touch to the place was the long standing history that dates back to the early 1900s. Overall we had an amazing night and will definitely be coming back!“

“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“

“I’ve been going to Truce since they’ve opened. Every time I come in, it’s always warm, welcoming, and personal. The staff knows me and it really seems like a neighborhood spot. Additionally the coffee and cocktails are fire. Truce for life!“

“The food is 10/10 I would not come here for drinks I would say it's not very congruent w the menu and then the flavors don't really match w the menu. The whipped paneer was so good as were the hush puppies. I also got the mushroom curry which was top notch.“

“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.“

“Awesome place! Their happy hour menu is fantastic but the normal menu is also very reasonable. Love seeing highballs getting the spotlight. Staff was friendly and attentive.
I don't usually eat when I'm out drinking but the burger was so well reviewed I had to try it and was not disappointed.“

“I was fortunate to enjoy dinner at Indienne with my team, and the entire experience was exceptional. The food, service, and ambiance were all outstanding from start to finish.

What impressed me most was how unique and innovative the cuisine was. As someone who enjoys Indian food, I was delighted to experience flavors, presentations, and combinations that were completely new to me. This is exactly what I expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant, an experience that goes beyond a great meal and introduces diners to something memorable and unexpected.

The service was attentive, professional, and warm, while the elegant atmosphere made the evening even more enjoyable. In a city like Chicago, which is truly a paradise for food lovers, Indienne stands out as a remarkable culinary destination.

I look forward to returning in the future and experiencing another unforgettable meal. Highly recommended.“

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

“I am late writing my review but I had to write it !! I visited provare chicago On july 8th !! From start to finish this restaurant gets 5 starts . The decor was nice and set a perfect atmosphere for a great night . We were greeted immediately upon arrival and seated within 5 minutes of being there . Once seated the wait staff began their introduction's on drinks and popular menu item's. After my party ordered drinks and appetizers a gentleman came over (not sure if he was the manager) and introduce himself and made sure we were having a great experience. Appetizers were amazing!! We couldn't wait for dinner!! Our entrées we just as good if not better ! Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection! When we didn't think the night could get even better the entire wait staff and the gentleman that came over before stopped and recognized my friend for her birthday and brought over a birthday surprise!! I live 307 miles and this place was definitely worth the drive !!!“

“I never believed my life will change in such a manner. I saw a review on Facebook about Mrs Craig Vanessa trading skills and before then I have never risk money doing anything online with anybody because I think I was so wise and never want to be cheated but when I contacted Mrs. Craig Vanessa, she explained everything to me concerning trading and the profit I can make within a week I was convinced to give a trial and risked to invest $1,000 and I made a withdrawal profit of $9,000 within a week. I am so happy that I trusted her and she didn't fail me. You can reach her through WhatsApp via her Facebook: Mrs Craig Vanessa“

“Always amazing cocktails! We are big fans.“

“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.“

“Absolutely a 10/10 meal AND experience! The chefs omakase coursed meal was incredible. The chef walked us through each dish that somehow was even more delectable than the last. Cocktails were wonderful and the matcha sandwich for dessert is a must!“

“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.“

“Me and my wife had a phenomenal time here. This was our second time here( first time 2 years ago when they opened). Absolutely amazing drink improvements.
Genesis, our waitress, was absolutely amazing. She kept the conversations flowing, had fun picking out our drinks, and excellent food/ drink knowledge. Her passion for customer service was top notch. Overall a great person and we hope she thrives in her life.
The food was great. The beef ribs were so tender I would 100 percent recommend. We like to go for the drinks and thoes were amazing as well. Do listen to your waitress/ waiter ( S/O Genesis!) when they say order your drink based on the vibe not the liquor.
The owner, who happened to be in the restaurant that day, really did his big one coming around to all the guess to make sure we were having a good experience. We shared a laugh about him looking stressed, but he was cool enough to play it off.
Overall ratings, I recommend coming for drinks, they have different vibes for different crowds. The music is great. And the beauty of the restaurant is truly breathtaking.
And Genesis if you do read this remember to follow your dreams. You got customers like us believing in you!“

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

“Truly the best bar I've ever been to. It's not cheap, but what you pay for is a meticulously crafted cocktail menu that has yet to disappoint me with a single drink. Better amari selection than I'd expect just about anywhere to have, and the music is fantastic. Dj nights typically lean global disco or house, but weeknights and Sundays you truly never know. But if you have an open mind, you'll still probably enjoy the vibe.“

“Small, cozy space with beautiful drinks. Very nice staff.“

“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“

“Had a great time trying Valedor's cantina hour (their daily happy hour). We really like their cocktails, they were unique and had a super creative presentation. Our favorites were the Bandolero, Carajillo, Sakerita, and Tamarind Sour. We also tried some of their tapas, which are $8 each during Cantina Hour. Highly recommend the Karaage, Tuna Tacos, and Gyoza. Overall, great experience and I'll be back.“

“Fantastic bar serving rums from across the Caribbean and around the world (including Brazilian cachaca). Beer and other spirits are also available. Note you might have to wait for a seat to open during peak hours, but that keeps the bar pleasant and civilized. Great experience!“

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

“Favorite bar in Avondale!!“

“Went for the Womens Month/International womens day pop up. We knew going into it, that the food would be gluten-free vegan. Not our usual fair but we'll roll with it. There wasn't a menu to at least see what was coming and I wish there was. The first plate of kinda sandwiches was pretty good. The middle tier wasn't great. I tried them all but I'm just not a fan of nut cheese. Neither of us could eat them. They just weren't good. The desserts however were great! The ambiance and decor of the place is top level beauty. There was live acoustic music behind us that worked with it.“

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

“Just that you will have an awesome time!“

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

“Great variety and unique flavors. Great vibe.“

“Solid restaurant with no significant complaints. The food was good and plentiful. Service was friendly but a little slow given how few guests were present. Seemed that the waitress was doing double duty drying glasses at the bar. We had fish tacos, chicken blt and wings.“

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

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

“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“

“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!!“

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

“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“

“This is by far my favorite restaurant! Every visit to Chicago includes multiple stops here. Amazing flavors and the best customer service I have ever encountered on every occasion. Watching Jesus turn cocktails into works of art is an added bonus! Jesus, Rafael, and Jose should teach classes on how to treat customers. Thank you all!! See you next time!“

“This bar is awsome! But when Danny works I am made to feel so uncomfortable.

Every other member of the staff has made me feel like a valued member of our community and I think that’s what this establishment stands for. However , when Danny works, I feel objectified, disrespected, and over all disappointed with my stay.
I do not think this person speaks for the volumes of wonderful experience at Nighthawk. Others should definitely continue to support Nighthawk if you’re about supporting queer friendly / local communities and small businesses. I firmly, as a patron for a decade, do not feel this employee represents what this establishment stands for.

I am confident in the authority of establishment to remedy the situation to optimize experiences for all.“