50 Best Cocktail Bars near Wilmette

“Great spot. It's not just for summer! Very nice interior, comfortable and welcoming almost cozy decor. TVs are subtle so you don't feel like you're in a sports bar. Nice varied menu. Had the autumn salad with chicken - delish. Also very nice selection of wines though limited by the glass. Will be back again soon.“

“Excellent Ramen. Excellent bartender in Helen Try the Mango Tango Vegi Roll.“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Lovely cocktail bar with an intimate, welcoming atmosphere. I especially enjoyed the Baton Rouge along with a few other classic cocktails—each one expertly crafted. The staff is warm and attentive, and the overall vibe is perfect for a relaxed evening out. Highly recommend for fans of timeless drinks and cozy settings.“

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

“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.“

“Good drinks, great spot to relax. The place has comfortable seating and a quiet atmosphere, perfect if you’re looking to wind down at the end of the night with friends or family. Drinks are solid, but most definitely on the pricey side. Still, it’s a nice spot when you want something a little more laid-back. I highly recommend the Porn Star- Although a bit embarrassing to order for a dude LOL, it was tart and delicious!“

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

“Favorite bar in Avondale!!“

“we love everything there, food, service and atmosphere.“

“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“

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

“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!“

“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!!“

“Absolutely Wonderful Puerto Rican Dining Experience! This restaurant offers a beautiful ambiance that perfectly complements its creative, fresh, and incredibly delicious food. The portion sizes are generous, and the staff is warm and welcoming. I especially appreciate the thoughtful inclusion of vegan and vegetarian options. The Arroz Con Gandules is a standout—rich in flavor and an absolute must-try. I’ll definitely be coming back soon!“

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

“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!“

“$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.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Larry's is always a welcome and relaxing venue. It's a very cozy and intimate vibe.

They host a lot of fun events and activities like Wednesday night trivia and movie nights, and they always decorate for the season.

Bar staff are very friendly and welcoming and can handle a crowd.

They have a range of flavorful cocktails and beer selection and recently added some sandwich and food options from the local Uptown Deli.“

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

“Amazing place and the staff are awesome“

“Friendly staff, great place to be and the chips and salsa are so good!!!!“

“This is a perfect neighborhood cocktail bar. It's definitely nicer and more polished than your average bar, yet still approachable and my favorite spot to meet up with friends. A huge shout out to the staff- consistently kind, and happy to make recommendations. To top it off, the food here is amazing, not just your regular bar-fare. I legit come here for a full dinner as well as a drink. If I had to eat only one food for the rest of my life I would choose their cheesy potatoes in a heartbeat. Highly recommend!“

“I had a great time with Dzika Fitness and Brunch after was delicious.“

“Food was delicious, wish they would’ve offered a box for the rest of my fries though instead of tossing them. Would like to come back again to try more of their burgers“

“It’s the orbit room with “hipster”. Still a great jaunt. Anyone who makes a whiskey sour with egg white is good in my book.“

“You can’t skip the charred octopus to start! It’s a perfect appetizer to share with an incredible roasted Calabrian chili sauce. My absolute favorite dish is the pennette cardinale! I can’t go to Sapori without ordering. The creamy tomato sauce pairs perfectly with the sun-dried tomatoes. I’m drooling just thinking about it! Lastly, you have to finish your dinner with the bread pudding. The warm pudding with the cold ice cream is perfection in every bite. 10/10 always!“

“This is a nice addition to the neighborhood!

Really like how gf friendly the menu is, that was a great surprise.

The cocktails here are great! Their happy hour is also an excellent deal. Service has generally always been friendly and attentive even when it's very busy. There's additional seating back behind the bar that's really nice for groups.“

“Our favorite spot in Park Ridge. Excellent food and wines. Very friendly to our kids during brunch and early dinners. Strongly recommend the wine club. Monthly selections have all been outstanding.“

“The food is amazing: tasty and healthy. I love it. Thank you for also baking the Masala biscuit for our dinner.“

“Great food and service. Tuesdays kids night is wonderful other than that great fine dining spot. Although they did pare down the menu which I have not tried but am a little bummed about“

“This place has a genuinely cool atmosphere. It's not trying too hard to be anything it's not. Think comfortable and laid-back, but still with a distinct personality. It’s the kind of spot where you can actually relax and have a conversation without yelling, which is a rare find these days. The decor strikes a nice balance between cozy and cool, leaning into a slightly vintage aesthetic that feels authentic.

They've got a solid drink program here. You'll find the usual bar staples, but also some well-crafted cocktails that are both interesting and reasonably priced. The bartenders know what they're doing, turning out consistently good drinks. Whether you're in the mood for a classic or something a bit more adventurous, you won't be disappointed.

Quality Time lives up to its name. It’s an ideal spot for a casual get-together with friends or a low-key date. The unpretentious setting, combined with good drinks and a comfortable noise level, makes it a reliable choice in Logan Square. It’s the kind of neighborhood bar you’ll want to revisit.“

“I don’t even know where to start. This place rules.

Walked in and thought, “huh, what is this?” It’s like a bar and a weird little shop had a baby, and then that baby grew up to be really cool. You can buy basically everything inside, and I did—left with a stone parrot from, I think, Panama?? It felt right.

The drinks are really good. I don’t know what all was in mine but it tasted fancy and strong in a good way. They’ve got stuff I’ve never heard of but it all just works. Even the soda water felt classy. It’s that kind of place.

The people are awesome. Tall, friendly, funny, chill. Like, you sit down and end up talking to someone and next thing you know it’s been three hours and you’ve somehow spent $90 and also made a new best friend. Or two.

The whole place is just cozy and full of random cool stuff—like someone’s basement, but the good kind. Not the creepy kind.

If you’re thinking about going—just go. Go now. Give them your money. They deserve it. You’ll probably end up leaving with a weird lamp or a ceramic pig or something and feel great about it.

One of the best bars I’ve been to in Chicago. And I don’t say that lightly.“

“Dance vibes and good food.. recommend the fish tacos“

“Everything was great. Enjoyed my Brunch“

“Parachute is one of my top ten favorite restaurants I’ve ever been lucky enough to enjoy! I think a lot about Chef Kim’s gem lettuce and fish sauce salad, I still Remember it four years later! I can’t wait to go back and to check out Wherewithall!!“

“My Aunt Marcia Hoffman turned 90 and is a rehab center where she is confined to her room . We wanted to do something special so we call Scotty’s and the made a meal to order for pick up. It worked out great and she loved it . Thank you Scott and the entire staff for making her 90th as special as it could be under the circumstances !“

“Had an amazing lunch today at Spirit Elephant. Started with a delicious mushroom soup, followed by the best buffalo chicken egg rolls I’ve had. Main course was a double smash impossible burger with garlic aioli and Gouda cheese. I was stuffed, but I miss carrot cake so when I saw it on the menu I had to order it. Hands down the best carrot cake vegan or not!“

“Let me start by saying I really love this place! For the last few months my co-worker and I have been coming here every Friday after work to relax with drinks and good food. The service is always top notch and the pizza is crazy delicious! We usually split The Butcher with an add of giardinara - totally amazing. Everything from the steak sandwich to the smash burger are delicious and don't even get me started on the fried pickles! You can't stop eating them!! I wish I had some photos to post but we always forget and just start devouring the food. Cheers to many more Fridays and thank you Crust Taproom!!“

“i was reading all the reviews about how bad the service was and how bland
the food is- i LOVED it here. came during retro on roscoe and got such great service and amazing food. steak fajitas were great. i’ll be back for are.“