50 Best Cocktail Bars near Winnetka

“Vegetarians can relax and order anything off the menu – – everything will be delicious and beautifully presented. The mocktails are much appreciated with their inventive flavors and the entire environment is lovely and soothing. We had a party of seven and everyone went home happy except my giant Nebraska-raised meat-loving husband who was simply content. Well, you can’t please all the people all the time, but you sure as heck are pleasing this vegetarian who is so so tired of steak restaurant after steak restaurant where I’m desperately seeking the sides menu for something to nibble on. Now this review seems to have turned into an analysis of a modern marriage, but that’s OK because we all got to eat, right? And it’s so nice to find fellow meat avoiders on the North Shore. Keep up the great work, Spirit Elephant! We’ll be back for Mother’s Day.“

“It is so refreshing to meet an owner who is actively present in his restaurant. Mark Salmon enthusiastically and creatively arranged for my friend and I to dine outside (our request), despite the rain. We stayed dry under umbrellas and thanks to Sandra, our amazing waitress, we celebrated my birthday with fine food (impressive menu choices and food presentation) and great company! It was my first time dining at 501 Local and this restaurant met and exceeded my high standards in every way! It is a hidden gem and our new fav restaurant. Highly recommend!!“

“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!“

“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“

“Stopped in for the evening and this spot is such a vibe. Got their Manhattan and an order of the chicken tenders and both were so good. The cocktail was perfectly balanced smooth and strong just how I like it. Played a quick game of pool and hung out such a chill welcoming space. Everyone was so friendly and made us feel right at home. Great drink selection cool crowd and the staff actually knows their stuff. Already planning to come back for trivia night.“

“Always amazing cocktails! We are big fans.“

“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“

“This is for delivery. Pizza is all about what one prefers and or grew up on. We prefer New Haven.
This is the best we have found on the North Shore. Thin crust cooked perfectly. The food traveled well (Door Dash). A generous amount of toppings, very good sauce. Will have again.“

“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.“

“I stopped by on a recent Saturday evening and had a Bee's Knees cocktail and a soft-pretzel with mustard. Both were delicious. The pretzel was freshly baked, not some microwaved deal and I enjoyed my beverage and snack at a sidewalk table to enjoy the Summer night. The two folks working that night were very friendIy as well. I really hope this place finds a growing and loyal clientele because it's a great spot to have in downtown Skokie. Pop by and give them a shot; i don't think you'll be disappointed.“

“Honestly I love the red neon aesthetic, I only wish the white light from the lobby didn't bleed in as much. I will note, this place is small, like you're not gonna fit more than 20 people in here if you tried, more often than not you'll only find 4-5 people in here, but that's a vibe honestly too.

One thing I need to note is the food, omg how is the food here so good? It's ordered from across the street and some guy brings it over in a bag and it's phenomenal and well priced.

Overall good place to bring a date or for a first time causal meeting“

“Super…Great service from Ashley!!“

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

“Vincent is a wonderful place. Love the food and frequently live performers as well.“

“I was recommended to come here by a friend. Let me tell you something. This place is AWESOME!!! Great vibe. Very social. Customer service greeted me as soon as I walked in. The drinks are great. The servers and bartenders are also very social. I will definitely come back here.“

“Pretty space, intimate and friendly staff.“

“So awesome! Great burgers great service“

“Best kept secret for cocktails and smash burgers in Park Ridge, hands down! The Detroit style pizza is also out of this world. I had the old fashioned and 10/10 will be ordering again. Very cozy and approachable atmosphere, SUPER friendly and helpful staff. Get there early! Tends to get very popular.“

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

“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.“

“Rogers Park Social is an absolute standout neighborhood staple that perfectly captures a welcoming, vibrant, and sophisticated atmosphere. It is the ideal place to gather with friends for a craft cocktail or to enjoy a relaxing evening in a space that feels both polished and genuinely inviting. The quality of their drinks is consistently top-tier, and you can really taste the care and expertise behind everything they serve. I place an incredibly high premium on cleanliness and the overall maintenance of a venue, and I am consistently impressed by how tidy, well-organized, and immaculately kept their space is—it creates such a professional, stress-free environment that makes every visit a truly positive experience. The staff is consistently friendly, highly skilled, and does a wonderful job of ensuring that every guest feels right at home. If you are looking for a reliable, high-quality venue that prioritizes both atmosphere and professional standards, I cannot recommend Rogers Park Social highly enough!“

“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.“

“Simply fantastic with super friendly staff“

“Great italian food and good service.“

“Amazing place and the staff are awesome“

“First visit at Jackman & Co. and we will be back! The atmosphere and vibes of this place were great for a Friday night date night. Started with a couple Peachy Heat Margs at their iconic bar...would highly recommend arriving early to sit and enjoy the people and views here.

Dined outside on their dimly lit patio and started with the Lobster & Shrimp Ceviche which was fresh and delicious. Although there were a lot of other higher end dinner choices, I went with the Beer Battered Fish & Chips based on reviews. Easily the best fish & chips I've had, accompanied by an amazing dill dipping sauce.

The service from the host, bartender and ultimately our server was very accommodating and friendly. Check this place out!“

“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 !“

“Not a bad item on their entire menu! By far one of the best places in the Sauganash/Edgebrook neighborhood.“

“Great customer service and food“

“The conversation and the energy in the room was lively. The food was great. The service was wonderful. Floor manager swung by a couple of times as did the owner to see how things were going. They were packed, but the food came out in a very reasonable timeframe. We had a great meal. Sorry wasn’t trying myself far too much to take photos. Did very much like the octopus and the chicken flautas. We would definitely go back.“

“Comida rica , tragos ricos y el personal súper amables 🙂 los recomiendo mucho“

“great tacos! awesome beer listing. terrific ahi tuna bahn mi sandwich! wonderful owners and servers.“

“Plancha Loca offers excellent service and incredible food quality. Their shrimp tacos are the best! There’s a wide variety of options for everyone, and the customer service is outstanding. The food is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this place!! definitely worth a visit! 🌮✨“

“This is a fantastic new spot located at the Wilmette Public Golf Course ⛳️✨ The place has been completely renovated and looks fresh and modern, which really adds to the overall vibe 😍 The menu is thoughtfully put together by an experienced manager named John, and you can tell there’s a lot of care behind it 👍 The food is great, and they also offer an impressive selection of top-shelf spirits 🍸

It’s exciting that the menu is still evolving, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it develops over the summer ☀️ They’re planning an open-wall concept that will blend the indoor and outdoor spaces, along with a spacious patio where you can relax and enjoy drinks with friends 🍹 Definitely a place worth checking out!“

“Perfect combination of esthetic decor, unique menu and signature cocktails!“

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

“Nice place, nice people. It's a bar but they have pizzas which I will request to be less well done next time as I like my food closer to the raw side.... They also have the polish zapiekanki which I did not try.... Some of the karaoke singers were really good. Looks like it's not just regulars here which surprised me.“

“Went there yesterday for dinner had the best nachos ever for an appetizer The guacamole was the best guacamole it was incredible really love the salsa and I would have to say that was the best chicken quesadillas I ever had at a restaurant And the waitress we had was great she was super nice and very helpful when we had questions we would be definitely coming back :)“

“Frozen margaritas are inconsistent at most restaurants. My guava peach margarita was the best I have ever had. The staff as incredibly friendly and the beach view is exceptional. Looking forward to tasting their well-constructed menu.“

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

“Need a place for a party? Yanna's is a great choice. We recently celebrated my sister's birthday party at Yanna's Speakeasy for 36 people and it was absolutely outstanding. The food was delicious, beautifully displayed and enjoyed in our group. Yanna was excellent to work with. What really made the afternoon unforgettable was the use of the barbershop area for the murder mystery experience -it added such a fun and unique atmosphere. Every detail was handled perfectly, and our guests are still talking about what a memorable party it was. I highly recommend this place for a venue for any occasion.“

“Walter was great. Service was terrific and the food was delicious!“

“Had the Rose burger and it was 👌🏻“

“Delicious food and awesome atmosphere and staff!“

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

“La Colonia Restaurant is a spirited Latin American dining destination that brings the bold, soulful flavors of two beloved culinary traditions under one roof. The restaurant’s cuisine brings together the vibrant, traditional recipes of Colombian and Ecuadorian food, creating a menu that is both deeply rooted in heritage and warmly inviting to all.“

“Please see our note to management:

To whom it may concern -

We live half a block away from your beautiful new restaurant and just wrapped up our first meal there. The food, the ambiance, and the service were impeccable. However, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge that our server made our entire night the most memorable dining experience we have ever had.

Lindsay E was prompt, knowledgeable, and, more importantly, extraordinarily personable. We were astounded at her aptitude for dealing with food allergies seamlessly, her timeliness to service and to our endless asks and needs, and her overall hospitality.

Thank you all for being so welcoming and for the incredible evening we had with you.

If you haven’t already considered, we feel Lindsay has a high potential in you restaurant group and we take a recommendation like that quite seriously.

We cannot wait for all of our future meals at your amazing establishment. Cheers to a long future for Foxtail Glenview House.

Most sincerely,
Colleen & Meghan Coleman“

“One of the best breakfast/lunch establishments I have dined in! All aspects of the dining experience are top notch, whether you dine in or carry out, the food is AWESOME!! Look forward to my weekly visits to Northbrook so I can enjoy Georgie V’s!“