Armitage Avenue cocktail bar crawl

Brothers Chris and Calvin Marty transformed Marble into Best Intentions over the summer, and while the dive bar charm remains, the space and drink menu are more polished. Best Intentions serves a mix of classic and new cocktails and is the first bar in the country to offer Angostura bitters on draft.

What to drink: Try the Wondermint Malted, a boozy malted milkshake laced with Death’s Door Wondermint ($8-$11).

Parson’s has one of Chicago’s best patios and cocktails—the negroni slushie. But you don’t need to wait until next summer to drink here—the indoor space is a cozy spot to hunker down.

What to drink: The negroni slushy is available year-round, but for something a more autumnal, try the Red Hook, a Manhattan variation with a dash of fruity Luxardo Maraschino ($8). 

Sink | Swim isn’t solely about chef Matt Danko’s seaside fare—the drink menu is just as stellar as at sister bar Scofflaw. Settle into a plush, turquoise seat at the bar, then peruse the menu. The seafood-friendly options are a little bit classic, a little bit tiki and full of bright flavors.

What to drink: Try the Breakneck, a Manhattan variation with bourbon, vermouth and bitters ($10).

The already iconic cocktail bar focuses on gin, while the kitchen whips up a variety of plates to snack on while you imbibe. If you’re out late, the free midnight cookies make every night feel like Christmas.

What to drink: The cocktail menu changes frequently, but you won’t go wrong with the ever-present Swizzle variation ($8-$10), always tall, icy and refreshing.

This old-school Chicago bar is a little farther west on Armitage but worth the trip. A bona fide Chicago treasure, Weegee’s feels like a throwback and serves everything from aviations to sidecars.

What to drink: The Wisconsin Old Fashioned, made with brandy and garnished with salty green olives. It’s a steal at $5.