Chicago bar reviews

Sister restaurant to three Michelin-starred Smyth upstairs, The Loyalist is John Shields and Karen Urie Shield's headline-making bar and restaurant in the West Loop. Consistently named one of the best restaurants in Chicago, the buzzing basement has become a staple of the city's culinary scene. The vibe: The subterranean space is dimly lit with singles, couples and happy hour-goers filling the intimate space with hushed chatter. The food: The star of the show here is The Loyalist OG Cheeseburger, a mouthwatering, onion-forward dish topped with pickled and charred onion between a delicate sesame seed bun. It's served with a side of onion aioli, which is great for dunking fries in. Many consider this one of the best burgers in the city—and we don't disagree. Another menu standout is the pillowy squash gnudi, doused in brown butter, Parmesan Reggiano and an optional caviar upgrade. The drinks: Inventive drinks with cheeky names like Chai Me A River (Fortaleza blanco, green chartreuse, cacao, chai, pineapple and lime) and House Of 1,000 Carrots (pecan rum, cachaça, carrot, ginger, tropical spices and cream cheese) offer plenty of inventive options to choose from. We love the Cruel & Un-Yuzual, a flowery, vibrant purple cocktail crafted with Oka vodka, housemade yuzucello, Snow Maiden sake, chamomile, lavender and lemon. Time Out tip: The Loyalist always saves a few seats for walk-ins, making it an ideal spot for post-work drinks with your team. If you arrive between 5 and 6pm...

The West Loop has no shortage of standout drinking destinations, but this just might be our favorite. The crew behind Sparrow in the Gold Coast evokes 1960s Paris through a thoughtfully designed space and menu that feels straight out of the City of Light. Whether you’re passing the time before dinner or ending the evening with a nightcap, Bisous fits the bill. The vibe: Comfy with a touch of sophistication, Bisous channels the spirit of a chic cocktail lounge. Lighting glows softly from orb fixtures, cozy booths invite you to stay a while and floral wallpaper in the back room adds a romantic, Parisian flourish. Seating is managed by a host, ensuring the bar never becomes overcrowded. The drinks: Martinis drive the cocktail program, with everything from a classic Vesper to the Tuxedo No. 21, which blends Citadelle Vive le Cornichon gin, dry vermouth and maraschino in an absinthe-rinsed glass, alongside chilled freezer martinis. For wine drinkers, there’s a curated selection of Champagne and sparkling wines, as well as pours of vermouth.  The food: Bar bites include caviar and chips, and tinned seafood like smoked oysters and French sardines. Great for snacking, but you’ll want to look elsewhere for a full meal. Time Out tip: Bisous is quite popular, especially on weekends, so arrive early to avoid a wait.

Celebrating the traditions of Latin America, La Licor takes guests on a journey through Mexico, Peru, Argentina and beyond. The Logan Square bar offers a deep dive into both familiar and lesser-known Latin American spirits, showcased through creative cocktails. An evening here pairs refreshing cocktails with a food menu that's just as compelling. The vibe: Friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere give La Licor the feel of a true neighborhood spot. Owners Abraham Ramirez and Javier Arroyo have built a place designed for repeat visits. Grab a seat at the bar and admire the impressive collection of bottles lining the shelves. The staff is happy to guide you through the menu and point you in the right direction. The drinks: Alongside classics such as the pisco sour and mojito caballito, you'll find fun interpretations like an Old Fashioned featuring coconut fat-washed Mexican whiskey and barrel-aged hot chocolate pu-erh. There’s also a rotating selection of frozen drinks, from mezcal-based sips to fruit-driven seasonal specials. The spirit list includes more than 240 bottles sourced from around the world. The food: While La Licor is first and foremost a bar, the food is far from an afterthought. Pao de queijo, the addictive Brazilian cheese bread, makes for an ideal drinking snack. Larger plates like Guatemalan fried chicken and lomo al jugo are hearty, satisfying options. Time Out tip: By day, La Licor operates as a coffee shop serving espresso, lattes, pour-overs and tea.

Brothers Chris and Calvin Marty bought the old Marble Bar and reopened it as Best Intentions. The dive bar charm remains, although the bar is a little sleeker and the drinks are much better. The Armitage Avenue watering hole is a self-proclaimed “fancy cocktail bar” that serves up balanced drinks and elevated snacks.  The vibe: A classic Midwest bar, complete with wood paneling, glass block windows, comfortable bar stools, a record player and a patio. The food: Interesting dishes like calf liver mousse complement classic bar bites like burgers, fish sandwiches and harissa chicken. The matzo ball soup with "big-ass matzo balls" is a must-try. The drinks: Best Intentions offers an extensive list of spirits, from gin and tequila to brandy, whiskey and Amari, plus shots of Angostura, mules served in tin cans, horchata margaritas, and, of course, Malort.  Time Out tip: Settle into a table on the patio with a group for minty Wondermint Malted shakes and a “baker’s dozen” of griddled cheeseburgers with hand-cut fries and house-made, curry-laced Joppiesaus.

This West Loop cocktail hub raises the bar on fine dining and delivers a superb lineup of sake- and shochu-centric sips, and delicate bites imbued with Japanese flavors. The dining room offers à la carte shareables, while the beautifully fleeting omakase menu is pricey for the portion sizes, but makes up for it on the drink side. The vibe: This Japanese-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant, helmed by chef, creative director and beverage visionary Julia Momosé, is one of measured pace and care. The food: Kumiko’s eight-seat omakase bar lends a peek into the humming kitchen through an intricately carved wood shade that acts as a focal point of the restaurant. An evolving tasting menu is offered gluten-free and pescatarian upon request, and Kumiko suggests allowing up to three hours for the full experience. The drinks: The accompanying sakes ranged from supple and delicately floral junmai to crisp, dry and nutty futsu shu—all beautiful counterparts to pristine oceanic bites. Still, it’s hard to outshine Momose’s exquisite cocktails, like her woodsy, citrusy sudachi shochu with tonic, sage and kumquat, and an elegant blend of mellow aged junmai sake, shiro and apricot eau de vie that tastes like boozy blossoming fruit trees and melted snow. Time Out tip: Sake and shochu cocktails and low- or no-proof sips headline Julia Momose’s imaginative menu, but we love asking for a recommendation on sake, which harmonizes beautifully with the refined, umami-rich fare. We recommend...

After eight years of contract brewing, Middle Brow Beer Co. finally opened a home of its own on a bustling stretch of Armitage Avenue in Logan Square. The vibe: Sporting rustic brick walls, a trio of foeders (giant wooden barrels used to age beer) looming over the dining area and a spacious bar, Bungalow tries to create a welcoming environment for guests to sample Middle Brow's experimental brews. The food: In the morning, toast topped with cream cheese, fruit and honey is the main attraction, served alongside coffee and beer. Thin-crust pizzas piled with toppings fill tables in the evening, with the action spilling out onto the patio when the weather cooperates.  The drinks: With 95% of the beverages made in-house, you can't go wrong with most choices. We recommend a glass of natural wine or a beer. Time Out tip: Go ahead and order an extra pint, because 50 percent of all Middle Brow profits are donated to local social-justice organizations.   

The vibe: Among the framed drawings of regulars cluttering the wooden walls of this dim saloon-style staple are posters boasting that you’re in “le premiere dive bar” of Chicago. We don’t know where this place gets off speaking French, but it’s been around since 1958, so we’ll grant it bragging rights. Plus, it's a favorite among celebs like Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray and John Belushi. The food: None to speak of. The drinks: Take a look at the wall behind the bar and you'll see the massive selection of sips served at this cash-only dive. Drafts, bottles and cans, and ciders are on offer, as well as your classic cocktails and mixed drinks.  Time Out tip: One of the best parts about Old Town Ale House is admiring the eclectic and often crude paintings. The backstory is fascinating—ask your bartender.  

No Vacancy isn't your typical sports bar. Former DineAmic Hospitality partner Keegan Moon and Ivan McCullagh of Gibson's Restaurant Group opened the bar in 2023, offering a sleek, elevated space for discerning fans to enjoy a game over high-end cocktails. The vibe: This elevated bar on Wells Street in River North is appointed with dark decor, a tin ceiling and exposed brick. The 64-seat space offers a sophisticated setting to enjoy craft cocktails while watching a sporting event. The food: With snacks like birria egg rolls, pretzel-crusted chicken tenders and barbecue jackfruit sliders, No Vacancy's food menu is just as interesting as the cocktail menu. In addition to mains like a burger, chicken sandwiches, wraps and brunch offerings, the menu features the "My Significant Other Is Not Hungry" option, which adds fries or chicken tenders to any entree. The drinks: The best cocktails here have cheeky names like This F*cks (tequila, Aperol, watermelon, lime, rosemary and Tajin) and Granny Panties (Maker's Mark, Alchemist apple spice, apple cider and demerara). There's also a selection of "Trendy" drinks like High Noon and Nurtl seltzers, plus wines separated into "Juice" and "Bougie" categories. Time Out tip: No Vacancy does not take reservations, so plan accordingly and be prepared to wait if you come on a weekend night. 

Located below the iconic Green Door Tavern in River North, The Drifter is a cozy, `20s-era watering hole that serves excellent cocktails. The self-proclaimed "last real speakeasy" in Chicago actually was one during Prohibition, which makes visiting here feel like you're stepping back in time. The vibe: A sultry speakeasy with burlesque performances, magic acts and musical performances, plus drinks with a tarot twist. The food: A limited snack menu features bites like fried cheese curds, pork belly sliders with kimchi, sloppy joe sliders and a fried Nutella sandwich served with ice cream. The drinks: The cocktail menu changes based on the tarot cards pulled from a deck of more than 100 each night. Cocktail options include Sip Happens (apple, earl grey syrup, lemon and soda), Sangaree for Thee (cranberry, orange, spiced syrup and soda) and Schorched Blossom (M&R Floreal, jalapeno, lime, ginger beer and Tajin). There's also a fixed menu of beer and wine.  Time Out tip: Stop by between 7pm and midnight to catch a live show.

Hospitality group Orbit Group (Segnatore) revived The California Clipper, founded in 1937, after a brief closure during the pandemic. These days, the signature red leather booths, vintage decor and live music make this post-prohibition-inspired spot one of the city’s best bars. The vibe: A dim red glow invites you into this iconic Humboldt Park cocktail lounge. Most nights, you can catch live music performances, from DJ sets to funk, blues and jazz jams.  The food: Food isn’t served here, so plan on eating before or after your visit. If you’re in the mood for Italian, Orbit Group's other spot, Segnatore, is directly across the street. The drinks: Despite the bar’s deliberate “classic Chicago tavern vibe,” the cocktail menu offers much more than a Chicago Handshake—though they do offer that for $8. The seasonally rotating menu features interesting takes on familiar favorites like the Mezcal Soda Highball, Yuzu Spritz (yuzu sake, sparkling wine, soda and rosemary) and the Basil Gimlet (Condessa gin, basil, lime and mole bitters). Time Out tip: If you’re craving a change of pace, venture to the Clipper’s back room (which previously housed coffee shop C.C. Ferns) for DJ sets and late-night dancing meant to channel the spirit of Danny’s, the iconic Bucktown spot that shuttered in 2020. 

Brothers Chris and Calvin Marty bought the old Marble Bar and reopened it as Best Intentions. The dive bar charm remains, although the bar is a little sleeker and the drinks are much better. The Armitage Avenue watering hole is a self-proclaimed “fancy cocktail bar” that serves up balanced drinks and elevated snacks.  The vibe: A classic Midwest bar, complete with wood paneling, glass block windows, comfortable bar stools, a record player and a patio. The food: Interesting dishes like calf liver mousse complement classic bar bites like burgers, fish sandwiches and harissa chicken. The matzo ball soup with "big-ass matzo balls" is a must-try. The drinks: Best Intentions offers an extensive list of spirits, from gin and tequila to brandy, whiskey and Amari, plus shots of Angostura, mules served in tin cans, horchata margaritas, and, of course, Malort.  Time Out tip: Settle into a table on the patio with a group for minty Wondermint Malted shakes and a “baker’s dozen” of griddled cheeseburgers with hand-cut fries and house-made, curry-laced Joppiesaus.

The West Loop has no shortage of standout drinking destinations, but this just might be our favorite. The crew behind Sparrow in the Gold Coast evokes 1960s Paris through a thoughtfully designed space and menu that feels straight out of the City of Light. Whether you’re passing the time before dinner or ending the evening with a nightcap, Bisous fits the bill. The vibe: Comfy with a touch of sophistication, Bisous channels the spirit of a chic cocktail lounge. Lighting glows softly from orb fixtures, cozy booths invite you to stay a while and floral wallpaper in the back room adds a romantic, Parisian flourish. Seating is managed by a host, ensuring the bar never becomes overcrowded. The drinks: Martinis drive the cocktail program, with everything from a classic Vesper to the Tuxedo No. 21, which blends Citadelle Vive le Cornichon gin, dry vermouth and maraschino in an absinthe-rinsed glass, alongside chilled freezer martinis. For wine drinkers, there’s a curated selection of Champagne and sparkling wines, as well as pours of vermouth.  The food: Bar bites include caviar and chips, and tinned seafood like smoked oysters and French sardines. Great for snacking, but you’ll want to look elsewhere for a full meal. Time Out tip: Bisous is quite popular, especially on weekends, so arrive early to avoid a wait.

Sister restaurant to three Michelin-starred Smyth upstairs, The Loyalist is John Shields and Karen Urie Shield's headline-making bar and restaurant in the West Loop. Consistently named one of the best restaurants in Chicago, the buzzing basement has become a staple of the city's culinary scene. The vibe: The subterranean space is dimly lit with singles, couples and happy hour-goers filling the intimate space with hushed chatter. The food: The star of the show here is The Loyalist OG Cheeseburger, a mouthwatering, onion-forward dish topped with pickled and charred onion between a delicate sesame seed bun. It's served with a side of onion aioli, which is great for dunking fries in. Many consider this one of the best burgers in the city—and we don't disagree. Another menu standout is the pillowy squash gnudi, doused in brown butter, Parmesan Reggiano and an optional caviar upgrade. The drinks: Inventive drinks with cheeky names like Chai Me A River (Fortaleza blanco, green chartreuse, cacao, chai, pineapple and lime) and House Of 1,000 Carrots (pecan rum, cachaça, carrot, ginger, tropical spices and cream cheese) offer plenty of inventive options to choose from. We love the Cruel & Un-Yuzual, a flowery, vibrant purple cocktail crafted with Oka vodka, housemade yuzucello, Snow Maiden sake, chamomile, lavender and lemon. Time Out tip: The Loyalist always saves a few seats for walk-ins, making it an ideal spot for post-work drinks with your team. If you arrive between 5 and 6pm...

Celebrating the traditions of Latin America, La Licor takes guests on a journey through Mexico, Peru, Argentina and beyond. The Logan Square bar offers a deep dive into both familiar and lesser-known Latin American spirits, showcased through creative cocktails. An evening here pairs refreshing cocktails with a food menu that's just as compelling. The vibe: Friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere give La Licor the feel of a true neighborhood spot. Owners Abraham Ramirez and Javier Arroyo have built a place designed for repeat visits. Grab a seat at the bar and admire the impressive collection of bottles lining the shelves. The staff is happy to guide you through the menu and point you in the right direction. The drinks: Alongside classics such as the pisco sour and mojito caballito, you'll find fun interpretations like an Old Fashioned featuring coconut fat-washed Mexican whiskey and barrel-aged hot chocolate pu-erh. There’s also a rotating selection of frozen drinks, from mezcal-based sips to fruit-driven seasonal specials. The spirit list includes more than 240 bottles sourced from around the world. The food: While La Licor is first and foremost a bar, the food is far from an afterthought. Pao de queijo, the addictive Brazilian cheese bread, makes for an ideal drinking snack. Larger plates like Guatemalan fried chicken and lomo al jugo are hearty, satisfying options. Time Out tip: By day, La Licor operates as a coffee shop serving espresso, lattes, pour-overs and tea.

Located below the iconic Green Door Tavern in River North, The Drifter is a cozy, `20s-era watering hole that serves excellent cocktails. The self-proclaimed "last real speakeasy" in Chicago actually was one during Prohibition, which makes visiting here feel like you're stepping back in time. The vibe: A sultry speakeasy with burlesque performances, magic acts and musical performances, plus drinks with a tarot twist. The food: A limited snack menu features bites like fried cheese curds, pork belly sliders with kimchi, sloppy joe sliders and a fried Nutella sandwich served with ice cream. The drinks: The cocktail menu changes based on the tarot cards pulled from a deck of more than 100 each night. Cocktail options include Sip Happens (apple, earl grey syrup, lemon and soda), Sangaree for Thee (cranberry, orange, spiced syrup and soda) and Schorched Blossom (M&R Floreal, jalapeno, lime, ginger beer and Tajin). There's also a fixed menu of beer and wine.  Time Out tip: Stop by between 7pm and midnight to catch a live show.

The vibe: Among the framed drawings of regulars cluttering the wooden walls of this dim saloon-style staple are posters boasting that you’re in “le premiere dive bar” of Chicago. We don’t know where this place gets off speaking French, but it’s been around since 1958, so we’ll grant it bragging rights. Plus, it's a favorite among celebs like Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray and John Belushi. The food: None to speak of. The drinks: Take a look at the wall behind the bar and you'll see the massive selection of sips served at this cash-only dive. Drafts, bottles and cans, and ciders are on offer, as well as your classic cocktails and mixed drinks.  Time Out tip: One of the best parts about Old Town Ale House is admiring the eclectic and often crude paintings. The backstory is fascinating—ask your bartender.  

This West Loop cocktail hub raises the bar on fine dining and delivers a superb lineup of sake- and shochu-centric sips, and delicate bites imbued with Japanese flavors. The dining room offers à la carte shareables, while the beautifully fleeting omakase menu is pricey for the portion sizes, but makes up for it on the drink side. The vibe: This Japanese-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant, helmed by chef, creative director and beverage visionary Julia Momosé, is one of measured pace and care. The food: Kumiko’s eight-seat omakase bar lends a peek into the humming kitchen through an intricately carved wood shade that acts as a focal point of the restaurant. An evolving tasting menu is offered gluten-free and pescatarian upon request, and Kumiko suggests allowing up to three hours for the full experience. The drinks: The accompanying sakes ranged from supple and delicately floral junmai to crisp, dry and nutty futsu shu—all beautiful counterparts to pristine oceanic bites. Still, it’s hard to outshine Momose’s exquisite cocktails, like her woodsy, citrusy sudachi shochu with tonic, sage and kumquat, and an elegant blend of mellow aged junmai sake, shiro and apricot eau de vie that tastes like boozy blossoming fruit trees and melted snow. Time Out tip: Sake and shochu cocktails and low- or no-proof sips headline Julia Momose’s imaginative menu, but we love asking for a recommendation on sake, which harmonizes beautifully with the refined, umami-rich fare. We recommend...

After eight years of contract brewing, Middle Brow Beer Co. finally opened a home of its own on a bustling stretch of Armitage Avenue in Logan Square. The vibe: Sporting rustic brick walls, a trio of foeders (giant wooden barrels used to age beer) looming over the dining area and a spacious bar, Bungalow tries to create a welcoming environment for guests to sample Middle Brow's experimental brews. The food: In the morning, toast topped with cream cheese, fruit and honey is the main attraction, served alongside coffee and beer. Thin-crust pizzas piled with toppings fill tables in the evening, with the action spilling out onto the patio when the weather cooperates.  The drinks: With 95% of the beverages made in-house, you can't go wrong with most choices. We recommend a glass of natural wine or a beer. Time Out tip: Go ahead and order an extra pint, because 50 percent of all Middle Brow profits are donated to local social-justice organizations.   

Hospitality group Orbit Group (Segnatore) revived The California Clipper, founded in 1937, after a brief closure during the pandemic. These days, the signature red leather booths, vintage decor and live music make this post-prohibition-inspired spot one of the city’s best bars. The vibe: A dim red glow invites you into this iconic Humboldt Park cocktail lounge. Most nights, you can catch live music performances, from DJ sets to funk, blues and jazz jams.  The food: Food isn’t served here, so plan on eating before or after your visit. If you’re in the mood for Italian, Orbit Group's other spot, Segnatore, is directly across the street. The drinks: Despite the bar’s deliberate “classic Chicago tavern vibe,” the cocktail menu offers much more than a Chicago Handshake—though they do offer that for $8. The seasonally rotating menu features interesting takes on familiar favorites like the Mezcal Soda Highball, Yuzu Spritz (yuzu sake, sparkling wine, soda and rosemary) and the Basil Gimlet (Condessa gin, basil, lime and mole bitters). Time Out tip: If you’re craving a change of pace, venture to the Clipper’s back room (which previously housed coffee shop C.C. Ferns) for DJ sets and late-night dancing meant to channel the spirit of Danny’s, the iconic Bucktown spot that shuttered in 2020. 

When Grant Achatz does a cocktail bar, it should go without saying that it's no ordinary cocktail bar. At the Aviary, which opened next door to Next in 2011, cocktails receive the same innovative treatment as the food at Next or Alinea. This James Beard Award-winning lounge also offers seasonal five- and seven-course food and cocktail tasting experiences, as well as a customizable three-course cocktail progression. Even if you're just dropping in for drinks, you should expect cocktails like the Partridge, an artful arrangement featuring bourbon, spiced pear, douglas fir and mint, all accompanied by a chrome bird gently perched atop. You've never seen a drink like it, and given how rare a visit to the Aviary is, you may never again.