Chicago bar reviews

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.  

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...

Lettuce Entertain You transformed the former Sub 51 space into a sultry cocktail lounge. Tucked beneath hot spots Crying Tiger and Gus’ Sip and Dip, this intimate hideaway has become a buzzy destination in its own right. Whether you're planning a romantic date or raising a glass to a special occasion, Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club sets the stage for a memorable night out. The vibe: Low lighting, emerald-green velvet banquettes and jewel-toned drapery give the room an exclusive and elegant feel. Even with its glamorous setting, the atmosphere is lively and welcoming. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to settle in for a few drinks. The drinks: The menu is divided into several sections, including pre-batched cocktails served in glasses chilled in a walk-in freezer, and made-to-order classics like Mai Tai and pisco sour. Don’t miss the trolley cocktails—a gin martini and a Japanese whisky Old Fashioned—mixed tableside. Both feature premium spirits, with the option to upgrade to rarer pours, and, in the case of the Old Fashioned, hand-chiseled ice. The food: Crying Tiger chef Thai Dang oversees the food, a concise lineup that comprises chips and dip, chilled shellfish and a selection of dumplings. They’re perfect as light, complementary bites, but you’ll want to look elsewhere for a full meal. Time Out tip: Reservations book up weeks in advance. However, late-night seatings are sometimes available, and the bar holds a limited number of walk-in spots.

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.

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.

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...

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. 

Katie Renshaw, 2019 U.S. Bartender of the Year, opened her debut bar concept, Bar Bambi, in West Town in early 2026. The ethereal space, designed by Gensler, is a whimsical haven where the drinks are as dreamy as the space itself. The Chicago Avenue bar is a clear reflection of Renshaw's inventive style and playful edge. The vibe: The 50-seat bar, which is anchored by a glass-block bar and a massive, squiggly neon light fixture above, is a dream-like space accented by floating orbs of light, vintage furnishings and cheeky art. The food: Chef Nicklus Byrns, who spent time at Elske, offers playful takes on elevated bar bites like the popular tempura halibut sandwich, flavorful salmon crudo and crave-worthy chicken nuggets with Alabama white sauce and carrot caramel sauce.  The drinks: Renshaw's mixology chops shine through on the cocktail menu, which features sips like the sweet Miss Scarlet (gin, Apóls Ease, lavender, cola spices, lemon, tonka bean and Campari-raspberry sorbet), the balanced Nightshirt (St.-Germain, Seedlip Garden, chamomile, lime, Perrier and clarified coconut yogurt, and the mellow Sanzaru (Rey Campeto, Espadin mezcal, bianco vermouth, mango, amazake and lime).  Time Out tip: Come hungry. While the drinks are the stars of the show here, the food is too good not to try.

One of the city’s best spots for rock & roll doesn’t even have a stage. Instead, this Lincoln Park favorite has one of the best jukeboxes in town for the main room (so you can play DJ Fridays and Saturdays) and hires DJs for Sunday through Thursday who know their Buzzcocks from their Bullocks. The vibe: An old-school rock & roll dive with DJ sets, punk nights, pinball, tastings and film screenings. The food: There's no food here, but it won't be hard to find a bite somewhere along Lincoln Avenue. The drinks: Delilah's has an insane whiskey selection, more than 300 beers (Belgian, microbrews, seasonals), and offers frequent wine, beer and spirit tastings. Time Out tip: Open 365 days a year, Delilah's has some pretty decent specials: $1 beers on Mondays and $2 or $3 bourbons every day, among others.

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.  

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...

Lettuce Entertain You transformed the former Sub 51 space into a sultry cocktail lounge. Tucked beneath hot spots Crying Tiger and Gus’ Sip and Dip, this intimate hideaway has become a buzzy destination in its own right. Whether you're planning a romantic date or raising a glass to a special occasion, Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club sets the stage for a memorable night out. The vibe: Low lighting, emerald-green velvet banquettes and jewel-toned drapery give the room an exclusive and elegant feel. Even with its glamorous setting, the atmosphere is lively and welcoming. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to settle in for a few drinks. The drinks: The menu is divided into several sections, including pre-batched cocktails served in glasses chilled in a walk-in freezer, and made-to-order classics like Mai Tai and pisco sour. Don’t miss the trolley cocktails—a gin martini and a Japanese whisky Old Fashioned—mixed tableside. Both feature premium spirits, with the option to upgrade to rarer pours, and, in the case of the Old Fashioned, hand-chiseled ice. The food: Crying Tiger chef Thai Dang oversees the food, a concise lineup that comprises chips and dip, chilled shellfish and a selection of dumplings. They’re perfect as light, complementary bites, but you’ll want to look elsewhere for a full meal. Time Out tip: Reservations book up weeks in advance. However, late-night seatings are sometimes available, and the bar holds a limited number of walk-in spots.

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.

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.

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.

Katie Renshaw, 2019 U.S. Bartender of the Year, opened her debut bar concept, Bar Bambi, in West Town in early 2026. The ethereal space, designed by Gensler, is a whimsical haven where the drinks are as dreamy as the space itself. The Chicago Avenue bar is a clear reflection of Renshaw's inventive style and playful edge. The vibe: The 50-seat bar, which is anchored by a glass-block bar and a massive, squiggly neon light fixture above, is a dream-like space accented by floating orbs of light, vintage furnishings and cheeky art. The food: Chef Nicklus Byrns, who spent time at Elske, offers playful takes on elevated bar bites like the popular tempura halibut sandwich, flavorful salmon crudo and crave-worthy chicken nuggets with Alabama white sauce and carrot caramel sauce.  The drinks: Renshaw's mixology chops shine through on the cocktail menu, which features sips like the sweet Miss Scarlet (gin, Apóls Ease, lavender, cola spices, lemon, tonka bean and Campari-raspberry sorbet), the balanced Nightshirt (St.-Germain, Seedlip Garden, chamomile, lime, Perrier and clarified coconut yogurt, and the mellow Sanzaru (Rey Campeto, Espadin mezcal, bianco vermouth, mango, amazake and lime).  Time Out tip: Come hungry. While the drinks are the stars of the show here, the food is too good not to try.

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...

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. 

River North mainstay Hub 51 closed in 2024 after 16 years, but Lettuce Entertain You quickly remodeled the space and launched its successor. In a neighborhood rife with overpriced drinks, Gus’ Sip & Dip is a breath of fresh air. The menu boasts 30 cocktails—made with a variety of spirits—and each is priced at $12. Your favorites are all here, from refreshing options such as the Hawaii-style Mai Tai and classic Margarita to the booze-forward Sazerac. Gus’ also has a shaved ice machine, which comes into play in cocktails like the Grasshopper and Hemingway Daiquiri. The food isn’t an afterthought, either. The kitchen turns out a solid selection of shareables (including dips, of course), salads, sandwiches and more. Our recommendation: Start with the crab rangoon dip before splitting the wagyu beef dip—served with whipped horseradish and jus for dunking the sandwich in. The bar only accepts walk-ins so expect a wait during prime hours; we prefer dropping by between 4-5pm on a weekday for happy hour, when one rotating cocktail is priced at just $6.