Hala Kahiki Lounge

The motto here is, "We were tiki before it was cool," and it certainly rings true from the moment you walk into the doors to this massive, yet somehow intimate, tiki bar, just on the outskirts of the city. There's not a hipster in sight, just very boozy tiki drinks in a setting that takes you further away from Chicago than the River Grove location actually is. Open since 1964, the enormous space is met with an equally giant cocktail list, boasting well over 100 drinks concocted with any combination of booze you can imagine. Since the overwhelming menu isn't for the faint of heart, try ordering a tiki flight to sample your way through the list. Semi-regular Hula shows take place at Hala Kahiki and it's the only night the bar serves up more than a bowl of pretzels with its tropical drinks, guests can enjoy a full Hawaiian dinner with the show. Pop into the attached gift shop before heading home to take a bit of the tiki kitsch home with you.