Formerly known as the Little Cave, Highland Park's dive-turned-Mexican-cocktail-den has been morphed into La Cuevita. The theme here is Día de Los Muertos, where skulls, skeletons and upside-down bats unapologetically grace mezcal and tequila-lined shelves. The slightly kitschy, multi-room space feels like a dark and moody movie set—a haze of streetlights permeate the stained-glass windows, while dim amber bulbs emanate from wrought iron chandeliers. After a couple potent mezcal margaritas, you'll begin to wonder if a hidden back door leads to an Aztec temple for a Tarantino-style beheading.
Vitals
Good for: Mexican-themed outings. The happy hour (daily 5-9pm) is fantastic, when cocktails such as smoky margaritas and palomas are $5 and beers are $3.
The scene: Beyond the bouncer, smokers congregate in a narrow outdoor patio and locals young and new, in various forms of dishevelment, soak up daily drink specials and weekly taco nights.
The playlist: Perhaps an odd playlist for a Mexican-themed bar, classic Americana rock (i.e. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Billy Joel) lends a throwback atmosphere. Local DJs take to the turn tables with punk and new wave beats, as tattooed youngsters take to the dance floor.
The bartender says: Gone are the days when bikers and gangsters would frequent this watering hole. With the revamp, the neighborhood fixture now sees patrons more interested in cocktails than bar brawls.
Drink this: Classic drinks get a Mexican twist—we like the popular Smokey Margarita made with Los Javis Silver mezcal and the Malditos Secretos spiked with tequila, Jamaica flower, lime and agave.