By Kaila Stang By Kaila Stang | October 8, 2024 | Food & Drink,
From classic cocktail lounges to modern tiki bars, here are the top 10 must-visit spots in Chicago for innovative libations and creative concoctions.
The Aviary
955 W. Fulton Market / Website
Venture to the West Loop for some of Chicago’s most inventive cocktails at The Aviary, where guests encounter an immersive experience that engages all the senses. Conceived by the same team behind culinary standouts Alinea and Next, it features three distinct experiences each night, designed to challenge traditional notions of a night out. For those seeking an even more exclusive experience, a hidden door leads to The Office, a 21-seat speakeasy that serves classic cocktails, vintage spirits and upscale bites.
Cindy's Rooftop
12 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Perched atop the 13th floor of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel under a glass atrium, Cindy's Rooftop offers sweeping views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. The space features an all-season terrace and an extensive beverage menu that complements the atmosphere, including the signature Cindy's Old Fashioned, crafted with Russell's Reserve 10-Year Bourbon, heirloom pineapple amaro, piloncillo, Angostura and grapefruit bitters.
Hopleaf
12 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
With a focus on conversation over distractions—and no TVs—this Andersonville fave emphasizes drinking, eating and socializing. Hopleaf features a rotating selection of 62 taps alongside a curated menu of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails that complement its seasonal food offerings. Inspired by Belgian beer and food culture, the space showcases an extensive collection of brewery advertising.
Kumiko
630 W. Lake St. / Website
This intimate Japanese dining bar emphasizes the pairing of food and drink, offering a menu that includes cocktails, spirits, and Japanese saké. Tucked under the El tracks in Fulton Market, owner and mixologist Julia Momosé crafts selections using Asian ingredients and techniques, where dishes like Miso Butter Turnips and Cod Winds hold equal importance to the cocktails. Guests can savor favorites like the Cloud Hopper, made with green cardamom and Yakult, or try out one of their component flights, such as the Moonrise Daiquiri.
Meadowlark
2812 W. Palmer St. / Website
Hiding behind an unmarked door in a restored 110-year-old corner space, The Meadowlark offers a vintage cocktail experience infused with Chicago charm. The bar's latest menu, “Composition Book Vol. 1,” features 16 cocktails inspired by childhood memories, including whimsical names like "First Day of School" and "Saturday Morning Cartoons." The menu encourages guest participation in nostalgic activities while highlighting the bar’s inventive and technique-driven drinks.
Milk Room
12 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Located on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, Milk Room is dimly lit eight-seat microbar specializing in rare vintage spirits and curated whiskies. The cocktail menu features classic, spirit-forward drinks made with hard-to-find ingredients, along with a selection of spirits available for pours.
Nine Bar
216 W. Cermak Road / Website
Chinatown’s premier cocktail bar is tucked behind the Moon Palace Express takeout counter, where owners Lily Wang and Joe Briglio create innovative "Asian-ish" interpretations of classic cocktails. The narrow space features drinks like Old Fashioneds and margaritas infused with ingredients such as baijiu, soju, and shochu, alongside new classics that incorporate Thai coconut milk, umami bitters, Japanese barley and Chinese five spice.
Scofflaw
3201 W. Armitage Ave. / Website
This gin-focused cocktail bar in Logan Square presents a rotating menu that emphasizes gin while offering a variety of spirits and ingredients. Guests can choose to enjoy their drinks in a Victorian-style salon, at the bar, or on the patio, with craft beer and fresh-baked cookies available at midnight. A standout is the "Gin + Tonic," crafted with Scofflaw Old Tom gin, house-made tonic, juniper, rosemary and lime for a refreshing twist on a classic favorite.
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N. Clark St. / Website
Under the guidance of Beverage Director Kevin Beary, Three Dots and a Dash aims to craft tropical cocktails that transport guests to an island paradise in Chicago. The menu highlights rum and rhum agricoles, boasting over 300 selections from regions like St. Lucia and Barbados. Using innovative techniques like centrifugation and cold pressing, the cocktails are prepared with an emphasis on consistency and precision.
The Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen Ave. / Website
This Wicker Park bar specializes in artisanal cocktails with a focus on pre-prohibition style libations. The Violet Hour features a James Beard Award-winning bar program that offers a seasonally rotating cocktail list and a diverse selection of spirits. The venue also boasts a discrete entryway and three candlelit salons, highlighted by a marble bar and an ever-changing mural on the exterior.
Photography by: Kelly Sandos
