By The Editors By The Editors | September 14, 2022 | Food & Drink,
Sure, Prohibition is far behind us, but make no mistake: When it comes to Chicago's nightlife scene, the speakeasy is back in a big way. Here, nine of Chicago's hottest speakeasies to slip into under the cover of night.
Pigtail
500 N. Clark St. / Website
Opened in fall 2021 in the basement of chef José Andrés' debut Chicago restaurant Jaleo, intimate speakeasy Pigtail serves up ibérico pork and bespoke cocktails. The menu spotlights Spanish ingredients, and the drinks and bites are as photogenic as they are delicious.
Blind Barber
948 W. Fulton Market / Website
From cuts to cocktails, Blind Barber in Fulton Market has you covered. Barber shop by day and cocktail lounge by night, Blind Barber is a national hit and local favorite for its backroom sips and inviting vibe that keeps you coming back for more.
Bordel
1721 W. Division St. / Website
This sexy lounge channels the boho spirit of a Left Bank cabaret with the mysterious aura of a Prohibition speakeasy. Live entertainment ranges from jazz music and burlesque to flamenco.
The Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen / Website
Pre-prohibition style libations find their home at The Violet Hour, a Wicker Park staple with a James Beard Award-winning bar program. The bar serves a seasonally rotating cocktail list and a healthy mix of approachable drinks, coveted spirits and contemporary craft classics.
Rose Lounge
912 N. State St. / Website
Lavish Italian eatery Adalina's speakeasy Rose Lounge is a sophisticated yet low-key space for a nightcap in the Gold Coast. Expect a curated cocktail menu, a cozy atmosphere and an unforgettable experience.
The Drifter
676 N. Orleans St. / Website
Drinks plus diversions means “people on a first date who don’t know what to say to each other will put their phones down and have something to talk about,” says Jill Anderson, bar manager of this Prohibition-era subterranean speakeasy. The 37-seater may lift its red curtain on a Led Zeppelin burlesque dance or a banjo band opposite the period bar and antique circus banners.
Booze Box
823 W. Randolph St. / Website
If you know, you know. And if you don't, we'll let you in on the secret: Go to the back alley of Sushi Dokku in the West Loop, and look for the red arrow pointing in the direction of the entrance to this intimate spot serving up Japanese cocktails and street food.
The Office
955 W. Fulton Market / Website
Venture to the West Loop for some of Chicago’s best cocktails at The Office, an intimate speakeasy below The Aviary. Here, bartenders serve up vintage spirits and classic cocktails in a low-lit space dotted with vintage finds that feels like it’s straight from an old movie. If nothing on the menu catches the eye, the bartender also offers the Dealer’s Choice, which lets guests share their favorite flavors and spirits so the mixologist can concoct something new.
Bodega
355 N. Clark St. / Website
River North nightclub Bodega, which appears as a Mexican minimart on Clark Street and operates as a private dining room, is one of the city's best kept secrets. After hours, the spot transforms into one of the hottest after-dark locales in Chicago.
Photography by: Photo by Edward Howell/Unsplash
