The third edition of the competitive annual contest, North America’s 50 Best Bars Awards, reveals the continent’s most innovative and esteemed cocktail bars—and these three Chicago spots were among those honored.
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Owner and mixologist Julia Momosé’s West Loop Japanese and American fusion dining bar Kumiko was named the Best Bar in The Midwest for a third consecutive year, ranking 19th on the list. Noted on Kumiko’s accolades are the bar’s shochu and Japanese whisky collection and unique cocktails, including the ‘Provocative and Spiritous’ Old Fashioned, crafted with Japanese whisky, shochu, palo cortado sherry and bitters.
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The competition granted the 32nd spot to Logan Square’s Meadowlark, awarded Siete Misterio’s Best Cocktail Menu Award 2024. Helmed by beverage director and Violet Hour alumn Abe Vucekovich, the bar received accolades for its beverage book of cocktails honoring Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair. Named ‘The Magic City,’ the menu encompasses 16 cocktails, including the Ferris Wheel with Singani 63, Dolin Genepy, Melon L’Apéritif de L’Artisan, Carpano Botanic and Herbsaint, and the Hööden Palace, crafted from Mancino Sakura Vermouth, Takamine 8-year Koji-Fermented Whiskey and Kiyomi Japanese Rum.
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Logan Square’s Midwestern haunt Best Intentions has ranked 48th for crowned favorites like Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Gimlets and its stand-out signature cocktail, the Grasshopper-esque Wondermint Malted, made with Death’s Door Wondermint Schnapps mixed, Broker’s London Dry Gin and Luxardo Angioletto hazelnut liqueur.
See also: The Hottest New Restaurants In Chicago
Photography by: Shaiith/iStock
