1. The Violet Hour
8.9
1520 N Damen Ave (at Pierce Ave), Chicago, IL
Speakeasy · Wicker Park · 255 tips and reviews
Alexandria Cole: Great list of cocktails. If you're hungry, definitely try the bacon wrapped dates.
ブルーノ: One of the highlights of my weekend in Chicago. Funny place, a surprisingly airy and large speakeasy with a great selection of (strong) cocktails. Approved! 🥃
Peter Boyce: Sexy ambience, great mixologists, great speakeasy vibes
2. Scofflaw
9.3
3201 W Armitage Ave (at Kedzie Ave), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Logan Square · 149 tips and reviews
Samantha Kuhn: Cute, vintage atmosphere with helpful and unpretentious servers, what more could you want at a Mixology bar? Enjoy a Diplomat's Daughter and get there at midnight for free chocolate chip cookies.
Lance H: Awesome cocktails, great ambiance, definitely check this place out
Dustin Haley: House crafted cocktails and comfy couches. Perfect place to have a drink and relax with a couple of friends.
3. The Aviary
8.8
955 W Fulton Market (at Morgan St.), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Fulton Market · 174 tips and reviews
The Daily Meal: Aviary has the best and most creative cocktails (and bar snacks) in America. Everything's don't-miss, so do a cocktail tasting menu, then order everything not included. Read more.
James Wooten III: Chic space, superb service, beyond inventive cocktails and the small bites are sublime. My favorite 'bar' in Chicago. Hands down.
Jessica Marhee: Loved the cocktails here. Each one is exciting and the presentation is fantastic. Definitely ask for your servers advise.
4. The Whistler
8.9
2421 N Milwaukee Ave (at W Fullerton Ave), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Logan Square · 110 tips and reviews
Mehul: Take note of the rotating art installation before enjoying the best cocktails in Chicago. If you're lucky enough, order the simple pleasures that come from the Rosemary Collins.
Emily Parker: Paul McGee's Cocktail 101 class is well worth the time and extremely affordable. My boyfriend and I loved it and both learned a ton.
James LaCroix: A brilliant cocktail list complemented with great music make this a bar worth frequenting.
5. Billy Sunday
8.9
3143 W Logan Blvd (Logan and Kedzie), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Logan Square · 72 tips and reviews
Cristina Barroso: Great place! Service is great! The cocktails are delicious! Hoar's Frost is perfect refreshment for a hot summer day. They also have a lot of old whisky's if you like that.
Shannon Hallowell: Great craft cocktails! Love the bartenders and the atmosphere. Very dark/ romantic/ classic. They have customs tonics on draft that are amazing. Great old fashioneds and Manhattans.
Shannon Hallowell: This is my favorite cocktail bar in the city. Draft tonics are delicious, staff is super knowledgeable and fun. Atmosphere is great.
6. Gilt Bar
9.1
230 W Kinzie St (at N. Franklin St.), Chicago, IL
Lounge · River North · 186 tips and reviews
Kevin Ragland: Great meal. Best of my Chicago trip. Get the pot roast, pork belly or any of the homemade pastas and you'll be very happy you did. Also, great craft cocktails.
Marco Howell: Get the Brussel spouts, tartars, pot roast!!! If secure with your manhood, get the bee sting cocktail, gruner veltliner wine and Grenache.
Chris Shackleton: Whiskey smash is fantastic as is their manhattan. I love their brussels.
7. Club Lucky
8.8
1824 W Wabansia Ave (at N Honore St), Bucktown/Wicker Park, IL
Italian Restaurant · Bucktown · 62 tips and reviews
Diego Rufo: What I really love about it is the vintage art deco bar and fantastic cocktails they serve. Read more.
Limelight: Club Lucky is an iconic restaurant serving traditional Italian fare and delicious "killer" martinis. Don't forget to check out their extensive cocktail book for some well-crafted drinks.
Tracy Martorello: Pretty sure you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Try the calamari calabrese grilled, mission fig salad, eggplant parm, and martini night on Tuesday.
Alex Flis: Love how you pick the presentation, and flavors and the mixologists craft you a unique cocktail. Love the concept, I ordered the same options twice and got a different drink each time... So cool
Kate McCormley: For the spice lovers out there, Miss Clavel is effing fantastic. Everything I want in a valences amazing cocktail. Double yum.
Hector: Great service! Seriously good cocktails, can’t go wrong with dealer’s choice.
11. Queen Mary
9.4
2125 W Division, Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Ukrainian Village · 19 tips and reviews
David Heiser: Get the Stone's Throw or Moon Indigo cocktails.
Mary Alesandrini: 8.5 - Great outdoor seating in a lovely location, and really really well-made craft cocktails.
Emily Bolton: I love this place. The cocktails are top notch, the bar is absolutely beautiful and they play good jams. Good service and knowledgeable bartenders.
14. Ada Street
9.0
1664 N Ada St (btwn Concord & Wabansia), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Bucktown · 67 tips and reviews
Alison: Fantastic cocktails. Small plates were all well-executed. Music is loud!
Eater: This modern yet rustic bar features enough drinks to satisfy even the pickiest. Get going with one of their numerous craft cocktails, or something off their extensive beer and wine list.
Smitch: Fantastic cocktails - get the moscow mule or the champagne/angostura bitters combo. Amazing food - highlights were the lamb popsicles, steak tartare and fried manchego cheese balls.
Renaissance Hotels: The bone-in filet is pretty spectacular, its buttery-soft meat perfectly seasoned, best rare and barely singed by the flame. Try their Old-Fashioned too – it’s one of the best cocktails in Chicago. Read more.
Shawn McDaniel: Best steak I've ever had, everything was cooked to a new standard of perfection. Their exemplary list of cocktails contained classics like the Vesper and Mint Julep, both made phenomenally.
Jordan Balderas: My favorite restaurant in Chicago 👌🏼 Can't go wong with a steak and or their cocktails.