From the first pour to final toast, the top Chicago cocktail bars deliver a masterclass in mood and mixology. At these must-visit spots, the handcrafted cocktails are only half the story — it’s the atmosphere that truly raises the bar. Discover what makes the city’s cocktail scene unforgettable, from soaring Chicago rooftop bars to intimate lounges, retro speakeasies, and beyond.
Where to drink in Chicago
Downtown cocktail bars
Three Dots and a Dash
This tropical hideaway, tucked down a River North alleyway, is a tiki bar paradise. The subterranean cocktail lounge, known for its strong drinks and moody island atmosphere, is often named among the best bars in the world,
The tiki cocktails at Three Dots and a Dash are mixed with fresh seasonal juices that are cold-pressed daily; syrups made in-house; and spices, herbs and flowers that are sourced from around the world. And perhaps the best part, they’re served in fun, elaborate presentations, including a full-blown treasure chest. Make sure to bring some friends, as group drinks are their specialty.
Gus’ Sip & Dip
In the heart of River North, Gus’ Sip & Dip was named one of Bon Appétit’s Best New Bars in America in 2025. The space blends contemporary elegance with classic details, featuring low lighting and high energy.
The straightforward cocktail menu focuses on the classics, with drinks that are balanced, bold, and approachable. Expect a curated selection of spirit-driven options, paired with elevated takes on traditional tavern fare. The buzzing center bar is the place to be, where patrons sip gin gimlets and dirty martinis until late into the evening.
Bernard’s
Overlooking the Gold Coast neighborhood within the ritzy Waldorf Astoria, Bernard’s is synonymous with grandeur. This luxurious cocktail lounge’s interior design exudes refinement, which carries over into their cocktail menu.
Guests can look forward to a tasteful menu of curated spirits, handcrafted vintage libations — such as the Sazerac, a 19th-century concoction of absinthe and aged brandy — and contemporary creations with uncommon ingredients like banana pepper syrup and lemongrass-infused rye whiskey.
Bar Sotano
Tucked away in a downtown alley is probably not where you’d expect to find a cocktail bar from acclaimed Chicago chef Rick Bayless. But Bar Sotano, hidden behind Bayless restaurant Xoco, is tricky to find but easy to love.
Inspired by the sensory experience of a Mexican marketplace, Bar Sotano features the works of the country’s master distillers. With an emphasis on agave-based spirits, the River North spot has become known as a mecca for mezcal lovers. Try a mezcal or tequila flight, or opt for a creative cocktail like the Tacos al Pastor made with the flavors of chorizo.
Vol. 39
Located off the lobby of the boutique Kimpton Gray Hotel, Vol. 39 is named for the treasure trove of antique law books that were unearthed when the turn-of-the-century Loop building was being renovated.
Today, these tomes are used as decorative accents in this bar that evokes the feeling of a 1940s-era smoking lounge. Consulting a library of rare spirits, mixologists create inventive takes on classic and mid-century-inspired cocktails.
The Drifter
As a faithful ode to the 1920s, The Drifter isn’t the kind of speakeasy you stumble into — it’s a Prohibition-era fever dream you’re led to, often by word of mouth or curiosity. This time-capsule cocktail den is hidden in the basement of the historic Green Door Tavern, concealed behind a bookshelf of curios.
Each evening brings vaudeville-style spectacle — burlesque, magic, live music, and everything in between. But the real showstopper? A rotating menu of over 100 imaginative cocktails revealed through tarot cards. Shuffle the deck, draw your fate, and sip your way through The Drifter’s impressive list of libations.
West Loop cocktail bars
Kumiko
Kumiko was awarded the Outstanding Bar Award by the James Beard Awards in 2025 — so you know it’s going to be good. The refined-yet-relaxed bar program is designed by Julia Momosé, who incorporates elements of her Japanese heritage throughout the stunning space.
Kumiko serves elevated seasonal tasting menus, but the highlight of the meal will be the thoughtful drink pairings. Diners can choose from curated beverage pairings showcasing Japanese saké, shaken cocktails, stirred cocktails, and even a spirit-free option.
The Aviary
Created by the powerhouse culinary team behind Chicago’s world-renowned Alinea, The Aviary kicks cocktails up another level. Grab a seat in the modern upstairs lounge or try to snag a spot in The Office, the 21-seat downstairs speakeasy.
Cocktails at The Aviary are mixed in the state-of-the-art “drink kitchen” and feature surprises like spice-filled ice cubes and tendrils of scented smoke emanating from glass beakers that look like boozy science experiments. Choose your cocktails a la carte or opt for the three-course cocktail progression customized to your taste.
After
Nestled in the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Ever, After provides a dazzling escape from the everyday with inspired libations amid sophisticated surroundings. This lavish West Loop bar and lounge is the perfect spot for an apéritif, post-dinner nightcap, or the evening’s main event.
The highly curated cocktail menu at After changes with the seasons, highlighting inventive ingredients and bold flavor combinations. This chic spot also offers a menu of fun gourmet bites like elevated pizza puffs and king crab cupcakes.
Lazy Bird
The Hoxton Chicago is well-known as a culinary destination in the West Loop neighborhood. But if you’re in the know, you can sneak off to the hotel’s subterranean cocktail lounge for some of the city’s best sips.
Lazy Bird is a cocktail-focused lounge and live music venue, featuring local musicians and laidback vibes. The extensive selection includes more than 50 original cocktails, from bold takes on classics to original concoctions. The cocktail menu (more of a book) includes custom illustrations and histories for each drink, so you can become a cocktail connoisseur while you enjoy your beverage.
Bisous
This Fulton Market cocktail bar is a vignette of 1960s Paris, featuring velvet booth seating, a tufted banquette, and candlelight flickering against polished wood.
Celebrating the martini through a variety of flavor profiles, the cocktail menu at Bisous stands out for its depth and precision. The list also highlights a lineup of highballs, aperitifs, and signature creations.
Chicago neighborhood cocktail bars
Osito’s Tap
Osito’s Tap is located in the culturally vibrant Little Village neighborhood, known as the “Mexico of the Midwest.” This speakeasy-style bar showcases the art of craft cocktails, with a modern Latinx flair that reflects the heritage of its surroundings.
The owner, Mike Moreno Jr., has deep roots in the community. His family has run Morenos Liquors, located right next door to Osito’s Tap, for three generations. Moreno Jr. traveled throughout Mexico, sourcing tequilas and mezcals for Osito’s carefully curated cocktail menu. The drinks draw inspiration from both Mexican culture and Chicago history, with unforgettable results.
Nobody’s Darling
In Chicago’s charming Andersonville neighborhood, this Black queer woman-owned cocktail bar has become an instant local favorite among the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. And they’ve garnered national attention, too. A little more than a year after they first opened their doors, Nobody’s Darling was named a nominee for Outstanding Bar Program by the prestigious James Beard Awards.
The drink menu features both modern and classic cocktails, inspired by Black history and iconic women of color. Inside, the vibe is a combination of a classy lounge and a warm, inviting neighborhood bar. Check their calendar for happy hours and music-driven events.
Scofflaw
Scofflaw is a cozy corner bar in Logan Square, known for its gin-centric cocktails. While gin takes the spotlight, the dynamic bar menu confidently ventures into other spirits, with inventive drinks shaped by seasonality and a sense of play.
Settle in on the sidewalk patio for weekend brunch, or pop into the salon for a quick nightcap and bite. Elevating the concept of bar snacks, the kitchen crafts New American small plates with big flavor. Insider tip: Stick around until midnight, and you’ll be rewarded with warm cookies fresh from the oven.
Nine Bar
Tucked behind Moon Palace Express in Chinatown, Nine Bar is a sleek, neon-lit cocktail bar that draws inspiration from Tokyo alley bars and Hong Kong lounges for a playful collision of East and West.
On the drink menu, mixologists reinvent traditional cocktails using Asian spirits and ingredients. The food options feature creative takes on classic dishes, like the “McKatsu” burger featuring a piece of crispy fried pork and tonkatsu sauce.
Cantina Rosa
Rooted in Mexican tradition and elevated with intention, Cantina Rosa radiates a soulful warmth. Agave steers the vibrant cocktail list, followed by bright and fruity flavors just sweet enough to keep you sipping.
This Hyde Park spot is helmed by Erick Williams, the chef of award-winning Virtue just down the street. Balance the liquor with delectable botanas (snacks) inspired by different corners of Mexico.
The Hi-Lo
The Hi-Lo offers easygoing hospitality that makes you feel like a regular — even on your first visit. True to its name, guests can choose their own adventure with a drink menu divided into Hi (strong and boozy) and Lo (all-day sips).
The indoor section of this Humboldt Park cocktail bar is cozy and inviting, while the breezy patio is equipped with an outdoor fireplace. Look forward to creative riffs on classics and solid cocktails with zero fuss.
Truce
A bustling coffee shop by morning and mellow cocktail lounge by night, Truce is a nearly all-day drink destination. In 2025, this Bucktown coffee bar and cocktail den was named a semi-finalist for Best New Bar by the prestigious James Beard Awards.
Though the ambiance shifts with the sun, guests are welcome to order up a latte or espresso even during cocktail hour. You can also enjoy the best of both worlds with a coffee-forward tipple.
The Dandy Crown
A charming neighborhood hangout in West Town, The Dandy Crown is a cocktail-focused restaurant and bar with quirky decor and a relaxed vibe. Their drink menu highlights a section for historically inspired cocktails.
Unwind with a featured special, highball, old standby, or creative delights like the Cabana Cobbler, a mix of spiced rum, oat milk horchata cordial, and mole. Great for happy hour and evening get-togethers, this local favorite has both indoor and outdoor seating, including enclosed and open-air patio options.
Best Intentions
Best Intentions doesn’t set out to be everything to everyone — yet somehow, it manages to do just that. There’s no velvet rope, no dress code, and no pretense. The barroom and patio regularly fill with people from all walks of life, drawn together by great drinks and a shared feeling that this is exactly where they want to be.
This beloved Logan Square staple fuses the welcoming atmosphere of your favorite dive with the drink menu of a fancy cocktail bar. Food-wise, it’s all about comfort, featuring Jewish deli favorites and classic pub staples.
Billy Sunday
Low-lit with an air of polished refinement, Billy Sunday bridges the gap between honoring the past and pushing boundaries. Offering tried-and-true libations, seasonal specials, and one-of-a-kind concoctions, the cocktail menu blends expert technique with a culinary mindset. Each pour is balanced and intentional, topped off with a dash of lighthearted flair.
Behind the bar, a staggering collection of vintage amari and fernet lines the shelves, rivaling any in North America. Rare bottles of liquor, including bourbon, scotch, and rum, round out the back bar, providing a glimpse into the world of top-shelf liquors.
The Meadowlark
Tucked away on a residential street, The Meadowlark rewards those who seek it out. Beyond an unassuming door, this vintage speakeasy keeps the vibe simple and classy: weathered brick walls and dark tufted furniture nestled in a quaint, amber-hued space that only seats 30 patrons. Despite its many accolades, The Meadowlark remains refreshingly grounded.
Reminiscent of a field guide or naturalist’s notebook, the whimsical cocktail menu features thoughtful entries named after regional birds, as well as hand-drawn art and tasting notes in place of plumage. Layered and expressive, the carefully crafted drinks are often surprising and designed to be savored.
