Of course when in Chicago, I had to check out Bisous, ranked #30 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2026, climbing from #39 in 2025. With an intimate ambiance, in Chicago's Fulton Market, Bisous brings the vibe of a 1960s Parisian cocktail lounge. Since they don't take reservations, I had a short wait at the door. Somehow, they knew exactly what I wanted, which was a seat at the bar. My favorite place to sip, exhaole, and chat with the bartenders. The cocktails were delicious, and the service was warm, attentive, and welcoming. My tongue-clicking sips for the evening: PASTRY WAR Pistachio Cream, Agricole & Jamaican Rums, Grappa, Almond, Egg White, Lemon, Nutmeg BAIT & SWITCH Blueberry Cordial, Mezcal, Blanche Armagnac, Baking Spices COUNTERPOINT Fig Leaf, Armagnac Duffau Napoléon, Yellow Chartreuse, Oscar.697 Rosso Vermouth Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers! Enjoy! read more

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My boyfriend and I were visiting Chicago (from Las Vegas) 2 weeks ago, and were very excited to check out Bisous, as it looked nice inside and had good reviews. Imagine my shock when we didn't even make it past the bouncer because he was so rude, AS OTHER RECENT REVIEWS HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL! We had dinner nearby and walked to Bisous after, and saw there was a line of 5 or 6 people outside. We expected this as we knew Bisous is a first come, first serve bar. We were curious what the wait time would look like, so we approached the front door to ask a host or employee inside (we assumed there'd be a desk with an employee working it who could give us a wait time). We had no problem waiting, just wanted to see how long they estimated it would be! Before we could even fully open the door, the bouncer swung the door open from the other side and hit me with the door. I stumbled back a few steps and he looked at us and said, and I quote, "What do you want?". I laughed at first because I thought he was joking and putting on a tough guy act. He was not. We quickly explained we just wanted to see what the wait time was, and he said "don't you see there's a line outside?" We said yes, and explained we just wanted to know a rough estimated wait time. He just blankly stared at us while ushering us out. Both my boyfriend and I have worked in customer-service roles for a very, very long time. This encounter was not only extremely rude and unprofessional, but he also hit me hard enough with the door to send me stumbling back, and then said nothing about it and continued to address us in a tone that was nothing less than annoyed and irritated. We didn't end up going inside because that encounter left such a bad taste in our mouths. I don't believe in spending my money at establishments that don't treat their customers with the bare minimum respect they deserve! Bummed we didn't get to experience it, as I'm sure it was lovely inside and I can only hope the rest of the employees were much more kind and accommodating, or at least able to answer a simple question. Fire your "bouncer" (??) and hire someone with some basic customer service and communication skills!! read more

The Chicago food tour commences... First stop, drinks at Bisous! This cocktail bar was listed no. 39 on the top 50 bars in North America for 2025. It was no wonder when we arrived that there was a line out the door. We waited around 45 minutes, and the bouncer was a really nice fellow who kept track of the numbers and people at the door. Upon entering, we were immersed in a dimly lit retro-style lounge. It was quite loud inside and packed as we walked to our seats. The server was great at taking our orders and offering suggestions. I opted for the French 75, which featured sparkling wine and mixed gin, brandies, and citrus. The drink was delicious, but STRONG. I don't know what they put in the cocktails in America, but I am always finished after one drink. Needless to say, we were all struggling to finish our own drinks. My favourite touch was the coasters, I ended up keeping all of them so that I can reuse them at my galentines event next year. The 'bisous' with the kiss on the other side is a perfect touch! I think the drinks are fairly priced for USD. I would love to return someday to try other drinks and bar bites, and also try their sister bar, Sparrow. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loved the drinks and the low key vibes of this bar. Went with friends to catch up, but definitely saw several dates going on. Wasn't too loud, wait wasn't long. Seems small from the outside but there was a lot more space in the back. If I lived in the area I'd go back read more

Darling 20s style speakeasy vibes. Adorable! Espresso martini and pink squirrel were delicious Will be back ASAP read more

Bisous - Pink squirrel and espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Swung by hideous after hearing that they made it to the top 50 bars in North America list. I had heard great reviews about the pink squirrel so I got that. My friends got the Vesper and the smoking jack. All cocktails were sooo tasty! The food menu is very limited, especially for vegetarians. The menu mostly consists of things that pair well with drinks. We got the marinated manchego and olives and they were soooo tasty. Yeh ambience is very moody and French and the service was great too. I will be back! read more

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(Kari's Rating 7.5/10) Came here for my girls birthday. We and got seated in the back for a seven person party we were m seated right away and the ambience was so cute. It is a very dark cocktail kind of bar and our waiter was pretty attentive. Honestly fair for your average Chicago prices and we would come back. Pistachio drink really didn't taste like pistachios but the French 75's were incredible. We ordered 12. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bisous holds a special place in my heart. I truly love everything about coming here - the vibes always put me in the perfect mood and the ambient sounds of chatter and drinks being made are the ultimate escape. I love the drinks here but my absolute favorite is the Tuxedo martini - I'm not a martini girl but this drink sways me every time. My only suggest would be including a vegetarian bite on their menu - this would amplify my experience even more read more

It was on my list! I was in Chicago for the day. It has the dark, sultry vibe once you walk in. I was able to grab a seat at the bar. The bartender was able to answer all my questions. They are just cocktail bar with some bar snacks. I would definitely eat before coming. The drinks: Arsenic & Old Lace: Martini that was crisp, floral and licorice aftertaste. Very refreshing and alcohol forward. They have a whole Martini section of their menu alongside cocktails and full liquor sections as well. Pink Squirrel: Velvety, chocolate White Russian inspired. I still think about it. I need a big batch of it to go. It's the sweet and comforting drink. I loved my experience and would definitely comeback. I got some food and other cocktail bar suggestions. read more

Bisous - Arsenic and old lace - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped by this spot to see what kinds of cocktails earn a spot in the Top 50 Bars in North America. This place was #30 on this years list. The place was dimly lit but cozy. I did not have any food but there were small bites available. The drinks were well crafted. read more

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Stumbled in here on a snowy Sunday after dinner at The Girl & The Goat (also highly recommend!) and was treated quite well by the staff. I had the Goldblooms martini which had Roquefort liqueur and was described as unctuous and funky. I tried something new and learned a new word, LOL. A wave of local friends and patrons stumbled in around 11pm and we knew for sure it was the place to be. The bartender made me a French martini next per special request and was happy to do it. Great time, great place, great service. Place is pretty cute too. Thanks team! read more

Bisous - Didn't get but sounded devine! Asked the bartender what the milkshake blender was for and apparently this is the star! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Overall just weird vibes here. The bouncer outside was nice and when we got inside my friend went to the restroom and my other friend and I began the browse the menu. We had a waiter and waitress both stop by over four times within less than 10 minutes as we were waiting for our friend to come out of the bathroom to order. We ended up just walking out because it felt so odd and pressured. They also try to make it some exclusive "Parisian" bar, I lived in Paris for four years so I've been to actual bars they're trying to mimic. Maybe the drinks could have been good but nothing spoke to us on the menu, they all seemed to be a bit odd drinks as well. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have heard many great things about Bisous and was impressed by the whole experience. Loved the intimate vibe with warm lighting throughout the entire bar. Our server knew all about the drinks on the menu and gave fantastic recommendations. Would highly recommend checking out for your next date night / night out with friends! The pink squirrel drink was our favorite! read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My God such a great Martini bar. All their recommendations were on point. I had the freezer martini and it was excellent. Excellent taste and service. It is a little on the noisier side but otherwise great looks and ambience. I 100% recommend this place. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing cocktail bar. Vibes are immaculate and understandable why there is a line out the door. We were seated at the bar and had the pleasure of being served by Nick. Super friendly, very professional, and gave the perfect recommendations to us for drinks after telling him what we were looking for. Would 100% return. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a nice cocktail bar in the Fulton Market area of Chicago. A few snacks are available and the service is really friendly. Go early or you may end up standing in line! The decor is really nice and there are booth options as well as bar and then table seating. One thing of note - I do not drink (I was accompanying friends who do), and so I was looking to order a mocktail. There were a few options available that sounded great. However, they were more expensive than some of the cocktails. For that reason, I chose to pass. It's disappointing that places do this - there's really no reason that a mocktail should ever be more than a cocktail. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Gorgeous atmosphere and vibe here. Feels luxe and cool and swanky. The staff is sooo knowledgeable and helpful on drinks. I was so impressed with their knowledge and suggestions. The pink squirrel was my favorite! It's creamy and tastes ice creamy without any ice cream. I also had the last known whereabouts which was yummy as well. The food options aren't expansive here, but we did the tinned salmon which was a nice little snack. All in all, a cute, delicious bar with fun vibes! read more

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Oh my gosh, LOVED this place. Came here for a drink before dinner at another place and almost didn't leave!! The lighting gave an intimate feel and kept everything so alluring. It was such a nice place to stop by and I'd love to come back and stay longer!! read more

Bisous - Interior - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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came here at around 8:30 on a friday night and it was lively and the majority of the seating was filled. this place definitely has a cozy and warm ambiance and was well decorated for the holiday season, i can definitely see why this bar is a hit for first dates/date nights. the bartenders were friendly and accommodating and the service was pretty quick. the drink options were varied and unique, and we especially appreciated the little 2-adjective descriptions for each option. we ordered the long distance call, the smoking jacque, and the morning blossom. the long distance call was our favorite, it was snappy and citrusy. the morning blossom was very interesting and had an almost umami-esque after taste. i will mention that the drinks here are quite strong, which i'm sure some would appreciate i'm happy i got to come here and would definitely come back! read more

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Amazing cocktails. Huge drink menu and something for everyone. The service was fantastic. Moody upscale lounge vibes with a few snack options. This is a great place to bring out of town guests. Will definitely be back. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We stopped here for a drink while bar hopping and were amazed!!! Their craft cocktails were delicious, artfully made, and strong. We sat at the bar and watched our cocktails being made. I will definitely return every time I come back to Chicago. read more

Bisous - Craft Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My wife and I stopped by Bisous on a Monday evening after visiting Aviary down the street. Although we didn't have reservations, we were able to get seated at the end of the bar right away. In short, I can see why Bisous is ranked 39 on the North America's 50 Best Bars. The drinks here are simply incredible. I ordered the "Ace in the Hole" and the presentation was minimal: the drink was served over a beautifully crafted large cube of clear ice. There was so much complexity and depth of flavor in the drink in every sip. As the drink got diluted, the drink got even better. It's unfortunate I had stopped by close to 11:00 p.m. else I definitely would have gotten another drink (or two). If you're in this part of Chicago, I cannot recommend Bisous enough. If you're on the fence between getting drinks at Bisous or Aviary down the street, Bisous is the clear winner in my book. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Moody, romantic cocktail bar. Great for drinks with the girls or a date night. Wide selection of cocktails, and ended up trying 2 different martinis. Strong and nicely presented. They offer a few snacks as well but didn't order those. They do not take reservations. I was meeting someone there and no one was at host stand, but ended up checking in with staff on the way back to table and it was fine. They seem to have a good amount of tables and lot of bar seating. Definitely will come back to try more of the cocktails. read more

Bisous - Bathroom clean and cute! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bisous in Fulton Market was cozy and calm on a snowy night. We stopped in ahead of dinner at Rose Mary. The menu is interesting and the bartender was knowledgeable. We had a Jump Scare, which is an almost savory carrot forward mezcal cocktail served with a bunch of mint and over crushed ice. And the Smoking Jacque served over a big cube. Both were great and if we'd had more time, we would have had another round. read more

Came here on a busy Friday night and only had to wait outside for a few minutes before being let in. Space felt like your typical bar, dim lighting and a somewhat suave atmosphere. We were seated at the bar and got a few drinks - all very solid. Well made cocktails with a diverse and unique menu with creative drinks. Overall, would recommend to those looking for a pre or post meal drink. read more

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Charming little cocktail bar in Fulton market. It is such a classy elegant vibe and everything is just perfect, from the decor, drinks, bartenders. This is martini bar and I was recommended the Tuxedo no 21. It was the best martini I ever had, very smooth with a hint of sweetness from the maraschino. As a solo guest, the staffs even cover my drink and water when I stepped away to the bathroom! Highly highly recommend checking this place out. I would 10000% return for the vibe and tuxedo. I wish LA would have a cocktail bar like Bisous! read more

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I'm obsessed!! My sister and I came here on a weekday evening and were blown away by the stunning atmosphere, delicious drinks, and incredible truffle popcorn! Such a terrific location and perfect place to catch up with someone. Highly recommend! read more

So fun. I love it here. The drinks are top notch. I suggest sitting at the bar for the best people watching. The atmosphere is totally electric in there. Our servers were great. Will be going again. read more

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Bisous is a must visit bar in the West Loop. They serve expertly crafted martinis like the Tuxedo and Pink Squirrel in a warm, inviting atmosphere. My friends rave about the attentive, friendly service and the bartenders' impressive creativity behind the bar. It was a unique experience and they offer small French bites too. You will not be disappointed. read more

Bisous - fun night! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Obsessed with this neighborhood gem! I tried Olivette & The Tuxedo No. 2.1 and loved both of them. Cozy atmosphere with incredible service. Loved sitting at the bar and watching our bartender make our drinks. Absolutely beautiful spot whether you are starting your evening there or ending it there. read more

Bisous - Olivette - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hidden gem in West Loop! The interior has intimate/cozy Parisian vibes. I love the theme of french kisses! There are multiple booths right at the front perfect for groups and in the back plenty more intimate seating available for smaller groups or couples instead. We stopped by with a few friends for drinks however this spot would be great for date night too. Service was excellent. Our waiter was attentive and gave us excellent recommendations for a unique orange wine. I would love go back to try their cocktails too! read more

I can't get enough of Bisous!!! My favorite cocktail lounge in Chicago hands down. There's always a line out the door but it goes quick and is well worth the wait! Every time I come I obviously need to get the pink squirrel, highly rec'd if you've never tried before. read more

Bisous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Big fan of Bisous! Saw an article about this place earlier this year in the Eater and had a neighbor that said this was her favorite cocktail joint so it was only fitting that we came here for her going away gathering this past summer. We got a seat near the back and it was a good time. First off, I love the classic, speakeasy/cocktail lounge vibe as they have all the good spirits behind the bar and chill atmosphere. I recently introduced a friend to this joint and she loved it. Good drinks on the menu! I love the following: One Trick Pony - Dark Rum & Brandy cocktail that includes banana liqueur and vermouth...outstanding! Almost Rich & Almost Famous - mezcal, saffron & campari cocktail with lots of ice...decent Pink Squirrel - Rum Cream cocktail blended with almond and cocoa. Looks a bit girly but its good as hell lol! Sexy lil joint over in Fulton Market! Take ya significant, good friends or colleagues to enjoy a good joint! read more

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One of my new favorite cocktail bars in the city! Whoever designed Bisous knew what they were doing. The interior has so many beautiful details, artwork, and a lot of space for a cocktail bar. Though drinks are not cheap (as expected at a nice bar in the city), they have an extensive, well-rounded menu that made deciding what to get difficult and made me want to come back to try more. I got the reel to reel and it was delicious! I also love that they have a whole list of different types of martinis. The details here are what set it apart for me - coasters, postcards, and matchbooks are always appreciated. Really great service too. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Such a cute speakeasy. The cocktails were great and the service was quick. We sat at the bar and it's a cozy date night ambience but because the space is big, it's good for groups as well. The staff at the door and the bartender were polite and friendly. Our cocktails were perfect and very well made! Highly recommend! read more

Bisous - The French Seventy-Five - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bisous, or "kisses" in french, is located in the Fulton Market area and opened about a year ago. The inside is very intimate, dimly lit, and has an old-world/classic feel to it. They focus on drinks more than food but also offer a weekday happy hour. My fiancé and I stopped in for a pre-dinner drink and loved it! Our server knew the menu well, made great recommendations, listened to us to help elevate our experience, and stayed on top of grabbing our check since we mentioned we only stopped by for one drink. We ordered the Reverse & Reel to Reel. She mentioned the Reverse was the lowest abv martini on the list but the flavor was bright and fresh having multiple flavors mixed. I loved my Reel to Reel as it was fruity and frothy. We both loved our experience and would definitely come back to try new seasonal signature cocktails! Tip: Its the sister spot to Sparrow in Gold Coast read more

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I'm so obsessed. I need to come back again and again. Service was pretty slow, but vibes and drinks were amazing. The cutest place, big space! I got the pink squirrel, and this was one of the best cocktails I have had. Sooo light and the flavor is amazing. I can't wait to come back. read more

Bisous - Pink squirrel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Let's start with the ambiance... it was sexy and gorgeous in there. Me and my friends got so many good photos. We had a large group of 10 people celebrating one of my friend's birthday. The staff were very accommodating and helped us adjust our needs. Now, let's talk about the cocktails. I had two drinks, a lemon drop martini and a speciality gin based drink. They were both really good! Bisous is now my favorite place to go with my friends when I am in town. read more

I had such a grand time here! We stopped in for drinks on a Saturday evening and the ambiance was incredible. It's a small spot but they've managed to create great seating spaces that don't feel too crowded. On our Saturday night, they checked ID's at the door and the hostess seated us. The hostess was so kind and welcoming - it felt like you were welcomed to a friend's house! We sat at the bar and the bartender was great. They mainly serve drinks including cocktails (2 non-alc), beer and wine. Although it seems like they serve a full menu of food here, they don't! They only have light bar snacks and caviar services. It's a great spot post-dinner! For drinks, I got the favorite Pink Squirrel which reminded me of strawberry milk. It was very delicious and I recommend it if you love your drinks sweet. My partner got the Olivette - they have a handful of Martini drinks so if you love Martinis, this spot is for you! Overall, love the vibes, service, and drinks. Looking forward to coming back to try more! read more

Bisous - Pink Squirrel and Olivette - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

No food was available when I got there but the vibes are great. This is the perfect place for a pre or post date/dinner cocktail. It's very sexy in there. Service was good. Our waiter Everan was so quick, too quick! Haha he saw my drink was empty and said "my friend, you're empty, refill?" And got me together I got the One Trick Pony which was like an old fashioned but much milder in taste but still spirit forward. I loved it. I really wanted to try Ten to One rum and this was a great introduction. My friend had the Rose Blanche which was delicious. Tasted like an Arnold Palmer but it was so much foam, and that was weird. I also had the Airmail which was delicious but the glass was so tiny it was like a sip but good if you want a sweet drink! read more

Bisous - One trick pony drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois