We came here on a Friday night with friends. There were 4 of us total and the place was totally packed when we came after dinner. We managed to squeeze on a couch + part of another couch with other patrons. There were only 2-3 people working but it took us 20-30 minutes or more to get our drink orders put in. It's busy so I guess that's okay...our server apologized and thought we had been helped already. Our drinks came and we thought they were okay? Based on the other reviews here we were a little underwhelmed. Based off of how long it took us to get our first drink + the quality of the cocktails we only stayed for one and bounced. read more

I really liked Bokeh! The staff were super nice and provided great recommendations. I got the Japanese Postcard which came on a Japanese Postcard (super cute touch)! It tasted super yummy, and was a stiff drink without being alcohol forward. read more

Bokeh - Japanese Postcard - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Found this little gem of a bar in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. It's a slender, retro-ish but chic joint with wonderful and clever cocktails. Two small group lounge areas, ample two tops and beautiful bar stools with coat hooks under the bar counter. Thoughtful little touches make this bar a warm go-to for regulars. But still, the highlight are the delicious cocktails. Looking forward to our next visit. read more

Bokeh - The HOLLABACK cocktail. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you haven't been there, you really need to get there. It's intimate, well decorated, some outside seating. Bartenders really know how to make exceptionally well balanced drinks. There's always going to be a liquor on the menu that you don't recognize or one that you wouldn't normally use. Try that drink. Don't get up tight if it takes a long time to get your drink. All of the cocktails are pretty involved and there's usually only one or two people behind the bar. Relax. Enjoy the music. That's pretty good, too. read more

Amazing cocktails and low key atmosphere. What could better? The tardigrade coasters maybe.... Can't wait to visit again!

This place is the perfect little spot in the neighborhood! It's quite literally a magic oasis. The cocktails are so unique I had struggle choosing, but no worries the bartender lemon was so incredibly helpful. She was patient and walked us through the cocktails and recommended perfect drinks for me and my partner. Special shout out to lemon for making each of my trips a magical experience! this place is majestic and definitely deserves a visit! Everything about this place is unique and welcoming don't hesitate! Experience! read more

Bokeh - Some of the amazing cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bokeh is a cozy cocktail bar on Kedzie just steps away from the Kedzie Brown Line stop. Bokeh makes references to photography in its name (Bokeh refers to a blurry quality in a photographic image), in the names of some of its drinks, and our check even came tucked away in a photography book. Our group of three wanted to have a drink before our dinner on a wintry evening, so we snagged three stools at the bar to catch up (my love and I were meeting up with my cool Yelper bud who was visiting from Sacramento). This is not a huge establishment, so come early if you can. We did not try any of the food, but we liked our cocktails (Old Fashioned, Cinnamon Pear Margarita, and Rosemary Gin Fizz). read more

Wow what an amazing cocktail bar! I went with a girlfriend and we had the Negreeni. The wonderfully helpful Bartenders said it's like a wellness shot with gin. Yum!!! The artichoke dip was homemade and delicious. The DJ played incredible tunes but kept the volume down we could still talk. Going back for sure!!! New favorite cocktail bar. read more

Cozy cocktail bar in Albany park! Decided to go explore on a cold night in January and it did not disappoint. We went early around 6 and it was pretty quiet, started picking up as we were leaving. They did a good job of checking vaccination, employees were masked up. We got four cocktails, all really good but not out of this world: 1) Seasonal Margarita- cinnamony and fall like 2) Rosemary Gin Fizz - refreshing 3) Ultra Violet- bright, sweet and delicious 4) Kedzie Royale - probably the most complex we got, sweet with a kick Lot of care and attention for each drink. Definitely a spot to check out for cocktail lovers read more

Bokeh - Rosemary Gin Fizz(left) Seasonal Margarita- winter (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A very welcome, cozy, and inclusive addition to the neighborhood. Bokeh is a quaint cocktail bar in Albany Park with an impressive list of drinks as well as a few food options. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly - it's clearly a place where all patrons feel comfortable, whether to try something new, go on a first date, or have a quiet conversation. It's truly a great vibe. The cocktails are above average, but not particularly memorable. Occasionally, you might be wowed by a particular combination or flavor profile; however, my issue each time has been that the drinks are fairly weak, almost to the point of watered down. They're just missing the balance that I've gotten accustomed to at some of the other great cocktail bars in the city. That said, still a great spot to have a drink before a meal in the area, or a nightcap on the way home. read more

Bokeh - a cocktail in a glass on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Never disappointed Great cocktails Nice atmosphere Great host and bartenders I still gonna try the bites next time....... read more

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It is a gift to have a serious but laid back cocktail bar on the far northwest side. We really enjoyed our brief stopover on a recent Saturday night. My noble bourbon boozers will have a lovely time here. The house Manhattan is actually a riff on a Vieux Carre with maraschino kicking the vermouth out the back door, and its a hell of a thing. Ethereal and layered. I may have to make this at home. For my second round I continued the New Orleans theme and asked for a rye/cognac Sazerac with their special barrel of Rittenhouse, and my server was happy to oblige. It, too, was layered and ethereal and simply lovely. Kelly had the Siegfried and Roy, a powerful double double cocktail you too will enjoy. As if the cocktails were not amazing enough, that Saturday the DJ was spinning 80s new wave and it was all I could ever hope for. Service is super friendly, and a bottle of Blanton's awaits you if you need a change of pace. The only drawback is that the place is really small, and the plastic chairs were a wee bit flimsy. But despite that we had a lovely time and will be back. read more

Friendly staff and cozy music tastes. I thought the area was a bit shady, but I'm glad that I was wrong. They have more options for drinks than other bars. read more

Bokeh - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely our favorite place for date night! Excellent service, beautiful atmosphere, creative tasty cocktails and delicious trout dip are perfection! Thanks, K., for making our anniversary special! Thanks to M. & N. too for the payback/payforward! read more

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This is the 4th time we've been here. We enjoyed the first time, but not the last 3 times. One time we were there and a guy sat at the bar next to me on his laptop computer the whole time. Get a life, dude. On this latest visit (tonight) the drinks were par, and I ordered a fancy tequila drink, there was sooooo much smoke in it that it burned my lips. I had to keep dumping water into it. At first blush Britt appears semi-friendly, but it's not genuine. She's busy taking to folks she deems worthy to talk to her. Never asked if I liked the drink, and I left most of it. The place is always 100 degrees, and they think being aloof is trendy, but it's not. read more

Bokeh - Too much smoke... - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

North Kedzie has great ethnic restaurants and in particular good Persian cuisine. But not many bars. We were in the area and yelped bars and Bokeh popped up. It is hard to find because the bar entrance is fairly narrow. When you enter, you are exposed to comfy and stylish furniture, geodesic hanging lights and muted color tones. There is also the great music mix they play but not too loud. The mixologist came to our table and the cocktail menu has familiar friends along with their twist on others. I ordered Postcards from Japan which is served on a Japanese postcard and my wife ordered Put it On the Spritz. Both were excellent. We're in the Mood is a cocktail that changes to whatever they want to make. We sat and sipped and found o really well crafted chill space and what everyone wants in a cocktail bar. They have limited food items, meant to play second fiddle to their cocktails. Come on over for a libation from the busy world outside. read more

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Bokeh, a term commonly used to describe the blur in the background/foreground in order to highlight the focal point. A play on words or reality for that matter? Now we're getting philosophical! The menu continues to expand on the theme with their signature drinks . If you have a photography buddy, who isn't with everyone and their mother being a photographer or instagram model, this place is perfection. Anyway, let's focus on the drinks... -Depth of Field - a cabbage inspired with a cynar foam. Not vegetal at all, but a very smooth amaro based cocktail. Chilled and no ice. -Focal Length - fruity, smokey, a mature "punch". Delicious and refreshing. -Last Looks - it's a play on a similarly named cocktail, but I can't remember the name. Also a great chilled and tasty drink - no ice! TLDR; Drinks are spot on! It reminds me of Whistler and Billy Sunday. A very respectable establishment and look forward to revisiting again for food. read more

Bokeh - Happy hour drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this place!! Service is top notch. We had the best bartender. Drinks are delicious. So glad we found this gem in our neighborhood. This is going to be our regular spot. read more

This place is so cute and the staff is so nice! I came here with my friend for a girls night and it was so fun! We had a great time and I recommend the Shaky Face cocktail! You get a polaroid taken if you and it's super cute and man did that drink give me a shaky face! read more

Bokeh - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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There is so much awesomeness going on here at Bokeh! I've been here several times now for Happy Hour and even my hubby gave it 2 thumbs up! Happy Hour is Sunday - Thursday 4pm-7pm. We've been coming here now for a couple of months and have seen the evolution of the Happy Hour menu (for example the corn fritters - which we loved - are no longer on the menu.) We love Bokeh so much that we introduced it to a few friends as well. When you come here, be prepared to either sit at the counter or snag one of the 2-seater tables along the wall. If you have a party of 3-4 people, be sure to get there early to snag the table at the front or the table towards the back. These are the only 2 options for 3-4 people. Bokeh is a small space, and that's just one drawback but the delicious food options and cocktails will keep you coming back again and again. Bokeh is so awesome, let me count the ways: 1- Delicious drink options. The Old Fashioned is perfect. The perfect combination of booziness and hint of sweetness. If you are not in the mood for a boozy drink, try Hemingway's Daiquiri. It is light and refreshing. A little too easy to toss back if ya feel me. 2- Great food options. We have several favorites starting with the egg sandwich. OMG it must be the bacon jam they shmear on this sandwich that makes it magical. Fried egg, gruyere, garlic aioli and arugula round out the rest of the sandwich. We love to get the meat and cheese platter and just graze while we sip cocktails. 3- Chris. Chris will greet you when you walk in, he will whip up yummy cocktails, he will take your order and bring yummy bites to your table -- all with a smile! Bokeh is an intimate space to enjoy a couple of cocktails and light bites where you can sit back and soak in the ambience. read more

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Loved this cocktail bar! Cute/vibey spot in albany park with a fun list of cocktails on their menu. I went there on a saturday night, just a bit past 6P for a drink before meeting friends for dinner in the neighborhood. As soon as I walked was greeted by the bartender even before I sat down at the bar. I went with the 'Mirand Priestly' Opinion' cocktail which is a malort based drink (I dont actually mind malort at baseline FYI) - was a very interesting drink that actually hides the initial taste of malort although the it comes through subtly at the end. I would recommend this drink! I only had time for one drink, so cannot comment on more - but there were several other cocktails I want to go back to try which will require multiple visits! They also present the drinks with these fun/quirky coasters - just a fun extra touch. Also the bartender was friendly, asked how the drink was, quick to cash me out. read more

Bokeh - Mirand Priestly' Opinion cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Extremely cute little cocktail bar. The staff is always friendly and excited for you. Great drinks, great music, not too full of itself.

Went here for happy hour the first time last week and was pleasantly surprised. Great food and well crafted cocktails. Bartender was professional and friendly!! Will def be back!! read more

When I stopped in on a Friday night, the atmosphere was very calm and quaint. It seems like a place where you can have full conversations and stay awhile. The drinks are creative and I appreciate the attention to detail that goes into each presentation! read more

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Bokeh is hands down one of my favorite bars in the city. From the decor to music to friendly and attentive service to the quality of drinks, I go here pretty frequently. I would've given this place 4 stars, but they recently changed their menu, improved their happy hour menu and finally added espresso martinis to the list. It's pretty chill during the week, which I personally love, and it can get a little snug on the weekends, since the bar is more on the narrow side - but bokeh is still worth the visit. Highly recommend. read more

I had a reasonably priced and very tasty mocktail. I liked the decor and music selection. It was Monday night so not too busy. Bartender was friendly. I look forward to coming back to try a cocktail and their food menu. read more

OMG!!! Look how amazing these #Pride #cocktails at a #speakeasy style neighborhood establishment Bokeh are! #AlbanyPark #Bokeh read more

Bokeh - "Kink Belongs At Pride" cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in here on a Saturday night and was pleasantly surprised by how good the drinks were. The place is not huge but very comfortable and they had a good drink selection. They were happy to accommodate me when I asked for a drink that wasn't enough on the menu. Will definitely be back soon. read more

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Stopped by here for a nightcap after dinner on a Saturday night, and it was easy to get a table or seat at the bar. The vibe was cute, cozy, and welcoming. The menu has something for everyone, from proper cocktail connoisseurs to those of us who just like fun drinks. Service was quick and kind, and while we didn't order anything to eat this time, I definitely want to go back and try their food. read more

Truly a neighborhood gem! I was excited to hear this place was opening, as the area desperately needed a nice cocktail bar as there is virtually no night life in the immediate area. The name and theme may be lost on about 95% of people, but my photographer friend appreciated it. She astutely observed, however, that this photography-themed hot spot didn't have any photography on the walls! Aside from the lack of photographic art, the interior is lovely--clean, modern, and relaxed. We had the epic meat and cheese platter which, much to our delight, included the deviled eggs. We also got the chick peas to snack on. I'd recommend both. For cocktails, we had the "daylight", "hot shoe", "auto focus", and raspberry cider. All were tasty. The only issue was the crushed ice in the hot shoe made it impossible to drink through the straw till it melted. I love that they used metal straws, though! I'm thrilled to have such a great place in the neighborhood! read more

Fabulous cocktail menu and great service! A few a friends took me to Bokeh because of the cocktail menu for Pride month. The drinks were wonderful and there were tons of options outside of the seasonal menu. I'll definitely be visiting again! read more

2nd day of soft opening. Got to meet Rick (owner). We briefly chatted a moment about Albany Park needing a little casual cocktail spot and he mentioned his background. He seems like a nice guy and was welcoming throughout the evening. I mentioned we were looking for a local spot to hang out often and I shared an experience with him about a local place that had watered down drinks that we don't visit anymore because of this fact. We started with bacon wrapped dates stuffed with almonds. They tasted freshly made and served on a bed of lettuce, so much it was almost a salad. Decent presentation & flavor. Overall, nice menu choices for snacking and sharing. Service was great. Rick and our waitress, Dee came around often & also gave us space to talk amongst ourselves. Dee seemed like she's been in this industry before and was very attentive to us. The cocktails looked wonderful, but they were light in flavor and alcohol content. I'm really questioning myself here as I don't drink cocktails often, but this has happened once again. I asked my wife to be sure and she agreed the drinks tasted watered down. I'm surprised this happened even after I mentioned my issue with the other restaurant. Rick came around with cocktail napkins for our drinks a bit late. I was done with my cocktail and my wife almost finished hers. Mind you, I drank the cocktail pretty fast (within 10 minutes). Napkins probably should have been brought out with the cocktails. Not a dealbreaker. Dee brought back a menu after we had just asked Rick for the check. Slight mixup. No one got hurt. Decor is modern. Music was synthesizer 80's electronic vibe. Turntables on the countertop. My take away: We'll give it another go-around once they've been open for a few months and see how they fare. I'm rooting for them. read more

Bokeh - Mescal on the left. Gin, lime and sage on the right. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bokeh is a very nice addition to the neighborhood. It is located very close to the Kedzie Brown Line stop on Kedzie. The bar serves cocktail, wine, and beer and tapas. As the bar's name suggests, there is a photography theme attached to the bar. Several drinks have photography terminology-inspired names. We tried several of the cocktails, all of which were great. The beet cocktail was interesting, and if you like beets, it's pretty good. They also have a few mezcal drinks, which is always nice. We tried the corn fritters and the cheese board. Both were cooked well and tasty. We will continue to return to Bokeh! I hope to see the menu and drinks expand. I'm not sure if they'll be able to open a patio or sidewalk seating at any point, but I think that might be helpful. Additionally, advertising their happy hour to those getting off the CTA might be helpful for them. The happy hour is long and affordable. read more

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We visited for the first time on Bokeh's first day open. We each got a drink and an order of the smashed potato dish to share. The Golden Hour cocktail was a delight and the potatoes were delicious-- portion was great for an appetizer for two. The space inside is warm and inviting. Well decorated and tasteful, but not so much that there feels like a need to dress up. We look forward to returning soon and are so excited to have this new spot on our street! read more

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This dimly lit bar/lounge is a great neighborhood find! I was looking for a place near my house that had happy hour specials...and this was the perfect spot! Chris was the ultimate bartender! He welcomed me, as well as others, with a smile and a warm 'hello'. He was very attentive and accommodating. I sat at the bar, (which doesn't have the best/most comfortable bar stools) where I tried many of their dishes. The pate was good, the trout dip was ok. The hot chicken was yummy, and the mini cheese plate was ok. (2 kinds of cheese and 2 meats). The deviled eggs were good, but could have been better If made fresh. (The whites were a little rubbery.) The HH special of a $15 bottle of champagne is something you cannot beat! It tasted great, but even a better price! The place is on the small side, and a bit dark, but a great place for a couple of friends to get close and catch up! FYI- Tuesday night is industry night! read more

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Tonight was the second time I've been to Bokeh with a friend and it was just as great as the first!! Love the queer ambiance, love the setup of the space, love the energy of the bartenders and everyone who frequents there. Truly a gem of Albany Park. So glad I stumbled upon it on the way to the train last month. ALSO, in honor of February, our server wore the cutest Cupids outfit complete with angel wings and all! It really cemented the place as a keeper for me haha. That same server came over after my friend had tipped over her wine glass and not only had the spill mopped up in less than a minute, but brought her a new glass shortly afterward! That really rounded out a 5-star performance for me please visit this place sometime, you'll find yourself wanting to come back after shorter and shorter periods of time with every trip here read more

It's basically been a year since I've dined out on Kedzie. Though this place has been open since late-2019, this was my first time in. The ambiance and decor are spot on, the cocktail menu is both excellent and elevated, the vibe is friendly and chill. #highlyrecommend read more

Bokeh - Cocktail menu, summer '21 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered from here during 2021 Chicago restaurant week-- I think they are at a 6 person capacity. It's intimate and really an awesome date night spot! FYI, this is more of a bar than a restaurant I guess? Licensing-wise, no minors are allowed in (we take our daughter to a lot of restaurants with great cocktail lists, but this one must be registered differently, which is totally fine, we just didn't realize!)-- we ordered cocktails to go along with our food, and it was all delicious! :) They're selling 4 serving large formats of a lot of different drinks; we chose "Postcard from Japan" which was citrusy, light, and delicious. :) Highly recommend! The food was excellent as well-- smashed potatoes, fried chicken (WHAT IS THE DIPPING SAUCE?? So good!), whipped goat cheese/beet/arugula salad, mini cheese board, and a s'more! Super nice and fast staff. Delightful. We shall return (without our daughter!) and also order from here again! :) read more

Some of the best cocktails I've had in Chicago! Cocktails are inventive and experimental. Quality throughout. cozy atmosphere / aesthetic. Have been here many times & always loved my experience. There is no place like this one in Albany Park. read more

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Bokeh is a relaxing cocktail bar in Albany Park, just a few steps north of the Kedzie brown line. Small space but typical for a cocktail bar and very comfortable. Acceptable noise level for conversation. We enjoyed 2 cocktails both of which were tasty as well as small plates of grilled brocollini, kale salad (delicious) and corn fritters. Friendly service. read more

Bokeh - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois