Having visited speakeasies across the country, including some incredible spots in Chicago, I wasn't expecting to find one this good--but Booze Box completely exceeded my expectations. From the hidden alley entrance to the moody atmosphere, everything about this place creates an unforgettable experience. The staff was welcoming and attentive, the live DJ kept the energy up all night, and the cocktails were outstanding. We also tried several food items, and they were just as impressive as the drinks. One of the best parts is the location--it's close to everything, making it an easy stop whether you're starting or ending your night. If you're looking for a true speakeasy vibe with great drinks, delicious food, and an amazing atmosphere, Booze Box is a must-visit. Easily one of the best nights out I've had. Highly recommend! read more

Booze Box - Sake flight - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Booze box was such a great surprise! We didn't have a reservation so there was a bit of a wait. The place is inconspicuous because you have to walk through sushi Roku and go downstairs to find this gem. The music was vibing! The overall ambience is very moody and very Japanese. We finally found some seats at the bar. We ordered the Pear Up, Eastern Medicine, Bourbon Basil and Gin Shinsen cocktails. Omg the pear up cocktail was toooooooo good, it's my fav cocktail in the city now. The other cocktails were great too, but I just can't get over Pear up. Overall, the vibe was awesome! The music got louder as the night passed by. They even had a dj playing different tracks. read more

See all

Loved the setting of the place and was able to get a seat really quickly. I dont remember which drink I got, I just remember asking for the sweetest. It was very very tasty! The fist cocktail on the list wasn't as good and we had to return it. But the sweet one was super good! I would come again for sure! read more

Booze Box - Tempura Spicy Tuna - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

What a cool speak easy. Reservations are definitely recommended! We tried so many things on the menu and the waiter, Cory, was super helpful on menu and drink choices. The food was top tier and the atmosphere was awesome. So glad we tried this. Sorry! I can't remember half the items we ordered but do have pictures. My favorite was the dragon roll and the salted caramel read more

Cuteeee... who doesn't love a hidden gem, especially when sushi's involved? The ambiance was quaint with a touch of sexy--dim lights, good energy, and the kind of spot that feels both cozy and cool. My drink was an easy win (anything with ube is a yes from me), and I'll absolutely be getting it again. Customer service was average--not bad, not great--but the DJ was a fun surprise that brought the whole vibe up a notch. A little sip, a little sound, and sushi? Say less. read more

See all

Both the drinks and the food were great! They had a sake flight that I quite enjoyed! read more

Booze Box - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Booze Box is a speakeasy located at the bottom floor of Sushi Doku! It is easily one of my favorite sushi places in Chicago! I have been to this place many times but never added a review until recently! On my recent visit, I tried Godzilla which is a sweet potato sushi and one of their vegetarian sushis! It was yum! My friend tried raw oysters and he loved them (apparently higher in protein and low on carbs) We also tried to be a bit too experimental on a weekday and ended up having 3 tequila shots (not a good idea) Surprisingly they were not served with salt, just a lemon wedge but the server gave it to us when requested. I also tried Something Spicy which is a mezcal based drink and it was delicious! Try this place if you like Japanese cuisine, you will not be disappointed! P.S. They have economical coasters, they are made up of their menu, which I thought was pretty smart! read more

See all

Love this swanky spot to get cocktails and sushi! We popped in spontaneously and were able to get bar seats. I got a tequila cocktail that was super refreshing with the miso salmon roll, which was very fresh and tasty. Fun music and vibes! read more

Booze Box - Miso Salmon roll - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This spot is located in the basement of sushi dokku! We entered the entrance in the sushi dokku alley. It's such a fun spot for drinks and i believe you can also order food! My friends and i stopped by for drinks and they definitely packed a punch but were delicious. Our server was also so helpful and kind. Putting this spot on my go-to cocktail lounges! read more

Booze Box - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a hidden gem in the Fulton Market area with a hipster, secret-bar vibe. Hidden in the basement of Sushi Dokku, entry is made via an unmarked doorway and down a darkened stairwell. It's cool in a "speakeasy" sort of way but gives off a bit of an alarming sense that you are walking into a den of thieves because the stairs are dim as they lead you into a blind corner. Once you make the corner and see the greeter, all is right in the world and then some! There is a central bar with seating and a perimeter of open, somewhat elevated booths which makes for some great people watching if you put your back to the wall. There are some inventive cocktail twists (several standards but using Japanese liquors in place of traditional spirits) and a nice sake' and Japanese whiskey list for those wanting to get their drink on with a Japanese fetish. It is worth checking these liquids out since some of are not found all that often around the US. The menu fronts items from the same kitchen upstairs at Sushi Dokku so the same quality food can be had here but in a much more intimate setting if you are trying to impress. Nothing is cheap but the product quality and prep is high-grade. This is not your supermarket grab-and-go style of sushi. Some of the best items of the night were the Japanese Manhattan (a riff off a regular Manhattan with Japanese Whiskey, sake', vermouth and some plum instead of a cherry; The oyster shooter (raw in a glass with ponzu and a raw quail egg); all of the nigiri bites, and the grilled lamb chops. I did not find a marginal dish all night. Everything can be plated out to share and it really supports a communal type of dining/social experience with others at your table. I was there on a Monday night and it was not crowded and there was no loud music going on so it was perfect for me. I did feel like the old guy in the room since the people that come in here are of the young, hipster variety. But they were happy to take my money and I was happy to ingest their food and drink. I left quite satisfied. This is a place not to be missed if you like this kind of thing. read more

See all

Best tempura roll I have ever had. Best egg white cocktail I have ever had. Service was fast. Bartenders are efficient and take pride in what they create. Ambiance was SUCH A VIBE. Surprised this spot does not have so many reviews! read more

Booze Box - Godzilla and delicious cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Booze box is a exciting--albeit somewhat mysterious--spot with a good selection of cocktails, pleasant music, and deep red lighting (further adding to the mystery). My drink was beyond good. Coming from out of town, I was a little startled to see cocktail prices at $15-16; however, everyone in my group felt very satisfied with their drinks! I personally got the Staycation which was fruity, subtlety sweet, and had just the right balance of coconut! read more

Booze Box - Staycation - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I visited Booze Box during restaurant week and absolutely loved my visit! I still haven't been to Sushi Dokku's main restaurant, but will certainly be going soon. Booze Box is Sushi Dokku's downstairs speakeasy style lounge and it's such a fun vibe. (If you're visiting, look for the red arrow in the alley!) They have a DJ on the weekends in the evening, but during the earlier hours it's a much more chill and intimate setting. We sat at the bar and the service was great, the bartenders/servers kept checking on us, but not in an overwhelming way. The restaurant week menu they had was amazing and so delicious. I loved everything I was able to try. Their sushi and nigiri is so fresh and flavorful. I would highly recommend if you like sushi. It's hard to get a reservation, so be sure to book in advance if you plan on visiting either spot. Their drinks are also very unique and interesting, many use Japanese liquors which is their specialty. I can't wait to go back to Booze Box, and check out Sushi Dokku's main dining room upstairs! read more

See all

Had a reservation on a Thursday night for 7 people. We got a booth, but the table was a little small for us. We started off with a round of cocktails including a couple something spicy's, espresso martinis, eastern medicine and staycation. All the cocktails were amazing. Well balanced and tasted great! We also did a round of sake bombs and then additional beers. The service was on point! We were checked on often and the table was cleared of empty plates and platters quickly. We also got a lot of food to share, which was all amazing. The highlights and favorites for our table were definitely the takoyaki, the seared scallops, the fatty bluefin and the crispy maguro roll. Honorable mention goes to the karaage, spicy tuna roll and pork gyoza. Finally, the ambiance was amazing. It was a speakeasy vibe, so wasn't too loud to have a conversation, great cocktails, cozy atmosphere and unlike some, a huge selection of amazing food. 100% will be back again! read more

See all

One thing I love about Sushi Dokku/ booze box is there sake tasting & intricate drink menu. Upon arrival you get a cool toilet paper with water to clean your hands. I personally recommend sitting at the sushi bar or in the booze box for that city feeling! This restaurant is my go to sushi spot in west loop and I take all my friends who come to visit me. Plus compared to most sushi places I feel it is well priced. Recommend this location for fun date nights, or bestie hang outs. DEFINITELY MAKE A RESERVATION!! read more

See all

I've been wanting to check this place out since I moved to Chicago and finally got the opportunity! The atmosphere is something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. It's dark and intimate and perfect for a date night OR if you're simply treating yourself! We were lucky to snag these bar seats so be sure to put in a reservation... this is a popular spot for obvious reasons! The drinks were extraordinary -- shoutout to the bartenders! As for the food: wow wow wow. The oyster shooters had me shocked, they're so delicious! The Godzilla roll is everything that you're craving in a savory sushi roll and the shrimp nigiri-- geeez. It was so delectable. Everything was pure perfection! read more

See all

A friend had recommended this place for late night vibes and drinks. We called in the day of and were able to get a reservation for 10 pm. Although we did have to wait some time before getting our table, the staff was so friendly and accommodating. The drinks were delicious and they had multiple vegetarian dishes. Pro tip: they have a late night snack menu available after their dinner one. My favorite thing about this place is the vibes- you really feel like you're in a hidden location. read more

Booze Box - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Drinks are good, food is good, ambience is broody. They have a DJ and music likely depends on who is manning the speakers, it wasn't great the night I went. read more

I was super confused by this place because its a restaurant upstairs (sushi dokku), and same kitchen/owner(?) for the place downstairs but called booze box (?). The downstairs can be easily accessed via back-alleyway amongst the big dumpsters, marked with a red arrow - speakeasy type of vibes. You'll take a small staircase down into a vibey basement with dim but cozy lighting. i'm told the food is the same, just different vibes depending on what you're going for. The place was fairly busy for a Thursday evening; fortunately my friend had the foresight to make a reservation ahead of time. Ok so overall verdict - drinks are amazing, sushi is good - not the best sushi I've ever had, but still palatable. (At this time, have not had enough sushi in the Chicago area to make a verdict on whether this is the best sushi in the area). We ordered the gyoza, hamachi nigiri bites, tuna truffle nigiri bites, the crispy maguro roll, and 2 mochi for dessert (red bean and black sesame flavor). Unfortunately they were sold out of the wagyu nigiri bites :( Our waiter said that the restaurant was most known for their chef dressed nigiri bites so unsurprisingly the tuna truffle nigiri bite was probably my favorite thing to eat but i'm also a huge sucker for truffle flavor! Generally felt that portions were tidy and prices were high, which is typical for a sushi restaurant but just as a forewarning. While the waiter said that the mochi was 2 pieces, what he really meant was that its 1 mochi cut into two pieces. So it is really two mouthfuls :) So I would order a few more ice cream mochi if you have more people in your party. I would potentially come back for drinks and small bites, especially if they have a DJ in house, but would pursue a full meal elsewhere to get full. read more

This place was a whole vibe. The hubby and I were having a date night, which lead us here. I was very excited. Initially we just wanted drinks but got a little munchie so we ordered food. The drinks were phenomenal and food was tasting amazing. When I was reaching the final bites of my chicken wing I noticed it was extremely red. I alerted a staff member, who pointed to another staff member, who alerted the chief. They took it off the bill but the damage was already done. I'm pretty grossed out by the situation. read more

Booze Box - Karaage: Japanese fried chicken wings. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A great speakeasy option! Had a late Saturday night reservation to kick off an evening on the town. It's the side door next to sushi Dokku - with a subtle bar sign above. Food/drinks - great options! Murasaki was delicious, I'm a sucker for anything ube. Also great snacking options for a quick bite. Highly recommend the deviled eggs, ultimate classic with an Asian twist. Service - very on top of it and helpful. They even circled back to confirm an order. Very open with when the kitchen was closing and checked on us to make sure we got final orders. Ambiance - great dark vibes, moody red lights. Great DJ and comfy booths. Definitely packed so expect to sit at the bar if you don't have a reservation. Also LOUD, no worries for a group but don't expect deep conversations. read more

My son has been wanting to take us to Booze Box for a very long time. It was definitely worth the wait. I loved the entrance in the alley with the nondescript arrow, then walking downstairs into a small and intimate space. Cory was our server and provided friendly, entertaining and attentive service. We met two of the nicest bartenders, Neven, and Johnny. So personable and friendly! Our table of four started out with cocktails then the magic began. My son CJ has been here many times, so he took the reins and ordered a variety of sushi dishes, shishito peppers and gyoza. Unfortunately, I don't know the names of everything he ordered, but I do know each taste was full of flavor, fresh and innovative. I literally savored each and every bite. Johnny the bartender gave us complimentary shots of his special blend cocktail. How nice was that? If it's not on the menu, that cocktail should be. To end the meal, we shared the green tea cheesecake - so good! This dining experience was everything my son said it would be, no exaggeration. The food is creative and artistic and delicious. The atmosphere is intimate. I definitely want to go back to experience this again. I highly recommend Booze Box for cocktails and delicious eats. Fabulous! read more

See all

My daughter and I have been to Booze Box several times and it never disappoints. On February 14th my husband wanted to take me since he had never gone, but unfortunately it was booked and the likelihood of anything opening was slim. He was told to come anyway and that he could sit in the bar area as there could be seats available. About 15 minutes later he received an email from Amy that seats became available; a pleasant surprise. The food was amazing, the waiter was phenomenal (very jovial and friendly), the drinks were outstanding, service phenomenal, music and ambiance 10 out of 10. Thanks so much Amy, your customer centric service was so appreciated. Booze Box has now become one of my husband's favorites and as a surprise, I will be taking him back on his birthday March 19th. read more

Interesting place. It's in the basement of Sushi Dokku and has its own separate entrance. Definitely make a reservation, we had a group of 8 I believe and got seated immediately since we had one. I'm not a big sushi person but I ordered the Northern California roll and it was tasty, albeit pricey at $14. A friend and I split the takoyaki and that was... Interesting, ha. It has "air flakes" on the top that move so for a minute I thought the octopus in it was moving... Yikes! A different friend explained to us about air flakes though. For dessert we had red bean and chocolate chip mochi and both were very good. I'd come back here when in the area, they have small plates too and the ramen looked good also. read more

See all

Great speakeasy with amazing food and cocktails! If my friend had not shown it to me I would have never found booze box, there is just a small sign indicating its entrance but once you've found it you will never forget! Cool ambience and great service! Can't wait to go back! read more

Okay West Loop! I see you! Let's just say, if you don't have reservations here on the weekend, good luck finding a place to sit. You may get lucky, but I've tried coming here twice without a ressy, and man was that not a great idea. This past weekend on a Saturday night, I was able to grab an 11pm reservation the day before (literally the only thing available). So happy I got the opportunity to finally come here because I've heard great things. You can enter this place from two locations: either from inside Sushi Dokku above through stairs, or, in my opinion the better option, is through the alley-way behind the sushi restaurant. There's a large red illuminated arrow that points right to the entrance in the alley so you will not miss it. The door when you enter looks of something you'd find in Tokyo. Feels like a cool place to show off to friends visiting Chicago for the first time if you can casually take them here (with reservations as a surprise of course, lol). Upon entering, there is a bouncer who asks for ID's, and we had the pleasure of having a really nice hostess who shortly thereafter took us to our table. First off, the music here is lit. The DJs, from my experience of just trying to find a spot at the bar in the past (and not getting any luck) to my actual dine in experience this past weekend, do an amazing job of playing chill hip hop, r&b, some dance hall, and other mixes of great underground bar music. The crowd here tends to be diverse, and the music here creates an overall great vibe to grabbing cocktails and eating some Japanese appetizers. This is not the kind of place I'd come hoping to order a full ass meal. We did order a Takoyaki appetizer, which we both were kind of meh about. It was ok, but it didn't even taste like the typical octopus inside. I don't know, the texture was just different than what I'm used to. They do have plenty of food options and I've seen a lot of sushi being ordered, so if you want to take someone here on a date, this is a great place, just expect it to be on the louder side. I just don't think I'd personally order a lot of food here, but that's just me (maybe if I was upstairs at Sushi Dokku). They have a few of these two seater-two tops towards the back that could really give an intimate vibe if you're able to grab them. They're a bit enclosed and tight, giving it a nice private space. We were given a four-top table in the corner next to some coat hangers which was nice, but I really wish we were given either one of those private two-too tables or just a straight up curvy booth. Anyways, I had a Japanese Manhattan which I loved. Manhattan's can be so strong sometimes, but this one was perfect! Honestly, considering the neighborhood and where we were, I was expecting the drink prices to be a bit higher. I mean $15 for a nice presentable cocktail was pretty average, but knowing how boujee Fulton Market is, I was expecting to maybe pay $17-18 for these drinks Anyways, I will 100% be back to this place and can't wait to get a different table when friends visit me from out of town read more

This place is underneath Sushi Dokku. Two entrances: staircase from Sushi Dokku or the alleyway with a red arrow light. What we ordered: Dokku Snack ($2) | Sake Flight of 3 ($15) | Mochi Ice Cream List of Sake: Sword of the Sun | Wandering | Bishop | House Nigiri | Cowboy Yamahai | Taste: the mochi ice cream flavors rotate but their flavors were unique. my favorite from the sake was the house nigiri which was smooth You can order sushi and they have a dj playing. really cool atmosphere a weekend night. read more

Great spot...sushi was great as was the service their location is super cool... the fatty tuna was amazing!

Was very pleasantly surprised by this place. My friend and I were looking for some late night bites/drinks near Randolph and were able to get a last minute reservation on a Saturday night. We were seated by the sushi bar and given some fresh warm hand towels. We tried a couple of cocktails and sushi's the staff recommended and loved everything. The truffled tuna was soo rich and yum. Highly recommend this place for some casual but authentic sushi! read more

See all

Everything here is amazing! I came here with some friends recently on our trip to Chicago and I have no regrets. I unfortunately did not get any pictures of the food but everything we had was absolutely delicious. The green tea cheesecake is 10/10. The space is very intimate and makes you feel like you're somewhere hidden. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I recommend it and I will definitely be back when I am in Chicago again! read more

Booze Box - Entrance - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Get yourself a hot sake and share with a friend. This place is the best vibe for a quick drink. It gets very busy so try to reserve or arrive early! read more

Bustling bar located inside basement of sushi bar on Randolph. Drinks were well crafted w/nice amount of alcohol. Went on a busy Friday night but thankfully got a seat at the bar. Service was prompt. Look forward to returning to try the food. read more

This place is literally like a hole in the wall type of place. I stumbled upon it after having a nights out drinking, down an alleyway right by sushi dokku, there was a red arrow pointing towards the door which led downstairs to Booze box! Absolutely the lychee drink they had with the egg foam on top. It was super fantastic as well as their selection of soju. I also love the octopus as it was SUPER tender, like fall apart in your mouthwatering experience. Apparently they pressure cook it to the right temperature, and it stood out from the previous octopus I have tried at other places. We also had the nigiri, and my most favorite was the tuna truffle which was to die for. We also had other type of nigiri such as the zuke sake and the Kapachi which was pretty good. The miso salmon was definitely a roll which was very simple and fulfilling at the same time. Absolute go-to roll. Overall, the fish was very fresh, drinks were amazing, and the ambiance was definitely there with a DJ in the background. Definitely coming back again! read more

See all

Super cool bar under a sushi restaurant! We just grab drinks but it was so awesome. I totally recommend entering down the alley, just because that's way more fun. The drinks were really good. We did not make a reservation and we didn't have to wait very long to get chairs at the bar (but don't hold me to that). I have to use the word vibe here, because it was a total vibe. Great spot to grab a drink and chat at the bar! Super cool! read more

Booze Box - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Had to wait about 30 minutes before being seated on a Saturday evening. This place is pretty difficult to find if you didn't know it exist but once you walk in, the vibe is that of a speakeasy bar for sure. We were sat next to the speakers which was a little bit loud for us but the service was fine either way. We tried the Pear Up, Matcha, and Staycation cocktails which all were very tasty. Also ordered the Takoyaki and Shishito. Shishito was good (Kitchen made an extra order by accident and gave the 2nd order to us for free!) and the takoyaki was lacking in the amount of octopus but still tasted okay. Two people in our group ordered the Ramen which was average, for the price they have it for I felt like there should've been a few more ingredients in it but the broth and pork shoulder tasted alright. Would never crave to come here but its a cool place to take someone out to randomly. read more

Blown away by the quality of drinks, food, and specially the service. The speakeasy ambiance tops it off. Definitely on my list of must-do when in Chicago. read more

Did I suddenly walk into a yakuza club in Kabukicho, Shinjuku? Didn't get that reference? Then it's time to plan your next trip to Tokyo, friends. Booze Box is a fitting name for this izakaya. Like ones in Japan, you enter downstairs behind an actual sushi restaurant (whom I swear pays for the liquor license, since my tab was charged under their name instead of BB) and into a dark, eerie bar. Red everywhere. No, not the blood of your ancestors. It's tinted red for that laid back, sultry ambience. The three of us were seated at a booth where we were able to see all the action happening. From the bartenders pouring our drinks to patrons striking up conversations with workers around the dimly lit countertop. As for the drinks, expect to pay a bit more than your average bar. Drinks run from $8 - $16, given the kind of cocktail you'd enjoy. They offer some standard sake options you'd find at other restaurants, but if you're unfamiliar with the Japanese liquor, ask them for a recommendation! I stuck with my usual nigori sake (chilled) and thoroughly enjoyed sipping on my friend's saketini. The food here wasn't bad either. Note that it's going to be standard Japanese pub food with smaller portions, so don't expect to get full here. We ordered the karaage, and instead of receiving it as nuggets, we got it in the form of spicy wings. Different, but nonetheless tasty. Thanks Booze Box for a chill happy hour out before we took the streets of Boystown! No free parking, so good luck looking for a spot on the streets. がんばれ！ read more

Booze Box - Nihonshu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice dark scenery, with a solid booze menu. Doan and team are awesome. Take your date/partner here.

Super intimate basement bar with unique drinks on the menu. I like that the music is low enough to have a conversation with someone. I was expecting the drinks to be served in juice boxes...but they were served in regular glassware. I would definitely bring people here! read more

Booze Box is a cool speakeasy sushi restaurant with appetising food to offer. Once you enter this establishment - located in the basement of Sushi Dokku - you'll notice a cosy, dimly lit setting. Maybe a bit too dim, as it's hard to tell what's on your plate from time to time. A rectangular bar is the centerpiece of this lively restaurant, with small booths surrounding it that allow you to dine in a semi-private setting. Whether ordering sashimi or regular rolls, the restaurant does a great job at pairing flavours. Even the drinks are creative and taste delicious (try ordering the Bourbon basil cocktail). You can also order chef's specials that are off-menu and tailored to your taste. Unfortunately, when trying this out the special wasn't made yet by the time we finished our other food - so make sure it's all registered on the same order. read more