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    Clara

    4.7 (33 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Clara Photos

    CLARA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Clara

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    Reviews With Photos

    Marissa M.

    My friend and I came to Clara on a Friday night. We had heard that it was an incredible music venue, and the music did not disappoint! Artists were incredible, and I loved that both acts were local. The service was subpar. It's a seat yourself environment with wait staff getting drinks. Tables were full, so we started at the bar and moved to a table. Our drinks took 25 minutes, and one of them was wrong. After another 20 or so minutes, they both came out. Ordering a second round basically was not worth it by the time the second round finally came out. The drinks themselves were really good, with our favorite being the espresso martini with pistachio. I'd be game to come back but it's not high on my list with the service we experienced.

    Grant S.

    Last night we had extra time before a show and stumbled into Clara. We had a BLAST and look forward to our next excuse to go back! First, the ambiance is so chic and refined. Immediately upon walking in we were greeted with beautiful live jazz music. Absolutely stunning and high class! There are lots of tables from the lower front section, to the upper bar section, and into the back plant room. Don't be deceived by the narrow entrance, this spot is long and full of spots to relax! We posted up at the bar because we needed to be quicker than table service. I was blown away by the creative and delicious looking cocktails and my husband was very happy with the draft beer list. I got the tangerine manhattan and my spouse got the Son of Juice from Maplewood. We both loved our selections and look forward to trying other options next time! The staff were friendly and professional, offering classy vibes and welcoming service. Prices were reasonable for such an innovative and creative space with live music. The ambiance was chic and clean. There are two bathrooms, one in the middle section by the bar, and one back in the plant room. We look forward to the next time we are in Wicker Park so we can pay a visit to Clara with intention and more time. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to check it out!

    Guansabella
    Melanie T.

    Such a cool and relaxed cocktail bar! We came on a Friday night around 8:30 to catch their live jazz music and sip some cocktails. When we arrived, there were plenty of spots to sit (it began to really fill up around 9:30-10). We chose to sit in the back at the booth where we could watch the bartenders make drinks and see the jazz band from afar. The vibe was moody and classy with its nice lighting and live jazz band, but it also was very down to earth and welcoming. The bartenders and the patrons were a mix of casually dressed and dressed for a nice Friday outing, so it really felt like you could come as you are! The service was excellent, as they were attentive and very friendly. They all had a nice warm vibe. I got the guansabella which is spirit forward but really well balanced. It came with a dried fig garnish. The large ice cube was really cool and it's clear they put a lot of thoughtful and creative details into their cocktails! They also have some small snacks. We ordered the dark chocolate salted caramels which came with dried figs, apricots, and dates. It came with a tiny fork and knife which was cute and also functional. The aesthetics were really nice and it was perfect for sharing! This spot was such a great cocktail bar and I'm excited to come back! I definitely want to come for their happy hour and to try their version of the espresso martini which seemed very popular! Overall awesome vibes and a great spot to come for a date or with a group of friends.

    Cocktails
    Vaishnavi W.

    Clara in Wicker Park had a very chill vibe. Loved the ambiance. We went there for the Happy Hour on Saturday. The drinks were phenomenal, especially 'E Major' - it was an Espresso Martini with Pistachio. A very great combination. I wish we could stay for the band to start performing, maybe we'll come back next time for that. The service was also quick and good.

    Matcha martini
    Anita P.

    Happy hour deal has $15 cocktails! The matcha martini was super smooth and I could barely taste the alcohol. Super chill spot overall. I didn't get a chance to see the live music

    Andre W.

    Came to Clara recently to celebrate a friend's bday. I had never heard of this place beforehand, but glad he held his celebration here. When you first walk in, you see a piano and someone performing on it. They do really good live music here...mainly classical and jazz I believe. My friend told me Clara are heavy supporters of classical music...outstanding! Once you pass the piano and hi-tops, there are steps that take you to the bar and additional seating. The vibe is very chill and mellow and proper for good cocktail consumption. Guys behind the bar and ladies serving the tables were very good. Nice looking drinks everywhere! I decided to go with the Festive Lion which is sort of a mezcal/tequila old fashioned...I loved it! Good space and definitely a Wicker/Bucktown gem.

    Melishas drink
    Casey W.

    Such a pretty interior! I had the Melishas drunk cocktail, wasn't really sure if the ingredients would work well together, but it was delicious! The $10 martinis at happy hour are well worth it. I would go back for live music.

    Festive lion - delicious!
    Anna G.

    There was a live band playing when we walked in and plenty of seats at the bar in the back. You can pick a spot depending on how loud you want the music to be, which is nice. The cocktail menu is thoughtful and well balanced with non-alcoholic options, including shrubs. I picked the Festive Lion and it was delicious! So glad to have stumbled into this place.

    Colleen M.

    Good vibes, even better drinks. For the month of April (I think?) they had a speciality cocktail-- a strawberry matcha martini. This review is me formally requesting that this drink be permanently added to the menu. It is the best drink I've ever tasted. PLEASE, IM BEGGING

    E Major aka Espresso Martini
    Agnes K.

    Walked by and saw the live Jazz band and decided to pop in. What a pleasant surprise! The ambiance and vibe is equally cozy and festive. Decided to sit at the bar and while perusing the menu, the bar tender was more than willing to take a few minutes and discuss the options. I settled on the much recommended espresso martini complete with crushed pistachio sprinkled on top, and made our way over to a small table next to the booths. Delicious cocktails, friendly staff, live music and no cover. WIN!

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    2 years ago

    Great new bar in Wicker Park with friendly bartenders, live music, and 10/10 cocktails. Hidden gem!

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    2 years ago

    Amazing cocktail menu and great addition to the neighborhood. Will definitely be back for the live music!

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    One of my favorite cocktail bars in the city, I just learned a secret-- visit on Sunday afternoon…read morewhen there isn't a line out the door and it isn't slammed inside. Really creative cocktails, unusual wines, great snack list (and the complimentary olives and cheese made us able to stay longer add have another round!). If you sit at the bar, one of the very talented, friendly mixologists will guide you to your perfect drink progression-- that's right-- you're not just have one thing. Too hard to choose so why should you? There are low and no ABV options as well to balance out the martinis and other spirit forward offerings. I love the decor and overall vibe--classy, French-y, fun not stuffy. Great on your own, with a date, a small group. Special shout out to Hannah but everyone we interacted with was great.

    Of course when in Chicago, I had to check out Bisous, ranked #30 on North America's 50 Best Bars…read more2026, 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!

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    Sparrow - Bar area Hotel Nacional

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    Right before starting writing this one, I wrote a review for Kibbitznest, another phenomenal…read moreChicago bar with a totally different theme and vibe. That is to say: I am not throwing words of praise like "one of a kind" and "phenomenal" around lightly. Both are different and still amazing. Sparrow has a vibe straight out of the 1920s. The decor, signage, use of color, and absence of screens or TV's all contribute to the theme. The music is also appropriate and plays at the perfect volume to be pleasant without forcing one to raise their voice. I tried the Green Daisy and a House Old Fashioned. The Green Daisy was boozy and had some herbaceous notes. A little tartness and a little sweetness helped balance the drink out and make for a phenomenal sipper. I loved the creativity with this one! The House Old Fashioned was also well done, assembled with quality ingredients in balance with one another. Nothing wrong with a well-executed classic. The prices are more or less reasonable considering the location and overall market, with bevies costing around $16. The bar staff is excellent! Very friendly and welcoming! Final verdict: A spot where I can say come for the drinks and stay for the vibe. It's the kind of place where walking in you are transported a century into the past. Everything about the experience, including the atmosphere, drinks, service, and prices, is calling me to return and bring some people with me.

    This might be my favorite rum bar in the country. If you want intimate spaces, moody lighting,…read moreextensive rum selections, and drink specials come here. Monday nights are my favorite because they offer a different specialty rum in special. It's a great way to try different kinds. They also serve beer, wine, and every other spirit you can imagine. Cocktails are on point. Seating options are varied: bar seats, small tables in back, bench seating with tiny tables up front. Quiet and comfortable.

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    0.0 miWicker Park, West Town

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    I came here on my own to check out their happy hour because I have heard good things but I was a…read morebit disappointed. I came in right around 5pm so it wasnt very busy yet. I ordered the horchata 2 ways cocktail which was $12 for haply hour and is typically $16. $12 is the highest amount for a happy hour cocktail that I have ever paid and I dont think it was worth it. The 1st sip was good but it was a very sweet drink and I was over it by the end. The drink also was half a very heavy cream so when you drank it you were drinking the liquid but not getting much of the cream. So you either had to lick the cream off the top or drink on the liquid and then either leave the cream or somehow scoop it out with your tongue so not really a well conceived cocktail. One of the fun and unique things about the bar is they bring out free tapas every once in a while similar to bars in Spain. They brought out edamame to the people at the bar right around 5pm and a group next to me asked at around 530pm if more tapas would come out and the bar person said the come out every 45 mins. I was there til around 630pm and another round of tapas never came out so do not expect that if you go. They did not give you water unless you specific ask for it which I though was odd, I heard 3 groups besides myself at the bar who had to ask for water, especially since this is supposed to be a nice cocktail bar and this is just one of my pet peeves but the water did not contain ice and was closer to room temperature which is not how I enjoy my water. Despite not being super crowded I had to ask for the check from 2 different people and it took 15 mins for them to bring it so if it is crowded I expect they will have pretty slow service. They do bring you a fortune cookie woth your check where you can potentially win a discount on your check or other prizes which is fun. Unfortunately the fortune cookie tastes a bit stale. I would say that this place is not worth it for happy hour but it had a cool but very dark vibe in there so it might be good for a romantic date depending on how good the food is.

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    Truce - The cocktails are legit

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    4.8(53 reviews)
    0.5 miBucktown

    Coffee and cocktails. Do we really need anything else? With standard hours ranging from 8 AM to…read moreMidnight most days, Truce has got you covered, whatever the mood. Very clever drink list. With mixology being all the rage for the last 20+ years, I almost feel like it's hard to come up with a new drink concept these days. Truce shows that creativity in the world of booze is alive and well, and I count myself lucky to have had a taste. The 'Peas + Carrots' was a surprise win. Scotch, blanco tequila, sochu, carrot, snap pea, ginger, and kukicha. Sounds bizarre as hell, but it absolutely works. I also had a 'Final Say,' a spin on a classic featuring gin, clementine, fino, galliano, turmeric, black pepper, and lemon. The 'I Can't Believe It's Beer' has everything from mezcal and rooibos tea to guava and an aperitivo. I could ramble on about their menu, but I'd say just check Truce out yourself. You get what I'm saying. Their creative juices are clearly flowing, and they switch the menu up seasonally. They have some light bites too, but I really recommend them for cocktails and coffee. I wouldn't come here for dinner. They do drinks, so come here to drink. Plenty of very savvy-sounding N/A options, too. It's sleek, intimate, sexy, relaxed, and fun. Come through at 8 AM for a cocktail, roll through at 11 PM for a coffee, there's no judgment here. I'll be keeping an eye on Truce.

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    Came here with a friend a few months ago after a show at empty bottle for a couple beers. This…read moreplace uses touch tunes which allows you play whatever music you want through the app. We were playing some early 2000's hip hop and couldn't help to notice the bartender giving us dirty looks. Made us feel uncomfortable, so we left. Fast forward to a couple nights ago . We were in the area and gave it another chance. Couldn't help to notice that all hip hop, rap, Latin music are completely blocked off. Politely asked the bartender what was up with that? He seemed very uncomfortable with my question and gave us a very sarcastic response. "Well, I guess that's a racist juke box." We immediately felt the bad energy. We proceed to finish our beers and play a jazz song by a black female singer. Immediately the bartender and some older biker looking dudes next to us start talking smack about the song. They asked if we put the song on? We said yes, and tell us to read the room. So I respond in a very sarcastic tone. "oh, you want us to read the room, would you like us to play some Toby Keith or Kid rock for you?" They smirked and had no response. I strongly believe the place is owned and operated by white supremacist maga brothren's. I would strongly encourage people In the neighborhood to stop supporting this business.

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    Clara - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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