Remember how Halsted used to have several bars for grown-ups? There are not many places left that aren't about booming music and tedious club drinks. Elixir is a perfect bar to continue the evening after dinner is over, but you want to continue the dinner conversation. Music is moderately loud, but it still feels cozy and comfortable. Comfortable in a very draped-in-velvet way. Not comfortable in a sweatpants way. The mixology is absolutely expert. Had a mezcal and apricot liqueur cocktail last night. It's so easy for mezcal to go sideways in a drink. This was perfect. Service was fast, fun, and attentive. Although we were there with regulars, so no guarantees on that front. Elixir is definitely a place I'll be happy to return to, and I haven't felt that way about a bar on Halsted for a long time. read more

We have been to Elixir a few times and it is always a great choice for unique and delicious cocktails! It is a cozy little bar with dim lighting perfect for a date night drink. The bartenders are always very friendly and check in often which is always appreciated. You're always immediately given little pretzels to snack on which I love as a unique touch. This time we both chose a more standard cocktail, but they also always have very unique and delicious seasonal cocktails which are always amazing! I would definitely recommend Elixir to anyone looking for a spot to grab a quick and delicious cocktail! read more

Elixir - Red Dynasty - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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On our first night in Boystown, Jamie W and I were pretty overwhelmed by the crowds at Sidetrack and Roscoe's, so we ended up coming here to make Jamie's virginal gay bar debut. It was the right move because it had the kind of chill vibe we were seeking after a long flight from SFO. Fortunately there were two seats at the bar with our names on them. Figuratively speaking. They had quite a signature cocktail list on hand, and we felt it was our obligation to try as many as we could. At least that was what we said to ourselves as the evening wore on. Each cocktail was $14. We started with a couple of familiar libations. Jamie ordered the Mint Julep, a delightfully Deep South mix of bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint (photo: https://yelp.to/u-td8LdPLj). I went further south with the Pineapple Margarita which was emboldened by a tropically potent mix of pineapple infused tequila, lime juice, and agave (photo: https://yelp.to/V-Sf6Q_2qK). We got a bit bolder with our second round and found mixed results. Jamie had the Not Your Mom's Daiquiri which amped up the margarita by blending pineapple-infused tequila with Bacardi 8-year rum. Along with fresh lime and simple syrup, this one definitely had more of a kick (photo: https://yelp.to/1ZijDf6wMV). However, my order, the Pontiac Pony, was a spicy miss for me. It was a rather oddball mix of apple-cinnamon infused vodka, pear liqueur, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and ginger beer (photo: https://yelp.to/5dQoFdzG98). There was just a harshness that didn't sit well on my tongue. Oh well, the mellow vibe was cool. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...three out of four cocktails were aces, just one clinker AMBIANCE - 4 stars...very chill, fairly quiet for Boystown SERVICE - 4 stars...cool bartenders TOTAL - 4 stars...check it out when you take a break from your Boystown cruising RELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO read more

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Really delicious drinks for a reasonable price! I love that they have a seasonal drink menu too. Service was great and it's a cozy little space that was good vibes all around! read more

I love coming to elixir. It is a small bar with really chill vibes. feels very upscale and has amazing drinks. the bartenders have also always been great. always bring my friends here to start off the night. read more

Elixir - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great service, great martinis, and perfect location. Will frequent! Seating is limited, but I love the close atmosphere. read more

We popped in here for a drink before calling it an early night. The cocktail selection is intriguing and they know their mixology. The decor is really nice. A previous reviewer described it as "old word elegance." I agree with that to a point, the design certainly has a modern feel to it, but I concur that it is elegant. Even though it wasn't packed, we did have to wait a bit to order and then to get the drinks. It may be a result of the staffing shortage that has been plaguing the hospitality industry. read more

Exquisite gem on halsted street. Old world elegance meets modern beverages. Not just a bar, but an experience. I felt like a Queen! The drinks were good too! read more

Have been here a few times and enjoyed it every time. Management has a great way to make you feel like family at each visit. The dirty martini is one of the best I've had. The atmosphere and music are a nice break from the normal partying atmosphere of most bars in boystown yet the vibe is still upbeat. read more

Classy, hidden romantic gem of nice cocktails and martinis that is ALL affordably priced at $11. See $8 Specials on Tips. APPLE CRISP MARTINI was strong equalized with strong tarty Apple and flavorful cinnamon. 5-star Service from Chad (say Hello, Friends!). SNACK of pretzels and nuts is available upon request. Automatic water back in a bottle. Plenty of comfortable SEATING. Spacious well ventilated RESTROOM. read more

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Nice classy bar with craft cocktails . Small with 8 tables and bar seating . Very nice late night or after dinner place to have a relaxing drink . read more

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Blah. Servers were friendly fake & snobby. At least they made a delicious moscow mule :) read more

If you want a good, hand-crafted cocktail, go to Violet Hour, Tiny Lounge, Barrelhouse Flat or Drawing Room (all very good places, by the way). If you want a good, hand-crafted cocktail made by attractive, muscley men in tight black v-neck shirts, go to Elixir! I have been here a few times and the drinks and service have always been excellent. No attitude here. Last night I tried the strawberry basil lemonade and the green something. The lemonade was very refreshing and the basil added an interesting flavor. I don't remember exactly what was in the green drink but I loved it! I enjoy trying new and different drinks, especially ones with unique flavor combinations and Elixir doesn't disappoint. This is a great place to have drinks with friends or a date. read more

Elixir - I don't remember the name of this drink. It was the green something but it was very delicious! - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

How have I always missed this place?! It's a nice break from the usual busy dance-oriented bars of the area, and it's where you go when you just want to sit and have a fancy-ass cocktail. It's cozy, hip and the bartenders are great. The Bourbon shrub definitely deserves a try. Just watching the bartender make it is fun enough. The Apple Crisp Martini is also good, but dangerous because you can't even taste the alcohol. Next thing you know: you're tipsy. I'll definitely be back. read more

Elixir - Cocktails! - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Our friend brought us to Elixir and without great disappointment. The staff was really good and on-top-of-it. The decor is really upscale and while it might be clique-y it's not pretentious. We'd come back here again! read more

Elixir - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

"A-OK" is definitely the right way of putting it. Cocktails are good. Ambiance is nice. But I can't really think of when I would ever particularly want to go to Elixir. I used to go when I knew one of the bartenders, and usually got to try out some really interesting cocktails I never would have otherwise. But now I repeatedly hear the bartenders have gotten a bit too pretentious and aren't the best and I never feel a compelling enough reason to go verify those claims. It doesn't have a wow factor to it. I can get amazing cocktails at many other locations in the city and nothing particularly compels me to visit Elixir. If/when I'm in the area there are many other bars I'd rather go to. read more

First time coming to this hidden gem. I absolutely adore the mermaid/merman under the sea theme and cocktails to compliment the theme. I would like to praise Brett for treating my group like royalty, made sure we were taken care of the entire night. He's the true hero in this story. I can't wait to come back. read more

This place was lovely. A good mixed crowd, a cute waiter named TYLER, and delicious drinks on a Friday night. Went with a mixed crowd and didn't feel uncomfortable (or I should say, made to feel uncomfortable). Tyler, our server, was super sweet (and cute as can be) and recommended many drinks. Not a bad one in the bunch. I had a strawberry basil lemonade that was strong and refreshing on a hot night. Definitely had a kick. We talked for a good long while, and never felt rushed or pressured into ordering. Tyler checked on us regularly but didn't hover. I hate hovering. Bathroom was clean (yup, Kristin M., you can tell a lot about a place by the bathroom); and the place was stylish without being creepy. I will definitely be back even though it's a bit pricey. But hey, what is 11 bucks when you see them actually making your cocktail with all the love a good cocktail deserves. So what are you waiting for, go get you some Elixir! See you soon, Tyler! read more

Elder brother to the newer sibling in Andersonville, Elixir serves artisanal cocktails on the strip in Boystown. If you're looking for a darker, quieter space and you can snag a seat, this is a great choice. The place feels upscale, and I like that. It has a loungey feel, but that didn't stop some buff guy from stripping down to his thong last night at the end of the bar before he disappeared. We already had our buzz on by the time we dropped in, so nobody batted an eyelash. I'd give the place another star if I weren't subjected to sports on the TV last night. It might have been better if the volume were down, but I don't follow Chicago teams, and it seemed out of place to me. Drinks are, dare I use the term, on point. From classics to modern concoctions, the options are varied, and right in line for the money. I've tried a number of twists on old favorites and this time a seasonal 'Apples, Nut, Oh My!' with house made cinnamon apple vodka, walnut syrup, lemon, and walnut bitters. This was so good I asked the bartender for the recipe so I could make it for my next party. Part of LKH management, this bar group has grown from Hydrate to Replay to Elixir in Boystown and now has locations in Andersonville. The formula is working. read more

Listen, it's a pretty straight-forward looking bar in Boystown -- sort of modern, new, sort of geometric decor. But the staff and drinks are awesome. Drew, the bartender (and I think head of the bar) is the man. He's incredibly friendly, helpful, enthusiastic. Better yet, he's a bawler of a bartender. My friend and I just had him whipping up random cocktails for us, and they were all fire. We had some friendly company at the bar. Some guy from Krakow, Poland, and such. This always sums up to a better time, no doubt. All in all, a strong bar with strong drinks and a stronger bartender. Maybe we got lucky, but I had a blast. read more

Amazing bar/lounge in Chicago! Visited here twice during a recent trip because it was so enjoyable. The bartender who works Sunday nights was awesome. Drinks were the BEST. It was a snowy night so my group chatted with him for a couple hours and we had some great conversation. Will be back next time for sure! read more

These bartenders know what they are doing. I asked for a mojito from the menu, but wanted a raspberry one instead. The bartender happily made one for me and it was delicious. All the other drinks I had were fantastic. The fact that they will customize drinks on the menu to your liking says a lot. Great service and cute spot! read more

Elixir completely made our impromptu date night out. Having planned to go out to dinner in Boystown, we decided we weren't hungry yet and headed to the new and shiny Elixir for a pre-dinner drink. When we walked in I already was not liking this place. There's a sign that greets you that says to wait to be seated. Now, there's a bar and maybe 6 tables in here. I think it's weird to have to 'be seated' in a lounge. But we were cheerily greeted and asked if we wanted to sit at the bar. In any case, we perused the book (yes I said 'book') of drinks that they offer. They have house infused vodkas which is what I was hunting for (at this time it was cucumber, pomegranate, and an apple-cinnamon). Something nice about it being dead in there was that we got to see why it takes so long to craft a drink. Hand muddling, mixing etc. Really neat to watch. No sooner did we get our drinks some guys came in and announced to the bartenders that 40 of their bar crawling buddies were on their way. And then they descended on the place! We moved to a table by the window and began to wish that we had paid already since we couldn't move to the bar. And out of no where one of the bartenders showed up and apologized (like it was their fault?) for the insanity and told us he was bringing 2 more drinks. Then the other bartender came by to check on us. I was amazed that these two guys took the time to search us out in a sea of half drunk 30 year olds. We ended up staying for yet another drink after that and had a great time. All-in-all, I see why there's hate because people don't like pretentious places - but this place looks it on the outside, but they're actually nice and knowledgeable on the inside. Give them a shot. Oh, and spend $11 on a cocktail - do NOT order Bud Lights and rum and Cokes in a craft cocktail lounge like the bar crawl people were doing. (and they stole my sesame stick snacks!) :P I'll definitely be back for 1/2 price Martini Mondays! read more

Vlad!!! Chad!!! These boys are the most talented (and damn good-looking!) mixologists in Chicago, and they know to pour and mix some amazing drinks. Their styles are a bit different -- Vlad prefers a more scientific approach leading to a balanced mouthfeel, while Chad is the more improvisational type who prefers fun and fruity flavors -- but they're both fantastic. And they're both at Elixir, my favorite little cocktail lounge in Chicago. Unlike the rest of the divey Boystown bars along that particular stretch of North Halsted -- where the standard operating procedure is slamming Miller Lites and Vodka Red Bulls while listening to Kylie remixes and carefully avoiding puddles of puke -- Elixir is a classy and elegant little spot. At Elixir, you can chitchat, mingle, or simply enjoy world-class cocktails in a laid-back atmosphere, featuring a sleek, black-and-white color scheme. I enjoyed it so much, I came back several times during my Chicago trip. I tasted a number of cocktails, but my favorite was a classic Aviation. Other highlights include the classic Eastside and Daiquiri, as well as numerous not-so-classic options that rotate in and out of the menu on a regular basis. If I lived in Chicago, Elixir would be my regular spot. Enough said. read more

Elixir - Aviation - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great cocktails, fun staff. Elixir is a quaint cocktail lounge where you would expect pretension, but there is none. The bartenders know how to make a great tasty cocktail and are both super attentive and uber friendly to boot. read more

Elixir just opened recently, so I've only been in a few times. I live in the neighborhood and it's great to have a lounge serving creative tasty drinks within walking distance. That said, the last time I was there really left a bad taste in my mouth. Apparently, there's a dress code (though it's not posted anywhere)... I walked in with a friend to a mostly empty lounge. It took too long for us to be seated. Once the bartender walked over to us, instead of taking our order, he told my friend that there was a dress code and he needed to turn his cap from back to front. He made NO mention of our gyms shoes, shorts, or workout shirts. When I tried to ask for clarification he turned and walked away...cue confusion. Mind you the table at the front of the bar were obnoxiously loud the entire time we were there, without even a raised eyebrow from the staff. Does apparel outweight behavioral expactations?? Given the recent spate of racial turmoil in Boystown, it's hard not to think that this practice targets those with a "thug" look. I'm just confused at the backwards treatment of paying customers. Until they get their "rules" straight, I don't feel comfortable going back. read more

Boystown does mixology, and it delivers much of what you would expect. My friend and I had to wait for a table, which was no problem. We were sat and received water and bar snacks almost immediately. Then, we waited. In fact, we waited long enough to finish our entire caraffe of water and snackies. We didn't receive so much as hello, let alone eye contact from the servers/bartenders (everyone doing both? odd) who didn't appear busy making drinks but were seemingly just hanging out. When finally our server approached us several minutes later, we didn't receive an apology or even a hello! Just, "What can I get for you guys?" Right. I wouldn't have minded waiting for drinks, had I not waited so long simply to order. I had the apricot mint julep, and it delicious. One of the reasons I was excited to try Elixir was in hopes that would be a sensible place to have a great cocktail and conversation in boystown. As I mentioned, the cocktail was great, but as is to be expected on North Halsted, the music was blaring. Whyyyyy!?!? Call me a curmudgeon, but I'll never understand the fun of going out and having to shout all night. If you're in the neighborhood, give it a whirl. If not, don't bother. read more

Elixir had good intentions, but failed in execution... Some interesting incidents the night I was there. A group came in, and was told by the host that wait time was about 15-20 minutes. One guy said, "wait for what?" I get that it's new, and people are not aware of Elixir's format. I just hope that in time, this doesn't turn people off more than draw people in. Second story. I overheard the group seated next to me at the bar, one guy asked the bartender if they have Stoli Raspberry. People, if all you want is a Stoli Raspberry, every other bar in Boystown can get you one. Don't waste precious seating space at Elixir. Anyway... A high-end craft cocktail spot opens in Lakeview. Hurray! But sadly, Elixir did not deliver. The cocktail list has a section of 'classics', and another of their own specialties. The good people from Pastoral put together the wine list. Soon, there will be cheese and charcuterie from Pastoral too. Any place serving The Aviation is worth a visit. That's what drew me here in the first place. It was ok, a bit too sweet. An Aviation should have a slight floral taste from the crème de violette, and maybe sweetness from the maraschino-soaked cherry at the bottom, if that is used as the garnish. With Elixir's, there was no cherry garnish, but the overall sweetness just overpowered the rest of the cocktail. The Dirty Gin Martini. I should have known beforehand that this wouldn't be good. The briny olive liquid clashed spectacularly with the delicate botanicals of the North Shore gin. The menu says 'fresh olive juice'. What is fresh olive juice anyway? This is one where I have to borrow from Tom Colicchio's line on Top Chef: "Did you taste this?" The Cucumber Smash was summery, sweet, with a floral touch. This is the most successful of everything I've tasted. But yet overall it was just ok. It had none of the transcendental experience I had sipping the smashes at Maude's. Why 2 stars? Kudos to Elixir for bringing this concept to Lakeview. It remains to be seen if people will embrace it, or turn against it. Remember XO down the street a few years ago? Sadly for me, Elixir did not live up to expectation. It is a little Johnny-come-lately, delivering a middling experience compared to Violet Hour, Gilt Bar, Maude's and the cocktail programs at Henri, Sepia, and Province. What is the value proposition here then? read more

Pretty classy place - a nice little gem in this area. Very well crafted cocktails and friendly bartender. I hear it can get busy at certain times, but we came on a weeknight and the scene was a nice calm place for a chilly evening. Their craft cocktail list is pretty extensive and they can make you something depending on what you feel. Their quality and craftsmanship is as high as some of the pretentious speakeasy that proliferate most urban areas nowadays. The music selection was top notch, and even occasional outliers worked well for the space and time. read more

Elixir might be my new favorite place to get a cocktail on Halsted. I loved everything about it. Clean lines, dark colors, slightly modern decor but comfortable. Loved the grey walls and and the white leather of the chairs and stools. The only drawback is that it's a small space but what they've done with what they have is fantastic. High ceilings help open up the space and the glass window front that opens to the street is perfect. Definitely a place you don't want to go under dressed so class it up a bit. The drinks were excellent. Inventive, refreshing, and tons of options. Plenty of fun cocktails to choose from or they have a great wine list. I only had one drink while I was there but I was really torn over the menu; there was so much that sounded great I wanted to try everything. Our server was very friendly, helpful, no attitude, and did I mention gorgeous (Jeffrey, call me!). Speaking of no attitude, the gays will understand it when I say this place has the feel of Minibar without all the pretense and attitude. That alone is high marks in my book. 5 stars for Elixir. Maybe I'll actually go out on Halsted more now with a place like this available. read more

Cute teeny lounge is a welcome respite from the usual Halsted joints. Excellent tasty cocktails and friendly servers. Very informative and fun without being over the top. Will definitely go back with my boys. PS: One of the nicest largest washrooms I've seen. It might be bigger than the entire bar! read more

The Elixir is a very cool lounge with a great vibe. The drink selection is awesome and the quality, art of the drink mixing is something to be reckoned with. The Good: - Fun laid back atmosphere - Good music - not at the forefront where you can't hear each other - a great backdrop - At the bar, fresh mint leaves and basil leaves sat in water - they take their drink flavors seriously - The cucumber mint martini - to die for - Steady number of patrons but never too crowded - very comfortable No negatives here from my experience. Loved it! read more

Stopped by for a drink with some friends on a Friday night, and we were practically the only women in the place. I'm not complaining -- it made for a short wait for the bathroom (which was nice and clean by the way)! Drinks are amazing. I ordered the pomegranate one (named Autumn Equinox or something like that, $11) and it was DELICIOUS. I could really taste the deep pomegranate flavor. This place is categorized as a lounge, and the ambience is definitely upscale and nice but not really lounge-y. Seating = stools and high chairs, which are comfortable, but the space overall is quite small and not suitable for groups of more than 3 or 4. read more

Stopped by and what could I say? The drinks here are unbelievable. You will not find many of the drinks anywhere else because they are house specialties. They have the standard and then have their rotating menu which changes often. Me and the wife were awed by how amazing the drinks were. Drew the bartender is a wonderful bartender and highly recommend going to him. Had a old fashioned for the first time and it was great, the wife had a crisp apple martini which was insanely good. Then we both had the pineapple infused tequila drinks. Which is a must try some of the best tequila I've had outside of Mexico. I had the Rosemary infused pineapple margaritas which was great and I could have had many more of those through the night. If you are looking for a spot to have extremely wonderful drinks this is the place. Great drinks made by a great bartender what else could you ask for. read more

Elixir - Rosemary infused pineapple margarita - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Pricy drinks, but a nice place for one or two drinks to start the night or to share at the end of a date. I have tasted 6-7 of the drinks and have been pleasantly surprised each time. Try the Strawberry Basil Lemonade or the Honey Blossom. Open late on weekends and a small space, sometimes a wait. read more

Nice small lounge bar, just what the area needed. Not too loud, more minimal feel, not allowed to become terribly crowded, unique drink ideas; yes overpriced as all specialty drink bars are, but worth it for the atmosphere and location for the right occasions. I never really had to wait for service or seating here, luckily; not sure it would be worth the long waits that I read about. read more

What a nice little find inside Boystown... Wonderful atmosphere and friendly servers. We got there to begin a birthday celebration at 6:30 on Sat. And we were a little worried because only one table had people and no bartender or servers were around for a good 5 minutes. But after that we had knowledgable and friendly service and the place filled up by 7. I had an Apple Crisp Martini and the rest had Mostly the French ones...another had a Pimms Cup #1 and a grapefruit and Basil Martini... A cute ginger bartender who made a better French Martini with triple sec - the difference was noticeably better although both versions were good. There was a minor hiccup with the clientele and someone who clearly should not have been served...Actually the whole table as it was quite noticeable when they walked in, but they did get them out of there pretty quickl. A great place for small gatherings in general. read more

I loved this place. We came with a friend around 8 pm on a Saturday and it was quiet enough that we could have a conversation and not have to shout. The drinks were delicious and service was friendly. The atmosphere was relaxed but sophisticated. Would definitely come back if I was in the area. read more

On a whim, a friend and I stopped in on a random Wednesday night. The vibe was laid back and it wasn't too crowded or too empty. We sat at the bar and were offered menus right away. Their menu is overflowing with all sorts of cocktails. This is definitely a cocktail bar. Whatever your taste, I'm sure they have something on the menu for you. The bartender was very helpful and very knowledgeable about my drink of interest, whiskey. He steered me into my first whiskey cocktail (Bourbon Shrub) which was very good. He also had quite a bit of knowledge about some of the other options I was considering. I like a bartender who knows their stuff even if it isn't their drink of choice. Along with the cocktails, they have a nice selection of bottled beers. It's not a huge space by any means so I'm sure it can get packed on weekends. I found the place clean and pleasant. We actually stayed for quite a bit and really enjoyed the place. The bartenders were attentive, helpful and even conversational when their work permitted. I'll definitely be back on my next trip here. Thanks John and Chelsea! We had a blast. read more

What a chill little place. It has a great vibe and friendly bartenders. It's definitely small and fills up by 8pm on any given night. The drink selection is substantial between the beers, signature cocktails, wines and whiskeys! It's dark, cozy and simply decorated with clean lines and colors that all create a welcoming environment to chill out with a date or friends. Makes for a great pre or post dinner spot. read more