Elixir

(60 reviews)

1.4 mi

Drinks, ambience and service were all top tier! Stephanie was awesome, can't say enough!read more

I am a lover of speakeasy's, but not all are created equal. Some are fun and interactive, while…read moreothers are just go up and sit down. The Gatsby was not one of those spots. They give you clues on how to get upstairs and into the room as well as a password, which was so fun! Our server was amazing and played the part of a 1920s speakeasy very well. She recommended drinks to us, which was highlighted by the Nora Old Fashioned that our server helped create. It was amazing!! We also had the truffle pizza and shrimp cocktail that were booth yummy. The ambiance, especially at night with all the candles on, was perfect. I'd highly recommend coming here if you like these types of places. Well done Gatsby!!

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King of Cups

4.4

(133 reviews)

1.6 mi

This medieval themed bar is very fun! They have huge dripping candles, a throne, and even tarot…read morereadings!! While the space isn't huge, after about 10 minutes two seats opened up so if you're patient, you can probably find a seat. The cocktails were very good and had a lot of variety. For all the ones with a fire next to them, they literally light them on fire! And not just a little either. It's very fun!

My friends and I did not want our night to end, so we went to King of Cups. This was my first time…read morehere, personally. Upon opening the door, the bar was crowded and seemed daunting. We were able to get a table outside, which was perfect. The dark vibes inside are personally not my favorite, but I appreciate the intimacy of the space. We did not order food, and just had some white wine. It was the perfect spot to end our fun night filled with good times, good wine, and laughs while I was visiting Chicago.

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Love Street

Superb cocktail spot in the heart of Wrightwood! Cozy interior with great decor make this a go to…read morespot for handcrafted cocktails. Pro Tip: not many seats but it turns over quickly so wait for your spot you will love it

Love Street was recommended to me as the perfect drink spot that offers creative and unique…read morecocktail flavors in a fun/casual atmosphere. I visited right as they opened on a Sunday to avoid crowds. Their menu is curated with 16 specialty drinks as well as some spirit free, wine, and beer options. The bartender told me that their most popular drink currently is the Cosmic Stardust but he enjoys the Caught in the Rain, Spanish Caravan, and Used Book. We ended up ordering the Nights Like These and Used Book. The Nights Like These had a sweeter note in taste, subtle smokey flavor, and smokey scent with the burned cinnamon stick. The Used Book was very spirit forward but extremely balanced. Drinks were $16 each which is fair for the city. Highly recommend this spot if you love a unique cocktail profile or want to try something you haven't before.

Nights Like These & Used Book

Interior

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Lilly's

They only take cash. and I can tell the place is really old because of the smell but still it was a…read morecool place with great live music and interesting decors.

Horrible Experience and it didnt feel welcoming to everyone. Their was definitely a difference in…read morethe way my friends and i were treated vs the way others were treated. Its unfortunate that we still live in these kinds of time. Might s well had a _________ONLY sign in the window

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Pour Decisions Chicago

4.4

(62 reviews)

1.1 mi

Hands all the way down, the BEST wings on earth. Whatever they're doing, they better keep doing!…read more Fall off the bone & clean as a whistle! Worth every penny for this place and they are always friendly and accommodating to anyone who shows up. I can't say enough good things about Pour Decisions. Thank you Julia! You are a rockstar!

Went here for a quick bite to eat before a show. We were…read moregreeted right away by the friendly staff. Ordered the Ceasar side salad, six piece chicken wings, and the chicken tacos. In addition got the wood fired old fashioned. Everything was made to perfection. The salad was plentiful, the chicken wings were extremely tasty and cooked perfectly, the tacos were absolutely incredible. As was the old fashioned cocktail. The food came out fast, and the service and atmosphere was amazing. We will be back again. Thank you!

Upstairs bar

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Lincoln Hall

I went to this venue for an intimate concert and it was a great experience. The venue is well…read moremaintained, had good service, a clean bathroom, great sound system and a good selection of no alcoholic drinks.

This was my first time at this concert venue. I loved how small and intimate it is. Surprisingly,…read morewe were not packed liked sardines inside though it is a small venue. I will definitely be back :)

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aliveOne

Great place! Great crew ! Zack is the best guy would you ever meet! Great DJ nights in the weekend!…read moreFriendly vibes

rachel took care of us all night - definitely recommend coming here !!! paid attention to us all…read morenight and made sure we had drinks and were okay

Heaven- custom margarita

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Brando's - Lincoln Park

(40 reviews)

1.5 mi

Our karaoke group has gone to Brando's location on Dearborn numerous times but we wanted to try…read morethis location so we came here on 6/26/26. What a spacious and fun place. When you walk in, the bar is right there, then further back is where the karaoke is. Brian is the DJ and he is super fun and sings well himself. There was self-serve popcorn for $2 and happy hour specials. We are definitely looking forward to coming back here. Friendly staff, spacious venue with comfy booths and a really good time. You can park on the street or use the self park a block down. Thanks Brando's-Lincoln Park, see you soon!

Brando's is always entertaining and they have a generous Happy Hour. We usually grab a drink and…read morehear a few karaoke sessions. The bar is pretty big with two separate seating areas. This venue is easier to get into compared to the one in the Loop but both are a good time. At this location there is plenty of meter parking off Lincoln Avenue and garage nearby. Be careful though as they have weird hours of enforcement. Plenty of food venues to score some tasty bites to include some dessert places that are nearby. Check this place out if you wanna belt a few tunes and need a chill venue to hang out.

Entrance area

Fun

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The Red Lion Pub

This is in the top tier of English Pubs in Chicago. First, the decor has all the traditions of…read moreEngland - a unique set of wartime posters and fun quotes. I love the overall feel with its high ceilings and a fireplace that makes it feel comfy. The food doesn't disappoint either. Lots of usual pub selections but elevated. Our typical go-tos are the curry chips, Mac and cheese and Shepards Pie. All are exceptional. The drink menu is great as well. No surprise, they have a long list of beers on draft and bottles. What I enjoy most is the long list of great ciders and fruit flavored beers. I nice way to mix it up. Finally, always great service. Waiters and bartenders are never shy to share their recommendations and are super friendly about it.

My friends and I came here after the Lincoln Park Wine Fest and had such an amazing experience. Our…read morewaiter was very welcoming and personable! My two friends wanted to split the four cheese toastie and tomato soup, and their food was plated separately so they wouldn't have to share a plate. I thought that was such a thoughtful touch. I got the fish and chips, and the fish was perfectly cooked and crisp, I really enjoyed it. On top of that, our waiter gave us a free dessert since we were feeling down about not being able to use all of our tickets at the wine fest. I think it was a toffee cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel, and it was delicious. 10 out of 10, would come back again!

Half House salad with chicken

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The bar

Three Top Lounge

4.1

(7 reviews)

2.7 mi

Worth the upgrade!! Views for days, private bathrooms and bar, buffet with bbq chicken, sliders and…read morevegetarian options were included. Outdoor seats on the patio for watching your concert. Loved it!

What a gorgeous venue! The Chicago skyline looks incredible from here. The lounge itself is quite…read morespacious and has indoor/ outdoor options. The drinks are pricey, as expected. The one missing star is because there is no proper way to line up downstairs to scan for a show. On a windy rainy night, you had to line up outdoors.

Sunset view from outdoor patio

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Quartino Ristorante

We had the best service!!! Trevor gave amazing recommendations as well as giving us the best…read moreattitude and making out-of-towners feel welcome!!!! Will definitely come back any time I visit the city! Food was amazing!!!!

Awesome! We were in town from Kansas City and this restaurant was recommended to us. It was just…read morearound the corner from our hotel so we fortunately we were able to get a reservation and have an incredible dinner.

PROSCIUTTO SAN DANIELE and Duck Prosciutto

Bathroom

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Coppa alla banana

Green Street Smoked Meats

This place was so good that I came back the very next evening for dinner again…read more On my first visit, I ordered the pulled pork with mac and cheese, cornbread, and sweet tea. Every single part of the meal was outstanding. The pulled pork was delicious on its own, but I also loved the sweet barbecue sauce. The cornbread was, without exaggeration, the best I've ever had!! It was moist, flavorful, and served with absolutely incredible butter. The mac and cheese was rich, creamy, and one of the best I've ever had as well. Even the sweet tea was perfect: actually sweet without being overpowering or having that bitter, earthy aftertaste that some sweet teas have. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I came back the next night and tried the brisket. It was sooooo good too. It was tender, smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. At that point I knew the first meal wasn't a fluke. It's not inexpensive, but the portions are generous, and I felt the quality more than justified the price. I was there by myself because I'm traveling for work and actually enjoyed the communal tables. They made the atmosphere feel welcoming and a little less lonely than sitting by myself. The staff was excellent, too. The gentleman with the glasses at the meat counter was friendly, funny, and made the experience even more enjoyable. He even threw in a complimentary rib, which was such a nice surprise and a great example of the hospitality here. One thing to know before you go: the line can get long, but don't let that scare you away, it moves efficiently, and the food is absolutely worth the wait. Green Street Smoked Meats lived up to every bit of the hype. Between two visits, I tried the pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, cornbread, sweet tea, and a rib, and every single thing was excellent. This will be one of my first stops the next time I'm in Chicago.

3.5/5 stars. It's definitely a little pricey and didn't quite live up to the Texas BBQ I've had. It…read morecomes with two slices of bread and pickled onions on the side. Got 1/2 lb brisket, 1/2 lb pork ribs, 1/2 lb pulled pork, broccoli salad, elote style corn, and baked beans for $87 + tip. The Prime Sliced Brisket (7/10) was super tender and practically fell apart, but I wished the bark had a harder crust and a bit more flavor. The Pork Ribs (6.5/10) were somewhere between tender and chewy, so I'd probably skip them. The Pulled Pork (6.5/10) was slightly sweet but tasted pretty standard. All of the meats could've used a little more seasoning, and I wish they came out hotter. The spicy BBQ sauce and golden sauce were both delicious though. The Elote Style Corn (8/10) was my favorite side. Super creamy with plenty of parmesan. The Broccoli Salad (7/10) had great crunch from the pumpkin seeds and sweetness from the raisins, though I wish the seeds were toasted. The Baked Beans (6.5/10) had pork belly and onions mixed in, but otherwise tasted like a solid, classic baked bean. The vibes felt like a true Texas BBQ joint. You line up, order at the counter, watch them slice the meat in front of you, then grab a table cafeteria-style. The industrial space and dim lighting fit the atmosphere well. 7/10. Service was great. The guy slicing the meat asked how my day was, and staff were constantly walking around clearing tables. 8/10.

Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

Photo from the bar

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Line to order + Menu

SUSHI-SAN

My husband went to Sushi-San on a work trip. He enjoyed the experience so much that he recommended…read moreI give the place a try on my trip to Chicago. Candidly it wasn't on my to-do, but the restaurant happened to be on my route back to my hotel and I hadn't had dinner yet. I walked into the restaurant, and there was a spot open right at the bar waiting for me. I think it was meant to be. Loved the vibe of the restaurant, which was casual but trendy. Best part of all was the music. My ears perked up when I heard Hieroglyphics - The Who... A Plus Remix. Instantly felt "at home" with the underground, old school hip hop. Compliments to their curated Pandora playlist. I ordered the the spicy scallop roll, super san roll, and sawara (Spanish mackerel) nigiri. The spicy scallop roll was my favorite. The super san roll was a mix of their toro with varying fattiness. I appreciated that you could order half rolls at Sushi-San, which came out to 5 pieces instead of 10. This was more than enough food for me. The sawara was buttery and fresh. If you don't like the "fishiness" of saba, you'll enjoy sawara. Lastly, overall customer service was great. The food came out incredibly fast. The bartender who assisted me was awesome. He was attentive and personable.

Solid sushi spot in River North that does the job and has good ambiance, but doesn't blow me out of…read morethe water as the best sushi ever. I came with a friend for lunch during the week and they have a somewhat decent lunch special (for today's standards when factoring the cost of living and inflation). We took advantage of that and ordered the 3 combo platter per person so we got 6 total items since there was two of us. The highlights for us were three yellowtail yuzu sushi as well as the salmon rice bowl. The miso soup that came out first wasn't that great. It was overly salty. My friend who is from Japan that I ate with said this place was ok for American standards but not at all great compared to anything in Japan lol.

Togarashi Chicken Nuggets

Seating

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Happy Hour! Spicy Tuna and Avocado Crunch - very simple and perfectly refreshing. 5/5

Miller's Pub

Needed a last chill spot after dinner, and I'm glad we found Miller's down the street. The…read morebartender, Sinead, was quick with our drinks and made us feel like regulars. They had a good set up on dart boards and touchtunes to keep the night going.

Cool vibe. Great menu selection…read more Classic Chicago pub restaurant. Came here on a Saturday evening and was seated within 5 minutes. Great service too.

Extra crispy flavorful fish and chips!

I love the holiday decor

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Virtue mitten fennville, mil, burbon barrel aged apple cider

Iron Age Korean Steakhouse

Great place to go for a date or family outting. Pricing is reasonable per person. Dinner price $35…read moreper person all day on the weekends. You do have to pay for the meat you don't eat. This was my boyfriend's time going and I haven't been here in 4 years. LOTS has changed. First We ordered the Hawaiian bulgogi and the brisket. The brisket was amazing. The bulgogi was a bit too sweet. The grill gets burnt up very fast. I don't remember the grills going bad that quickly years ago. Our server was nice but slow, the grill needed to be changed out frequently due to the bulgogi. They don't give you any oil either. Only thing I didn't like was the lettuce it tasted funny and old. Overall nice place but it's a bit dated, they need to upgrade the design and functionality of it asap.

Food: 4/5 stars. I thought the entrees were all good. The bonchon was a little sad looking, but…read moretasty. We were issued one pair of (dull) scissors and one set of tongs for a party of 4, which isn't nearly enough for as much flipping and serving as we were doing. I did appreciate that we cooked our own meat. Value: 5/5 stars. You really can't beat AYCE for $32pp, especially in Wicker. Service: 5/5 stars- very attentive and quick service. Had a friendly and smart server. Environment: 0/5 stars. If ambience matters to you at all, this is not your spot. There was 0 attention to ambience in there- the black and red paint was atrocious and I felt like I was in some dystopian slop hall. I wish they had the hosed exhaust fans that sit closer to the cooking table like in Korea, as the place would've felt way less smoky and gross. I get that the smells and oils make it harder to "feel" clean but... I've been in some well ventilated and pristine K BBQ spots, so there's really no excuse. I guess ultimately this is a case of you get what you pay for. Now I know. Just be informed before you go in- set your expectations. If you want to close your eyes, ignore the bbq glaze your feet are slipping on, and chow the F down on some good but not great meat, hit up Iron Age!

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Tanta

Best meal ever. Service was amazing, we had a group dinner with a custom menu. Every single dish…read morewas absolutely amazing. My favorites were the stracciatella, chaufa aeropuerto, and cebiche clasico.

I had so high hopes for this place and maybe that's why I was a bit disappointed, because I was…read moremaybe expecting too much and it was just ok. The host to being with was the worse. She sat us down, brought 1 menu ( we were 2) and said she'd be back with the other ( and we are still waiting ) her phone was more important so she never gave us a second menu. The waitress talked like she didn't have a voice ( SO hard to even understand what she was saying) Food overall was good ( nothing to die for) Ceviches were delicious at least. Ambience good although when we got there there was only 1 more table, but I guess it gets better when it gets busier. Overall a good place, but there are other great Peruvian places in the city to try before coming back here

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5 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Michael M.

584

3

0

7 years ago

It might seem odd for someone who doesn't drink to go out to a bar, but I can safely say that Elixir is one of my favorite places to hangout. Normally when I go to a bar, the bartender just makes me a Shirley Temple if I ask for a mocktail, but Michael truly takes the idea of craft drinks to another level. He takes the time to ask me what I'm in the mood for and then makes me the most delicious mocktails in all of Chicago hands down. I never hesitate to send my friends here, because I know they'll get great atmosphere, great service from Michael, and great drinks. read more

Cedric M.

0

5

2

14 years ago

Outstanding service, unbelievable drinks and great music... Elixir has a vibe unlike any other bar club lounge in boystown if you are looking to get away from all the chaos this is it. The employees are hot and make you feel like your the most important in the room... My personal FAV is Jack he will have me and my friends coming again and again read more

Ricardo T.

133

17

0

15 years ago

small upscale bar that feels so New York. A bit pricey but the drinks are worth it. Love the black/gray decor. Great place to start or end the night. Small staff so go with some patience. read more

B B.

0

19

1

12 years ago

Love this place! Great drinks and even better service!!

Mary F.

0

8

0

11 years ago

great bar, great management, and great cocktails.

Elixir - lounges - Updated August 2026

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Love Street was recommended to me as the perfect drink spot that offers creative and unique…read morecocktail flavors in a fun/casual atmosphere. I visited right as they opened on a Sunday to avoid crowds. Their menu is curated with 16 specialty drinks as well as some spirit free, wine, and beer options. The bartender told me that their most popular drink currently is the Cosmic Stardust but he enjoys the Caught in the Rain, Spanish Caravan, and Used Book. We ended up ordering the Nights Like These and Used Book. The Nights Like These had a sweeter note in taste, subtle smokey flavor, and smokey scent with the burned cinnamon stick. The Used Book was very spirit forward but extremely balanced. Drinks were $16 each which is fair for the city. Highly recommend this spot if you love a unique cocktail profile or want to try something you haven't before.

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Great cocktail bar with elevated bites. While a small menu, there is something for everyone. There…read moreare extensive beverage selections in many categories, including NA and low ABV as well as many amaros (amari?) and even pre/pro biotics. Wine and beer too. Don't hesitate to ask your friendly server/preparer if you're unfamiliar with some of the ingredients; they use a lot of different, potentially unfamiliar components in service to the apothecary theme. There is some great creativity going on in these drinks. Beautiful room/ vibe immediately upon entry with a warm host welcome. Many seating and standing configurations.. DJ sets every Thursday night. It's still new but I can tell reservations are going to become a must soon. Crowd skews pretty gay, but that's to be expected in that neighborhood. Overall there WAS a variety of people early on a Thursday evening. Standout food are the flatbreads-- one of the best crusts ever (crispy AND fluffy) and the banh mi one was superb. Heard others comment that the fries really were great. Sesame tuna was excellently cooked, but ultimately not to my flavor palette. We had several cocktails, including one that I had to send back (my mistake not to clarify flavor profile) which they graciously did accept. I was super happy with my next choice. I'm so looking forward to trying a bunch more and getting into the amaro flight section. Everything was decently priced, which makes planning to go back frequently very realistic.

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Great space and great friends if you can find it. I would recommend. Look for the hole in the wall…read moreand don't be a dick.

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Is this the best bar I have ever been to? It very well may be. And that is saying something. I am a…read morelover of cocktails and vibes. Sportsman club excels at both. We went on a busy saturday night and the djs were spinning vinyl while the bartenders were shaking daiquiris. It is a small spot that stays full. Their menu is rotating and their cocoa rob roy was a killer. Slight cocoa balances out this boozy sipper. I started with a daiquiri... and ole' boy behind the bar killed it. Absolutely passed the acidity test (iykyk). Also, hooked me up with a few lilet highballs. This place just felt like home to me. It truly was one of the best bar experiences I have ever had. I have always heard great things and am grateful I finally got to come. This is going to be my new chicago staple. This place is beautiful. Keep doing wonderful things sportsman club, and save a seat for me next time im in town!

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I love the vibe of this cocktail bar, and it's right off the Logan square blue line. Great moody…read morelighting with nice music but not too loud so you can have a good conversation. Came here to introduce my friend to Malort. I liked that they brought the whole bottle out for us. You can pour as much as you want before you take it away (if you happen to want seconds ). However you should note they decant it so it wasn't as bitter as a fresh bottle of Malort. They have a lot of amaro cocktails so expect some type of herbal flavors. Really nice presentation and the bartender came to our table to check on us every now and then. The amaro daiquiri was nice, a bit sweet and a bit citrusy. It has a unique herbal taste which pairs well with the Malort. Was able to just walk in with no wait during a weeknight around 8pm.

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