From the greeting at the door by Mario to the hand crafted cocktails made by Lee, our experience…read morewas great! The sexy dark ambiance sets the mood. Saw a menu of small plates that sounded yummy, didn't have but will next time!

Well priced bar with good prices, quality cocktails, and a strong identity in West Loop…read more Out of the options you have in West Loop, this one works perfectly for something slightly more lowkey. This is a great place to go for friendly ambiance to not break the bank.

Genesis was our server and she was absolutely amazing and attentive. She offered great suggestions…read morewhich we adhered to. Smash burger was . Caesar salad+ shrimp was a hit too. Fried chicken was crunchy and good. A touch sweet for my liking but very good. Truffle fries were a big hit. Also had warm crab dip wish had quite a few shells/cartilage but flavor was good. The drinks were all very good too. Music was nice. You good hear it a vibe to it but it was too loud. We didn't have to yell or talk loudly. We were were celebrating all 4 of our upcoming June/July birthdays and she treats us like rock stars. Great job Genesis

I'm not quite sure why this place has pretty good reviews. Overall, it's pretty average. We came…read morefor happy hour and sat outside. While the table was on the sidewalk it was slightly set off and not on a busy street, so that was nice. While I only went inside to use the restroom, the vibes are interesting... I had their aperol spritz and it was okay. It was strong which was good. Then a pornstar martini. I thought the pornstar martini was really good and the best item of the evening. We shared oysters, the crab dip, and tuna tartare. The oysters were alright. The crab dip was funky. It was a bit fishy and maybe too heavy on the dill? I'm not sure but something was a bit off. The tuna tartare tasted fresh and was a good combination of flavors. It would be the only food item I'd reorder from the happy hour menu.

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.

Elegant, Refined, a spot well worth the wait…read more Sparrow's ambiance, customer service, and drink menu could have been better in my eyes even if they purchased all of my personal data from Meta and Google and tailored it. I would venture to say it is the best cocktail bar in Gold Coast, or at least my personal favorite. Great for a slightly more upscale, special evening out. Lots of food options near by.

Wait this is a new fave spot. If it were a little cheaper I'd probably come weekly. The summer…read morespecial cocktail we got was delicious and so many of the bartender created cocktails sounded awesome. The atmosphere is dark, moody, intimate, and the live music really makes the vibe lively and fun but if you sit a bit further away from the band it isn't overwhelmingly loud and conversation is still possible (unlike, say, Dorian's). They also have a photobooth! Self seated.

Cute-enough spot with small plates and cocktails. However, when we visited last night, we waited 15…read moreminutes for our one wine and one cocktail, despite the restaurant being less than a quarter full. We watched our waitress make multiple attempts to pick up my husband's drink from the bar, spill, set it down, pick it back up and spill more, and finally give up and run it to us. As she set down this sticky, wet, under-filled mess, I asked her exactly how much of my husband's $16 cocktail she had just spilled. She said, "Yeah, the bartender over-poured," and walked off. We then watched her do the exact same thing to every mixed drink she ran. Way, way too expensive to be delivering messy, dripping, quarter-empty cocktails. Skip Clara and go to Le Midi, where the service, ambience, and wine list were perfect.

I stopped by Lazy Bird on a Wednesday night after dinner, and it ended up being such a great…read morechoice. We made a reservation ahead of time, which I'd definitely recommend, but it wasn't overly packed and we were seated without any issues. The vibe in there is top tier. Dim lighting, live music energy, and just the right mix of chill and upscale. It's the kind of place where you can actually enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed. This was my second time here and I remember it being just as good back in 2022. The drinks were immaculate. I had two mocktails that were both well-balanced (not overly sweet, which I appreciate), and he ordered an old fashioned. You can tell they take their bar program seriously and can go beyond a gin & tonic. Overall, it was a really good time. It can give you a great midweek outing or a laid-back night with a little something.

Lazy Bird is a cute Chicago speakeasy but let me tell you something -- this place is CROWDED. I…read morecame early in the evening and got the last spot at the bar (I was by myself), and within 30 mins while I was having my drink I looked around and noticed that the room was near totally full, and the majority of people were standing in the open because all the tables were full, as was the bar. People were standing right behind me to order drinks; I didn't feel overly crowded by any means but some who aren't used to that kind of bar/clubby vibe might feel that way. The music was a little loud to be heard over all the folks there, but I wasn't talking to anyone so it didn't bother me (was just sitting and reading a book). The bartender was really nice and attentive despite the fact that the place was so packed. I had a drink called the "Gentle Fish" which the bartender rec'd as a sweeter/more floral drink. Admittedly it was a little strong, but the flavor was nice! It was different from most other drinks I've had, and I enjoyed it. Was strong enough I definitely did not need another though. Of note, this place is downstairs under "The Hoxton" hotel, there's no entrance directly to the bar from the sidewalk/street (you have to enter the hotel lobby, then follow the signs toward the back and go down the elevator and/or stairs). There is a person who checks your ID when you enter and seats you if seats are available. The bathrooms were very clean. Not sure about parking but street parking is definitely very limited; I imagine a paid lot would probably be the easiest thing or taking the train from wherever you're staying if you can (which is what I did).

Enjoyed my drinks here. Very complex & sophisticated cocktails albeit a neighborhood bar feel to…read moreit. I briefly discussed the bartenders "r&d" stuff currently in development why also challenging him to go off script for a custom cocktail that was delicious. Small but mighty & the price point for these types of cocktails is unheard of these days. I'll be returning asap to delve further into the menu but as of now this is a high priority for cocktail aficionados such as myself.

So... I'd parked my scooter on my way to Elixir, and couldn't help but notice The Nook as I was…read morewalking towards the entrance. After my drink next door, I would be remiss if I didn't stop in. What I got was one of the more unique and interesting cocktails I'd tried! It was the Sick Day, and while I don't command the English language or my palate enough to do it justice, I can tell you that it was definitely a great sipper. The absinthe mist, despite being just that, has a way of doing that. I want to give some credit to the service. While the bar was shorthanded at the time, the barman on duty did his very best as a one-man show. Can't fault them too much, someone calls out sick last minute, and that's that. However, if there is something I can hold against them it's the heat! I'm not sure why, but the upon coming in, the place was HOT! After settling in, it became more bearable, but this is the kind of thing that sometimes persuades me to leave before I order anything.

I made reservations at Three Dots and a Dash to kick off my sister's bachelorette party. She loves…read moretiki bars, so it was only appropriate to gather and welcome everyone. OpenTable only allowed up to 8 people per reservation at a time. We were a party of 13, so I had to split the reservations into two. I made a request for the tables to be close together, but I understood that there was no guarantee the tables could be together. Our reservations were at 9pm, and the place was packed. Three Dots and a Dash did us a solid and managed to reserve an entire alcove for us! I was so appreciative. Loved the vibe at Three Dots and a Dash. It felt much classier, like a mid-century modern tiki lounge. The music was fun too. Instantly recognized a retro Italian song by Pino D'Anglo, which just added to the ambiance. The drinks were great. We ordered a couple of rounds of the shotstapus, and I got the rum barrel for good measure. The drinks were sweet but tasty. Too easy to knock back.

I came across Three Dots and a Dash by following a treasure map I discovered inside a bottle that…read morewashed ashore after my ship sank somewhere near the Great Lakes. The map led me down a discreet alley in Chicago, through a hidden entrance, and into what appeared to be a pirate's tropical fever dream. Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you want to visit the exclusive Bamboo Room, the intimate rum bar tucked inside the main bar. It focuses on rare rums and carefully crafted drinks, so book ahead if you want the full treasure. The main bar is heavily themed, with excellent tiki décor, dark corners, island music, skulls, colorful lighting, and the sort of atmosphere that makes you wonder whether you've entered a cocktail lounge or been captured by a particularly stylish pirate crew. The tiki theme is taken seriously, and the vibes are absolutely perfect. We sat at the bar and only ordered drinks, although food is available. The cocktails were beautifully crafted, delicious, and presented in a way that practically begs to be photographed. The bartenders were knowledgeable, entertaining, and a great deal of fun. Three Dots is also known for its extensive rum program, featuring more than 300 rums and rhum agricoles. We visited during the Christmas season and spent about two hours enjoying the holiday-themed drinks. They were festive, creative, and strong enough to make me briefly believe my shipwreck had been part of an elaborate Christmas pageant. Thankfully, the regular menu was available as well, so there was plenty of treasure to explore. Do not miss the gift shop. They have excellent merchandise, including limited-edition tiki mugs and apparel. We purchased a tiki mug, a shirt, and a beanie, which I now proudly wear while scavenging the island and searching for the rest of the treasure marked on my map. Three Dots and a Dash is one of the most memorable tiki bars I've visited. The drinks are excellent, the atmosphere is immersive, the staff are wonderful, and the entire experience feels like discovering a secret tropical kingdom beneath the streets of Chicago. Just be careful when leaving. The treasure map may lead you back to the bar--and after a few drinks, you may decide that's exactly where you belong.

Machine Cocktail bar was an incredible spot to go and test out a bunch of new cocktails with…read morefriends. They are known for their innovative cocktails, bold flavours and unique glassware and decor on the drinks to enhance the experience even further. I would recommend going in a group so that you can try many! They also have a happy hour that is worth checking out. We tried these cocktails: 1. Heart of the Ocean - spoiler alert - it's the blue heart image I've attached haha. I loved this, looks beautiful and was tasty 2. Savage Garden - interesting mix of spices 3. Pistachio Affogate - I had more expectations on this one. It was alright, tasty but nothing crazy. 4. Devil's Cup - maybe the best one we had. The chili chocolate is YUM 5. Love is a fog - strong and classy We really enjoyed our experience here. The only thing that was frustrating was that they were trying to kick us out towards the end of the night to close out early and we were having a great time and didn't want to leave. But highly recommend!

Went here with a group of six friends after dinner for cocktails and absolutely loved the vibe! The…read morepresentation of the mocktails was so creative and beautiful. While the mocktail options were limited, they had a great variety of cocktails to choose from. Since it was Valentine's week, there was a violinist going table to table playing songs, which added such a romantic and classy touch to the evening. The ambiance overall was amazing -- stylish, fun, and perfect for pictures. Even the ladies' room and certain corners of the bar were great for photos! Definitely a spot I would go back to again. Service was good, well served