Love the 1960's cuban hotel motiff. My friends and i came here after work one time. We managed to try every cocktail on the menu. I really like the grasshopper (mint chocolate chip flavor) and the hotel nacional. The bar tender was really nice and even made us drinks off menu. Definitely will be coming back soon! read more

See all

This is one of my favorite bars in the city! It's a fun place any night of the week, although it can get loud on a busy night. Might not be the best place for a first date, but it's a must with friends! Best dirty martinis around! read more

People are super friendly, the drinks are good, and the atmosphere is awesome. Do not miss this place when you visiting Chicago.

A great spot for delicious cocktails with a focus on rum. They've recreated a 40's/50's era Havana hotel bar. Staff is super nice. Interesting music. read more

Sparrow - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wonderful bar, with great atmosphere and delicious, unusual cocktails. The clientele is amusing as well.

This was an spectacular spot to drink cocktail and listen good music! I recommend this place 100% is you are in Chicago spend a night and discover this amazing bar!!! read more

Great evening spot. Super chill late night cocktail spot with knowledgeable staff. Will def continue to visit when in Chicago.

Don't dare use your flashlight from your phone. You will be reprimanded ...it's dark and couldn't see the menu. We were seated at a table and the bartender came and told us to put it away. He wasn't pleasant. The place was great and the hostess was very nice !! read more

Awesome ambience and decor. Great spot for a celebratory cocktail or a special date night. Drinks are amazing and staff is friendly.

The waiter dropped a try of drinks on my date, and still had us pay for the bill. No discount or anything, our candle wasn't lit the whole time and the tables are really close together. It's dark and very loud. Didn't get any food but the drinks were overpriced for how small they were and how long they took to come out. read more

Great drinks and ambiance! Service was amazing too! Had a lovely time there on a quiet Sunday evening with a few friends from out of town.

Favorite bar in the neighborhood, the place is amazing, great original architecture, decor and cocktails. I had a four roses reserve they had there and it was super nice. I also tried a good light beer but I can't remember the name of it. I'll figure it out! Love the wallpaper on the ceiling, and the dim lighting in the sitting area and bar is nice. Long main bar to sit at as well as neat little booths, with table lamps if I remember correctly. I work in design so just noticed a few little things before the cocktails kicked in! It's really relaxed there, not loud, pretty great spot to enjoy some drinks and conversation. Definitely a place to visit when you pass right by those terrible college bars that smell like barf on Division! I love Division but you know what I mean. Sparrow is not that. Think upscale, oversized like dive bar, with elegance. Haha Enjoy read more

See all

What a wonderful place. I moved to Chicago not long ago, and this is a perfect place to have a great cocktail. It's cozy, the bartenders are all welcoming and you feel transported to another time and place. The cocktails are built around the finest rum and my favorite so far is The Monte Carlo, a take on a classic Old Fashioned. I've been back twice and will for sure be back soon. read more

Sparrow - The Monte Carlo Cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Sparrow is such a wonderful place, it makes me want to go back and reconsider all the other five-star reviews I've given bars. The place is old-fashioned in all the right ways, while still offering wonderfully delicious and contemporary cocktails. The bar is small and cozy, with muted lighting, comfortable seating, and a great jazz soundtrack. Service was attentive and the drinks were great. I asked a bartender to craft a drink based on some rather unique tastes, and he attacked the challenge like a scientist--a bit of this, some of that, a quick taste through a cocktail straw, and a little more of some other ingredients. It was completely unique and very tasty. Sparrow is the sort of place for adults who like great cocktails in an environment conducive to conversation. It's a bit on the pricey side for Chicago, but worth every penny. read more

Great speakeasy in Gold Coast with rum inspired drinks + a nice list of wine and beer. It was very packed and loud when I went, but definitely a fun spot to grab a drink. It's quite dark in there, but adds to the vibe - be sure to read the first couple pages of the menu to learn more on the history of the Sparrow! read more

Sparrow - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love the decor. Wasn't crazy about the level of service. Was there any service? We went on a Friday night. It wasn't as busy as I thought it was going to be and we snagged a great table right across from the bar. A server came up promptly but only to tell us that the area we had sat in was "self serve" and we would need to get our drinks from the bar. Sounded simple, right? Well not so much. We stood at the bar with the two bartenders running around making all these specialty cocktails for everyone else so it was a long wait. So we waited. And waited, And waited. And just about the time we had decided to move on to another place in the area, our drinks showed up. I guess the good side of that story was we had plenty of time to look at this new space. It is a bar that hearkens back to why people went to bars to begin with. Not to watch TV (I didn't see one) but to enjoy a drink or two with friends with the people being the entertainment. It looks like 1940 again but in a modern way that has me wanting to go back but maybe with a better acceptance that "Craft drinks" take time and I should sit where someone other than me needs to do the standing at the bar. I was told there is even a "rotary phone" which I never did see but maybe it had a crowd of people around it wondering what it was?? Ha! And if you are looking for food, there is none. This is a place that is focused on what it does and that is craft cocktails. And craft cocktails with rum as there is a ton of that on the menu. My advice? Go. Just pass on the tables by the bar and find yourself an area where a server can do what they do best . . . serve. Oh and try the Pisco Punch. It's got quite the punch! read more

A warm cozy feel along with some nice drinks is what you will feel if you venture out to this spot. Yes there are some hipsters who hangout here. Guys with overalls and tie die shirts who may own some Neil Young Albums but really this is a nice new spot in the area. I went with my black sport jacket but the bartender with a long beard was pouring me my wine and I forgot about most of my problems...which was an added bonus. Yes they are known for their run flavored drinks but run is not my thing since I had too many rum flavored drinks at The Bacardi Factory in Puerto Rico like 4 years ago. Ah yes, the memories. This is a different watering hole then most gold coast spots. One with personality. Come here for some time off or if its too crowded at The Hang Uppe or if you decided you were too old for the hang uppe in middle of you freezing to death or if you dont like lines ( shock) read more

This is a cute place! We went here on a Tuesday night to celebrate a friend's engagement. Drink prices are on par with the area. There $12.00 and tiny, but made well. I would recommend the Hotel Nacional if you like sweet drinks. Only thing I didn't like is the space at the table. If you go to the booths (and your tall) the leg room is limited. I sort of felt confined even when we sat at the round table as well. Cute neighborhood spot though and since I live down the street I see myself stopping by again in the near future. read more

Sparrow - Celebrating my friends engagement with yummy drinks! Try the hotel Nacional. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Super charming cocktail bar! Excellent service and a lovely atmosphere. Definitely recommend for a date night with your boo or for a catch up with a good pal. The drinks are strong and delicious. read more

This my friends, is the best cocktail bar in the city of chicago. I've lived in Chicago for 7 years now and I lived down the street from sparrow for 3 1/2 years. I challenge you to find a more intimate and cozy space to meet with friends and acquaintances over libations. I dare say you will not find it. The dim lit bar reminiscent of 1920s Havana/Miami is the perfect space and epitome of what an intimate cocktail bar should be. And the cocktails themselves of course are amazing. They are heavily weighted towards rum drinks but like any good cocktail bar they will make you any classic cocktail your heart desires. The bar has had to close re-open and re-close because of Covid restrictions and I sincerely hope that they can weather the storm because if they cannot survive the Chicago bar and restaurant community will be losing an absolute treasure. read more

One of my favorite places in Chicago. I would dub it, my happy place. Everything about Sparrow is thoughtful, lovely, and impressive. I can't imagine coming her and being disappointed. Unless you were looking for food because they don't have any. That's maybe my only gripe. I could use a few salty nibbles...but that is it. You feel like you're a tourist in 50s Havana. It's jazzy, art deco decor makes you think this is a place that Hemingway or Wes Anderson would enjoy. The people behind the bar are great. They are fun to watch make a drink because they take such care in everything they do. You can order one of their creations, or a classic. They also make their own run cream which is like an insanely delicious dessert. Get a grasshopper and see for yourself! read more

My boyfriend frequent a lot of spots in Chicago and are always looking for great cocktails/drink menus and the perfect atmosphere. And let me tell you, Sparrow has it all. It's quaint space and casual at-home sethas gorgeous low lighting, and friendly staff made our first experience here amazing! read more

Sparrow - Great atmosphere! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice secluded classy bar with a fun drinks list. Great place to spend time at or stop by on the way to the next bar or dinner.

Ohhh my. My my my. It's dark, romantic, inviting. I will echo the first-to-review-person (damn it! A day late!) and say it is an escape to Havana. Their staff lives up to their slogan "enjoy your stay". Their drinks also live up to their slogan "enjoy your stay". Want to get away? Well look no further. Sparrow. Remember how much you love rum. Rum away to Sparrow. Just like the phoenix the sparrow has risen from the ashes. Love. read more

Sparrow - Hotel Nacional on left and the LaFloridita #3 on right - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

When you come here you walk into a Cuban style bar straight from the prohibition era. The vibe is incredible with good music and good people. The drinks are incredible as the bar is kept by knowledgeable bartenders. You can not go wrong with this place as a peak night cap spot! read more

This is a very intimate spot that has great drinks and service! It's a great place for a drink after work or before a show. The rosé was good and their cocktails are also enjoyable. A good spot to keep it low-key and personal. read more

Attractive decor, good location, great bartenders with good personalities. Not a good value though. I've been here before and never really paid attention to the bill, but tonight I only had 1 drink on my tab. It was an old fashioned. The bourbon I chose was $18 if I remember correctly (it might have been $17 or $21, but whatever). My bill came out to $33. So.... $15 for 2 drops of bitters and some simple syrup? $40 after tip.... read more

Sparrow - Tom and Jerry egg nog drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You would never know this hidden gem if you look at this place from the outside. When you go inside it's unexpectedly perfect. The lighting and decor makes you feel like you just stepped in to a different decade. The drinks are strong and good and very pretty. read more

Sparrow - Old fashion - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I reccomend this place to everyone who listens. World class cocktails; an amazing, dimly lit and cozy Cuban-hotel inspired theme, excellent and friendly bartenders. They are known for their rum and rum-based cocktails, but they can make you anything that fits your taste, as well as a good selection of beer and wine. I love my experience every time I come here, and it's the type of bar experience that is much needed in this part of the Gold Coast neighborhood. Long live Sparrow and its excellent bar program and unbeatable atmosphere. read more

An unassuming but classy cocktail bar offering standard favorites in addition to expertly crafted and executed unique options. Although it offers all sorts of different spirits, it is primarily a rum bar and stocks dozens of different rums to choose from. The bartender is very knowledgeable about them and is more than happy to help you select one tailored to your tastes. The locale is not very large so it might be difficult to accommodate a larger group but it is perfect for a smaller group or a romantic date. The bottom line: Sparrow is a cool, friendly, classy rum bar offering a great place to enjoy well crafted cocktails. read more

A bit crowded sometimes, but I really love the atmosphere and the drinks are soo good. Maybe just a tad overpriced but that's everywhere downtown read more

Super good and cute- loved all of the drinks we got and the bartender was super attentive! Hotel National is dangerously good.

I've heard about this place and finally decided to give it a try. Post a birthday outing, I stopped by to have a couple drinks. It was a bit crowded by I was seated with no problem. I was sitting in one of the two seaters across from the bar. I waited a while for a waiter to come, but not certain if one actually worked that section, so I went to the bar to grab drinks. It wasn't a big deal bc the vibe was chill and the drinks were pretty good. I met some cool people while grabbing drinks at the bar and had an overall good time. I'll definitely go again. read more

Great vibe. Nice wine list and cocktails. The background music is perfection. Friendly service. Back area would be great for a a small private event. read more

A friend who used to live in Chicago but moved away first clued me into Sparrow about 2 years ago. We met there for a drink when he was visiting, and I fell in love! I am there every week for a reason. Pros: 1) Small, dark and vintage with an intimate atmosphere ... It has that "speakeasy vibe" w/o being cheesy / kitschy. 2) Awesome music! (The vintage music they play 100% adds to the ambiance.) 3) Great mix of clientele (business traffic referred from nearby hotels, couples, locals, great mix of ages) 4) Attentive, friendly and knowledgeable staff. 5)Great cocktails and selection of libations! (I just took a German friend there and he was happy to see 2 German beers on tap.) Cons: 1) The only con I can think of applies to any small yet popular bar: it gets busy on the weekends. If you are one to get offended by having to wait outside because they are at capacity .. if you are offended by staff asking you to not stand in front of the opening in the bar, thereby blocking them from being able to walk out from behind the bar to serve guests .. this is not the bar for you. That about sums it up! read more

Super cool speakeasy vibes in Gold Coast. I got the Gin Blind and it was nice. He got the millionaire #1 which was also tasty. Great spot for a date night. read more

Sparrow - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great ambience, friendly and helpful mixologist with particular expertise in Carib rums.

Speakeasy weeeell.... more like speakdifficult. Music nice but definitely loud. The noise level on the place was very high because everyone had to speak loud. Not a place to go and have a relaxing conversation. You will not be able to hear each other without yelling. The drinks selection nice with rum favored. I appreciated the nice ambience the dim lit space that I would expect from a speakeasy type of place but I just could not get over the noise level. read more

See all

I love the vintage decor at Sparrow. The lights are low lit and there is a fair amount of seating for this cozy space. This bar has more of a rum focus. There are several rum cocktails, but also countless rums you can order on the rocks. Many menu items sounded appealing to me, but I ultimately ended up ordering one of the cocktails from their daily specials menu (I forget the name of it). The drink I ordered was good, but not great. It wouldn't be one I would order again. I like cocktails with stronger taste profiles, but this one was a little too bitter for my taste buds. I tried a couple of my friend's cocktails that were ordered from the regular menu and I disliked both of those. Even though I didn't love the drinks, the service was fantastic. I would likely just try a new rum or order a "safer" sounding cocktail if I came back again. read more

very rude door staff. denied for no reason. very inappropriate. never going back. Lots of other places to spend a lot of money.