Sparrow
Sparrow Photos
Sparrow Popular Drinks
SPARROW ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Sparrow
Recommended Reviews - Sparrow
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Sparrow was yet another spot that has long been on our list that was well worth the wait! Almost certainly the best cocktail bar in the immediate Gold Coast area, a speakeasy vibe that takes you back to the art deco era of the 20s, with rum forward cocktails that are unique and skillfully crafted. The Perfect Perfect is a play on a Manhattan, the rum and vermouth playing perfectly together to balance the sweetness while keeping it grounded. And, I mean, who even makes a Grasshopper nowadays, let alone probably the best I've had. It's a hip vibe with reasonably priced cocktails for the area, a must try if you're lucky enough to grab a seat (they open at 4, and if you're not there by 5, boy I don't know).
This is a well-known cocktail bar in the Gold Coast area, and one that has been on my list of visit for a while. My wife and I stopped by on our self-made anniversary tour, where we just frolic around the Gold Coast area and visited bars and different restaurants. We went to sparrow shortly after a private event ended there so we were able to get a seat at the bar quite quickly. I love the ambience and the decor; it's your typical speakeasy, but has a very Cuban inspired style. They have a really nice cocktail list and true to what I usually order, I got a old-fashioned, which was pretty well made. The bartenders were also really nice and were super kind to my wife and I when we told them we were celebrating our anniversary. Overall, this is a very cool place. I will certainly come back to hang out for a nice drink as a pregame to the outing or as a nice nightcap.
Second time visiting Sparrow! I love the 1920s/30s lobby bar vibe. There's a vintage phone booth near the entrance that's pretty cool. It's a bit dark inside, but it feels cozy and romantic. They sat us in the seating area this time, which was completely full of people having a good time and enjoying their drinks. I got the hotel nacional cocktail, made with pineapple rum, apricot liqueur, and pineapple & lime juices.
Lovely little bar. Had a great time. Ambiance was great, service was remarkable, drinks were even better.
This place was so intimate and cozy, I loved being here as a date night!! The menu had so many options, so plenty to choose from for any palette. Staff was very attentive and could be seen all the time, also gave fantastic suggestions.
Super cute vibes!!! It gets busy and noise levels can get a bit loud, but it is what it is for a bar. Def a good choice for a girls night out or a nice date! I got the grasshopper cocktail and it was sweet and creamy. Definitely will be coming back in the future to try their other concoctions!!
Loved the vibe of this place, it's perfect for a date night. The cocktails were amazing and worth the price. There is no reservation, so you need to stand in the line for minimum 30 minutes. We ordered three drinks and were really enjoying the vibe and our cocktails. However, we did notice the servers checking in on us quite a bit once we were finished, which made us feel slightly rushed. We completely understand it was a busy Friday evening and there was a line outside--after all, we waited too--but it felt a little like we were being encouraged to leave if we weren't planning to order more. Just wanted to share this as gentle feedback, as we really did enjoy the atmosphere and would love to come back again. :)
Great spot for a drink! We stopped here to get a drink before a concert and we were not disappointed. There was a short line to get in. Once we were inside we found that it was dim lit and intimate. Felt really nice for a date night or a night out on the town with friends. We both enjoyed our drinks and felt the service was great! Would definitely come again if on the Gold Coast:)
Swung by sparrow to try out their famous cocktails. They don't accept reservations and hence, are walk in only. We walked in early on a Friday night and were lucky to get a table immediately. They don't let you enter the bar unless the whole party is present. Upon entering, we were welcomed into a dimly lit, beautifully decorated chic and tropical bar. The service was fast. We tried the grasshopper, La Floridita and Hotel Nacional cocktails. The menu is very rum forward and they have rums from different countries and continents to try. We loved the Grasshopper. It's very mint forward so it won't cater to all tastes but I am a big fan of all things mint and I was definitely impressed. Overall, a great place to grab some nice rum cocktails!
1 year ago
Enchanting speakeasyesque cocktail lounge, with amazing drinks. We waited a bit in a line outside and then were seated at the bar. The line went by pretty fast even considering there were larger parties waiting. We tried the espresso and pornstar martinis and both were amazing. Great spot for a date or an evening with your friends. read more
7 months ago
4 years ago
This Cuban inspired cocktail lounge is such a fun spot. Beautiful decor and an amazing cocktail list. This place is like a retro hotel lobby bar. The list has 9 cocktails with 1 mocktail option. They're all within the same $13-$14 price range, which is reasonable for a craft cocktail in Chicago. My favorite cocktail was the el Diablo. It was just the right amount of spice and honestly so delicious. This lounge is great for a date night or an intimate night out with friends! Be aware they do charge a 3% surcharge for credit card payments so bring cash if you want to avoid that. This lounge was a vibe, and a must try spot if you love craft cocktails or checking out cool spaces in in historic building in the city. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
This place is a real hidden gem! Although maybe not so hidden because it was pretty busy even on a late weeknight. Great for a small group or a first date (saw a lot of what looked like first or second dates). Really cool ambiance. Drinks are good and reasonably priced for the atmosphere. The drink menu is HUGE. I don't think there's any food. Service was really friendly and not pretentious. read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Jazz! Can’t wait to host you again!
3 years ago
Very classy cocktail bar! My friends and I went in spontaneously and luckily they had a booth available. The service was very good and the grasshopper drink tasted like mint chocolate chip ice cream. I also had the Rosado which was basically a pisco sour and the El Diablo which was a little stronger and slightly bitter but not bad overall. read more
5 years ago
Great drinks and ambiance! My friends and I visited on a Friday night and the place got pretty crowded after 8:30pm. We appreciate how friendly and attentive our waiter was throughout the night. I definitely recommend the el Diablo! Will be ordering it again next time. read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Michelle!
3 years ago
Visited this bar on a whim as it was one of the few open late on a Monday night (til 2am) for my first day in Chicago. I noticed many speakeasies in Chicago are closed Mon-Wed so I was glad to find Sparrow. It was pretty empty (as expected) and the ambiance was very comfortable and laid back which I preferred after a crazy travel day. Sparrow's featured spirit is Rum as is the case with many tiki bars, however, you wont find many tiki drinks here. What I enjoyed about their menu is they did their own take on many classic cocktails using Rum as the main spirit such as their Rum Old Fashioned. They do have other featured cocktails with different liquors such as their delicious Rosado which contains Pisco and Gin (reminded me of a whiskey sour). They do have some tequila drinks as well but I am sure if you are craving a specific cocktail they can make it! The bar isnt incredibly big so I would expect this place to get crazy packed on the weekends. If you're in Chicago on vacation on a weekday looking for a late night drink, I definitely recommend stopping by this spot! read more
2 years ago
Beautiful interior - loved the vintage vibe inside. Weirdly really liked the bathroom design elements. However, the nonalcoholic drink with grapefruit in it was easily the worst alc or non-alc cocktail I've ever had. It was SO bitter and unpalatable I couldn't take more than 2 sips. The service wasn't great - it was clear I hadn't touched my drink when we closed and he didn't ask or offer to try something different. read more
A cool art deco/vintage hotel in Havana vibe with low lights and great drinks. The music was a bit too loud, but maybe I'm just old. There are lots of cozy nooks and seating, and they manage the door to ensure that everyone inside has a seat, so no crowding around the bar, which I appreciate. The service was attentive and the drinks themselves were well balanced. I do wish someone had checked on the bathrooms as paper towels were overflowing all over, but that's a nitpick. Will definitely be back. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
This was such a cute, quaint bar. The cocktails were so delicious and well balanced. The vibes were impeccable. They gave off speakeasy vibes. It was not very loud, so you could actually hold a conversation which was nice. It is a great spot to take a date or go with a good friend for some quality time. The service was excellent! They even have good nonalcoholic drinks! read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Whitney! We, as a team, appreciate your kind words and…
11 months ago
3 years ago
Great crafted cocktails not pre batched or pre imagined. Came here after missing my first opportunity when in Chicago and wasn't disappointed. I would recommend for a cocktail start at the beginning of your night. The space is inviting and has a subtle old school charm! I'd recommend and will come back! read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Corey!
5 years ago
This place is just perfect. The vibe is like being in the best Florida room from the 60-70's. The drinks were well done - boozy and balanced. The staff was kind and attentive. The outside is unassuming but so worth the visit. read more
The Sparrow is an upscale bar located in an Art Deco apartment building in the Gold Coast neighborhood. The decor is gorgeous and the vibe dark and swanky. We were seated in a cozy corner with bucket seats. The cocktail menu is rum heavy and they specialize in "sugarcane spirits" ! Since I'm not a real rum aficionado, I ordered a "Rosado" ... Pisco, Gin, Curaçao, Grenadine, Lemon, Egg White, Bitters. It was absolutely amazing with a gorgeous presentation. The rest of the crew had equally beautiful drinks! This little cozy bar should not be missed! read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thanks so much, Betsy! We hope you'll visit again soon!
2 years ago
4 years ago
What a lucky find! I'll come straight here next time I want a before or after-dinner drink. It's warm, cozy, a little bit cheeky, and the mixologists are top tier. Brandon knows all the classics, and how to make them fresh - we shared a round of Mojitos dressed to perfection, all while enjoying some of the most exceptional attention to hospitality and atmosphere to be found. Highly recommended! read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Stephanie! We're glad you enjoyed your time with us!
3 years ago
I think I'm slightly obsessed with Sparrow! We stopped in the other night after the vibe at our planned spot was off. We got to Sp at around 5:30 and were shocked to see that there was no line or wait! We were seated quickly to a super cozy back area with amazingly comfortable seats. The music was really nice and just loud enough to add great atmosphere while still allowing for great conversation amongst groups. We were quickly brought water and given a few minutes to review the menu. All of the drinks sounded good so I asked for a suggestion from our server and agreed to go with that. Our server was really great and filled us in on some of the history of the building was cool to learn about. We started with the hotel national, grasshopper, and coquito. All three were delicious and really well balanced. I had the grasshopper which tastes like a boozy-ish version of melted mint chocolate chip ice cream, the coquito was great and had traditional homemade favors, and the hotel National deserves to be served beach side with an umbrella. Great drinks, vibes, and service. Can't wait to come back soon! read more
3 years ago
Classic and cozy bar. Staff were well aware of our needs. There are a lot of good bars around the area where the drink menus, prices, and the spaciousness are mostly similar, but this bar has more than that. Thank you for having us. read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Mi T!
Looks like a cozy, dim, and elegant bar. Cocktails look delicious and beer selection is decent (mostly Chicago staples). Havana type music that's not too loud though the ambience and crowd is fairly vibrant. Good place for happy hour or a quick date-night drink. Cheers read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Chris! We, as a team, appreciate your kind words and…
4 years ago
Cozy, romantic and yet whimsical cocktail bar. Sat in a corner booth on this saturday evening but the vents above made this a cold place to sit. We were served water and a menu but you have to place your order at the bar. We ordered cocktails and I decided to order a sugar cane aka rum. After narrowing down my choices the bar tender recommended the Flor de Cana 7 yr. The sugar canes are not for the weak and even with it being on ice, one must sip it. This establishment provides a cool vibe to sip a cocktail and visit with friends, date or just out with the ladies. read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Jennifer! We're so glad that you had a good time and thank…
Nice bar with good drinks. We enjoyed the atmosphere which was low key with hints of elegance. Service was good although we over tipped. Gratuity of 20% was added to the bill plus additional tip was added after we had it split. Not cool but we did not have energy to deal with it. I may go back once I have forgotten about it:) read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Marta, for your honest review! We do hope to see you soon…
2 years ago
Sparrow, a real cozy spot for special cocktails. Ordered a Grasshopper and the wife ordered a La Floridita Both drinks were made really well, I like the small ice cubes they use which helps not water these drinks down so fast and also great ice chips to bite on after Also the bathrooms were really cool as well. Hallway seems as your walking into a apartment room/hotel room read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Brian! Two of our most popular cocktails for sure, we're…
Had a few drinks at Sparrow on Saturday evening. A stylish cocktail bar with a solid drink menu and pretty reasonable prices. Quality: I truly enjoyed the different cocktails I ordered at Sparrow. They looked beautiful and they tasted great. I started with La Floridita #3, which is their signature drink. Rum based with a lot of grapefruit, my least favorite of the options I tried because of the tartness, but still a refreshing beverage. Next up was Rosado, a styled up pisco sour. Great flavor, and smart to use the more botanical gin to cut through the sourness. Finally was my favorite, the Grasshopper. A great after dinner cocktail as it could easily replace dessert. Quantity: Well made cocktails, a little light on alcohol. Value: $13-$15 for Cocktails. Ambiance: Sparrow is a stylish cocktail located in Chicago. From the outside it does not look like much, but inside has a 1920s and tropical feel. It is very dapper with everything seeming to have its place. The decor is simple, yet finds a wall to stand-out. The bar area offers a fair amount of seating with a few high-tops surrounding it. Further back there are a bunch of tables and booth seating options. The music fit the vibe with jazz and pop traditional songs. Crowd: A couple of other small groups on Saturday evening. Service: Great and lively bartenders, excellent cocktail presentation. Parking: Limited street parking in this area. read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Ryan!
3 years ago
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Jennifer!
3 years ago
Sparrow is a go-to spot for unique and creative drinks. Their classy and elegant vibe is perfect for a date or grabbing drinks with friends. I love their Hotel Nacional, with pineapple rum, apricot liqueur, and lime juice. read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Justine!
The bar isn't a speak easy but where it's located had to have a friend show me one night because I had never heard of it. It's a charming bar. They specialize in rum. Many rums!! Some beer on tap as well about 12. I got a Queens Park Swizzle, Southside cocktail and a jungle bird. I wish I would have specified or talked through the rum for the jungle bird because it has a strong molasses flavor. Like the level of service I received, design of the bar. Got the sense that there might be a few tourists but it isn't like Three Dots and Dash with non stop tourists. These customers came in and sat next to me and they were kind of loud... Guess that's the nature of bars though. read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Grant, for your well thought out review and praises for…
3 years ago
The Grasshopper is my go-to and probably my favorite drink in all of Chicago. It's an icy, minty, chocolate, rum cocktail that is so refreshing and relaxing. The staff is always nice and warm. I like to take friends and dates here because the ambiance feels so easygoing yet dark and intimate. Perfect setting if you want to slide your hand onto your partner's lap! read more
5 years ago
These are the best cocktails that I've ever had. It's everything that you would want in a cocktail lounge... I live right around the corner and I stumbled upon this place on accident. The intimate setting is perfect for date-night or a lavish night out with friends! The mixologists behind the bar are geniuses! Be sure to put this place on your hit list!! read more
4 years ago
Most amazing little lounge. Great place to go on a. date or with friends . I've been struggling to find a good place to get grasshoppers in Chicago and this place is amazing. My friend ordered a grasshopper . They use a special crème the menthe I believe that is made In the house. Super yummy. And very fresh sprig of mint as garnish . I opted for the old fashioned with Caribbean rum but somehow it felt like drinking water ... maybe I am just more used to the traditional with whisky. I ordered my own grasshopper as a night cap before we left. Servers were professional, reminds me of the ones from bistro Lorraine in Paris . They were professional and courteous without making you feel uncomfortable. Sparrow is a gem in goldcoast and I highly recommend anyone who is visiting Chicago to live here to check it Out! read more
Business owner information
Jason F.
Thank you, Jasmine! We, as a team, appreciate your kind words and…
What a cool spot. Its quite dark inside almost completely lit by candlelight (and even those are in colored glass orbs.) My date and I sat at the bar at around 6:30pm. It was quite crowded at the time. They have an impressive selection of alcohols and a variety of beers on tap, along with wine. The bartenders were busy, but still willing to engage in conversation around their crafty spirits. I ordered the La Foridita, their signature drink. Similar to a margarita, it was bright, citrusy, and tart. My date got the old fashioned which was pretty much the opposite, dark, deep, rich. Chill music with a semi-formal vibe. Great cocktail spot read more
7 years ago
My husband found this place on yelp, and as usual, yelp doesn't let us down. I was initially worried that I wasn't dressed right for the place. I was in tourist clothes...lol I didn't bring date night clothes. But it was only a few blocks from where we were staying and my husband assured me I would be fine in shorts, t shirt, and gym shoes. lol We walked in on a Sunday night and were immediately greeted by the bartenders. There were all sorts of types of people in there so I felt much better about not being dressed up enough. haha The bartender told us about the place and explained the menu. I picked a Hotel Nacional, a Monte Carlo for him. Wow. So yummy. We both really liked our drinks. The music was loud enough to drown out others conversations, but not too loud that we couldn't hear each other talk. Really cool atmosphere. No TV's. No food. Just drinks and some good music. We tried a few items on the menu and walked back to the hotel. The next night, we decided to go right back since we had such a good time the night before. The music was a bit louder, still not crazy, and there were more people in on a Monday night, but we were still able to sit right away. This was not just a place filled with couples. There were groups of people hanging out. Fun place to check out for sure. I wish they had more special cocktails listed on the menu. I don't know what to order when I drink sometimes, so the menu was nice to just look at a list and pick one. I would have liked more to choose from, but that is such a drop in the bucket. If we ever make it back to Chicago, this will be a must stop for sure. read more
More info about Sparrow
12 W Elm St
Chicago, IL 60610
Near North Side
Directions
(312) 725-0732
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.sparrowchicago.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Services
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
Ask the Community - Sparrow
Do you offer karaoke Ind Friday nights?
This is not a karaoke place. You can go next-door to Hang Uppe for that I think.
Do they have happy hour?
Hi Lauren! Yes, glad you asked. Happy Hour is from 4p-7p Wednesday through Friday, half off drafts…
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
19 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
8 years ago
10 years ago
8 years ago
10 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
7 years ago
3 years ago
11 years ago
