An extraordinary cocktail experience that's absolutely worth it for a fun date night or a group outing. The bird-themed cocktail menu brings both creativity and drama, with presentations that feel almost theatrical. What really elevates the experience is how the hosts narrate the inspiration behind each drink, making it feel more like a storytelling session than just a night out. The mixologists deserve serious credit for their thoughtful experimentation with global flavors--balancing complementary and contrasting notes, surprising textures, and sensory touches that feel nostalgic and adventurous at the same time. The food holds its own too. Don't miss the giant onion ring or the Chip n Dip--both are as fun as they are delicious. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but the cocktail tasting experience makes it worthwhile. A perfect late-night spot for great conversations and drinks that ooze personality. read more

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I'll start by saying I've been a huge fan of The Aviary for years. In the early days of the pandemic, I got all their cocktail books, and my friends and I bought some of the equipment (vacpot, porthole) and started making Aviary drinks. So when I went to Chicago to visit friends recently, this was my first reservation. We were kindly greeted and seated toward the rear of the dining room. Collectively, we ordered more than half the beverages on the menu. I won't go into tons of detail on them, since some drinks are seasonal, but I will say that it was a blast experiencing craft cocktails and mocktails at their finest. I love the menu concept of the birds that fly farther along the page to indicate how alcohol-forward the drink is. That's a really fun idea! One friend ordered both the spirited and the non-alcoholic Porthole to compare the flavors. And we all liked the N/A version better! Our server kindly came over and mentioned that he heard I was inspired by The Aviary and they took us on a private tour with the bar team and then down to the ice making room, which I LOVED because I was obsessed with the intricate ice making process from the original cocktail books. What a fantastic experience, and the tour put a cherry on top. Long live The Aviary! read more

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The entire experience is worth forgetting. It is too loud to even hear what your server is saying. The drinks are overly sweet, and some amount to KOO-LAID. There are so many better options for craft cocktails in Chicago. Trust me, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE! It's a tourist trap! read more

April 2026; very discrete, small location, low lighting with limited seating. Light bites are offered with unique drink offerings! This was an interesting experience, as the drinks are poured like in "chemistry lab" before they are served. Libations are served in wild drink compartments and allow for a theatrical experience before indulging in strong cocktails. Customer service good; get ready to spend some money. read more

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Such a unique and cool place!! The ambiance is chic and romantic, with dark lighting, candles, and swanky furniture. Brendan provided fantastic service and fun vibes. He brought us lovely welcome drinks because we were celebrating a special occasion. That was so kind! It was cool to look around and see all the fun cocktails and food. A lot of cocktails had elaborate presentations, smoke, and other impressive things. Really fun to watch. There are different options for reservations and I chose a la carte drinks and food and we were pleased with that choice. We enjoyed the Tom & Jerry, which included a hot and cold version. Both were tasty but we preferred the cold one. It was really phenomenal! The Vacpot was a delicious rum drink that also had hibiscus and other ingredients. It was created in a vacuum pot, also referred to as a coffee siphon where coffee is brewed. It's really elegant and they figured out a way to make a cocktail in it. Visually, it looked like flowers and other fresh colorful things were being smoked in it during the brewing. Very aromatic and wonderful. I was too enthralled to take a video. I just wanted to experience it. It was beautiful. We also snacked on the onion ring and it was huge! And very delicious and fun to eat. It came with scissors to cut it. It's beer battered with an herbed ranch dip. Wow!!! I would love to return and try more food. If you are a cocktail lover, you will love this place! It's unforgettable. read more

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1.5 stars for purgatory in the form of a poorly marketed "dinner experience" for $200 and 2.5 -3 hours of your time only to eat 5 bites of food, including dessert, and a gallon of sugary nonalcoholic forgettable drinks. Despite telling the staff I would very much like the drinks/small bites hurried up, the torturous experience stretched out so long. I couldn't wait to leave and get second dinner and drinks elsewhere. Admittedly they have a cute tie-in for guests who come from Alinea, where guests place a golden coin in the coin slot machine to get a token ball containing a secret complimentary drink! That was likely the highlight, as it maintained the feeling of "fun". However, eating at Alinea the night before and trying Aviary the next night could not have been more different. Alinea I greatly enjoyed, Aviary I regretted. Everything else was not fun. Slowly becoming more and more hungry as the tiny forgettable bites arrived was like watching glue dry. The nonalcoholic drinks were visually cool, and completely bland-- if you're here for just a show, and no flavor, Aviary's the place to be. Otherwise, the $30 juice pairing at the Michelin star Elske tasted a whole lot better. read more

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I enjoyed the cocktails but my partner and I unfortunately didn't enjoy our 5-course food and cocktail dining experience. We came in with high expectations and unfortunately the food and cocktail pairings were completely underwhelming and felt subpar. The service and the presentation were the highlight-- creative and enjoyable. Even then, that alone couldn't make up for the lackluster food. We left a little drunk but still hungry, which isn't what you hope for at this price point. As for the space, the decor wasn't interesting, it felt more sterile than inviting. Overall, it was a letdown. read more

The Aviary - the aviary experience, 5 courses - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's not just a cocktail bar; it's an experience. Part of the renowned Alinea group, this spot had my expectations set high from the start. We arrived too late on our first attempt, but told the host we would return right when they opened the next day, and he remembered us, which already made the evening feel special. Each cocktail was a work of art, thoughtfully crafted and beautifully presented. The creativity shone through in both appearance and flavor, leaving us genuinely impressed. The snacks complemented the drinks nicely. Our server, Ryan, was outstanding--knowledgeable, attentive, and warm. Surrounded by a cozy atmosphere, inventive drinks, and great company, it truly was a perfect experience. read more

The Aviary - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Just like alinea, the bar is also impressive. Only thing I regret is not being able to drink too much and order everything. All the cocktails were balanced. The non alcoholic cocktails were also very well made and not just something briefly put together by anyone. Will be back next time I'm in Chicago. read more

The Aviary - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Spoilers in photos!! Although the menu changes periodically, if you want to go in blind don't look too close! This was a wonderful experience for my boyfriend, as he doesn't drink and they can do the full menu with mocktails. So we could share the same experience, without the alcohol. TBH by the end I almost wished I had done the non-alcoholic option, or for a few of the courses if that's allowed, because the drinks are strong. The pours are very generous. The flavor of every dish pairs well with the drinks, and the profiles are complex without being overwhelming. Presentation is top notch. You can tell someone is putting a lot of care into their creations. All the members of staff were kind and patient explaining the drinks, ingredients, and some of their history. We were allowed to take our time and never felt rushed. Others around us were doing different tastings, and all looked amazing, so I don't think you can go wrong with any booking. And while the space is very open, our little table for two still felt intimate for a celebratory dinner. read more

The Aviary - First course with their signature cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Walked into one of my best experiences. Couldn't imagine cocktails can also look like work of art. We did the 3 course cocktail progression along with few appetizers. The Aviary delivers an innovative sensory experience and each drink is a new performance. The server helped us pace our drinks starting with lighter moving on to stronger cocktails. The chips had literal sparkle. Super cozy setup and comfy seating adds to the experience. read more

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We had an incredible time tonight! Overall an amazing experience!! Brendan is our favorite! He is the best server we've had in a LONG time.

My wife and I stopped by The Aviary during a recent trip to Chicago after hearing so many great things about the bar. The drinks were genuinely impressive--balanced in flavor, creatively composed, and made with a wide variety of unique ingredients. Many cocktails featured specialized bar equipment and theatrical table-side presentations. Mine, for example, was served in a heavy, gold-plated bird with a nest of dry ice hovering above it. Let's get the pricing out of the way: drinks here are expensive. On average, you're looking at $25-$30 per cocktail. There's a slight discount if you order a set of three for $75, but that's a pretty big commitment to make upfront. For just two drinks, our bill came out to $76.44 after tax and a 20% service charge. I made a reservation on Tock about a month in advance, but on our Monday evening visit, the bar had plenty of open tables. If you're visiting earlier in the week, a reservation probably isn't necessary. Service during our visit was excellent. Our server was attentive, kept our water glasses full, and checked in a few times to see if we wanted another round. The one thing that took away from the experience was a large, loud group that seemed to be in town for a conference. Given the Aviary's upscale vibe and focus on refined cocktails, the group's loud demeanor felt out of place. They were doing round after round of shots and got louder as the night went on. I understand it's a bar, and people are there to have fun, but it would've been nice if the staff had politely stepped in and asked the group to keep the volume down a little so others could enjoy themselves. Overall, The Aviary was a cool and unique experience, and I'm glad we got to try it. That said, it felt more like a one-time visit than a place I'd return to regularly. read more

The Aviary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's just a really fun way to start an evening! It's rare to see such a well done cocktail bar with all sorts of theatrics for each drink. Plus they have good small bites to pair. Enough food it could be dinner if you ordered a few items. I got the vac pot which was a very cool presentation. Then the jungle bird which had some explosive surprises inside lol. For food, I got the black truffle grilled cheese which hit the spot in lieu of dinner. Also, got the pepperoni pizza flavored popcorn for the table and it was spot on...a little willy wonka esque. The service as you would expect based on the restaurant group is exceptional for cocktails. So the cocktail taste is unique, it's not necessarily your classics. Although it's a full bar so you can get anything... you most definitely have to order the specialty ones. I look at it as more about the experience which is very unique to The Aviary! read more

The Aviary - Slingshot to crack the ice and let the liquor flow out. 'Old Fashioned IN the Rocks' - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It was a bday present and l loved the experience!!! Probably the best Old fashioned I have tried. I think the price for the experience (the one without food) is reasonable for three drinks. The truffle explosion ($20 dessert spoon) was amazing uffff... but I was told that when you get reservation online you're pretty much obligated to add a complimentary bite to your experience which you shouldn't be force since it's not cheap. Staff: 10/10 my only recommendation would be explain the drinks a bit slower and louder, but great service. Nice environment! It's definitely a place to go for the experience, but pricey for just a drink unless you're into cocktails and you can afford it then fuck it have as many as you want, you won't regret it. read more

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An incredible experience all around! Plenty of food and plenty of drinks. I was very impressed by the amount of food and the full cocktail pours each course. The food was unique and really incredible both taste and presentation. The soup at the very beginning was so flavorful and perfectly balanced between sweet and savory. The taco was one of the best I have ever had, the house made shell was perfection, no tearing, no crumbling, very impressive and the meat was so tender and flavorful. I loved the corndog presentation with the crackerjacks nod to Chicago. I was wary of the foie gras dessert but it was so incredibly creamy and delicious. DO NOT MISS. The cocktails amazed me one after another. The gin one was so beautiful. I loved the concept of the real time infusion and change each pour. the rum one with the siphon was so fun to watch, but maybe a little on the sweet side for me. The boulevardier was so much fun to crack the ice and truly a top notch, well made boulevardier. While tequila is less my liquor, the caramel corn tequila combo was incredibly delicious. The dessert cocktail, again was a little sweet but I loved the passion fruit pearls. Overall the five course meal was worth every penny and I would do it again. The service was stellar, everyone was so knowledgeable and helpful. read more

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We had a reservation at 5pm on a Tuesday night and got there a tad early but were allowed to come in. We were promptly seated and our server took the time to explain what this place is about - and it is unique in the best way possible. We had toyed with the idea of going to Alinea but wanted to focus on more up and coming restaurants during our visit so the Aviary was a great compromise. We went a la carte so we can't speak to the "experiences" they offer but my wife and I ordered 2 drinks each. Plus we got the truffle ravioli, the corn dog and their version of chip and dip - all very unique and fun. Obviously when you go to a place like this you're going to pay a premium for the experience. The ravioli was 19 dollars each. I'm not sure how a ravioli is worth 19 dollars but it was like nothing I've ever eaten. The corn dog was good and fun but didn't blow me away. Same with the chip dish which felt a little cumbersome because of the size. Drinks were more about show and they didn't disappoint. Unique, creative and very interesting to interact with. In that way, the premium price is worth the experience. Would we go back? I'm on the fence. Our total bill was about $150 dollars for 4 appetizer sized plates and 4 drinks not including tip. Service was excellent. Staff was engaged. I guess as long as people like me are willing to pay these prices, they'll charge them but it's starting to feel a bit predatory in this industry. They are doing something new, it takes time and creativity to develop these things so 4 stars. We enjoyed it. read more

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Made a reservation here and was seated quickly, the service and all that was really nice. We got seated outside and it was a nice area to hang and see people pass by. Overall the drinks and the presentation was nice but I wasn't impressed, I feel like the drinks are maybe kinda cool when you bring them out but I think the effects wear off. For the plum drink that comes in a teapot the main impact is that you get served strong smelling tea on the side that you can't drink and is just for smell but the steam and smell of that wore off quickly. I also feel like they remove the gimmicks and parts of the drink pretty fast. They took the bottom of my friends partridge pretty fast so that it was just the cup left. I didn't find the taste of the cocktails to be anything more unique than I've seen before , just really dolled up but the flavors and ingredients weren't that unique to me. read more

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Unique experience in Chicago for sure! The waiter talked about the flavors in each drink in such detail, you can tell how much thought and creativity goes into each cocktail. In the menu, there's a bird by each drink. The farther out the bird, the more unique the presentation. I'm going to rate each of the drinks (but keep in mind that I typically like sweeter-profile drinks): It Takes Two to Tango... a fruity sorbet is in the bottom, this drink is delicious if you like refreshing drinks with a fruity flavor. It's sweet and I loved that you could scoop out the sorbet and drink it with the same straw. The Vacpot... smells amazing. This was by far the most unique presentation out of the three. They heat up the bottom and the steam will rise in the glass. In the end, you're presented with a drink from the pot. This was, in our opinion, the strongest drink of the 3. Although the initial presentation was cool, the drink was fine, a bit strong, but it smells amazing. Porthole... this is the drink in the circle flask. It pours 3 drinks and it changes flavor with each drink as the essence steeps in the alcohol more. I thought this was cool if you want to try different flavors in one drink. read more

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The 3-Course cocktail progression was a lot of fun! The cocktails we chose were so engaging and delicious! I would recommend making a reservation! read more

The Aviary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Aviary offers an artistic cocktail experience that I haven't really been to before. The menu lists out the drinks from the least to most flashiest appearance. I ended up getting the Es Mango and really enjoyed my drink. I like the twist on a mango cocktail and the popsicle served as a refreshing complement. My sister got the vapcot; and although it was cool to see, I was less impressed with the drink itself. I will say that I have never been to bar with this expensive of a cocktail collection - not even the bars in NYC compare price-wise. The service at The Aviary was polished, as expected. Our waiter always met our requests and we made some banter about finding the best drinks in Chicago. I forgot to mention that I made reservations one month ahead of time, and I do not think the length of time leading up to this experience aligned with my expectations. Finally, I will address the vibes of the Aviary. The Aviary's atmosphere is stylish and sleek as you walk in, but the "bar" seating involved us seating in a circle that faced the other guests. We did not really have privacy with our conversation, and we always caught an awkward glance from other patrons. This was a new experience for me too... but we laughed about it once we left the bar. Overall, I think this was a one-time visit for me as I can claim that I did the Aviary experience, and I want to try more exciting bars elsewhere in Chicago! read more

The Aviary - Es Mango and the Vapcot - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a really nice bar! I think it's better suited for small groups, but we came with a large one and still managed to make it work. They are owned by the Alinea group which meant it had to be good (haha) but everything was fantastic. Our group got a variety of drinks, some more creative than others. The slingshot one was fun to watch! I got the 3:10 yuzu, which was such a delicious cocktail. Not too strong, and just the right amount of sweet and tart that I like. The yuzu foam was definitely my favorite part - so yuzu forward and fruity and nice. Paired with the melon-esque cocktail, it was delicious. Service was prompt and friendly, and overall we had a great experience! read more

The Aviary - 3:10 yuzu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great experience, drinks are delicious and friendly staff. Seats are a bit too close to everyone else read more

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I'm always wary of cocktails. They sound good but then there's an ingredient that throws me off and I'm like boo or it's too sweet. But when my sister was hyping this fun experience and I wanted a "mom's night out" anyways. LETS DO IT. Very swanky dark moody ambiance, service was very attentive and posh. We did the 3 cocktail tasting for $75. They had a fun menu that shows you all the cocktails you can pick from and an image that shows you how much "show" you get with a certain cocktail. Lightest cocktail to alcohol forward at the bottom. I chose one from top, middle and bottom. For myself I got- 3:10 Yuzu - I love all things yuzu, but it was too sweet in the end. I would skip this one, nothing fancy. Es Mango! - FUN! there was a mango carrot chamoy popsicle in mezcal combo. At first I was worried the smokiness would get me but it was delicious and the more the popsicle melted, it tasted even better. I went with 3 others, so of course we all passed around our cocktails to taste, so by this time I was a little worried I was going to be drunk or not feel too well with all the alcohol forward drinks, but my last drink was the perfect nightcap!! Ferrands with benefits - this came in a LOVELY teapot that was huffing and puffing and looked so cool haha. It tasted PERFECT. light, fruity, tea with cognac. haha it REVIVED ME. I felt amazing while my friends were dying HAHAHA. some other cocktails to note - that drink in the circle thing is worth the money, it was like 5 drinks in one and the flavors kept changing as it was infusing. los tres amigos - fun tequila drink that came made in 3 ways. We were here for THREE HOURS!! hahahaha never felt rushed, never felt pressured or anything. we had fun and also some crying emoji moments haha. you do feel like munching so we ended up buying expensive truffle popcorn HAHA. which were delicious by the way. I would bring folks who enjoy a good cocktail here, but do eat beforehand! read more

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Hmm what am I supposed to say here? It's very hard work to explain something that blew you out of the water. Firstly, the food was incredibly delicious as expected. We came for dinner for the reserved spot by the kitchen. Not only did we appreciate the open kitchen but the food concepts were explained well and was amazing. I'm not the biggest fan of gastronomy. But when gastronomy is good, it's incredibly memorable. Just a reminder, we got the experience focused on cocktails! And each one was well thought out and DELICIOUS as well. Hard to even continue describing. I really feared there wouldn't be enough food to accompany the cocktails, but I was full and thoroughly satisfied! The service was incredibly detailed and thoughtful. Everyone was very attentive to every last bit of our dinner, and they often gave little things to make our dinner more pleasurable like extra towels and such. Thank you to all the chefs in the kitchen for letting me talk your ear off and ask about your story. Thank you for signing my menu as well! Thank you! The ambiance was surprising at first because it was just a table in the kitchen, but seeing how things panned out for the dinner, we came to really appreciate it. Whoever was in charge of the music had incredibly taste though. Overall really want to go back!! read more

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We wanted to try Aviary but ended up in The Office. The speak-easy was very quaint and service was excellent. We had the truffle explosion, beef tartare and nuts the truffle ravioli reminded me of a xiao long bao. Very tasty. The beef tartare was good but a bit too acidic for me but it could be my taste bud. My family members finished the tartare. The nuts were good. The drinks were tasty with the exception of the blood orange vodka which was a on a salty side so my husband took that drink and gave me his old fashion. It's was delicious. We had a great time there and would definitely come back again. read more

The Aviary - From left to right, caprise drink, tonksolu, blood orange vodka , nuts and beef tartare with pumkinnickle chips. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're going to any of the Alinea group establishments, you know you're in for a culinary experience. One of my friends raved about his experience at The Aviary over the summer, so we decided we needed a guys night out to see if it was worth the hype. We decided to do the 5 course cocktail menu with food pairings. We also indulged in the truffle explosion experience (definitely worth the splurge). As you would expect, the service was top notch. Everyone that you encounter is welcoming and attentive. They answered all of the questions that we had. The night started off with a spiced cocktail that was served in this cook infuser contraption. The longer it sat the greater the depth of flavors. That was served with an apple "bacon" "salad" with the most delicious goat cheese I've ever tasted. The bacon was really chunks of pork belly and the salad was two leaves of lettuce. It's one of the best bites I've had this year. Next was their rift on a dark and stormy served with a Caribbean style Chilean sea bass. Chefs kiss!!! Then the hot chocolate style cocktail with then most scrumptious corn dog I've ever eaten. There was more, but I don't want to bore you to death. This experience was phenomenal!!! Definitely recommend. Next time I would possibly do the 3 drink menu where you can choose your cocktails because I saw some other tables indulging in some of the cocktails that weren't on our menu. With the 3 drink experience food is ala carte. read more

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Wow, what can I really say about The Aviary. The drinks are amazing, very thoughtful, tasty and effective. The food is out of this world. Our second course was some roasted garlic coconut cream concoction that I am still thinking about five days later. But what really makes this place stand apart are the people. What incredible service. I got up to go to the restroom room, I kid you not wait staff jumped out of my way, my waiter met me at the door, and with a spin in his step, opened the door and using his angelic voice asked, "restroom?" I replied yes, "it's just down stairs", I was blown away by this gesture of service . Shout out to Chad. The Aviary should be an annual pilgrimage for Chicago. Great food, incredible drinks, phenomenal service and the best vibes around. I promise The Aviary experience does not disappoint. I thought about adding pictures, but I don't want to spoil it for you. read more

Been twice, fell in love, bought their books. Just sent coworkers in who truly had never been to a high end cocktail bar, and their minds were blown. They were treated with such hospitality and it will certainly be a highlight of their first visit to chi-town. Chicago is my favorite city in the country and i will make sure I visit one of their 3 properties on each visit because their hospitality is as excellent as their care for their F&B. Cheers read more

The Aviary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Aviary is famous for their super aesthetic cocktail book. As I recently picked up bartending as a hobby, I started to want to explore some of the more creative elements of cocktails, and this place does it right. Although the flavor profiles are not outstanding relative to a handful of bars (which is probably why they are not in any top 50 best bars in the world list), the creativity is impressive. We made a la carte reservations for 4 people for a Thursday, and reservations were not too hard to get one week in advance. We still were able to partake the 3 cocktails for $75 deal, and people in the party don't all need to participate. To maximize value, I opted for the 3 cocktails and chose the more expensive ones, while my friends that don't drink as much opted for the other cocktails we wanted to try. For drinks, we got: Summer in Mallorca - fairly showy, flames cooking the drink. This one was sangria like Two to Tango - not as aesthetic, but love the egg white foam with the general composition of the drink Jungle Bird - aesthetic in color, and the popping boba is actually lots of alcohol so it was a palate shocker That Drink in the Circle Thing - their signature, infusion of different herbs and fruits, a bit sweet Ferrands with Benefits - a bit too sweet for my liking, but loved the dry ice show in the teapot (the actual drink is just the teacup) In the Rocks - nice experience, fairly strong drink as it is mostly liquor. You slingshot into the sphere of ice to break the ice so the drink flows out Each of us also got the truffle explosion as a splurge, $19 each. I prepaid for one but my friends fomo'ed and wanted to get theirs too. This is a one bite experience and there is nice truffle flavor. Not all of them arrived at the same time, so mine ended up cold. The server in the end was nice enough to give me one more truffle explosion at no added charge with the right temperature because mine went cold and we were not told there was a time window to eat it. Service overall is good based on the above and that water refills were frequent. The drinks came out at a nice pace and there were lots of explanations about the drinks so I got to learn a bit more into how they make the drinks. As a home bartender, I wouldn't find it efficient or cost-effective to make some of these drinks, so I am glad to try this place out. read more

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My friend and her husband are big fans of Alinia and so they were super excited to take me to the aviary on my visit to Chicago. We made a whole night out of this experience, but this was certainly the main stop. The drink and food pairing was so interesting. I've never had an experience like this before. It felt like each bite in each step was meant to wow and Intrigue you. Some of the flavors sounded like it shouldn't go together, but somehow it all just worked. Really glad that I had this experience since it was a memorable one and everything was excellent. read more

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Where do I even start? My husband's and my date night at Aviary was nothing short of magic - both in taste and presentation. I'll keep my review on the shorter side because I think this is a place where you should go with little expectation of what's to come and let them amaze you! We made reservations for post-dinner drinks here during the weeknight. Honestly, we probably didn't need the reservations - most of the place was unoccupied, but I imagine it probably gets really busy on the weekends and earlier in the evening as well. We were seated right away at the couch in the back of the bar, away from the cage. The vibes were very much classy, dark, and quiet (but not too quiet). Definitely a place where you can have a conversation. The artwork also gave the same aesthetic. Our server was amazing - she took the time to explain the menu to us and guide us through our drink choices. The menu starts light in terms of flavor and liquor and then gets darker and bolder towards the bottom. There are also birds to the side of each drink that rates each drink in terms of the theatrics of the presentation - the more left the bird, the more magical the presentation. What a neat idea! I started with the Two to Tango (which was like a dessert!) and ended with Summer in Mallorca (which they can make vegetarian) and my husband got That Drink in the Circle Thing and Ferrands with Benefits. We were both left awestruck in terms of the taste, flavors, and the presentations of each drink. The drinks aren't cheap, but I truly think you get what you pay for all things considered. I do kind of wish we had gotten some food or done a tasting menu, but at least we have a reason to come back! read more

The Aviary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Everything here is amazing! I've been a few times now and everytime I've had totally different and unique cocktails. Service is amazing as well, the team is polite and attentive. And the ambiance is romantic and perfect for a date night! Pictures are from the valentines day night cap read more

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Amazing drinks. Food was satisfying. Look for a unique experience! I would recommend for a special occasion!

I tried the Aviary on my bachelorette trip after seeing so many instagrams from other friends from this place! This is a high end cocktail bar that is located near Alinea (the famous three Michelin star restaurant) and boasts a variety of cool drinks. For my drink I ordered: * summer in Mallorca - this was a really fun and unique presentation that I really enjoyed. The drink was fruity and had a light flavor which was nice * two to tango - my friends ordered this one and it was my favorite - it was a fun fruity slushy like drink which was the perfect amount of sweetness * jungle bird - if you want a strong drink with rum Boba this is a good choice. The presentation was also very colorful which was cute Overall the drinks were unique and fun but definitely on the very pricey side! Worth for an experience though. Service was also wonderful. read more

The Aviary - Jungle bird - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Incredible experience. It's pricy, but worth it in my opinion. The cocktails are next level. So much care and attention put into the ingredients, how they work together, the presentation, and how the flavors change through the course of you drinking it. The bites are also excellent. The single ravioli might seem pricy...well it is at $19 for a single ravioli.. but it's one of the most memorable bites i have ever had. It's a truffle soup dumpling basically. The soup filling explodes in your mouth and you're hit with a strong savory flavor. It's perfect. I ordered second one. $40 for two bites. Shoot that hurts. But it's maybe a once in a lifetime splurge haha Service is top notch. Very limited seating so make a reservation x read more

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The Aviary by The Alinea Group is next-level mixology--this isn't just a cocktail bar, it's an experience. I've been a few times now, and every visit has been completely different in the best way possible. Their cocktails aren't just drinks; they're art, science, and storytelling in a glass. Every cocktail is uniquely crafted, often arriving in ways you wouldn't expect--smoking, bubbling, frozen, or served in some mind-blowing vessel. Whether you go for one of their classic creations or something seasonal, you're in for something innovative and unforgettable. The service is just as impeccable as the drinks. The staff is polite, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive--they guide you through the menu and make great recommendations based on your preferences. And the ambiance? Perfect. Romantic, moody, and sophisticated--ideal for a date night, a special occasion, or an intimate gathering with friends. It's the kind of place that makes an impression, where every visit feels like a discovery. If you're into cocktails that push boundaries and a setting that feels exclusive yet inviting, The Aviary is a must-visit. read more

The Aviary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was our second time at the Aviary, the first time being five years ago. The last time we came, my friends and I had an AMAZING experience and ordered a ton of drinks and talking about coming back one day even before we left. That's why when we decided to all come out to Chicago again we said we had to come back. Sadly, I feel like the experience just wasn't the same. One, there is much more casual atmosphere than the previous visit. Two, the drinks just didn't feel quite as impressive as our first visit. Everything was still very good but there just wasn't the same level or excitement when the drinks came out. I'm not sure if it's because we've since been to many impressive cocktail bars or it's just the current lineup of cocktails at the Aviary. They do have an nice list of non-alcoholic cocktails though that was no less creative which worked out well since one of our party wasn't drinking alcohol. And flavors of course are still spot on, just presentation doesn't seem to be quite the same level, at least not to my memory. We didn't have any food though and ordered drinks a la carte. read more

Very fun place and vibe! We came after dining at alinea and they were able to get us a reservation and sent us here in a car :) and gave us a gold coin for a "special experience" I won't divulge what that is but it made it super fun! The cheddar puff tasted amazing and so did the truffle pop corn. The drinks though were all too sweet imo. Even the whiskey drinks. Per my friend who's been here back in 2016, the drinks have gotten more commercialized. He ordered two of the whiskeys but was disappointed with both because both were too sweet. I tried the drink with black berry sorbet at the bottom, idea and combo was great but still ended up being too sweet. read more

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We went to The Aviary..it was my first time at the most iconic cocktail spot in Chicago..and let me tell you, I was so excited, and it did not disappoint! Every drink was delicious, rich in flavor, and beautifully crafted. They were paired with tiny bites that matched each one perfectly. We ended the night with an ice cream dessert and a coffee liqueur drink... pure perfection! The service was amazing! The staff were so attentive, knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Highly recommend!! read more

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