I've been here twice now, and just want to add to my prior review. Each time I've gone, the menu has been different, but the menus are typically there for a year or more. The first time I went, the menu was a nostalgic 90s-theme, and the second time it was the Solar System. Both were phenomenal. I wish I had unlimited time to be able to try the whole menu, but between myself and the other person with me (and being able to taste each other's drinks), I was able to try 6 things each time. And I'll just say that every single one was unique, perfectly balanced (no rogue flavors), and so much fun. Do yourself a favor, and go try the things these mixology wizards have thrown heart and soul into creating! read more

(Review from my visit back in late February. I read somewhere their Ad Astra menu is going away soon, so you should go asap if you want to try it!) I went here a couple years ago for their composition book menu, but had to come back to try their new Ad Astra space themed menu. I absolutely love the concept. All the cocktails are inspired by a planet. We tried the moon, mars, saturn, earth, and pluto. Loved all of them! They were all super inventive. Meadowlark is definitely in my top 5 cocktail bars in Chicago because I love the speakeasy aspect and also how unique their menus always are. Can't wait to see what they do next! read more

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Excellent experience from top to bottom. Great ambience, from the speakeasy style front room to the cozy ambience of the bar itself. And the drinks, well... Expert level cocktails with some extremely impressive bites from Union/Lardon - the mushroom cabbage skewers are about as good a pure mushroom dish as I've had. The cocktails are delightful, tons of options on a rotating, thematic menu. Very thoughtful, with pairings you wouldn't expect and may never have come across. Very impressed, and looking forward to what their next theme will be. read more

The Meadowlark - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have found what will be my newest favorite date spot in Chicago!! Although you have to have a party of four to make a reservation, so it must be a polycule outing or a double date to score a reservation. I went with my kids and had a blast in this richly decorated and beautifully lit speakeasy! I mostly stuck to the non-alcoholic options, the other three tried 2-3 of the regular cocktails and all were a hit! Our servers we're wonderfully attentive and knowledgeable, which was great since half the party has severe food allergies and the drinks all have nearly a dozen ingredients including butter, nuts, and eggs. So we had to be careful. Loved everything about Meadowlark and I can't wait to return. read more

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They rotate between themes! This night was solar system and I got the moon cocktail. There was a ton of variety on the menu and I thought my drink was just the right amt of sweet. Wait was abt 30 mins and the bartenders were very friendly. Will be back!! read more

The Meadowlark - The moon - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came on a Saturday night and surprised that it was full. They just put down your number and we waited over 2hrs to get in but it worth it because they give you 2hrs while you are inside. It was a dark ambiance but it had some couches on the side and we got seated by the bar. The drinks were really unique and good. We got the mercury, Jupiter, ceres and the moon. Their menu is rotating and this time based on the Adler Planetarium it's Ad Astra or To the stars! Our server and bartender were so nice and everyone is so attentive. They gave us recommendations based on what we liked and absolutely love it! This is such a great place for couples for even a girls night out. read more

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The Meadowlark is a fantastic cocktail bar in Chicago that offers an intimate, low-light atmosphere perfect for a cozy night out. The constantly changing menu keeps things fresh, and the planet-themed offerings add a fun, creative twist to the experience. The cocktails are thoughtfully crafted, and the kimchi fries were especially standout--bold, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. A great spot for anyone looking for a unique, immersive cocktail experience with excellent bites to match. The service is great with ample paid street parking. read more

The Meadowlark - Mercury - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Me and my hubby's all time favorite bar in Chicago! Every time we're in the city, we always stop by Meadowlark. We've had the privilege of trying three of their menus since their opening in 2023. They change up their menu every 8-12 months so you are getting a different set of curated craft cocktails every time they switch it up. The latest menu that we tried was called the Ad Astra or "To The Stars" and Alison served up some awesome drinks. My favorite was Saturn and Titan and my hubby's favorite was the Phobos & Deimos. Every cocktail is thoughtfully created and well-balanced. We just love the care and complexity that goes into creating each cocktail. From bright and refreshing to complex and spirit-forward, there is something for everyone. It's a vibe in here! Meadowlark is a laid-back but classy cocktail bar with phenomenal cocktails, great music and friendly bartenders that are attentive. What more could you ask for? read more

Brought my space nerd boyfriend in specifically for their Ad Astra menu. Every part of the experience was exciting -- beginning with what felt like a pretty secretive entrance. The ambiance was so cute, and the interior felt like an elevated cozy living room. The details of the menu were so impressive, and I can totally see how they sell so many of the menus on their site. The drinks were delicious, strong, and honestly looking through the options was just as fun as drinking the drinks! Excited for the next concept! read more

The Meadowlark - Neptune and Titan - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am a new, big fan of Meadowlark! Some new friends put me onto this place earlier this summer while enjoying the patio at another establishment nearby. Been here a couple times, both on Mondays in which they have amazing mixmasters/bartenders working...Alison & Scott. They take good care of ya with some humor involved. When you enter there is a young lady sitting there waiting to open the big door for ya to enjoy this amazing place. Its dark like your typical speakeasy and the menu changes with a new theme every 6 months I was told. Current theme is Outer Space which is very cool. Some interesting drinks on the menu and Scott always says, dont let the spirit drive your selection, look at the ingredients. Very delicious cocktails named after planets such as Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn & Jupiter as well the Ganymede and Phobos & Demos were all very good! They offer small bites and snacks as well. I got the sticky toffee pudding and it was delicious as well. The bar itself is a nice size and there is seating for groups as well. Place is good for groups, dates and solo sips. Its located on a side street, but very easy to find. read more

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Meadowlark is a pretty solid spot. The planetarium menu is such a cool touch, makes picking a drink feel like a little event. If they still got it going on, definitely go for the Saturn, it's really good. Great low key vibe energy in there, staff was super cool, the waitress especially. Watching the bartenders pour drinks was honestly half the fun, they got their whole thing going on behind the bar. Drinks hit the spot and looked pretty too. No complaints at all. Everything was great, would definitely come back! read more

The Meadowlark - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is SO cool. As an avid cocktail drinker, I was very impressed with the menu and service. Right now everything is spaced themed. Here's what we ordered: The Moon: If you like dessert drinks, I highly recommend. Two different kinds of gin, topped with a blueberry whey foam. My favorite on the table. Phobos & Deimos: Made with Siete Misterios Mezcal, this somewhat-bitter yet strikingly smooth cocktail was to die for. 10/10 presentation. Titan: Out of the three we ordered, this was the most spirit-forward. Made with Ron Zacapa 23 and a variety of rums (most of which I couldn't pronounce), this was a rich drink made for people who really enjoy the taste of alcohol. Our bartender was very sweet and you could tell he knew what he was making. The speakeasy vibes were super cool, and I could've stayed there forever. Thanks Meadowlark for a wonderful first experience -- I'll be back. read more

The Meadowlark - The decor - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Been on the hunt for a good cocktail bar since my favorite VH in Wicker Park closed down. I was recommended this place by a friend and this place did not disappoint. My husband and I were able to walk in and be seated immediately. The bar is very cosy with lounge chairs and perfect for a date night. They even have a great collection of books to read! They have a rotating menu, while we visited it was a Solar System themed menu. My husband got the Sun and I got the Moon. Both were absolutely delicious. We also got some bites - deviled eggs and fries, which did not disappoint. Will definitely be coming back! read more

The Meadowlark - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is such a vibe with the cocktails and craftsmanship. The only thing is come early to grab seats/table. We came at 7pm on a Friday to get on the waitlist and they called us 2.5 hours later. We didn't know this but if you sit there and wait, they take you in faster versus going somewhere and waiting. We were not told this but overheard the receptionist say this to others. read more

The Meadowlark - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great cocktail bar with one of the best interiors I have been lucky enough to sit in. Beautiful space. The service was also very good and I love the way the menu is designed. Highly recommend this cocktail bar. read more

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I am genuinely disappointed in myself for not visiting Meadowlark sooner. I will say, I was that dork that walked back and forth and around the corner - twice - to try and find Meadowlark, when finally I noticed the subtle sign above the door. What an absolutely awesome ambiance - that was the first impression. and it only got better and better from there. the meticulously designed and creative menu blew my friend and i away! we absolutely loved this and it was so crafty and cool. she actually said "can i buy one of these?" while we were there! The drinks were so creative and interesting and TASTY. we both loved what we'd ordered. plus - they looked pretty, too. think that's where the fun stops? Nope. Meadowlark also has snacks. WHO KNEW! I can't wait to go back and gradually try every single thing they offer because i totally trust that meadowlark can do no wrong! read more

Something told me to try them again & im glad I did. Drinks were pretty good on my 2'd try. Well balanced to say the least. Potential, aesthetically pleasing, tbh it doesn't matter what they look like but for my true snobs. Bartenders were attentive & courteous. Still. It ready to rank them amongst the best but they're top 5. read more

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Absolutely excellent experience! Decided to give it a try on a whim and throughly enjoyed! The space is cozy and welcoming, as are the staff. They were all friendly and the mixologist was happy to answer any questions we had. Service was quick, yet everything was well crafted. The drinks were fantastic! Truly unique and flavorful! The theming of the menu was fun and enhanced the experience. It was hard to choose at first, but everything was tasty! The food was also delicious and as thoughtfully created as the cocktails. I particularly enjoyed the sticky toffee pudding. Can't wait to come back again and try more delicious one of a kind cocktails! read more

Nice and convenient location (right off the California blue line) that still somehow feels secluded and cozy. Gorgeous interior reminiscent of early 20th century bars. Drinks are on the pricier side, but the service, ambiance, food, drinks, and staff musical choices make it worth it. Themed "The Outer Planets" cocktails until springtime. I would highly recommending checking them out before they rotate their menu. Nice, clean, private and plentiful bathrooms sectioned away from where one might be able to peer in. Friendly staff! My only suggestion would be looking into adding various types of canned seafood to the menu read more

The Meadowlark - Two Ganymede cocktails. - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My husband and I stopped by after work on a Tuesday around 6pm as walk ins. They were able to seat us right away! The vibes inside are cute and moody. There is music playing, but it's not too loud - this would be the perfect date spot! The drinks were awesome - my favorite was the Ice Cream Truck but the Daydream was also very good. The drinks were balanced and light (I preferred the first half of the menu) while my husband went for the boozier, darker side of the menu. The Ice Cream Truck really tasted like ice cream, while not being overly sweet and tasted a little like pie?? The Meadowlark definitely lived up to the hype of being in North America's Top 50 bars. I'll be back with more people next time! FYI you need at least 4-6ppl to make a reservation. Less than 4ppl is walk ins only. Also note: prices were reasonable! It was $18 or so per cocktail which I thought was great for the quality! read more

One of my favorite cocktail bars in Chicago. I've been able to try three of their menus- the current theme is space. They have all been great! The cocktails are so good and you can tell so much thought and care were put into creating them. There is something for everyone. Staff will always help you out if you want a suggestion or have a question. It's not a big place, so get there early or you might have to wait a little bit. read more

Went here last weekend on a whim. This is a speakeasy and lives up to it because of where it's located and how it looks on the outside. We didn't have any reservations, but we got seats at the bar after waiting for about 30-45 minutes. This place is really nice, and staff are friendly. We had space-themed drinks and chips with onion dip. Quickly read someone else's review on here, and I guess they change up their menu. Would definitely go back to see what their next themes are. read more

There is nothing that excites me more than attention to detail, especially when it comes to crafting a quality libation. The lighting, furniture, artwork, layout, everything about meadowlark is crafted with intention. The menu was a composition notebook with odes to childhood behind every drink(if I am correct they cycle through menus frequently to keep things fresh). The menu has small games, details of the drinks, and overall killer execution. 2 bartenders crafted drinks for the patrons. Magicians. I went with a first day of school and saturday morning cartoons. First day of school was superb. Looking at it, you'd think it's a queens park swizzle, however, it is anything but. Apple brandy run the shows with the mint and peychauds lending a helping hand. A masterpiece. I have been on a cachaca kick so I had to get saturday morning cartoons. A little funk, a little fruit, with a touch of cinnamon. An absolute banger. The presentation is beautiful as well. Intimate, classy, inventive. An insane cocktail program in a beautiful space, must visit spot! read more

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The Meadowlark is a sexy Chicago Fair themed speakeasy with craft cocktails and a few heavy appetizers. Reservations are strongly recommended, but I've been fortunate to walk in as well. If you're solo or a party of two you'll obviously increase your odds. The mixologist take their craft seriously and with a fully stocked bar, can make excellent off menu drinks. You're paying for the trendy vibe and we'll crafted cocktails so make sure you like the person you take, lol. 4.2 stars. read more

Add Meadowlark to your list if you enjoy a fun, clever cocktail menu and special night out. The last two times, the drink menu has been written in a spiral, school themed notebook. Descriptions of each drink are well thought out, unique and hopefully you'll find something that'll will delight your senses. The speakeasy limits you to a 2 hr seating to get folks getting in/out. There's a waiting/small lounge area before you get inside the bar behind a big locked door. Always a great time when I come in and the service is fantastic, unpretentious and elegant yet comfortable vibes. read more

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Some of the most innovative cocktails in Chicago. The current menu is solar system themed. The Planet X cocktail is very good. read more

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Okay this spot is so deserving of all it's hype! The cocktails are imaginative and so well balanced! It's a cozy vibe but you feel like a kid again looking and their current menu which is all about your youth! I got the pizza party and Saturday morning cartoons and they were soo good. My husband got field trip and I'm not kidding it tasted like a field trip! Service from when you walk in to when you're seated is fantastic. read more

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The service here was, frankly, astonishing, though not in the way they seem to imagine. I asked for my drink not to be served in a martini glass, and the bartender took that as an opportunity to publicly ridicule me, as if the entire bar needed to witness his performance. Truly impressive behavior for a place that prides itself on "elevated" service. When I asked what the drink would be served in, I was told, in all seriousness, that it would come "in a bowl." A bowl. Am I supposed to guess whether that means a cereal bowl, a soup bowl, or something from the pet aisle? For a bar that seems obsessed with presentation, simply showing the glass apparently would have been too much to ask. And when the drink finally arrived, it was just a basic glass with a single round ice block. Nothing mysterious, nothing avant‑garde - just unnecessarily dramatic secrecy over something completely ordinary. To make matters worse, the cocktail itself was downright bad. It was poorly balanced and watery, tasting like it was mixed by an amateur who hadn't yet mastered the basics, let alone the "innovation" they claim. "50 Best" is generous; "50 Worst" feels more accurate - this place is a disgrace to other bars that earned that distinction. If you enjoy being talked down to for not instinctively understanding their self‑important serving rituals, this might be the place for you. Otherwise, I'd recommend saving your time, and your palate, for somewhere that values hospitality over theatrics. read more

My friend absolutely loves this place and even though I love close, I've never been. We were able to coordinate our schedules so that we could meet up on a week night. There was a group of three of us so we weren't able to make a reservation and had to put our name on the waitlist. We waited about 50 minutes to an hour before we were seated. We were sat in a lounge section which was really nice. The server let us know that they have just changed their menu for the season. The menu has a solar system theme. I ordered the Jupiter and the Planet X (special cocktail for the night- butter washed old fashioned type cocktail). The ambiance was cozy. There are 4 lounge sections and the several seats at the bar. The lounge seating is comfy and the decor is sophisticated library esque. The sparkling water is also extraordinary. This is a solid spot. I'll come back again and try some of their other options. read more

The Meadowlark - Look for the Meadowlark - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

LOVE the themed cocktails here they're all very unique and I'm looking forward to coming back here many times to keep trying more. The menus are absolutely adorable and well thought out. I only wish they would do reservations for parties under 4 as the wait time is typically pretty long. (Reservations are only for 4-6). The actual inside of the bar is very cute, they've got nice big lounge seats and seats by the bar with some flowers. I will say it's pretty small and doesn't seat a ton of people read more

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Literally obsessed. I would recommend you make a reservation. Speakeasy vibes, limited seating. Service was great. They have so many cocktails to choose from. I got the Saturday morning cartoon cocktail and it was amazing. It had a hint of banana and it was light and creamy. I can't wait to come back and try more! read more

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Note: It's hard to write a review for a venue where surprise and delight are part of the allure, so I'll try to avoid spoilers here. Mysterious and hard to find in the rain, you'll be glad you went through the effort to enter Meadowlark speakeasy-style. Reservations suggested, but walk-ins welcomed. While waiting, resist the urge to try to sneak a peek inside the main area -- you'll be stymied with a large door and possibly feel foolish for trying. Once seated, expect to be invited to revisit fond memories, taste nuance, and experience exceptionally personalized service. From the menu to the garnish to the glass, every detail is curated for your delight. It's clear why they have a 2-hour maximum; I'd have stayed much longer! read more

The Meadowlark - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely LOVED loved loved The Meadowlark. We came for cocktails with friends on Wednesday night before our 7pm dinner reservation. Upon check in, the hostess escorted us to four seats at the corner of the bar. The bar itself is the most cozy and feels like being at a friend's house if that friend had a bar in their living room. The bartender was incredibly personable as well as being knowledgeable about the various cocktails on the menu. Before a round of classic cocktails we had to try some of their specialties. The pool party, field trip and pizza party were all remarkably good and interesting without being cloying or sweet. If I lived in Chicago, I would be frequenting this bar on the regular. read more

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We stopped in after eating at Union around the corner which is part of the same hospitality group and Meadowlark. My husband and I love speakeasy's because we enjoy the time and creativity that the bartenders spend on each drink. They are always so unique and we have rarely been disappointed. We were also not disappointed at The Meadowlark. We ordered a few drink and a charcuterie board as well. The only thing we were disappointed with is that the specialty menu was sold out! We really wanted one, but they are limited and were super cool. We loved the vibes of the bar and would love to come back another time to see what other kinds of drinks they come up with! read more

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I didn't have a reservation and tried snagging walk-in seats to the famed Meadowlark. The service was impeccable-- from arrival greeting to venue & menu orientation to the highly anticipated drinks. We ordered a couple rounds of drinks, sampling the menu. Every drink we tried had its own unique composition & identity, yet all were delicious. The ambiance and entire experience was warm, inviting, and quite frankly, fun. Highly recommend! read more

The Meadowlark - Cocktail menu - Speakeasies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Meadowlark is a very well thought out themed bar with an intimate ambiance while displaying a fun and lighthearted menu. The bartender kindly took the time to explain to us that the theme of the cocktails is supposed to represent the nostalgia of being in grade school, and we loved the concept. Being honest, we didn't love our drinks. They weren't bad, but my partner and I both felt that they either could have had more flavor or tasted different based on their descriptions. However, the bar itself was awesome and we would love to come back and try others! read more

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True speakeasy. You might miss the entrance like I did. Once inside the host greeted us and we came right in with out a reservation. We were seated at the bar which was a bit crowded. After a quick skim through the menu I went with the Ferris wheel. It's such a pretty and tasty drink. It was sprayed with something that added to the experience. The host then moved us to a couch which was cozy. Music got progressively better as the night went on. This is a cool date night spot or a nice place to catch up with a friend. read more

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Over the course of some months when talking with strangers and friends, reading about bars in magazines, blogs etc one place consistently comes up. It's Meadowlark. Went for the first time on Friday. I get into the habit of ordering my favorite cocktails repeatedly throughout year. First drink I had was called movie night. It was very unique, different. The butter notes+ salted corn were prevalent notes. The next drink I got snow day was more my speed. Love it. It had Chartreuse and chocolate. It was cool the drinks on the menu fit within larger theme. The lights are dim. It is certainly a speak easy. read more

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Walked in on a Friday night. We had to wait around an hour for our seats, so I recommend making a reservation ahead of time if you are set on coming here for drinks. I loved the interior, it was super cozy and warm. My favorite thing was how the menu was themed; this time, it was themed for the Chicago World Fair. It was really nice flipping through the menu and learning more about different attractions. I also liked how some drinks had proceeds going to different non-profits/organizations. We ordered the Streets of Cairo and the Windmills. The Streets of Cairo was refreshing and the watermelon + pepper flavor came through. The cocoa flavor on the Windmills drink was also pretty pleasant. The bartender was nice and friendly, and had great drink recommendations. read more

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Top Tier Chicago Speakeasy! My husband and I ventured to The Meadowlark for some pre-dinner cocktails. The bar had a subtle street entry and once inside, a host will check id's and seating availability. There is a door further into the space with a red light above where the speakeasy entry actually is. We loved the intermediate landing zone to build anticipation. Inside had about 4-5 soft seating settings as well as bar seating for about 20. The space is small/intimate that also makes the experience feel exclusive. We tried 3 of the 16 cocktails and were impressed by all! The cocktail book was World Fair theme so all names, imagery, descriptions aligned. It seems they do an annual rotating menu to always keep one wanting to try more. Drinks priced at $16 a piece which we felt was fair for the city, presentation of the drinks, and unique flavors. This by far was one of our favorite speakeasies we've experience and will certainly be back to try more! read more

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