One of my favorite spots for cocktails in Chicago! The drinks are NEXT LEVEL, the mixology is…read moreseriously insane. They also have live music, and it's always such a vibe. I've never not had a great time here. Shoutout to Guillermo because he's so good at his job and also so fun to talk to! Definitely one of my go-to cocktail spots.

Such a fun moody speakeasy for cocktails located in lower level of The Hoxton! They have such an…read moreincredible range of cocktails it's truly impressive. There's a decent amount of seating and space in the bar but we went on a Monday evening and it was quite busy so I can only imagine how crowded it gets on a weekend. It also is quite dark in this space, something to keep in mind if you struggle with that! We helped one of the bar staff clean a broken glass from the floor and they brought us some extra drinks which was extremely sweet of them! Would definitely come back the next time I'm in the area.

Bisous is a Parisian-inspired romantic cocktail lounge in Fulton Market, and it delivers on…read moreatmosphere and craft. The cocktail menu mixes clever plays on classics with their own signature creations, and everything we tried was fantastic. It's no surprise they were named one of the 50 Best Bars in North America for 2026. I had what might be the best pink squirrel I've ever had: creamy, balanced, and a perfect take on the classic. We also tried one of their freezer martinis, which was beautifully cold, exactly how a martini should be. I can't wait to get back and work my way through more of the menu. If you're in Chicago and want a date-night spot or just a really well-made drink, put Bisous on your list.

I had a really positive experience at Bisous back in February when I went with my family. The…read morebartender paid attention to us, the cocktails were well made, and we left in a good mood. Because of that, I decided to stop by again on a recent Sunday evening around 7pm. The second visit was completely different. We got there early, knowing it would probably get busier later. Even so, tables near the bar stayed open the entire time we were there. Instead of seating us up front, they put us in the back area by ourselves, where there was no dedicated server. We basically had to wait until the bartender happened to look over and notice us before we could order. He was friendly when he came by, but having to rely on random glances from the bar is not how service should work. The drinks themselves were on the sweet side but acceptable. The bigger issue was the seating and the lack of attention. We were left alone in the back while open seats closer to the bar remained empty the whole night. I don't want to assume the hostess or manager treated us differently because we're Asian, but the decision felt strange and left us without real service. That person should be retrained or let go. Given how good the first visit was, this one was disappointing enough that I won't be coming back or recommending the place.

After my birthday dinner, my friends and I went to The Office, the intimate speakeasy in Fulton…read moreMarket, and it was such a great experience! The atmosphere is beautiful, cozy, and intimate, which made it perfect for continuing my birthday celebration. Our bartender was incredibly attentive, kind, and welcoming, and the drinks were absolutely delicious. We made a reservation and paid a deposit in advance, which was applied toward our final bill. I really appreciated how seamless everything was. They even surprised me with a little birthday treat and a candle, which was such a thoughtful touch and made me feel celebrated. We had a wonderful time from beginning to end. Great drinks, great service, and an amazing vibe. I would absolutely recommend The Office for an after-dinner experience, a pre-dinner cocktail, date night, or a special celebration. I will definitely be back!

The Office is a nice speakeasy! I had wanted to get a floral drink at the restaurant upstairs…read morecalled "the Aviary" but they were actually totally full, whereas the speakeasy wasn't. I sat at the bar downstairs and can confirm the place has a classic speakeasy feel -- the the basement of a place behind a locked door, very dark inside with mood lighting/glass cases and leather chairs/couches around small low tables. It's definitely a great date spot! I took off a star because it's pricey -- I got the "milk punch" on their classic cocktail menu which was $25 and is pretty small, but it's a nice drink and tasted very much like a milk punch drink I got at a speakeasy back home (in Austin, TX). The bartenders were super nice and provided excellent service, no complaints there! The bathrooms were also immaculate. Overall, this is a very nice speakeasy! I've been to many in my day and the ambiance is definitely on par with the best, but I gotta say some other unique ingredients (ideally more floral options!) would really take their menu up a notch! Nevertheless, I would def rec a visit to those visiting Chicago, and would go again even just for vibes :)

Speakeasy on the second floor of recently renovated Niso. Very warm vibe with a Greek decor except…read morefor a misplaced disco ball . I went for a night cap after dinner at Komo last night and the 'mixologist' was a lot of fun to chat with. They also have a 'secret menu' but I'll leave the rest of the details on this for you to go experience it. I asked for a scotch sprit forward drink with some smoke to it and was presented an Ardbeg laced with some green chartreuse and it was excellent. The chartreuse was a substitute to using absinthe which I don't enjoy. Overall a great experience and a cool spot to hang out.

Located in Nisos, The Lounge is one of 3 spaces and this one is their cocktail lounge! What a…read morebeautiful spot! However, come here only for the vibes and your IG pics because that's all there is to this place. The ambiance is very moody and sexy which I love however, I felt like I was sitting in seating meant for toddlers! It seemed like all the seats were super low to the ground and i'm pretty short so not sure how the taller folks feel. It felt super awkward to sit in the space. Our drinks tasted like pure perfume so it was disappointing considering they were almost $20. I'll be skipping out on the lounge and will only enjoy the restaurant spaces in the future. Prime Bar's bar on the first floor is 100x better if you're looking for a good drink and aren't too invested in vibes.

The skinny: Buckle up for a wild experience. It's not just a cocktail bar or restaurant - its truly…read morea show. Think wild presentation, decently yummy drinks/food, a bit pricey. First off the drinks and food are all good. Just taste wise I wasn't completely blown away which is why it fell short of 5 stars for me. However, if you are looking for a show and something special this is definitely it. The presentation was all over the top, fun, and unique. Drinks: All the drinks are basically $30+. There is however a cocktail progression that gives you 3 drinks for $75 which helps with the high price tag. We were able to get 2 of those and get 6 drinks that we shared with the 3 of us. The menu has a graphic that shows how over the top the presentation is for each drink - which is how we picked what we wanted. Some standouts we had were the drink in the circle thing which is the iconic cocktail at Aviary and is absolutely gorgeous. Its an infused bottle that fills about 3 glasses. So each time you drink you get a different flavor profile as the flavors infuse for longer. The second standout was the 'you've got mail'. It came in a little cute mailbox and was our favorite cocktail taste-wise. Something I'd order again. There were a lot of other drinks that centered on smoke and smells that were over the top but fun. The food: Just like the drinks - presentation was over the top here. We got the giant onion ring which was actually quite giant and delicious - and beautifully presented. The surprise favorite was the chip and dip which was more like the consistency of a shrimp chip and made to be gigantic and a few feet standing up. We also got the taco (which was delicious but was quite pricey), the crab rangoon which was deconstructed and not our fave, and the caviar with nuggets - which how can you go wrong. The most over the top item was the balloon dessert which was a helium infused taffy. It tasted pretty good but overall was just a fun dessert. Our first one even accidentally broke off and flew to the ceiling which was an experience in itself. Value/price: Overall expect everything to be tapas share style/sizing (except for the giant onion ring). Things were pretty expensive but not overally insane for the presentation and the uniqueness. Its a great special occasion fun spot where you'll get tons of fun pics.

We went to The Aviary with sky-high expectations. As a self-proclaimed cocktail nerd, this place is…read morenear the top of my bucket list, so I was ready to be blown away by next-level molecular mixology. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the buzz. We did the 3-course cocktail progression, where each of us picked 3 drinks from a menu of 14. The drinks were well made and creative, but nothing wowed me. Everything felt a little overhyped and underwhelming for what this place is known for. The highlight of the night was actually dessert: the green apple balloon, originally created for their sister restaurant, Alinea. That was the one moment that delivered the "wow" I came for. The cost also made it harder to forgive the letdown. Six cocktails ran us over $200. For that price, I wanted at least one drink that I'd still be thinking about the next day. Overall, I'm glad we checked it off the list, but I wouldn't rush back. Three stars for solid execution and a great dessert, but it didn't earn the hype.

The happy hour here is one of the best in the city. Martini and DELICIOUS waffle fries for $10…read moreduring the week 5-7 pm. Very dimly lit but much quieter for HH and can almost always get a table. Service is always very nice!

Super cute for a night out, not super busy inside but the lighting makes it really fun! Since photo…read morebooths have become popular again, this is a perfect spot for that! The bar is slightly hidden around the corner, but easy to find and the service is fast. Def recommend for a night out stop

I stopped by the Gilt Bar on a Sunday night, hoping to get into The Library (their speakeasy)…read moredownstairs. There was a bit of a wait, but I sat at the main bar, and decided to stick it out. Overall great experience. I loved the aesthetics of the bar, and the people working behind it helped make my visit exceptional. I felt like everyone went above and beyond for me- which is honestly rare nowadays. The drinks were well mixed, and the general vibes were positive. I would recommend Gilt Bar/The Library to anyone in Chicago wanting a positive, upscale evening out. I didn't order any food, so I can't speak to that, but it smelled delicious! Special mention to both the female bartender upstairs (didn't catch her name), who went above and beyond for me, and Cruz downstairs, who was a master multitasker, and still managed to make me feel welcome.

It's been years since I've been to Gilt Bar. Family style is the way to go way - order a variety…read moreand share! We had a mix of apps and entrees. The carbonara was good, not great. I look forward to trying more of the menu next time. The chocolate silk cream pie is a solid choice for dessert. Service was solid and I definitely will come back - but not wait years to do so!

VANESSA! she was amazing! came here to spend time with coworkers and she max our expierce because…read morewe all best friends now! She is the best and has skills for everything! loved her and thank you for your service. Im coming back bc of her!

Hide + Seek is the West Loop's best-kept secret hiding in plain sight. Unlike most cocktail bars…read morethat lean dark and moody, this place is bright and airy, with incredible art covering the walls. Every corner gives you something new to look at. The cocktails are every bit as creative as the space. I tried the Euro Summer, a gin cocktail that was crisp, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. The Birds and the Bees, a tequila riff on a Bee's Knees, was my favorite: smooth, a little floral, and totally unexpected. Both looked gorgeous, and yes, your Instagram feed will thank you. It's an ideal spot for catching up with friends or a date night, with enough energy to feel fun and enough room to actually talk. Upscale without being stuffy. Can't wait to go back and work my way through the rest of the menu!

Recently went to Prime Bar to celebrate Galentine's Day with my girls. This spot had been on my…read morelist for a while! We decided to dine at the bar so we could take advantage of the everyday happy hour and use our InKind app. The espresso martini was a HIT. Our favorites were the chips and dips, cheeseburger, chicken taco pita, truffle fries, and oysters. The wings were just okay and I did not love the herb aioli. Our bartender server, I believe her name was Delia, sorry if I spelled it wrong, was super nice. She got slammed but still gave great service the whole time. The ambience is gorgeous and the music really set the vibe. Would definitely come back!

This place is insanely beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. They did an amazing job decorating the…read moreinterior and using the space. Even the area they kept water for easy access was well thought out. I started with a dozen oysters and ended with the wagyu smash burger, as it was a must order. The oysters are $1 during happy hour, which is 4pm - 6pm everyday. The oysters were fresh and the perfect size, not too big or too small. It came with two sauces, lemons, and mini Tabascos. The wagyu smash burger was pretty good and filling. I'm not the biggest fan of burgers but this one is definitely worth trying! My waiter was attentive and chill. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and can't wait to come back!

Tucked upstairs at The Soho House in the West Loop and sitting behind a set of saloon doors, Fox…read moreBar is an absolute unexpected speakeasy vibe for cocktails and a good time! We wandered in after dinner nearby and wanted a chill cocktail, we got the cocktail, not so much the chill...and that was 100% okay with us once we realized what we came upon at the top of that staircase. While small, they have all the goods for classic cocktails and even several house curated drinks. You can basically get dealers choice, which is a rotating house cocktail and it will run you around $13, which is the price that most cocktails came in at. The drink menu is seasonal and changes often, but they still sling all the classics and really anything you can think of. My partner went with a house cocktail, but I was after an espresso martini...and honestly, this doesn't seem like an espresso martini place, but they came through and it was a delightful nightcap for sure! Service was stellar, the bartenders were chill, engaged, friendly and efficient. Overall, solid spot for a cocktail in the West Loop - Definitely worth the trip in and up those stairs!

Been to Fox bar several years in a row (first encounter was back in 2018), and it usually doesn't…read moredisappoint. The staff is friendly and helpful (even got a free glass of champagne to celebrate my friend's birthday). It's an easy spot to walk into and, if you're lucky, plop down on one of the seats until closing. The bar's a little hidden in the SoHo house building, and once you're inside behind the swinging saloon doors you're welcomed by a cosy dive bar setting. If there are three things that made the experience this time around less optimal: the bar seemed to have attracted some rowdy/intrusive drunks (we got harassed a few times), the bar area itself had a puke-y smell going on, and the time it takes to get a drink can be quite long.