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    Three Dots and A Dash

    4.1 (4.2k reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Three Dots and A Dash Photos

    THREE DOTS AND A DASH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    1944 MAI TAI
    Ben K.

    My boyfriend wanted a speakeasy vibe to finish the night out in Chicago, so we headed on over to Three Dots and a Dash! The space is accessible via a "sort of" hidden alley entrance! Once you enter, you are quickly transported to the vibey, island oasis that is promised. There weren't any reservations or tables available, but we stopped into the bar and got lucky with a pair of seats. Our bartender was very social and friendly, even while constantly making drinks for the crowded bar area! We ordered a Mai Tai and a Strawberry Junglebird. Both we are excellent drinks, spirit-forward, and partnered well with theme of the space. Our only qualm was that the Junglebird didn't come dressed up at all...as almost all the drinks on the menu come in specific, themed glassware that adds to ambiance and effect of the experience...but that drink just came in a boring glass cup! Still tasted great, though! We will definitely be back to try more of the elaborate concoctions on this menu!

    Mystic Lamp and Aloha Felicia
    Brenda S.

    Three Dots and a Dash was an amazing experience. The whole tiki vibe was great, dim lighting, tropical decor, and a lively crowd that sets the tone. Service was friendly and efficient, especially considering how busy it gets. Drinks were so delicious and beautifully presented. The menu also has levels of how strong a drink might be. I ordered the Mystic Lamp, Aloha Felicia, and the Coconut Sunset Sundae. They were all delicious!

    Octopus shot
    Macy C.

    Very cool atmosphere. A little hard to find- made it more fun though in my opinion. Very nice bartenders. Very crowded even on a weeknight- we did not have reservations and got very lucky to grab 2 spots at the bar. Very neatly presented drinks. Flavor was ok but would go again for the experience

    Sparkling Jungle Bird
    Ashley M.

    what a VIBE. recommend making a reservation but i was a party of 1 so able to go to the bar but it was standing room only. the tiki drinks are in fun vessels, bartenders are lovely & it's so vibey inside. they have a few group drinks which looked really fun too! i got the strawberry junglebird & it was amazing!

    Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    Randa U.

    Came through on a weeknight for some quick apps and drinks. This is definitely a tiki bar vibe, dark, fun, and can be easy to forget the weather outside (especially if it's cold). It's a hidden speakeasy in an alley, giving the underground vibes. All drinks are tiki drink types. Coconut or fruity elixirs riddle the menu. You can get wine, champaign, or other cocktails if you ask. They aren't advertised though. I ordered the Aloha Felicia with Rum, coconut, pineapple, and lime. It was absolutely tropical and came in this gorgeous metal tiki cup. It was a short cup but wide, so it was a nice amount of drink. The menu also tells you how strong they are, as well. They don't really offer dinners, rather many types of appetizers. We ordered the loaded fries and the crab Rangoon dip. The loaded fries had a Teriyaki, Asian flavor and was quite filling and served beautifully. The crab Rangoon dip was also addictive. The crispy won tons were not greasy and it had another Asian style sauce to accompany the dip, that was a nice compliment to the flavor. This is a great place to meet up with friends for a cool tiki drink and apps.

    Shotstapus
    Whitney V.

    Amazing tiki bar in Chicago that's off the main streets and needs a reservation but the hit of the weekend. The drinks were amazing both in visuals and in taste. The bar allows for groups as well as pairs at the bar. Three Dots and A Dash is all theme whether it be the menu, drinks, and apps. We had so much fun it was an amazing experience. The staff was very nice and attentive. They do have a time allowance, but they were incredibly nice to us about our time in the bar.

    Mike P.

    When visiting Chicago this is one of the top places I had wanted to try. I'd heard about it for multiple sources on multiple occasions and knew it was one of my top priorities to visit while there. Of the first challenge of this place is finding it. I'm glad I read some reviews to talked about going down the alley and looking for lights because the GPS took me to the front of the building and I had no clue where the place was. After rounding the corner, I saw some lights and proceeded to walk down the alley and found three dots and a dash. When you go inside you, I was greater by a bouncer and then walk down the stairs to the bar. I was quickly greeted by the host that I just told them that I wanted to sit as far? So I can go in and find myself to see here when I had gotten there if the place was a little bit more packed but cleared out after a short while and I sat down and ordered some food and a drink. The bartender who helped me was super personable that I made some recommendations and talked about a few different drinks they had. I want you to make sure eyes picked wisely. I ended up going with their namesake drink three dots and a dash which I thought was really good. And I ordered the chicken bites as an appetizer that came with three sauces That I also enjoyed. I got in on the last night of the prior seasonal menu so I got to try one of the drinks before they came off and had the sweater weather as well. The drink was pretty good and I'm really glad it was recommended. Ed, they also have a merchroom with a bunch of different tiki glasses available. I picked up one of their newer glasses to take home which came on a little box in a nice little gift bag. All in all, I had a great experience here and I would definitely come back if I was in Chicago. If you're into tiki drinks, this is a must stop. But if you just enjoy a good cocktail and want to get away a little bit, this could be a great place to unwind.

    Cassandra D.

    Easily one of the most unique and fun spots we visited during our Christmas trip to Chicago. Whether you think of it as a former hidden speakeasy or a full-on hotspot now, it's a must-visit either way. The drinks were incredible... not just delicious, but clearly very thoughtfully crafted, right down to the custom Three Dots & a Dash glassware. And the food? Shockingly good. I wasn't expecting much food-wise given the speakeasy/bar vibe, but everything we tried was absolutely delicious. On top of that, the staff was so friendly and welcoming, offering great recommendations based on what we liked. Truly top-notch all around. We'll be back every single time we're in Chicago.

    The complimentary birthday Hot Buttered Rum shots!
    Scott V.

    Although it's been open for more than a dozen years, I visited the speakeasy, Tiki-themed Three Dots and a Dash for the first time last night to celebrate my husband's birthday--and what a treat it was. While the bar has a Clark Street address, true to speakeasy fashion you actually enter through the alley. A long flight of stairs, with walls covered in exotic plant material to set the Tiki mood, leads down to the host area and bar. The main bar is dark and atmospheric, with a lush tropical theme. Booths line three walls, high-top tables fill the center of the room, and a long bar backed by an impressive display of liquor bottles anchors the space. Since we visited in December, the room was decorated with festive silver wreaths, and there was a special menu of holiday cocktails. I ordered the Eggnog Grasshopper, while my husband chose the 1944 Mai Tai. Both drinks were refreshing and delicious, though on the small side. We also shared a Gingerbread Painkiller and an order of Prime Skirt Steak Skewers. The skewers were tender, moist, and full of flavor--absolutely delicious. Because it was my husband's birthday, our pleasant waitress surprised us with complimentary shots of Hot Buttered Rum, served on a charming platter complete with treasure coins and a skull mug bubbling with dry-ice smoke--a very nice touch. The Hot Buttered Rum shots were outstanding and much appreciated. I also loved that Three Dots and a Dash is a Lettuce Entertain You property, allowing me to both use and earn bonus points. If you're heading out for a night on the town and want to do something a little special, Three Dots and a Dash is an excellent choice--and a great place to linger for a while.

    Katie M.

    We came on a Tuesday night and grabbed one of the last tables available - definitely a spot that fills up even on quieter nights. The drinks are beautifully presented in playful tiki mugs, making them both Instagram worthy and genuinely enjoyable. The cocktails lean sweet and tropical, perfect if you are in the mood for something festive and fun. With the immersive tiki theme and lively energy, this bar feels like a mini escape and make it a great place for a night out.

    Cool menu!
    Denisha B.

    I love this place hard. It's everything for me. The ambience, the drinks, the vibes...what's not to love?! You can go anytime and feel transported to a warm luau mixed with a speakeasy kinda vibe. Also the music is bomb there! Drinks-you can literally order anything from the menu and it's fire. Do not order the drunken skull or do order it! ;) it for sure is a drink for 2 to share and even still beware!!!!!! The mai tai is absolutely incredible. Fresh juices pressed, blends of rum--seriously what's not to love? You will pay at least $20 a cocktail for sure. But it's worth it. Expect to walk out with a well made drink and tipsy.

    Linda C.

    Three Dots and a Dash is a masterclass in tiki done right. The drinks are not only delicious but absolute works of art, so beautifully presented. I honestly wish there was a tiki bar of this caliber closer to home. If you're into tiki drinks, this spot is absolutely worth a visit when you're in Chicago. They were also very good at accommodating my requests at lowering the sweetness level of all my drinks. Just a heads up: make a reservation. You'll want a proper seat to enjoy the experience. I saw plenty of people standing around clutching their cocktails, and that looked like a rough time.

    Leslie C.

    Really fun place! Cool swanky atmosphere and excellent drinks. Rum lovers rejoice! Fabulous tiki vibes and vibrant place to chill with friends. Really good snacks too. All the fries are great: sweet potato, waffle, and yucca. I love that they have group drinks! My friends and I shared a drink that served 3-4 people. So fun! I recommend reservations on the weekends and busy times.

    SHOTSTAPUS

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    2 months ago

    The drinks taste like febreze and the water in the bathroom to wash your hands literally burns your hands

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    Page 2 of 105

    Three Dots and A Dash Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Three Dots and A Dash

    Do they have any mocktails on the menu?

    Yes, the menu has the HONEYCRISP NOMBIE and the SUNDAY SCARIES appear to be non-alcoholic.

    Can we bring our own personal Tiki mugs inside?

    You may take an empty mug in but they will not serve their drink in your mug.

    Could you bring a kid here?

    No. Everyone is carded at the door. It's not a kid-friendly environment; it's a bar.

    Do they accept apple pay?

    I'm very sure if you contact the restaurant ahead of time they can certainly provide you with that information.

    Could you bring a kid with you during the day on the patio?

    No, it's a bar. The age limit is 21 and over.

    Hi, i made a reservation but i want to reschedule, is it possible to do so?

    Yes. They use Open Table. Just reschedule

    Do they have gluten free food options?

    I'm on a Keto diet and I had no problem finding plenty of good food options. The drinks however, well that's a different story!

    Is this 21+?

    Yes

    What type of music is played?

    Very loud, thumping, rhythmic sounds with a vaguely Caribbean flavor. The only song I recognized was by Prince.

    Do they have non alcoholic drinks?

    Hey Tiffany, We sure do! We have one on our menu right now called the Con Artist. But we can… Read more

    Do I have to make reservations if I just want to drink?

    Yes.

    Is the reservation deposit used towards your tab?

    Yes!

    Do they still have the full menu?

    Hey Angie, our patio menu has 7 cocktails on it and the inside menu has 10 cocktails on it. The patio is open 7 days a week and we are open inside Thursday - Sunday. Head to our website threedotschicago.com for more details on our menus and hours… Read more

    Do they scan Ids here?

    No. They dont

    What kind of music is played?

    It was chill tiki music when we were there. Hawaiian tropical vibe.

    Where can I find a hour hour menu?

    Brooke, We are open… Read more

    Should you make reservations if all you want are drinks?

    Yes. Otherwise you have to wait forever at the bar and then won't have anywhere to sit.

    Do i have to make a reservation if I'm going for cocktails?

    Nope! You can always sit at the bar. Sometimes it's easier to make a reservation to be safe, but not needed.

    Do they sell souvenir tiki mugs with the "three dots and a dash" inscriptions?

    Yes they do! They have them in stock but beware they can be a bit pricey.

    Do you guys have happy hour?

    Yes they have happy hour

    View All 46 Questions

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