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Three Dots and A Dash

4.1 (4.2k reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
Updated 2 weeks ago

Three Dots and A Dash Photos

THREE DOTS AND A DASH ATMOSPHERE

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Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Three Dots and A Dash

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Reviews With Photos

Cara T.

I was visiting friends in Chicago, and I absolutely loved this bar! This was such a fun, cute, speakeasy style tiki bar and the drinks did not disappoint! We had a reservation and came on a weeknight. We split the hippo drink, which is one that is meant to be shared, between 3 of us. It was tart and fruity and the dry ice was a fun touch! The presentation was truly a 15 out of 10. I would definitely recommend this spot for a fun night out in Downtown Chicago!

Daniel H.

Beautifully designed space and amazing drinks Reservations will be needed, be sure to plan this spot! We had a bit of difficulty at first finding this place which is part of the fun, but make your way down an alley and you'll find your new favorite tiki bar! We were seated promptly and with an Arrival time around 330 it was low lighting, chill ambiance music and everyone enjoying good conversation. Honestly great start! The server was knowledgeable and attentive, our drinks came quickly after our appetizer did The ceviche was fresh and we ate every bit of it, would have ordered more had we not had dinner plans! Drinks were certainly tasty and well balanced, always what you want from a tiki bar My only gripe was they seemed to keep increasing the music volume and allowed for more standing room which wasn't the vibe we were looking for, but that just might be what they convert to closer to dinner time. Perhaps would be better in the later hours as people still were trying to simply connect with eachother on a speaking level but that's just my perception. Overall wonderful spot, we will return when we want to bring friends from out of town to experience three dots and a dash!

Katrina C.

I heard about this speakeasy Tiki bar on social media. I was very eager to come & decided to stop by. It was a little challenging to find, and I had to ask a random security guard nearby to ask where it was located. The bar is accessible from the alley. When I arrived, I stood by the host desk for easily 5 minutes as the hostess walked back & forth without acknowledging me. She eventually addressed me to say that I could head on in and that it was standing room available. I went to the bar and it was completely full. I stood by and checked out the drinks menu. Once I was ready, the bartender also ignored me. It took for the seated patrons at the bar to call the bartender's attention and order on my behalf. They added my drink to their tab which was super sweet. I enjoyed my drink and people watched & enjoyed the music. Unfortunately a seat did not become available so I eventually left. Under different circumstances, I would've enjoyed the bar because tropical drinks and Tiki bars are my vibe. This wasn't the greatest experience though.

Interior ceiling
Alanna M.

Came from Fort Lauderdale (home to Mai Kai, which inspired several of the drinks on the menu) so we had high hopes--we were not disappointed. Somehow the atmosphere and ambience is sexy, but festive at the same time. The drinks were delicious and I love that they had indicators for how strong each drink was. Our server was very friendly and personable and was very understanding when we let her know we had dinner reservations shortly after our arrival. Highly recommend!

Alex M.

When I was visiting my friends in Chicago, they insisted on bringing me to Three Dots and a Dash. We were able to walk-in on a Friday evening, although we were relegated to standing room only since we weren't able to get a reservation. Upon entering the bar, I felt like I was entering a catacomb with skulls lining the entrance. The bar was packed, and we squeezed in at the bar to order our drinks. The drinks were on the pricey side, but I appreciate how the cocktails are garnished with real fruit (mine had lychee and dragonfruit) and was served in a fun tiki glass that was unique to each drink. The setting is a huge part of the experience, and I had a fun, memorable evening.

Immaculate bathrooms (cute floral accents too!)
Stephanie W.

This place is a yes, yes, and yes! I have a buddy that loves Tiki bars and found this place/made a reservation, so our group came to visit on a Sunday night. The vibe is speakeasy-ish; the entrance is off the street in an alleyway but the interior is very nice, low light, and would be fun for a date night! The staff were attentive and very friendly. My friend got some shots, which were surprisingly good given they were kind of sweet, and I ordered the "mystic lamp" cocktail ($16) which was VERY memorable to me as someone that loves floral drinks -- it was very floral, slightly fruity, and had a lovely chunk of lychee it came with which was delicious! The drink was decent sized too; I've been charged a lot more for much less drink at other speakeasies (those of which I don't plan to visit again any time soon haha). In my opinion, this spot has the perfect combo of great drinks, nice ambiance, cool speakeasy-vibes, but also cheerfulness given the tiki-theme inside. Would definitely rec a visit to anyone visiting Chicago who likes cool bars!

Monique B.

This place is a super cute speakeasy upscale bar vibe. I highly recommend reservations because even on a Monday they were pretty full, even the bar area was packed so we had to wait a while. Once seated we got our drinks pretty fast. Do also keep in mind the entrance is in an alleyway, so be on the lookout. I enjoyed the service. In my opinion the drinks are more cutesy than strong. I got the highest strength drink and I was perfectly fine. Drink was good, just not as strong as advertised. Definitely cute for a date night or girls night out!

Lizz M.

When my friend let us to the alley for the entrance I was unsure but he was right. Not your ordinary entrance but the tiki torches helped me know we were in the right spot. We were lucky to get a table or else it's just standing area and the floors by the bar are sticky. On the menu you have options and the glassware you see is what you get, it's pretty cool. It was busy for a Sunday night and so it took a while to close out. They do have food options and we grabbed a few and they were good. Too good that we didn't get any pictures everyone went in and it didn't last long. We shared three appetizers between four people. It's a cool spot. They have one drink that you're only allowed to order once. Check it out!

Bar area
Leo G.

Went inside after someone outside came up to my friend and I and heavily suggested we come in. What great chances! Three Dots and a Dash is a really cool tiki bar with unique and flashy drink options. Drinks were served pretty fast considering it was a Friday night that was fairly packed (maybe waited 3 minutes for a drink once my friend ordered) . My friend said he thoroughly enjoyed his drink and loved the combination in the Royal Hawaiian mocktail! Will definitely come back and try something next time with friends when the night is right. Not really disability friendly from what I had been seen or shown (there was only a staircase to enter in and out of) with little seating around if you don't have a reserved table (which was fair for a Friday night on a whim, not a complaint whatsoever). I could be wrong but I didn't see an elevator, and had a bit of a difficult time navigating the space with just myself and a small bag.

Linda B.

Haven't been to this place since 2018 and I couldn't wait to get back. Reservations required in their $10 each person, but it does get credited to your bill. It's got a great Tiki vibe and the staff is super knowledgeable about the craft libations and menu items. It is definitely relaxed. They do not rush you. And the aesthetic is clean and inviting. The crab dip had lumps of crab meat. With wonton chips. The beef kebabs were so marinated, flavored delicious and tender and everything came with an accompanying dip. The surprise was the flaming banana split ice cream! Didn't expect that with real pineapple. They also have a pretty pricey gift shop that sells their beverage mugs of all different shapes and sizes. The crowd seemed pretty happy to be there as well.

Tracy A.

We came here as a part of 4 on a Friday night. It was PACKED. We thankfully had reservations which to me is a must, but they will accommodate you at the bar without them. The drinks were so good! They were good size and simply delicious. Well balanced. Not too sweet and not artificially sweet. It's clear those making them knew how to make real cocktails. The ambiance is true tiki. It is large but there were people surrounding our table because it was close to the bar. If you make a reservation and pay a deposit, make sure to make your server aware. The quickly made adjustments for us, but this was an issue in ensuring we got our credit. I would recommend getting a reservation in their smaller internal bar for a more intimate experience and more commonly crafted drinks. I would definitely come back but likely on a weeknight or earlier in the day.

Kylie B.

This speakeasy is such a cool spot to impress a date or a friend on a night out! I loved all the tiki themed drinks and the moody ambiance transports you to a tropical island. I had the aloha felicia which was sweet, velvety, and refreshing for summer. My second round was the Saturn which was lighter and fruity - another solid choice! I love that all the drinks come in awesome mugs and you can even purchase the mugs for an extra charge. Service was super friendly and helfpul with suggestions.

JET PILOT
Sara G.

Super fun bar to grab yummy cocktail drinks! The service was fantastic, everyone was friendly, and the dark, fun atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for post-dinner drinks! Definitely a fun date night spot or place to bring friends visiting!

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Kurt G.

Great review Paul!! We really appreciate it!

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Kurt G.

Thank you for the shout out Brianna!

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Thank you for the shout out!

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Kurt G.

Thank you Mary!

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Great selection of drinks along with amazing atmosphere provided by the friendly bartenders make for a great time

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Glad you enjoyed everything Jamie! We appreciate the support.

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Thank you for the shout out Anuk! Hope to have you back soon!

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Page 18 of 106

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… 

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… 

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… 

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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4.3(349 reviews)
0.9 mi•Near North Side
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Right before starting writing this one, I wrote a review for Kibbitznest, another phenomenal…read moreChicago bar with a totally different theme and vibe. That is to say: I am not throwing words of praise like "one of a kind" and "phenomenal" around lightly. Both are different and still amazing. Sparrow has a vibe straight out of the 1920s. The decor, signage, use of color, and absence of screens or TV's all contribute to the theme. The music is also appropriate and plays at the perfect volume to be pleasant without forcing one to raise their voice. I tried the Green Daisy and a House Old Fashioned. The Green Daisy was boozy and had some herbaceous notes. A little tartness and a little sweetness helped balance the drink out and make for a phenomenal sipper. I loved the creativity with this one! The House Old Fashioned was also well done, assembled with quality ingredients in balance with one another. Nothing wrong with a well-executed classic. The prices are more or less reasonable considering the location and overall market, with bevies costing around $16. The bar staff is excellent! Very friendly and welcoming! Final verdict: A spot where I can say come for the drinks and stay for the vibe. It's the kind of place where walking in you are transported a century into the past. Everything about the experience, including the atmosphere, drinks, service, and prices, is calling me to return and bring some people with me.

This might be my favorite rum bar in the country. If you want intimate spaces, moody lighting,…read moreextensive rum selections, and drink specials come here. Monday nights are my favorite because they offer a different specialty rum in special. It's a great way to try different kinds. They also serve beer, wine, and every other spirit you can imagine. Cocktails are on point. Seating options are varied: bar seats, small tables in back, bench seating with tiny tables up front. Quiet and comfortable.

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Bar Sótano

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4.0(174 reviews)
0.0 mi•Near North Side
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We're so happy we came here after not wanting to wait over an hour for tables elsewhere because the…read morefood and drinks here were so good. At 9pm there was no wait for a table or bar seating. This was our second time here after over a year but we didn't really get food the last time. It's a speakeasy located down an alleyway behind Frontera Grill and Xoco, or you can walk through Frontera Grill and get to the entrance through there. They'll give you a massive "bible" and it's basically a dictionary of all the liquors they have. Every one of them comes from Mexico. We sat at the bar and our bartender was really friendly. To drink, we chose two off the featured cocktail menu. They were doing a tomatillo theme. We ordered the Roasted Tomatillo Jam Sour and Tomatillo-Serrano Herbal Margarita. My favorite was the margarita because it was a little savory. I also got the milk punch which was so good! Probably one of the best I've had. To eat, we ordered the fire fried chicken, late night smash burger, and side of yucca fries. Everything was delicious. The burger is definitely a hidden gem! It was amazing. And the chicken was fried perfectly crispy. For dessert, we got both options: the chocolate strawberry sundae and the coconut tres leches. Both were great and I had difficultly choosing my favorite!

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I read all the bad reviews before coming and... they were just hating, having a bad day, or have…read morenever eaten a burger before to be an objective judge! Because no way did we eat at the same place. WOW! It's only been a handful of times that I've had the urge to write a review while I'm still eating because of how amazing the experience is. The ambiance is bustling and will FOR SURE keep you awake as you fill your belly. And the burger? It's not just a burger, it's culinary art and a full on flavor experience. I was full well before my plate was empty, but I simply could not imagine reheating any part of it later. The egg was cooked to sunny-side perfection, and every bite was ridiculous. It's bar-style, so the fries came out first, hot and paired with a garlic aioli that absolutely did what it needed to do. Everyone moves with purpose. The food, the service, the atmosphere--this place is a well-oiled machine of greatness. 1000/10. Will absolutely be back.

Finally made it to Au Cheval and it did not disappoint! It seems to be busy all the time, so make a…read morereservation or plan to be there when they open. Not a huge inside seating area, but it is nice to sit outside on a nice day. We got the single cheeseburger with egg, the double cheeseburger with egg, the fried bologna sandwich with egg, crispy fries and the crispy potato hash! The single is a double patty and the double is a triple. The burgers were deliciously cooked and very hearty! Root beer compliments the burgers well! The crispy fries with the garlic aioli and mornay sauce were very yummy! The crispy potato hash was probably the lowlight of this meal... love the crispy-ness of the hash, didn't love the gravy. Service overall was okay, they were busy so it got slow once our food arrived. It does get loud inside so be prepared. Au Cheval lives up to the hype! We will totally go back for the burgers, crispy fries and root beer!

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4.0(74 reviews)
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We originally came to Ghost Donkey as paranormal investigators, after being hired to locate the…read moremissing ghost donkey belonging to a local agave farmer. The case had gone cold--or perhaps mezcal-hot--until we received a clue pointing us toward River North. Ghost Donkey is spacious, colorful, and full of energy, with plenty of bar seating and tables. The music can get loud, but it fits the atmosphere perfectly. The bartenders were constantly interacting with guests, swinging the lights, encouraging the crowd, and turning the entire room into a neon-lit fiesta. They do have a food menu featuring items such as tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and guacamole, but we mostly came for the drinks. Many of the cocktails are tequila- or mezcal-based, which is exactly what we enjoy. The menu is creative, the drinks are strong, and the bar does an excellent job making agave spirits approachable--even for guests who may not consider themselves mezcal experts. After two drinks and an argument with a decorative donkey, we finally found the missing spirit hiding behind the bar. He was translucent, smelled faintly of roasted agave, and appeared to be carrying a tiny map. We followed him through a glowing hallway, down a staircase, and into a secret chamber where he revealed the legendary piñata of Quetzalcoatl, the ancient feathered serpent god. Naturally, we attempted to break it open. Instead of candy, it released a cloud of mystical dust, three lime wedges, and a receipt for nachos. The ghost donkey brayed with laughter, the lights began swinging, and the entire bar erupted in applause. The bartender handed us another drink and told us this happened all the time. Ghost Donkey is a fantastic place to hang out, pregame, and enjoy inventive tequila and mezcal cocktails in a lively setting. Just be warned: you may arrive looking for a ghost donkey and leave having helped recover an ancient Mexican god's piñata. That's simply the sort of evening this place encourages.

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Three Dots and A Dash - asianfusion - Updated October 2026

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