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.

A great drink, bar service and meat board…read more I was the first person in the door as it was an early stop for a longer evening, the bartender who was serving was helpful to a first timer and tastefully attentive afterwards. As more and more people came in, he was certain to keep me in his considerations and each old fashioned was as good as the first The charcuterie board had very good sourdough bread and the meats were very delicious. Overall a great start to my evening and will be returning

Visit & Wait Time *…read moreWe (group of 6) came here on a Saturday night. * It was a bit packed, so the staff recommended we come back in an hour. * We came back in an hour, and the staff sat us right away. Service * The servers and bartenders were friendly. * It took us some time to get the charcuterie board, but they had one server manning the area. She did her best. Ambiance * The ambiance is moody and vampy. Cleanliness * The bathrooms are clean. Overall Experience * I would come here again.

We went to Dearly Beloved for my birthday and it was such a fun night. The lounge is beautiful --…read morevelvet, chandeliers, and just a really cool, cozy atmosphere. It felt like the perfect place for a birthday celebration. The dirty martini was honestly the best I've ever had, and we happened to go during happy hour so the half-off appetizers were a great bonus. The owner and waitstaff were all so friendly and welcoming, which made the night even better. We had such a great time and I'm already looking forward to going back!

I'm not quite sure why this place has pretty good reviews. Overall, it's pretty average. We came…read morefor happy hour and sat outside. While the table was on the sidewalk it was slightly set off and not on a busy street, so that was nice. While I only went inside to use the restroom, the vibes are interesting... I had their aperol spritz and it was okay. It was strong which was good. Then a pornstar martini. I thought the pornstar martini was really good and the best item of the evening. We shared oysters, the crab dip, and tuna tartare. The oysters were alright. The crab dip was funky. It was a bit fishy and maybe too heavy on the dill? I'm not sure but something was a bit off. The tuna tartare tasted fresh and was a good combination of flavors. It would be the only food item I'd reorder from the happy hour menu.

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.

Such a lovely spot to grab a cocktail (or three!) with friends or a date. Great, diverse menu,…read moreincluding the option to have the bartender make a custom drink if you're feeling adventurous! All the servers are friendly and know the menu well. It can get a little loud with the love music, so sit in the back if you are worried about that -- it helps a little.

Wait this is a new fave spot. If it were a little cheaper I'd probably come weekly. The summer…read morespecial cocktail we got was delicious and so many of the bartender created cocktails sounded awesome. The atmosphere is dark, moody, intimate, and the live music really makes the vibe lively and fun but if you sit a bit further away from the band it isn't overwhelmingly loud and conversation is still possible (unlike, say, Dorian's). They also have a photobooth! Self seated.

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.

So... I'd parked my scooter on my way to Elixir, and couldn't help but notice The Nook as I was…read morewalking towards the entrance. After my drink next door, I would be remiss if I didn't stop in. What I got was one of the more unique and interesting cocktails I'd tried! It was the Sick Day, and while I don't command the English language or my palate enough to do it justice, I can tell you that it was definitely a great sipper. The absinthe mist, despite being just that, has a way of doing that. I want to give some credit to the service. While the bar was shorthanded at the time, the barman on duty did his very best as a one-man show. Can't fault them too much, someone calls out sick last minute, and that's that. However, if there is something I can hold against them it's the heat! I'm not sure why, but the upon coming in, the place was HOT! After settling in, it became more bearable, but this is the kind of thing that sometimes persuades me to leave before I order anything.

New favorite cocktail bar in the city!!…read more It's the perfect spot for a winter night-- the bar has moody lighting, an outdoor fireplace, and phenomenal cocktails. We tried a couple of drinks and our favorites were the espresso martini and the n/a garden smash. The espresso martini is a must order! It's clear and made with chocolate and a coffee foam. We got to speak with the beverage manager Alex and he told us all about how they make all of their syrups and juices in house, the drinks do not contain any major allergens, and many of them have no added sugar. You can tell that eveyone here is very proud of what they do!

My group and I were walking randomly and saw a bouncer outside in the alley…read more He let us in. Greeted by the catacombs of those who got raptured for not paying. Immediately sat. I got the Mai Thai because my entire group all got the same thing like NPCs.

Great vibes with dim lighting! We sat in the booths, which felt pretty intimate 8/10. There were…read morequite a few flashes from people taking photos and videos, so keep that in mind if you're looking for a more low-key atmosphere. The Sippopotamus was sweet, easy to drink, and had a nice pineapple flavor. The presentation was pretty too 9/10. Such a great spot to hang out with a group. Service was great, and our server checked in on us frequently. I'd definitely come back to try more drinks and food!

Beautiful Ambiance, Good Food & Creative Cocktails…read more I went to Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink on Saturday for a friend's birthday celebration, and the ambiance was amazing! The decor is absolutely beautiful and really adds to the overall experience. The food was tasty. I had the truffle fries and grilled flatbread, and I enjoyed both. For cocktails, I tried the Side Piece, which was really good. It wasn't overly sweet, but had just enough sweetness and was nicely balanced. I also tried the Dirty Little Secret. I'm more of a cognac drinker, so while the drink was okay, I think next time I would choose a different liquor that better fits my taste. The only thing to keep in mind is that the food and drinks were a little slow coming out. Cocktails took about 10-15 minutes, and the food took around 30 minutes. However, we were there with a large birthday party, so I definitely took that into consideration. Overall, we had a great time! Beautiful atmosphere, tasty food, creative cocktails, and a fun vibe. I would definitely recommend Machine for a birthday celebration, date night, or a night out with friends. Good experience overall!

Service was decent. Food and cocktails were overall not good and extremely overpriced. Decor is…read moreaggressively hip but lacks warmth. When my husband and I checked in for our reservation, we were offered bar stools or a table. The table we were given was super awkward: low plush armchairs with a table that was way too high for them. Eating there would have been pretty difficult so we asked to move to an actual dining table. We had the chicken flatbread and truffle fries. The fries were actually really good and they accommodated my request for the mayo on the side. The flatbread was on what seemed to be a prefabricated cracker crust topped with some chunks of Sysco Foods-quality diced grilled chicken with feta cheese spread, arugula, mint and chili oil. The chicken cubes were VERY not-fresh. They had a dried-out edge on each cube, like they'd been sitting in a fridge too long inadequately covered. They tried to dress it up but the food quality was just subpar. Neither of us liked our cocktails. Gimmicky presentation but the flavors didn't come together. Our bill for 2 cocktails and two shareable plates was $100 including tip. I saw on the back of the menu that this place is owned by the same group as Dearly Beloved, where I have had SEVERAL mediocre-to-bad experiences. Had I known that beforehand, I would not have booked this place. Would not bother coming back.

Lee and Javier crear a welcoming calm cool and collective atmosphere everyone's happyread more

Victor Bar is very cute!!…read more I was very impressed by the cocktails and the service from Caesar was phenomenal! Definitely will return!