This place is awesome! The atmosphere is quaint and cozy. I came here to have a few cocktails with my best friend and we sat up at the bar. The cocktail menu consists of everything from classics to fun ones. Anders was a great bartender and was fun to talk to. Will be back :) the only reason I gave it a 4 and not a five is cause the food menu didn't have much variety and the pizza we did get was just ok. Although I don't blame them, they are a cocktail bar so I didn't expect the food to be amazing. read more

More than excellent service at an unpretentious cocktail bar. And, the great service is more than matched by their delightful cocktails. I highly recommend their last word. read more

Only the violet hour has cocktails as good as ward 8's, and you don't have to wait in line for service.

I moved out of state over 3 years ago and I STILL think about Ward Eight. The dead meadow, last word, artist's special, mai tai, corpse reviver #2, malik, sazerac ... I'm weeping. read more

A really cool, down to earth vibe combined with a passion for craft cocktails and high quality (if limited) small plates. One of a kind on the North Shore. read more

Really great little spot, very unique drink specials. The four of us each ordered different drinks and no one was disappointed!! It was nice to see the bartender craft each drink individually with care and I love the details on the drink menu (the origins and years the drinks were originally popular/created.) Great little seating areas, a nice combo of booths, tables/chairs, bar seating and the corner collection of a love seat and arm chairs - perfect atmosphere for a great conversation without having to yell at each other. The stuffed dates are quite nice too! We'll definitely be back! read more

Possibly my favorite cocktail bar in all of Chicagoland (yes, even competing with watershed). It's pricey but I think it might actually be worth it for once. Food menu is slim, to the extent that I almost took off a star. But I managed to sample four cocktails and liked every damn one of them so... I guess I'll round up. The space is a bit small and the tables a bit rickety, but we had no problem getting out group of six squished around a four top relatively quickly. Overall, this is one of those few places that makes me wish I lived on the north side. If you are so lucky as to be nearby, you should go. read more

Ward Eight was okay. I liked the interior design and our server was really nice. The drink menu was solid (albeit, not cheap) and the food was tasty. The reason I'm giving 4/5 stars is that the food menu could be better. It's too centered around "small plates" so I'd definitely not recommend going here for dinner. The food menu is basically a snack menu. Anyway--totally solid! read more

Met a friend here to catch up, sat at the bar in the best seats in the house. Hard to describe why we liked it so much, because it's not overbearing. We like things that are different, and the drinks that were unique and super tasty. Cody is a gem - interested in keeping you engaged without trying too hard or being superficial. True master of his trade. Will be back with my husband. read more

Great cocktail bar; good bar snacks, value for money excellent. Perfect concoctions and they will do a special mix for you if you name some attributes ( gin, citrus, dry...) read more

What a great find. I live in the city so its a bit out of the way, but definitely worth making a trip back up. The gin cocktails were amazing. My date doesn't even like gin and attempted to order a vodka drink. The bartender convinced her to at least try a gin drink and if she didn't like it she could get a vodka drink at no charge. Well, she wasn't disappointed. Both of our drinks were outstanding. I'm a huge gin fan so I knew I'd be ok, but it was great to see her really enjoy both of our drinks. Great atmosphere. Great staff. Can't wait to go back. read more

Excellent cocktails, warm cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff. The cheese and fig sandwich was quite tasty. I love this place and will definitely come back. read more

Was disappointed with my visit to peckish pig , so was leery of another visit to Howard street , boy was I wrong. Friendly enough staff. Excellent cocktails . Had two fantastic sandwiches. Pricey but worth it. read more

Delicious drinks (I had Old Fashioned friend had Moscow Mule). It may have been the best Old Fashioned I have ever had. Just the scent was intoxicating. ONE solid ice cube, to slow dilution. Lovely service. Wonderful olives, Ward Eight sandwich (BBQ Chicken with remoulade and pickled jalapeno), and homemade pickles! Cozy atmosphere. GREAT music in in the background. I cannot wait to return and try one of the Egg Nog's I saw another table enjoying! Truly a value for the quality and beauty you get. Run, don't walk. it was a wow from entrance to exit. read more

Super glad we found this place. It's very cool and the drinks were outstanding. We ordered a special flatbread as well that was delicious. Definitely coming back! read more

This bar is terrific! I organized about 10 couples to gather here on a recent weekend night and Ward Eight could not have been easier to work with. We had an area to ourselves but it was easy to branch out and mingle. The drinks were expertly made. Every single one of us had a super time and I've already heard from many of them that they are definitely going back. I will too. There are more cocktails to have! I only had the potato empanadas (delish) but didn't get to try anything else. Next time... read more

Ward Eight is fantastic! I went here with a couple of girlfriends to grab drinks last night. We arrived around 8 pm and were able to grab a table right away. The lighting was dimmed by candlelight and the bar was bustling with people. Although it was bustling with people, it wasn't overly crowded and never got overly crowded, which made for a great experience to fit Ward Eight's cool, trendy, and intimate vibe. What I also loved was the bar set-up. Instead of being served at our tables, you order from the bar/bartenders. The bartenders were super attentive and great at suggesting options on what to order based on our preferences. I ordered a French 75 cocktail and a Fig & Farmers Cheese Sandwich. I was absolutely delighted with my choices. The French 75 is a light and bubbly cocktail, that is the perfect balance of sweet and alcohol. The fig and farmers cheese sandwich was delicious. I ordered it with prosciutto and asked for the fig on the side. It was the perfect balance of cheese and prosciutto- literally one of the best versions of this sandwich that I've had in awhile. The cheese was fresh and paired amazingly with the prosciutto, bread and fig. I HIGHLY recommend the sandwich if you come here and the French 75 of course! Ward Eight is a perfect place to grab a great cocktail and tapas if you are in the Evanston area. read more

The loveliest little gem in Evanston. The drinks and atmosphere are both amazing! The staff are all very friendly and well skilled at what they do. After a few visits I boldly asked for a grasshopper, which most bartenders I've came across refuse to make due to ingredients and labor. Anders whipped it right up for me with no hesitation and it was absolutely perfect! This is the place to go if you are looking for a great cocktail and an even more charming experience. read more

Amazing cocktails and small plates. If you have any idea about amazing cocktails in the city, this place is right on par. Cool atmosphere and cool bartenders. Definitely give this place a try for AMAZING, well developed cocktails. read more

Very happy to have a nice place for cocktails that is upscale but not pretentious so close by. We got there around 8:00 and easily sat at the bar. Our party grew to 6 people and we tried many of the cocktails - very delicious! We shared a sandwich and I had the brussel sprouts, which I loved. I do wish there were a few more snacky items on the menu to choose from. Someone mentioned dessert in a review, I don't remember seeing that. I also liked that the music was NOT blasting and there were no tv's - we were able to actually have conversations. Keep up the great work! read more

Excellent craft cocktails- I haven't had any better!! The service was great- we came during a slower time (before 10pm) and there was ample seating. We had their nachos and it was a lovely surprise. Everything was quite fresh and delicious. But back to the cocktails: they know how to do it. Period. read more

Drinks and music are fab on a Thursday night. It's laid back, cozy, and unpretentious with great cocktails: a mix of classic cocktails and drinks of their own making. Plus they told us there'll be outdoor seating next year! Hurray! read more

I love love love this bar. Do yourself a favor and go. Great atmosphere and great drinks. A really fun place if you enjoy trying different cocktails and is good for date nights. read more

I didn't know being a hipster was still a thing! Hipsterism is alive and well here. Drinks are great. Service is very good too.

If you can get a booth, it's the perfect place to hang. Sort of like the old Hopleaf, if it were spirits based rather than beer based. Cozy, nice food, nice staff. read more

The cocktails here are not just drinks---they're ARTISTRY. Thoughtful and kind service with a cozy atmosphere conducive to conversation. Right on, Ward Eight! read more

Evanston's best kept secret!! Some of the best cocktails I've ever had, on par with all the much hyped about spots in the city like Violet Hour and The Office. I won't re-state what's already been said, but if you find yourself in the north burbs when it's time for a cocktail (or 3, why stop at 2?! #imgreedylikethat) do yourself a favor and check this place out!! read more

I really like this place. Excellence in cocktails is an understatement. Sometimes they are a bit on the sweet side, though, depending on the bartender. I try to be selective if I can. It gets noisy and it's dark. I don't mind the lack of light, but the noise gets to me, so I go early and often. The staff and owner are very knowledgable and make me feel welcome every time I show up. I should really go here more often. If it were a more convenient location, I would be here weekly. read more

Anyone in Cook County that wants a masterfully made cocktail needs to come to Ward Eight.

Awesome no-frills spot with proper cocktail program. Nice place to hang with friends.

First time here and I will definitely be coming back ! Drinks were spot on, best Moscow mule and whiskey sour I've ever had ! Cheese and meat platter was on point as well ! I would add more pickles because I love pickles :) keep up the good work ! read more

Very good cocktails, tapas are high quality. A bit too noisy and joy the best space design (get there EARLY or be prepared to stand up al night). read more

The BEST Moscow Mule EVER!! Really enjoyed this place. The owners, Ann and Cody were so charming and were very hands on. The food was so good. It's a little pricey, but worth it. Check it out!! read more

I enjoyed the fish house punch in a cute little candle lit corner with my cute date. We also tried the Dark and stormy which was also good and very unique :-) I'll definitely return. read more

Very cool establishment with a quality cocktail menu and great small list of wine and beer. I truly appreciate a place where the owners and the staff take a lot of pride in their craft. They have sourced a number of small batch distillers, brewers, and wineries to create their well thought out menu. Anne and Cody have done a great job creating a comfortable venue to get a high quality drink and a tasty small plate on the North side. I will come back for sure! read more

What I love most about Ward 8 is that it bucks the trend in the craft cocktail world, which is moving toward either retro kitsch (Three Dots and a Dash) or experimentation without soul (The Aviary). Cody's menu features classic cocktails and inspired originals, all made with care and precision. I quite frankly have never had a bad drink here. And as others have said, I've never gone wrong by simply letting Cody or his other bartenders make me a "dealer's choice." The best thing about Ward 8 is the hospitality. Get to know the staff and you will be rewarded. Their creativity, knowledge and kindness are unparalleled. read more

This place truly makes some of the best cocktails that I have ever had. We live in Wilmette and it is totally worth the trip.

We really enjoyed Ward Eight. I am a little biased since I live in the neighborhood and have been waiting for an establishment like this for about 12 years. The atmosphere is lively, warm and, contemporary without being obnoxiously trendy or hipster. Age range of patrons were 30 and up. The food was good for sure, not 5 star yet, but well on their way. We enjoyed the roasted cauliflower and brussel sprouts, the goat cheese and marinara, and potato, cheese, bacon dip. I had a nice glass of Pinot Gris and my husband had a delicious stout. They have a small wine and beer menu, but nice offerings. They have a full bar with many delicious sounding drinks. I look forward to our next trip and trying more of what they have to offer. read more

Really cool place, with a smart staff and great cocktails. They take pride in their work and enjoy making specialty drinks. The bar is perfect size and has great decor. Normally you have to go to more popular parts of town to find places like this, its nice to have something in the far north that has this kind of vibe and quality. read more

Loved it. LOVE. This was my first time back in the 'hood since I moved out of state three years ago. My friends had raved about Ward 8 so I was excited to check it out. I was not disappointed. Drinks are great, food was wonderful (OMG THE DATES), and the service & atmosphere was perfect. Bravo kids, I hope you're around for a long time. read more