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Chicago’s 8 favorite bars

A photo of Red logo
by Lisa Shames
Updated December 15, 2023

The best bar lies in the eye of the beholder. In Chicago, many are drawn to immaculate cocktails and the glamorous Gold Coast surroundings that often accompany them. Others chase after extensive beer lists or the latest now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t natural wine. It’s safe to say, though, that a few Windy City spots stand out from the crowd.

A longstanding pizzeria in Ravenswood reinvented itself as an acclaimed wine bar. Crowds come to a River North pub for its 56 beers on tap, from malty maibocks to fruity sours. A library-themed cocktail bar in a West Loop hotel is known for classic cocktails and sultry live jazz.

These Chicago spots, from high-end lounges to tried-and-true neighborhood faithfuls, deliver the most memorable drinking experiences. Read on for a guide to the city’s 8 favorite bars to book now.

A photo of Kumiko restaurant
4.8
4.8 (778)
$50 and over
Dining Bar
West Loop
About the restaurant

The team behind West Loop fine-dining sensation Oriole runs this intimate cocktail lair, where mid-century interiors are accented with intricate Japanese woodwork. Creative director Julia Momosé describes it as “a cocktail party with the world’s best hors d’oeuvres.” The restaurant’s Japanese-style drinks—designed to showcase ingredients such as hard-to-find sake and rare green teas—and creative small plates were instant hits after Kumiko opened its doors in 2018, earning it a mention as one of Time’s Greatest Places in 2019. Even the bar’s spirit-free section goes above and beyond, with ingredients such as shiso-pickled ume and purple sweet potato vinegar. The food menu has expanded since opening, and now includes a sought-after wagyu katsu sando.


Top review
Darren
Dined on Nov 28, 2024
Some of the best cocktails I've ever had, period. We sat at the bar and the service was outstanding. Food was delicious and complimented the evening, but the cocktails really are the star of the show here. The setting is quite romantic, dimly lit and quiet, incense, ambient music, friendly, refined. It's pricey for drinks, for sure, but you feel like you're getting something of the highest quality and you're the only one drinking quite so well. For a special occasion, it's hard to beat Kumiko.
A photo of Old Town Pour House restaurant
4.4
4.4 (218)
$31 to $50
American
Chicago
About the restaurant

With 90 craft beers on draft—including about 30 from local breweries—Old Town Pour House caters to a suds-seeking crowd. For the indecisive, there are six-ounce pours or beer flights. Cocktails lean towards remixed classics, such as the mezcal margarita made with lychee syrup and orange flower water. Large flatscreens are tuned to the latest game above the long line of colorful draft handles, and all are easily visible from just about any seat in Old Town’s open, lofty space. Expect a menu that isn’t afraid to get creative with classic pub fare, featuring fried pickles, Korean sliders, and kung pao cauliflower.


Top review
Diane
Dined on Aug 27, 2024
Server was excellent and very attentive to our table
A photo of Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery restaurant
4.8
4.8 (399)
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
River North (Chicago)
About the restaurant

At Centennial, the beers-on-tap limit does not exist, reflected by a prolific selection that includes 56 types, from malty maibocks to fruity sours. Unusual bottled and canned beers find a welcome home here, too, such as a peanut butter porter from an independent craft brewery in Illinois. Centennial’s wine and spirits selection takes a similar road-less-traveled approach, focusing on craft producers and distillers. Enjoy it all in a 19th-century building with plenty of rustic charm—case in point: the salvaged Brunswick bar on the second floor. All the food here is listed with a suggested beer pairing (including an extensive selection of shareable items), with winning combos such as house-smoked beer-braised ribs and a Pilsner.


Top review
evip
Dined 5 days ago
Man, if we had this spot in the Detroit, MI area...Fresh and unique recipes, with a farm-to-table twist. The restaurant format is warm and earthy. It is definitely a treat and a neighborhood gem. My wife and I enjoyed the Avocado Toast, Chicken Pot Pie and Tomato Soup. This was an easy 5-Star spot (probably my first). Enjoy.
A photo of The Alderman restaurant
4.9
4.9 (211)
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar
Pilsen
About the restaurant

Named the best bar in Chicago by the Jean Banchet Awards in 2022, The Alderman might be the hottest one in town—and not just because there are only 16 seats inside its speakeasy-esque confines. The dark and moody bar is an ideal place to sip on something strong, and drinks from award-winning mixologist Lance Bowman promise a combination of classics with twists. Opt for The Alderman’s spicy spin on a manhattan, made with chai vermouth, or an original creation, such as the F.A.F.O., a floral cocktail that blends Spanish gin with Chicago’s love-it-or-hate-it spirit Malört (a wormwood-based digestif).


Top review
Raul
Dined on Nov 30, 2024
it was a personable experience. Loved it and the drinks
A photo of Angelo's Wine Bar restaurant
4.8
4.8 (580)
$30 and under
Wine Bar
Albany Park
About the restaurant

What started out as a humble neighborhood pizzeria in 1962 has since become a charming wine bar, earning Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in the process. Angelo’s is nothing if not nimble. It’s loved for a global wine list focused on small-batch vineyards, with about 25 by-the-glass and half-glass offerings. Vermouth is made in house here, and there’s even a barrel-aged beer program. And, yes, pizza is still a focus at Angelo’s, with both Chicago and old-world styles available with toppings such as fig, prosciutto, and roasted garlic cream. It is, after all, the neighborly thing to do.


Top review
Philip
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Portions too small when considering price. They were out of two dishes we were looking forward to, ribs and lamb shanks. Great selection of wines by the glass. Once the restaurant is full, it is too noisy for relaxed conversation. For us seniors, the earlier the better.
A photo of Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - Chicago restaurant
4.8
4.8 (8889)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Gold Coast / Streeterville
About the restaurant

Gibsons still reigns as a favorite for both tourists and locals in a city filled with solid steakhouses. Its lounge is equally iconic, with its tin ceiling and shiny curved wooden bar that snakes through the sophisticated space. Come here for a vintage cocktail experience—the ice-cold martinis are made by a bartender who has been shaking and stirring them perhaps longer than you’ve been alive. And be sure to order one dirty—with an olive or two. If a celebration is part of the evening’s activities, Gibsons is happy to oblige with six sparkling wines by the glass available. Should you want to get what the restaurant is most famous for, add one of the dozen steak options to your drink order.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
Elvis was a great waiter. Knowledgeable, fun - really made the experience special. Food was outstanding.
A photo of Lazy Bird restaurant
4.5
4.5 (7)
$31 to $50
Cocktail Bar
West Loop
About the restaurant

Step back in time when you enter this elegant cocktail bar in the basement of The Hoxton Hotel. In addition to glitz and glam, the intimate lounge is decked with a library nook and a baby grand piano. Lazy Bird hosts live music sessions featuring jazz and soul on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Its lovely illustrated cocktail menu, which includes a brief story for each drink, is stacked with all the classics, from the popular boulevardier to lesser-known creations such as the Hanky Panky, which mixes equal amounts of gin and sweet vermouth, finished with a splash of amaro.


Top review
VickiD
Dined on Aug 27, 2023
Not many menu choices (fries or steak). Drinks were pricey, but a lot to choose from.
A photo of Osito's Tap restaurant
4.8
4.8 (184)
$30 and under
Speakeasy
Cicero
About the restaurant

Modern Latinx flair meets a classic Chicago tavern at Osito’s Tap. Cocktails here celebrate agave spirits, with offerings such as La Dama with mezcal and chile syrup. Osito’s leans deeply into the culture and roots of its surrounding community, which comes naturally from its parent company, Moreno’s Liquors, a family-owned Pilsen mainstay since 1977. As with any thoughtful bar these days, Osito’s offers some intriguing spirit-free drinks, including the Chicha Morada, a Peruvian drink made with purple maize, pineapple, and cinnamon. Food also takes cues from Little Village’s sizable Mexican immigrant community: Grab a plate of mole rosa with chicken thighs or vegan tacos. The dishes and drinks are best enjoyed at the beautiful bar, accented by an antique mirror and ornately carved wood.


Top review
OpenTable Dinervip
Dined on May 19, 2024
Had not been there for brunch in a while, Omg it was so good a must try for the Brunch cocktails and food was delicious.
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