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A bartender stands behind an orange cocktail in a tall glass. — Chicago’s formidable bar scene keeps growing.

Chicago’s Essential Bars and Taverns

Chicago’s bar scene has it all

by Ashok Selvam and Naomi Waxman Updated Oct 19, 2023, 2:03pm CDT

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Chicago’s formidable bar scene keeps growing.

| Aliya Ikumen/Eater Chicago

by Ashok Selvam and Naomi Waxman Updated Oct 19, 2023, 2:03pm CDT

What makes a bar essential will always remain in the eye of the beholder. With this difficult mission, below is Eater Chicago’s list of the most essential bars in the city. While Chicagoans cherish their local bars, these are spots worth venturing to outside one’s comfort zone. It’s more than OK to visit someone else’s neighborhood pub for a night.

Note: Wine bars and brewery taprooms without cocktails aren’t a part of this list.

Is your favorite omitted from the list? Email chicago@eater.com and state your case.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Half Acre Beer Co

Half Acre’s North Side brewery is a comfy space with a large beer garden. The brewery pours hard-to-find stouts like Benthic and Big Hugs, with a serviceable bar menu. The place gets crowded on the weekends so get there early.

2050 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Visit Website

A barroom with a long communal table in the center of the room.

Also featured in:

Nobody's Darling

In short notice, Nobody’s Darling has carved itself a space in Chicago’s nightlife. The tavern itself lacks modern bells and whistles, but it’s the welcoming atmosphere, one that embraces the LGBTQ community and its allies, that makes the bar special. The narrow space is often boisterous on weekends with patrons ordering cocktails and beer. The bar was a finalist for the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program. In 2023, the team began work on an expansion that will nearly double its capacity.

1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

A rainbow flag hangs over the glass door of a narrow bar — Nobody’s Darling in a winner.

Also featured in:

Hopleaf Bar

Hopleaf has made Andersonville a destination with good Belgian-style pub food and great beer — and no TVs. Owner Michael Roper offers a craft beer selection great enough to satisfy any beer nerd, but the interiors are comfortable enough to make any patron happy.

5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

Famous for being Al Capone's former stomping grounds — complete with legendary subterranean pathways where the infamous mob boss used to run booze — the Green Mill in Uptown is a classic tavern for music and a stiff drink. They don’t make bars like this anymore with a rich interior that echoes the venue’s past. The bar has opened up its window, allowing patrons to sit on the sidewalk for outdoor seating.

4802 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by #ChicagoHistory ™️ (@chicago_history)

Also featured in:

Carol's Pub

After a two-year slumber, Carol’s Pub, returned to Uptown in 2018 with a new owner, fresh interiors, and a bonafide food menu. The refresh proved controversial for the bar that continues to host live music. The bar retains much of its charm, minus some of the smoke damage from years and years of cigarettes. Customers still dance the night away until 5 a.m. on Saturdays as live country bands provide the soundtrack.

4659 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

Carol’s Pub

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Long Room Chicago

The Long Room doesn’t have the most creative name — it’s literally a long, narrow room along Irving Park. But owner Jason Burrell and his team have created that type of tavern where the good times are never in short supply. Look for a great beer list, classic cocktails, and warm service.

1612 W Irving Park Rd #1, Chicago, IL 60613

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Long Room (@longroomchicago)

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The Gman Tavern

In a sea of sports bars, the Gman Tavern — formerly known as the Gingerman — sticks out as a true dive along a rapidly changing stretch of Clark Street near Wrigley Field. The jukebox is electric, taking influence from the neighboring Metro — the music venue shares the same ownership as the bar. It’s a great place for a post- or pre-show beverage with friendly folks who still care about the Cubs but don’t have dress the part. They prefer flannel, denim, and aging hipster gear.

Open in Google Maps

3740 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gman Tavern (@gmantavern)

Nisei Lounge

Wrigleyville can be daunting during the summer with tourists and baseball fans crowding Clark Street making parking an impossible mission. Locals take the Red Line and stay away from the main drag, looking for shelter at bars like Nisei Lounge, which has spent nearly seven decades in the shadow of Wrigley. It was the first dive bar to be on Tock, the reservation system used by fine dining restaurants. Don’t let that association fool you — the bartenders service up shots, beers, and this might be the best place to enjoy malört. There are pool tables, friendly faces, and a mix of people who care about baseball and those who couldn’t care less.

3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nisei Lounge (@niseilounge)

Also featured in:

Delilah's

Delilah’s knows what it is — a two-level bar with a big whisky selection, a strong tap list (with both local and international brews)‚ and a deceptively crushable wine list. While even the pickiest will find something to drink here, it’s the atmosphere and music that caters to the misfits — the punks, goths, and metalheads — that’s built Delilah’s die-hard fanbase. And speaking of die-hards, it’s a Buffalo Bills bar. So, even if you don’t own a choker collar, wear those khakis — you’ll be fine.

2771 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Delilah's (@delilahschicago)

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Logan Arcade

Arguably the best of the city’s arcade bars stands in Logan Square at the corner of Western and Fullerton. The converted hardware store sports an eclectic craft beer selection. The gaming aspect isn’t an afterthought. There’s an excellent mix of vintage cabinets and there are competitive pinball leagues.

2410 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Logan Arcade (@logan_arcade)

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The Meadowlark

A cozy, stylish bar and sister spot to restaurants Lardon and Union, the Meadowlark is a canvas for beverage director (and Violet Hour alum) Abe Vucekovich, who illustrates his cocktail vision with rotating concept menus in Logan Square. The final element in Meadowlark Hospitality’s trilogy of venues on the corner of California Avenue and Palmer Street, the 825-square-foot drinking den launched in fall 2022.

2812 W Palmer St, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

A bartender pours Carpano onto a tall cocktail.

Also featured in:

Where to Drink Cocktails Right Now in Chicago

Map Room

There was a time when Guinness was the only option for a craft beer option in a town with draft handles dominated by big beer companies. The Map Room, when it opened in 1992, was a refreshing change. With a “traveler theme” — the shelves are full of travel magazines like National Geographic, the beer list includes selections from all over the world. As American breweries gained traction, management weaved local options in as well.

Open in Google Maps

1949 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Map Room (@maproomchicago)

Scofflaw

Originally known for its gin focus, Scofflaw was at the forefront of the current Logan Square bar boom for a variety of reasons: fantastic cocktails at affordable prices, standout upscale bar food, and great crowds. Don’t forget about those late-night cookies and there’s now a pan-Asian menu with curried chicken cutlets and more.

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Old Town Ale House

This late-night den was a favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain who filmed several TV segments here as it’s the antithesis of many of the yuppie Old Town bars around the corner on Wells. The dive sports inappropriate paintings of Chicago history, including depictions of formerly incarcerated ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and is a destination for many, drawing a diverse group of patrons from all walks of life. Keep the drink orders simple.

219 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

Visit Website

A character leaning on a light pole in front of a bar. — Old Town Ale House’s Bruce Elliot in front of his bar.

Also featured in:

The Violet Hour

This hidden drinking destination is widely credited with kicking off the mixology renaissance in Chicago and is a must-visit for Windy City newbies. It thrives on quiet sophistication (do read the house rules), a fantastic ever-changing menu, and is a breeding ground for local talent. Look for a massive mural outside — there's no sign — as well as a line on the sidewalk.

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Off Color Brewing Taproom The Mousetrap

A top contender in Chicago’s competitive brewery scene, Off Color has carved out a beer oasis in Lincoln Park with the Mousetrap, its tap room, bar, and bottle shop where patrons can find both suds (brewer John Laffler always keeps a few fun vintage bottles around) and cocktails. Loyal fans adore its dog-friendly patio and comfortable indoor space, which can grow busy and boisterous on weekend evenings.

1460 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aaron Thomas (@aaronhthomas)

Also featured in:

Sportsman's Club

Sportsman's Club is a template for a new wave of reborn neighborhood dive bars with cocktails and beer selections that rival some of the country's best. Take a shot from the in-house amaro machine while chatting up the chef and industry crowd, play a game of chess on the boards built into the tables, or relax on the expansive backyard patio.

948 Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Three Dots and a Dash

Originally founded as a basement tiki bar by bartender Paul McGee and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Three Dots has evolved over recent years, steering its focus toward tropical cocktails and away from tiki’s complicated past. A festive retreat even on the most frigid winter days, the bar is a popular after-work stop in Downtown Chicago. It even houses a bar within the bar, the Bamboo Room, for a more intimate experience.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Three Dots and a Dash (@threedotsandadash)

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Rossi's

River North has mutated over the years, angled at tourists rather than locals. There are a few exceptions, and Rossi’s, the charming hole in the wall near House of Blues, has endured. The bartenders are friendly. The customers aren’t snobby. The coolers are full of local beer, and not just the big names, there’s variety. When you’re finished pretending Hubbard Street is the Vegas Strip, hang out with the grownups at Rossi’s.

Open in Google Maps

412 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

A dive bar’s exterior. — Rossi’s endures.

After Lounge

The fall 2022 debut of After, an opulent cocktail bar from two-Michelin-starred Ever’s chef Curtis Duffy and sommelier and sommelier Michael Muser, signaled that Chicago’s ambitious bar culture had well and truly returned after years of pandemic obstacles. The sleek, futuristic establishment provides a less-pricy alternative to the exclusivity of Ever, complete with both classic and creative drinks using top-notch spirits.

1338 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by After (@afterloungechicago)

Also featured in:

The Aviary

From the owners of Alinea, the Aviary takes chef Grant Achatz’s approach to molecular gastronomy and applies it to beverages. That might be off-putting to dive bar lovers, but the result is a bar with vintage spirits, unusual cocktails, and prices that make the well-to-do feel like they’re shelling out for something worthy. For pure cocktail fans, the presentation, glassware, and whimsical approach to beverages are worth scoring a reservation. There’s also a more exclusive space, the Office, located downstairs.

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Kumiko

There are plenty of talented Chicagoans creating culinary cool, and Julia Momose and her team at Kumiko are at the forefront. A sibling to Oriole, a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, Kumiko takes inspiration Japan (Momose is Japanese American), with a deep whisky list. But the highlights are the cocktails, carefully prepared and with top-notch ingredients. When the bar reboots for indoor service, Momose will once again offer her drink flights where bartenders create custom cocktails for customers. It’s like watching a story unfold, and something drinkers can’t find anywhere else in the country. In 2022, Momose and co-writer Emma Janzen won a James Beard Media Award for their book The Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes.

630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

Visit Website

A highball glass filled with a cocktail. — Kumiko has creative drinks.

Also featured in:

Miller's Pub

There’s something comforting about seeing Miller’s Pub’s red neon sign right underneath the El in the Loop. Miller’s is a full-service restaurant filled with photos and other trinkets that give the space a welcoming old Chicago feel. The waits are long at night, and this is a wonderful spot for happy hour. The feeling of escaping inside on a cold winter day while sipping a classic cocktail at the bar is a luxury Chicagoans are lucky to have. Oh, and there’s food. While “true” barbecue fans obsessed with smoke (looking at you, Texans) may scoff, the Chicago-style broiler ribs are underrated.

134 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

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Buddy Guy's Legends

Legendary musician Buddy Guy opened this club in 1989 in the South Loop and it’s become one of the most venerable places to hear blues and jazz in the country. It serves Cajun and soul food, and a beer named after Guy: Buddy’s Brew. Celebrities are known to show up to jam or even quietly take in a show.

700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

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Nine Bar

Across America’s Chinatowns, tiki found a niche with Westerners conflating Asians and preferring the tropical flavors paired with Cantonese food. In Chicago, that led to the popularity of late-night karaoke lounges. However, there wasn’t a specialized tavern serving cocktails in Chinatown until Nine Bar made a splash in early 2022. Located behind Moon Palace Express and from the same family, this narrow bar is welcoming with fun drinks that honor the past and also new classics that use ingredients like Thai coconut milk, umami bitters, Japanese barley, and Chinese five spice. While the drinks are impressive, the food menu is already an all-time great. Even the fries, inspired by mapu tofu — topped with saucy pork, scallions, and more (a vegan option is also available) — are top notch.

216 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

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A dim bar with a neon blue and white sign. — Nine Bar is doing smashing.

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Osito's Tap

Osito’s Tap is an outgrowth of Moreno’s Liquors, a family-owned store in Little Village. The bar offers a deep beer list with plenty of rare releases to satisfy craft fans, and the cocktails push the envelope using techniques and ingredients that prove that mixologists at upscale downtown bars aren’t the only ones who can’t enjoy a fancy drinks.

2553 S Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60623

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A lavish drink with ancho and blood orange. — Osito’s Tap features ancho and blood orange in drinks.

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Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar

Maria’s has served Bridgeport well in various capacities. It’s a small liquor store with a mighty beer selection. Walk by the cashier and pass through two bars with old-school charm. Find a deep beer selection, classic cocktails, and even beer from the owners’ brewery, Marz. Food comes from Kimski, chef Won Kim’s neighborhood staple that launched an ambitious new menu in spring 2023.

960 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60608

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Bernice's Tavern

Since the 1930s, this Bridgeport bar has been serving beer and shots to a customer base that fawns over this low-ceilinged space. Its current owners, the Badauskas family, took over the bar in the 1950s. This charming corner spot even has an open mic for musicians.

3238 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

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A post shared by Stephen Badauskas (@stingostingo)

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Woodlawn Tap

Locals still tell friends to meet them at “Jimmy’s” the name of the bar’s former owner, Jimmy Wilson, who died in 1999. Regardless, this tried and true dive bar has provided a meeting point for generations of college students, professors, and Hyde Park residents. Pitchers of beer are popular here as are the burgers. It’s an affordable spot that caters to the University of Chicago’s community.

1172 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615

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Jeffery Pub

Chicago’s oldest LGBTQ bar resides on the South Shore. Since the 1960s, Jeffery Pub has served patrons bright-colored cocktails while giving them the space to cut loose. Look for DJs and other entertainment at this venerable venue.

7041 S Jeffery Blvd, Chicago, IL 60649

A dive bar exterior with a sign that reads “Jeffrey Pub.” — Jeffrey Pub is one of just two Black-owned LGBTQ bars in Chicago.

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Half Acre Beer Co

2050 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Half Acre’s North Side brewery is a comfy space with a large beer garden. The brewery pours hard-to-find stouts like Benthic and Big Hugs, with a serviceable bar menu. The place gets crowded on the weekends so get there early.

2050 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Visit Website

A barroom with a long communal table in the center of the room.

Nobody's Darling

1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

In short notice, Nobody’s Darling has carved itself a space in Chicago’s nightlife. The tavern itself lacks modern bells and whistles, but it’s the welcoming atmosphere, one that embraces the LGBTQ community and its allies, that makes the bar special. The narrow space is often boisterous on weekends with patrons ordering cocktails and beer. The bar was a finalist for the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program. In 2023, the team began work on an expansion that will nearly double its capacity.

1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

A rainbow flag hangs over the glass door of a narrow bar — Nobody’s Darling in a winner.

Hopleaf Bar

5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Hopleaf has made Andersonville a destination with good Belgian-style pub food and great beer — and no TVs. Owner Michael Roper offers a craft beer selection great enough to satisfy any beer nerd, but the interiors are comfortable enough to make any patron happy.

5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

4802 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640

Famous for being Al Capone's former stomping grounds — complete with legendary subterranean pathways where the infamous mob boss used to run booze — the Green Mill in Uptown is a classic tavern for music and a stiff drink. They don’t make bars like this anymore with a rich interior that echoes the venue’s past. The bar has opened up its window, allowing patrons to sit on the sidewalk for outdoor seating.

4802 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by #ChicagoHistory ™️ (@chicago_history)

Carol's Pub

4659 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

After a two-year slumber, Carol’s Pub, returned to Uptown in 2018 with a new owner, fresh interiors, and a bonafide food menu. The refresh proved controversial for the bar that continues to host live music. The bar retains much of its charm, minus some of the smoke damage from years and years of cigarettes. Customers still dance the night away until 5 a.m. on Saturdays as live country bands provide the soundtrack.

4659 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

Carol’s Pub

Long Room Chicago

1612 W Irving Park Rd #1, Chicago, IL 60613

The Long Room doesn’t have the most creative name — it’s literally a long, narrow room along Irving Park. But owner Jason Burrell and his team have created that type of tavern where the good times are never in short supply. Look for a great beer list, classic cocktails, and warm service.

1612 W Irving Park Rd #1, Chicago, IL 60613

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Long Room (@longroomchicago)

The Gman Tavern

3740 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

In a sea of sports bars, the Gman Tavern — formerly known as the Gingerman — sticks out as a true dive along a rapidly changing stretch of Clark Street near Wrigley Field. The jukebox is electric, taking influence from the neighboring Metro — the music venue shares the same ownership as the bar. It’s a great place for a post- or pre-show beverage with friendly folks who still care about the Cubs but don’t have dress the part. They prefer flannel, denim, and aging hipster gear.

Open in Google Maps

3740 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gman Tavern (@gmantavern)

Nisei Lounge

3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Wrigleyville can be daunting during the summer with tourists and baseball fans crowding Clark Street making parking an impossible mission. Locals take the Red Line and stay away from the main drag, looking for shelter at bars like Nisei Lounge, which has spent nearly seven decades in the shadow of Wrigley. It was the first dive bar to be on Tock, the reservation system used by fine dining restaurants. Don’t let that association fool you — the bartenders service up shots, beers, and this might be the best place to enjoy malört. There are pool tables, friendly faces, and a mix of people who care about baseball and those who couldn’t care less.

3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nisei Lounge (@niseilounge)

Delilah's

2771 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Delilah’s knows what it is — a two-level bar with a big whisky selection, a strong tap list (with both local and international brews)‚ and a deceptively crushable wine list. While even the pickiest will find something to drink here, it’s the atmosphere and music that caters to the misfits — the punks, goths, and metalheads — that’s built Delilah’s die-hard fanbase. And speaking of die-hards, it’s a Buffalo Bills bar. So, even if you don’t own a choker collar, wear those khakis — you’ll be fine.

2771 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Delilah's (@delilahschicago)

Logan Arcade

2410 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Arguably the best of the city’s arcade bars stands in Logan Square at the corner of Western and Fullerton. The converted hardware store sports an eclectic craft beer selection. The gaming aspect isn’t an afterthought. There’s an excellent mix of vintage cabinets and there are competitive pinball leagues.

2410 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Logan Arcade (@logan_arcade)

The Meadowlark

2812 W Palmer St, Chicago, IL 60647

A cozy, stylish bar and sister spot to restaurants Lardon and Union, the Meadowlark is a canvas for beverage director (and Violet Hour alum) Abe Vucekovich, who illustrates his cocktail vision with rotating concept menus in Logan Square. The final element in Meadowlark Hospitality’s trilogy of venues on the corner of California Avenue and Palmer Street, the 825-square-foot drinking den launched in fall 2022.

2812 W Palmer St, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

A bartender pours Carpano onto a tall cocktail.

Map Room

1949 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

There was a time when Guinness was the only option for a craft beer option in a town with draft handles dominated by big beer companies. The Map Room, when it opened in 1992, was a refreshing change. With a “traveler theme” — the shelves are full of travel magazines like National Geographic, the beer list includes selections from all over the world. As American breweries gained traction, management weaved local options in as well.

Open in Google Maps

1949 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Map Room (@maproomchicago)

Scofflaw

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Originally known for its gin focus, Scofflaw was at the forefront of the current Logan Square bar boom for a variety of reasons: fantastic cocktails at affordable prices, standout upscale bar food, and great crowds. Don’t forget about those late-night cookies and there’s now a pan-Asian menu with curried chicken cutlets and more.

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Old Town Ale House

219 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

This late-night den was a favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain who filmed several TV segments here as it’s the antithesis of many of the yuppie Old Town bars around the corner on Wells. The dive sports inappropriate paintings of Chicago history, including depictions of formerly incarcerated ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and is a destination for many, drawing a diverse group of patrons from all walks of life. Keep the drink orders simple.

219 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

Visit Website

A character leaning on a light pole in front of a bar. — Old Town Ale House’s Bruce Elliot in front of his bar.

The Violet Hour

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

This hidden drinking destination is widely credited with kicking off the mixology renaissance in Chicago and is a must-visit for Windy City newbies. It thrives on quiet sophistication (do read the house rules), a fantastic ever-changing menu, and is a breeding ground for local talent. Look for a massive mural outside — there's no sign — as well as a line on the sidewalk.

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Related Maps

Off Color Brewing Taproom The Mousetrap

1460 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642

A top contender in Chicago’s competitive brewery scene, Off Color has carved out a beer oasis in Lincoln Park with the Mousetrap, its tap room, bar, and bottle shop where patrons can find both suds (brewer John Laffler always keeps a few fun vintage bottles around) and cocktails. Loyal fans adore its dog-friendly patio and comfortable indoor space, which can grow busy and boisterous on weekend evenings.

1460 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aaron Thomas (@aaronhthomas)

Sportsman's Club

948 Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Sportsman's Club is a template for a new wave of reborn neighborhood dive bars with cocktails and beer selections that rival some of the country's best. Take a shot from the in-house amaro machine while chatting up the chef and industry crowd, play a game of chess on the boards built into the tables, or relax on the expansive backyard patio.

948 Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Three Dots and a Dash

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Originally founded as a basement tiki bar by bartender Paul McGee and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Three Dots has evolved over recent years, steering its focus toward tropical cocktails and away from tiki’s complicated past. A festive retreat even on the most frigid winter days, the bar is a popular after-work stop in Downtown Chicago. It even houses a bar within the bar, the Bamboo Room, for a more intimate experience.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Three Dots and a Dash (@threedotsandadash)

Rossi's

412 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

River North has mutated over the years, angled at tourists rather than locals. There are a few exceptions, and Rossi’s, the charming hole in the wall near House of Blues, has endured. The bartenders are friendly. The customers aren’t snobby. The coolers are full of local beer, and not just the big names, there’s variety. When you’re finished pretending Hubbard Street is the Vegas Strip, hang out with the grownups at Rossi’s.

Open in Google Maps

412 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

A dive bar’s exterior. — Rossi’s endures.

After Lounge

1338 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

The fall 2022 debut of After, an opulent cocktail bar from two-Michelin-starred Ever’s chef Curtis Duffy and sommelier and sommelier Michael Muser, signaled that Chicago’s ambitious bar culture had well and truly returned after years of pandemic obstacles. The sleek, futuristic establishment provides a less-pricy alternative to the exclusivity of Ever, complete with both classic and creative drinks using top-notch spirits.

1338 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by After (@afterloungechicago)

The Aviary

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

From the owners of Alinea, the Aviary takes chef Grant Achatz’s approach to molecular gastronomy and applies it to beverages. That might be off-putting to dive bar lovers, but the result is a bar with vintage spirits, unusual cocktails, and prices that make the well-to-do feel like they’re shelling out for something worthy. For pure cocktail fans, the presentation, glassware, and whimsical approach to beverages are worth scoring a reservation. There’s also a more exclusive space, the Office, located downstairs.

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

Kumiko

630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

There are plenty of talented Chicagoans creating culinary cool, and Julia Momose and her team at Kumiko are at the forefront. A sibling to Oriole, a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, Kumiko takes inspiration Japan (Momose is Japanese American), with a deep whisky list. But the highlights are the cocktails, carefully prepared and with top-notch ingredients. When the bar reboots for indoor service, Momose will once again offer her drink flights where bartenders create custom cocktails for customers. It’s like watching a story unfold, and something drinkers can’t find anywhere else in the country. In 2022, Momose and co-writer Emma Janzen won a James Beard Media Award for their book The Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes.

630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

Visit Website

A highball glass filled with a cocktail. — Kumiko has creative drinks.

Miller's Pub

134 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

There’s something comforting about seeing Miller’s Pub’s red neon sign right underneath the El in the Loop. Miller’s is a full-service restaurant filled with photos and other trinkets that give the space a welcoming old Chicago feel. The waits are long at night, and this is a wonderful spot for happy hour. The feeling of escaping inside on a cold winter day while sipping a classic cocktail at the bar is a luxury Chicagoans are lucky to have. Oh, and there’s food. While “true” barbecue fans obsessed with smoke (looking at you, Texans) may scoff, the Chicago-style broiler ribs are underrated.

134 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

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Buddy Guy's Legends

700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Legendary musician Buddy Guy opened this club in 1989 in the South Loop and it’s become one of the most venerable places to hear blues and jazz in the country. It serves Cajun and soul food, and a beer named after Guy: Buddy’s Brew. Celebrities are known to show up to jam or even quietly take in a show.

700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

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Nine Bar

216 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

Across America’s Chinatowns, tiki found a niche with Westerners conflating Asians and preferring the tropical flavors paired with Cantonese food. In Chicago, that led to the popularity of late-night karaoke lounges. However, there wasn’t a specialized tavern serving cocktails in Chinatown until Nine Bar made a splash in early 2022. Located behind Moon Palace Express and from the same family, this narrow bar is welcoming with fun drinks that honor the past and also new classics that use ingredients like Thai coconut milk, umami bitters, Japanese barley, and Chinese five spice. While the drinks are impressive, the food menu is already an all-time great. Even the fries, inspired by mapu tofu — topped with saucy pork, scallions, and more (a vegan option is also available) — are top notch.

216 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

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A dim bar with a neon blue and white sign. — Nine Bar is doing smashing.

Osito's Tap

2553 S Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60623

Osito’s Tap is an outgrowth of Moreno’s Liquors, a family-owned store in Little Village. The bar offers a deep beer list with plenty of rare releases to satisfy craft fans, and the cocktails push the envelope using techniques and ingredients that prove that mixologists at upscale downtown bars aren’t the only ones who can’t enjoy a fancy drinks.

2553 S Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60623

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A lavish drink with ancho and blood orange. — Osito’s Tap features ancho and blood orange in drinks.

Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar

960 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60608

Maria’s has served Bridgeport well in various capacities. It’s a small liquor store with a mighty beer selection. Walk by the cashier and pass through two bars with old-school charm. Find a deep beer selection, classic cocktails, and even beer from the owners’ brewery, Marz. Food comes from Kimski, chef Won Kim’s neighborhood staple that launched an ambitious new menu in spring 2023.

960 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60608

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Bernice's Tavern

3238 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

Since the 1930s, this Bridgeport bar has been serving beer and shots to a customer base that fawns over this low-ceilinged space. Its current owners, the Badauskas family, took over the bar in the 1950s. This charming corner spot even has an open mic for musicians.

3238 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

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Woodlawn Tap

1172 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615

Locals still tell friends to meet them at “Jimmy’s” the name of the bar’s former owner, Jimmy Wilson, who died in 1999. Regardless, this tried and true dive bar has provided a meeting point for generations of college students, professors, and Hyde Park residents. Pitchers of beer are popular here as are the burgers. It’s an affordable spot that caters to the University of Chicago’s community.

1172 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615

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Jeffery Pub

7041 S Jeffery Blvd, Chicago, IL 60649

Chicago’s oldest LGBTQ bar resides on the South Shore. Since the 1960s, Jeffery Pub has served patrons bright-colored cocktails while giving them the space to cut loose. Look for DJs and other entertainment at this venerable venue.

7041 S Jeffery Blvd, Chicago, IL 60649

A dive bar exterior with a sign that reads “Jeffrey Pub.” — Jeffrey Pub is one of just two Black-owned LGBTQ bars in Chicago.

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