Discover Chicago's Most Interesting Bars

Experience Chicago's innovative bar scene with rooftop cocktail bars offering Lake Michigan views, speakeasy-style bars in historic buildings, and trendy craft beer bars in the up-and-coming neighborhoods. Discover sophisticated cocktail lounges in the Loop, traditional bars in the historic districts, and innovative venues in the modern areas. From classic Midwestern hospitality to experimental molecular mixology, Chicago offers a unique blend of architectural grandeur, lakefront charm, and cutting-edge cocktail culture in America's Windy City.

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SafeHouse

Test your spy skills at SafeHouse Chicago: find the secret red door, give the password or pass the clearance test, then embark on a mission through an espionage-themed labyrinth serving cocktails & bar food with Cold War flair.

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themed

sophisticated

Kumiko

630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA

Kumiko is Chicago’s refined Japanese dining bar: sleek mid‑century woodwork, artful cocktails & sake flights, and elevated small plates in an intimate West Loop oasis. A harmonious sensory journey with omotenashi hospitality.

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live-music

speakeasy

The Drifter

676 N Orleans St Chicago, IL 60654 United States

Hidden beneath the Green Door Tavern, The Drifter is a vintage speakeasy offering tarot card-inspired cocktails and eclectic live performances in an intimate, Prohibition-era setting.

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tiki

speakeasy

Three Dots and a Dash

435 N Clark St (Entrance in the alley) Chicago, IL 60654 United States

Hidden beneath River North, this speakeasy-style tiki bar offers exotic cocktails, vibrant décor, and an immersive tropical escape in the heart of Chicago.

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Craft Beer

Speakeasy

Cocktails

Osito’s Tap

2553 S. Ridgeway Avenue Chicago, IL 60623

A hidden gem in Little Village, Osito’s Tap blends speakeasy vibes with Latinx flair, offering craft cocktails, rare spirits, and a cozy, historic setting.

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Cocktails

Fancy

Experience

The Aviary

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

A cocktail laboratory by Grant Achatz, The Aviary redefines mixology with theatrical presentations, molecular techniques, and a kitchen-style bar experience in Chicago’s West Loop.

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