Head to Rogers Park for some nostalgic fun inside Chicago’s newest arcade bar with tons of vintage video game cabinets. There’s plenty of draft beer and a full bar inside the large space. There’s also food featuring pierogis. The venue is from the owner of the defunct Uptown Arcade.

This Andersonville queer bar has continued to keep bustling through the summer. With a focus on community building and inclusivity, the bar mixes old-school Chicago tavern charm with modern comfort. “The Pink Kitty” (Hendrick’s Gin, aperol, grapefruit, sparkling wine) is an example of the drink menu’s “classic cocktails, elevated” creed.

In case Chicago missed it, Lost Lake is back, but the popular Logan Square cocktail bar has returned without its signature tiki drinks. Management has opted to ditch the lavish glassware and move the menu toward “tropical,” which is more forgiving, especially given the concerning history of tiki. The changes have triggered mostly positive responses, though also been ample fragility from folks who prefer to cling to the status quo. Lost Lake’s bartenders still know how to make a mixed drink with fun and boozy concoctions that catch up if drinkers aren’t aware.

Wednesday, September 29 will mark the first time the Whistler has welcomed back guests in 18 months. This is a big deal for Chicago’s cocktail scene, as the Whistler is known for serious drinks that are mixed with care and creative ingredients. They’ve imported LA bartender Alex Barbatsis to take over the drink program which promises to offer several new drinks.

An anchor of the development on top of the former Children’s Memorial Hospital site in Lincoln Park, Verve is the Chicago location of the San Francisco restaurant with a New York retail shop. The focus is “anti-snob” service, where customers aren’t shunned for a lack of wine knowledge. Find wines by the glass and bottles, plus house cocktails.

Marz Community Brewing has brought its South Side suds from Bridgeport to the border of Bucktown and Logan Square. This is a mini version of Marz’s headquarters, with a zany space for friends to gather and machinate. There’s a tight beer list, CBD seltzers, and more. For snacks, find hot dogs and Polish sausages, which just amps the space’s Chicago credibility.

This Logan Square tavern has some of the funkiest pub grub in town including pizza pot stickers and fried cheese curds. The snacks will come in handy in forming a base while patrons imbibe local craft beers — plus Japanese import Sapporo, which is available by the pitcher. There’s also wine and classic cocktails. The Way Out is a playful spot that can serve as a shot and beer dive, but also an oasis for late-night snacking. Believe.

Hotel bars can be wonderful if the space is right and the operator executes. COVID-19 times have made Chicago forget about hotel bars, but perhaps folks can take the right precautions so patrons can enjoy Bar Pendry, the tavern inside the Pendry Hotel, which resides in the historic Carbide & Carbon building. Classic cocktails and no-frills fun await customers. There’s also burgers, mac and cheese, and a small menu of bites.

Bandit has quickly become a popular space for groups along Randolph Street with its retro dive atmosphere. Recently, the bar’s owners, DineAmic Hospitality (Bar Siena, Barrio) opened a second floor with even more space for large groups to the let their hair down. Bandit on 2 isn’t for someone who wants a quiet night; check out their specialty shot selection.

Chicago’s first food hall opening of 2021 is a big one near State and Washington in downtown. Urbanspace features 12 restaurants, including Isla Pilipina and Roberta’s Pizza. But there’s also two spots for booze, courtesy of Footman Hospitality. The Peregrine Club is a cocktail bar, something Footman has demonstrated prowess with while operating Sparrow in Gold Coast. There’s also Footman Hospitality’s Beer Stall, and that taps into the company’s strength as shown with Bangers & Lace in Wicker Park. Both will provide weekend escapes and after-work happy hour destinations.

Pilsen Yards is a home run as the bar owners revamped their space during the pandemic by adding a patio with a heated floor and a remodel. Serious cocktail fans are still waiting for the speakeasy-style cocktail bar inside the space. The Alderman, the bar inside the bar, will open later this summer. But for group hangs, Pilsen Yards may be the gold standard along 18th Street.

Osito’s, which opened in 2019, is geared for the rain with tent and heaters for outdoor service. Find an array of fancy liquors like mezcal and tequila, and a great selection of beer. Osito’s also sells food, including tacos. Reservations via OpenTable. They have offered to-go cocktails and growlers.