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Updated: Where to Drink in Chicago Right Now

by Daniel Gerzina Aug 12, 2014, 7:33am CDT

7 comments / new

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by Daniel Gerzina Aug 12, 2014, 7:33am CDT

7 comments / new

Photos: Marc Much

Not many things go better with summer weather than drinks. Whether you fancy an Old Fashioned or a Margarita, the Cocktail Heatmap will help you quench that thirst. The updated map shows you more new places along with some old favorites to enhance that summertime sipping. These beverage programs have mastered the art of booze and their concoctions will satisfy selective drinkers and those who want a beer or something simple, too.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Leave us a comment and tell us where you like to drink.

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Sportsman's Club

This new hotspot from Matt Eisler and Kevin Heisner combines elements of a cocktail lounge, classic Chicago dive, French hunting club and retail store. Four cocktail offerings rotate on a daily basis, many utilizing an amaro machine, and there’s also a selection of packaged goods including whiskey, wine and bitters available for sale.

948 Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

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Also featured in:

Slippery Slope

Dancing, skee ball and all-around fun, Danny Shapiro's selection of bottled cocktails, and the tight and cheap beer selection make the Slope one of the hottest bars of the season.

2357 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Three Dots and a Dash

Paul McGee’s bar is a tiki paradise that will have you wondering how you ever did without such drinks before now. Step through an alley doorway to a theme world of skulls, pirate ships, straw hut-covered bars and plenty of rum cocktails. There are classics like Mai Tai and Pago Pago, as well as more modern riffs like Painkiller No. 3 (Bajan rum, Jamaican rum, coconut liqueur, passionfruit, pineapple, cream) served in a variety of souvenir mugs.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

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Also featured in:

Celeste

Three floors of art deco stylings, a new rooftop deck, and a massive book of a cocktail menu add up to a can't-miss drinking experience.

111 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Punch House

Located in the basement of Thalia Hall under Duesek’s Board and Beer, Punch House is a ‘70s-style cocktail bar offering sailor-inspired punches. Bring some friends because while you can order by the glass, you’ll need the help for the carafes and punch bowls. Options include the Dusek Punch, featuring Good bourbon, lemon, raw sugar, dark ale and nutmeg.

1227 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Dawson

Billy Lawless’ “drinking-focused restaurant” features an extensive beverage program crafted by Clint Rogers and a massive patio. Each drink is meant to be paired with an item from the food menu, and utilizes housemade sodas, aperitifs and both clear and brown liquors. In addition, wines by the glass and draft beers are also available alongside shots of the day.

730 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

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Also featured in:

Analogue

Former Violet Hour bartenders Robby Haynes and Henry Prendergast have opened Analogue in Logan Square. The cozy, 50-seat space will offer a small cocktail list that changes frequently and focuses on one aspect as well as purls, which are beers laced with bitters. There's also a dance floor, an elevated DJ booth and very good New Orleans-style dishes from chef Alfredo Nogueira.

2523 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Lagunitas Brewing - Chicago

An oasis of fresh Lagunitas straight from the source is your prize for navigating the trippy maze of winding hallways and stairwells within the newly-opened largest brewery in the state.

2607 W 17th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Visit Website

Also featured in:

CH Distillery & Cocktail Bar

Out to change minds about vodka, CH Distillery is Chicago’s first distillery with a cocktail bar. The focus is on vodka and gin but rum and whiskey are also available in spirit-driven cocktails. The selection includes “Rhymes with Orange” (Serrano chili vodka, lime, CH orange curacao, watermelon), Cease and Desist (Lapsang Suchong infused London Dry Gin, ginger, honey lemon) and more.

564 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Red Lion Pub

The beautiful build-out, hard-to-find British beers, stacks of books and interesting conversation at the resurrected Red Lion Pub combine to give Lincoln Park an anti-party bar.

2446 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bottlefork

Rockit Ranch and Kevin Hickey's drinking-focused restaurant includes one of the best cocktail selections in Chicago.

441 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Henry's Swing Club

The myriad of fun drinks, parlor games, and relaxed vibe at Henry's are a unique and welcome addition to the River North party scene.

18 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Chicago Distilling Company

Logan Square continues to heat up. This small, family-owned bar and distillery features a simple menu filled with eight cocktails and a small wine and beer selection, as well as a vodka and 90-proof white whiskey available to purchase. Distillery tours are also offered on weekends and Thursdays and can be booked online.

2359 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

Visit Website

Whiskey Trust Tavern and Distillery

Boystown's iconic Spin closed to give way to the whiskey, couches, and secret passageways at Whiskey Trust. Don't miss the nightclub next door, Chloe's, or the beautiful enclosed patio in the rear.

3206 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

Visit Website

Billy Sunday

Mathias Merges’ cocktail haven Billy Sunday has received rave reviews and it’s not hard to understand why. Building off the successful Yusho beverage program, mixologist Alex Bachman puts his twist on classics like the Old Fashioned, Bijou and Daiquiri. And a section solely devoted to tonics offers the Kent, one of the best Gin & Tonics in town.

3143 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Scofflaw

If you like gin, then you’ve come to the right place. The Logan Square parlor combines the feel of your neighborhood bar with a craft cocktail menu that’s sure to please. The list favors gin-based libations (there's more than 50 types behind the bar), but includes enough variety to remain accessible to all. So take a break from the martini and try something new.

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Aviary / The Office

Award-winner Charles Joly leads the beverage program at this highly acclaimed spot and continues to craft new surprises. Andrew Brochu heads up the food menu and if you're feeling lucky, try and see if you can get into the exclusive Office underneath.

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Violet Hour

The cocktail lounge that paved the way for the rest of the city is just as popular as ever. Step inside the intimate space and peruse through an extensive handcrafted drink menu that includes gin, vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey, brandy and portable bitters creations. To get the full experience, try the Juliet & Romeo or the Sazerac.

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Sportsman's Club

948 Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

This new hotspot from Matt Eisler and Kevin Heisner combines elements of a cocktail lounge, classic Chicago dive, French hunting club and retail store. Four cocktail offerings rotate on a daily basis, many utilizing an amaro machine, and there’s also a selection of packaged goods including whiskey, wine and bitters available for sale.

948 Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Slippery Slope

2357 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Dancing, skee ball and all-around fun, Danny Shapiro's selection of bottled cocktails, and the tight and cheap beer selection make the Slope one of the hottest bars of the season.

2357 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Three Dots and a Dash

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Paul McGee’s bar is a tiki paradise that will have you wondering how you ever did without such drinks before now. Step through an alley doorway to a theme world of skulls, pirate ships, straw hut-covered bars and plenty of rum cocktails. There are classics like Mai Tai and Pago Pago, as well as more modern riffs like Painkiller No. 3 (Bajan rum, Jamaican rum, coconut liqueur, passionfruit, pineapple, cream) served in a variety of souvenir mugs.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Celeste

111 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Three floors of art deco stylings, a new rooftop deck, and a massive book of a cocktail menu add up to a can't-miss drinking experience.

111 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Punch House

1227 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Located in the basement of Thalia Hall under Duesek’s Board and Beer, Punch House is a ‘70s-style cocktail bar offering sailor-inspired punches. Bring some friends because while you can order by the glass, you’ll need the help for the carafes and punch bowls. Options include the Dusek Punch, featuring Good bourbon, lemon, raw sugar, dark ale and nutmeg.

1227 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Visit Website

The Dawson

730 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Billy Lawless’ “drinking-focused restaurant” features an extensive beverage program crafted by Clint Rogers and a massive patio. Each drink is meant to be paired with an item from the food menu, and utilizes housemade sodas, aperitifs and both clear and brown liquors. In addition, wines by the glass and draft beers are also available alongside shots of the day.

730 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Analogue

2523 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Former Violet Hour bartenders Robby Haynes and Henry Prendergast have opened Analogue in Logan Square. The cozy, 50-seat space will offer a small cocktail list that changes frequently and focuses on one aspect as well as purls, which are beers laced with bitters. There's also a dance floor, an elevated DJ booth and very good New Orleans-style dishes from chef Alfredo Nogueira.

2523 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Lagunitas Brewing - Chicago

2607 W 17th St, Chicago, IL 60608

An oasis of fresh Lagunitas straight from the source is your prize for navigating the trippy maze of winding hallways and stairwells within the newly-opened largest brewery in the state.

2607 W 17th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Visit Website

CH Distillery & Cocktail Bar

564 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Out to change minds about vodka, CH Distillery is Chicago’s first distillery with a cocktail bar. The focus is on vodka and gin but rum and whiskey are also available in spirit-driven cocktails. The selection includes “Rhymes with Orange” (Serrano chili vodka, lime, CH orange curacao, watermelon), Cease and Desist (Lapsang Suchong infused London Dry Gin, ginger, honey lemon) and more.

564 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Visit Website

The Red Lion Pub

2446 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

The beautiful build-out, hard-to-find British beers, stacks of books and interesting conversation at the resurrected Red Lion Pub combine to give Lincoln Park an anti-party bar.

2446 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Visit Website

Bottlefork

441 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Rockit Ranch and Kevin Hickey's drinking-focused restaurant includes one of the best cocktail selections in Chicago.

441 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Henry's Swing Club

18 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

The myriad of fun drinks, parlor games, and relaxed vibe at Henry's are a unique and welcome addition to the River North party scene.

18 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Chicago Distilling Company

2359 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

Logan Square continues to heat up. This small, family-owned bar and distillery features a simple menu filled with eight cocktails and a small wine and beer selection, as well as a vodka and 90-proof white whiskey available to purchase. Distillery tours are also offered on weekends and Thursdays and can be booked online.

2359 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

Visit Website

Whiskey Trust Tavern and Distillery

3206 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

Boystown's iconic Spin closed to give way to the whiskey, couches, and secret passageways at Whiskey Trust. Don't miss the nightclub next door, Chloe's, or the beautiful enclosed patio in the rear.

3206 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

Visit Website

Billy Sunday

3143 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647

Mathias Merges’ cocktail haven Billy Sunday has received rave reviews and it’s not hard to understand why. Building off the successful Yusho beverage program, mixologist Alex Bachman puts his twist on classics like the Old Fashioned, Bijou and Daiquiri. And a section solely devoted to tonics offers the Kent, one of the best Gin & Tonics in town.

3143 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Related Maps

Scofflaw

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

If you like gin, then you’ve come to the right place. The Logan Square parlor combines the feel of your neighborhood bar with a craft cocktail menu that’s sure to please. The list favors gin-based libations (there's more than 50 types behind the bar), but includes enough variety to remain accessible to all. So take a break from the martini and try something new.

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

The Aviary / The Office

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Award-winner Charles Joly leads the beverage program at this highly acclaimed spot and continues to craft new surprises. Andrew Brochu heads up the food menu and if you're feeling lucky, try and see if you can get into the exclusive Office underneath.

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

The Violet Hour

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

The cocktail lounge that paved the way for the rest of the city is just as popular as ever. Step inside the intimate space and peruse through an extensive handcrafted drink menu that includes gin, vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey, brandy and portable bitters creations. To get the full experience, try the Juliet & Romeo or the Sazerac.

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Related Maps