Best Restaurants with a Vibrant Bar Scene in Evanston

Once you get past the fear that you might be in the wrong place (I almost didn't get out of my Uber, was afraid I was just in an alley, had to check the address...and then saw "Ada Street" painted on the door) you walk through a long, dark hall into a funky, cozy room with a plethora of old records, music on vinyl, a great vibe, a good long bar (apparently available only by reservation), and a really nice dining experience. I arrived early and had their version of a black manhattan, one of several on the cocktail list (with some fun names) on the front page of the menu. Along the way we tried a couple of others; all interesting. Our server was wonderful, charming, personable, and attentive throughout the meal. She explained the menu -- primarily small plates meant to be shared as is often standard. We worked through a couple of small plates (Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, steak tartare) and one main (the whole branzino) and several glasses of wine and had a lovely and deliberately slow-played meal (we only ordered a bit at a time). Room is buzzy bordering on loud, a little cramped, but that works for the space and the style of the place. My only modest disappointment was that there were only two white and two red wines available by the glass. I didn't love any of them, but it didn't detract from the experience much. Nice and interesting, if not huge, list by the bottle. Great for a date or a night out with friends. Would absolutely come back, and recommend very highly.

We love L Woods, as the food, service and vibe are always terrific!

Nice dining experience. Service and food were better than I expected.

Always pleased with the food. Make sure to order a rustic pizza as an appetizer for your table. Service was great as usual. It’s always a bit loud in there so it’s not the best spot for a date night. Never disappointed when I dine at Luxbar

We visited Daisies on a Tuesday for dinner, and it was a full house - energetic and lively! The wait hostess and wait staff were absolutely lovely. The food servings are small, which was mostly a plus in our minds. (Very flavorful, filled us up, and less leftovers to have to worry about carting home - with prices that aligned. We did wish there were some vegetables on the plate, though.) We got the Pappardelle, Doppio Ravioli, Spaghetti, and Rainbow Trout. All were delicious!