Diners' Choice: Cocktail Bar restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated 05 June 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Cocktail Bar cuisine in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Parachute HiFi

4.7

4.7 (11)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Avondale

About the restaurant

Good food, great music, and standout drinks come together at Parachute HiFi, a listening bar and restaurant in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. Led by James Beard Award-winning chefs Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, this spot offers a fresh take on the analogue experience with a focus on sound, flavor, and atmosphere.

The Korean-American bar food menu features a lineup of thoughtful small plates, mains, and bar snacks—like their well-loved bing bread and a bold tteokbokki pad thai. Drinks lean in just as creative with culinary cocktails, beers, wines, and Korean Sool if you're in the mood to try something new.

McIntosh amplification, vintage Altec speakers, curated vinyl collection, and DJ sets create an immersive backdrop that complements the food, not competes with it. Whether you're here for the music, the menu, or both, Parachute HiFi delivers great vibes in Avondale.

Top review

Candice

Dined on 5 June 2025

Food was great. Loved the restaurant vibe and music! Very knowledgeable staff. Great experience

Judes Cocktails and Nosh

4.8

4.8 (252)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Crystal Lake

About the restaurant

Located in Downtown Crystal Lake, directly across form the Raue Center for the Arts. Our team of outstanding chefs and servers will cater to your every need – for a dining experience that you’ll never forget.

Top review

Christine

Dined 5 days ago

We enjoyed a girls evening on the outdoor patio. Service was friendly and checked back often to order more plates, and clear dishes. Drinks were delicious as well, packing their own punch

The Alderman

4.9

4.9 (238)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Pilsen

About the restaurant

Winner of the 2022 Jean Banchet Award for Best Bar, THE ALDERMAN is an intimate, 16-seat cocktail bar tucked away, behind closed doors, within Pilsen Yards. The cocktail list rotates some of its original cocktail features, while the twists on American classics are staples of the cocktail list.

With a plush velvet banquette and a 4-seat counter, it’s the perfect room for a night cap, a date, or a casual evening of one to several astonishingly good cocktails.

Top review

Melody

Dined 7 days ago

Great experience as always. The bartenders are always so much fun to talk to here, and they have a lot of knowledge.

Three Dots and a Dash

4.8

4.8 (1959)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

With a secret alleyway entrance, Three Dots and a Dash is a speakeasy-style take on the traditional island bar—ready to transport you to the glamorous bygone eras of Trader Vic, Stephen Crane and Don the Beachcomber. Descend underground to discover a subterranean hideaway featuring a rum-soaked menu of more than two dozen classic, modern and original tropical cocktails and a selection of island fare. We are a 21+ venue.

Top review

Lars

Dined 3 days ago

Ambiance is amazing, very fun tiki bar environment. The drinks are amazing and served creatively.

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Three Dots and a Dash (Deposit Required)

Pandan

4.8

4.8 (54)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

Venture to the 18th floor of Viceroy Chicago to discover a seductive world where the sky is your ceiling and gorgeous city views unfold from every angle. Welcome to Pandan, a lush cocktail experience in the heart of the Gold Coast. Bask in what seems like infinite sunshine and starlight as you share baos and buns from the menu of Southeast Asian cuisine. The cocktail menu is as vast as the skyline itself and full of alluring flavors you haven't yet imagined. Sink into a lounge chair surrounded by botanicals and greenery. You'll quickly see: Pandan is a world unto itself -a haven for secluded celebrations, important connections, and whispered secrets. And the undercurrent of exclusivity is undeniable. Pandan is not just a scene. It's a satisfying new perspective. Come up. Elevate.

Top review

DanaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Lovely cocktail bar with a great view. Great service and interesting cocktail menu

Rooftop at Nobu Hotel

4.4

4.4 (901)

$50 and over

Cocktail Bar

West Loop

About the restaurant

Soak in the vibes of Chicago’s famous Restaurant Row and the views of the stunning city skyline at the Rooftop at Nobu Hotel. The Rooftop encourages walk-ins.

Top review

DinoVIP

Dined on 10 May 2025

Wow, what a great restaurant with delicious cocktails, and food.

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Experience

Tanoshi Hour at Nobu Chicago Rooftop

Cantina Rosa

4.6

4.6 (72)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Hyde Park

About the restaurant

Cantina Rosa is a tropical Cocktail Bar focused on agave spirits from Virtue Hospitality. Stationed in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Cantina Rosa offers craft cocktails and botanas (snacks) that appeal to sophisticated palates and newcomers alike. Its humble yet creative atmosphere seamlessly blends modern sensibilities with traditional influences.

Cantina Rosa draws inspiration from diverse regions across Mexico, enriched by the expertise of Virtue’s most experienced Mexican team members. The name "Rosa" holds deep personal significance, paying tribute to Rosetta, the grandmother of Erick Williams—who profoundly shaped his life.

Top review

Rosalind

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful bar with amazing small plates and drinks. I will definitely recommend.

The Violet Hour

4.8

4.8 (204)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

This James Beard award winning bar program, serves seasonally-driven libations amongst candlelit tables and a sprawling marble bar. Centrally located in the heart of the vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood, surrounded by delicious restaurants and boutique shopping. Cocktails are inspired by trailblazing head mixologist Toby Maloney.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined on 7 May 2025

I had been wanting to check this bar out for a few years. I had high expectations and my expectations were greatly exceeded. Amazing spot. Great cocktails. Attentive bartender. And what I did not expect was absolutely amazing food as well. Come for the cocktails. Or the food. Or both. Excellent spot for a fun evening.

The Berkshire Room

4.5

4.5 (64)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The Berkshire Room is an upscale lounge specializing in craft cocktails all created by a talented team. The atmosphere is retro classy and definitely worth a visit before or after dinner for cocktails with friends. There is ample seating either in the private side rooms, the booths in the lounge area or at the bar. The clientele that frequent the Berkshire Room rave about the dealers' choice, which allows guests to choose the spirit, flavor profile and glassware. The bartender then customizes a unique and customized cocktail.

Besides the tasty cocktails and the relaxing ambiance, the Berkshire also offers bar snacks and small dishes. The Berkshire room is located within River North's swanky ACME hotel.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined on 8 June 2025

Always a great late night bourbon experience and John at the bar is super knowledgeable and a hell of a nice guy.

Celeste

4.3

4.3 (194)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

**For Rooftop Garden and Disco reservation, please visit our website at celestedisco.com**

Celeste is a modern, refined interpretation of the classic American drinking establishment. Our four levels are each inspired by nuances in architecture, art movements, social clubs, and a breakdown of the barriers between art and life. A carefully curated space, upscale cuisine, and imaginative cocktails create the essence of Celeste.

Reservation Types:

Whiskey Bar High-Top:
On the first floor, The Bar is a nod to classic neighborhood bars. This space offers a casual atmosphere, perfect for gathering with friends during happy hour while indulging in elevated spirits, modern American cuisine, and an expanded whiskey list.
Open Wed-Sat at 5pm

Deco Supper Club:
Located on the second floor, Deco Supper Club pays homage to the glamorous architectural history of Chicago at the turn-of-the-century with a drink menu spotlighting craft cocktails.
Open Thurs-Sat at 7pm.

Top review

Jillian

Dined on 16 May 2025

The food was good we ate and then headed upstairs to the dance floor. You’re allowed to take your drink with you after paying. We had a great time!!!

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