Arguably the best of the city’s arcade bars stands in Logan Square at the corner of Western and Fullerton. The converted hardware store sports an eclectic craft beer selection. The gaming aspect isn’t an afterthought. There’s an excellent mix of vintage cabinets and there are competitive pinball leagues.

A cozy, stylish bar and sister spot to restaurants Lardon and Union, the Meadowlark is a canvas for beverage director (and Violet Hour alum) Abe Vucekovich, who illustrates his cocktail vision with rotating concept menus in Logan Square. The final element in Meadowlark Hospitality’s trilogy of venues on the corner of California Avenue and Palmer Street, the 825-square-foot drinking den launched in fall 2022.

There was a time when Guinness was the only option for a craft beer option in a town with draft handles dominated by big beer companies. The Map Room, when it opened in 1992, was a refreshing change. With a “traveler theme” — the shelves are full of travel magazines like National Geographic, the beer list includes selections from all over the world. As American breweries gained traction, management weaved local options in as well. 

This late-night den was a favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain who filmed several TV segments here as it’s the antithesis of many of the yuppie Old Town bars around the corner on Wells. The dive sports inappropriate paintings of Chicago history, including depictions of formerly incarcerated ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and is a destination for many, drawing a diverse group of patrons from all walks of life. Keep the drink orders simple.

This hidden drinking destination is widely credited with kicking off the mixology renaissance in Chicago and is a must-visit for Windy City newbies. It thrives on quiet sophistication (do read the house rules), a fantastic ever-changing menu, and is a breeding ground for local talent. Look for a massive mural outside — there's no sign — as well as a line on the sidewalk.

A top contender in Chicago’s competitive brewery scene, Off Color has carved out a beer oasis in Lincoln Park with the Mousetrap, its tap room, bar, and bottle shop where patrons can find both suds (brewer John Laffler always keeps a few fun vintage bottles around) and cocktails. Loyal fans adore its dog-friendly patio and comfortable indoor space, which can grow busy and boisterous on weekend evenings.

Originally founded as a basement tiki bar by bartender Paul McGee and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Three Dots has evolved over recent years, steering its focus toward tropical cocktails and away from tiki’s complicated past. A festive retreat even on the most frigid winter days, the bar is a popular after-work stop in Downtown Chicago. It even houses a bar within the bar, the Bamboo Room, for a more intimate experience.

River North has mutated over the years, angled at tourists rather than locals. There are a few exceptions, and Rossi’s, the charming hole in the wall near House of Blues, has endured. The bartenders are friendly. The customers aren’t snobby. The coolers are full of local beer, and not just the big names, there’s variety. When you’re finished pretending Hubbard Street is the Vegas Strip, hang out with the grownups at Rossi’s.

From the owners of Alinea, the Aviary takes chef Grant Achatz’s approach to molecular gastronomy and applies it to beverages. That might be off-putting to dive bar lovers, but the result is a bar with vintage spirits, unusual cocktails, and prices that make the well-to-do feel like they’re shelling out for something worthy. For pure cocktail fans, the presentation, glassware, and whimsical approach to beverages are worth scoring a reservation. There’s also a more exclusive space, the Office, located downstairs.

There are plenty of talented Chicagoans creating culinary cool, and Julia Momose and her team at Kumiko are at the forefront. A sibling to Oriole, a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, Kumiko takes inspiration Japan (Momose is Japanese American), with a deep whisky list. But the highlights are the cocktails, carefully prepared and with top-notch ingredients. When the bar reboots for indoor service, Momose will once again offer her drink flights where bartenders create custom cocktails for customers. It’s like watching a story unfold, and something drinkers can’t find anywhere else in the country. In 2022, Momose and co-writer Emma Janzen won a James Beard Media Award for their book The Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes.

There’s something comforting about seeing Miller’s Pub’s red neon sign right underneath the El in the Loop. Miller’s is a full-service restaurant filled with photos and other trinkets that give the space a welcoming old Chicago feel. The waits are long at night, and this is a wonderful spot for happy hour. The feeling of escaping inside on a cold winter day while sipping a classic cocktail at the bar is a luxury Chicagoans are lucky to have. Oh, and there’s food. While “true” barbecue fans obsessed with smoke (looking at you, Texans) may scoff, the Chicago-style broiler ribs are underrated. 

Across America’s Chinatowns, tiki found a niche with Westerners conflating Asians and preferring the tropical flavors paired with Cantonese food. In Chicago, that led to the popularity of late-night karaoke lounges. However, there wasn’t a specialized tavern serving cocktails in Chinatown until Nine Bar made a splash in early 2022. Located behind Moon Palace Express and from the same family, this narrow bar is welcoming with fun drinks that honor the past and also new classics that use ingredients like Thai coconut milk, umami bitters, Japanese barley, and Chinese five spice. While the drinks are impressive, the food menu is already an all-time great. Even the fries, inspired by mapu tofu — topped with saucy pork, scallions, and more (a vegan option is also available) — are top notch.

Osito’s Tap is an outgrowth of Moreno’s Liquors, a family-owned store in Little Village. The bar offers a deep beer list with plenty of rare releases to satisfy craft fans, and the cocktails push the envelope using techniques and ingredients that prove that mixologists at upscale downtown bars aren’t the only ones who can’t enjoy a fancy drinks.

Maria’s has served Bridgeport well in various capacities. It’s a small liquor store with a mighty beer selection. Walk by the cashier and pass through two bars with old-school charm. Find a deep beer selection, classic cocktails, and even beer from the owners’ brewery, Marz. Food comes from Kimski, chef Won Kim’s neighborhood staple that launched an ambitious new menu in spring 2023.

Locals still tell friends to meet them at “Jimmy’s” the name of the bar’s former owner, Jimmy Wilson, who died in 1999. Regardless, this tried and true dive bar has provided a meeting point for generations of college students, professors, and Hyde Park residents. Pitchers of beer are popular here as are the burgers. It’s an affordable spot that caters to the University of Chicago’s community.

Chicago’s oldest LGBTQ bar resides on the South Shore. Since the 1960s, Jeffery Pub has served patrons bright-colored cocktails while giving them the space to cut loose. Look for DJs and other entertainment at this venerable venue.