Chicago Restaurant Guide: Drinks

Bernard’s Bar
Designer: Simeone Deary Design Group
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
Type: Cocktail Lounge
Address: 11 E. Walton St.
Phone: 312-646-1300
Web: www.elysianhotels.com

The refined, intimate 34-person lounge at the just-opened Elysian Hotel is a tranquil retreat from the city’s bustle. Next to the gleaming Carrara-marble bar are tufted chocolate-brown velvet banquettes and a series of leather club chairs, perfect for unwinding. Suede-covered walls give the space added warmth. In addition to the well-edited lists of wines, beers, and classic cocktails, there’s an impressive array of sippable high-end spirits: ports, eaux-de-vie, cognacs, Armagnacs, grappas, sher-ries, and single malts. The bartenders are exceptionally attentive and seem to have every possible drink ingredient at hand, from egg whites to housemade tonic.

Big Star
Designer: Thomas Schlesser
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Type: Contemporary Cantina
Address: 1531 N. Damen Ave.
Phone: 773-235-4039
Web: www.bigstarchicago.com

The latest from vaunted chef Paul Kahan and his partners: a raucous valentine to the bygone Cal-Mex honky-tonks of Bakersfield, California. More than 50 whiskeys and two dozen tequilas are available, plus inventive cocktails−the San Antonio Sling combines tequila, St-Germain liquer, and grapefruit juice—and $1 glasses of Schlitz. The cheap, delicious tacos include braised lamb with radishes and scallions, and a spit-roasted al pastor. Music by iconic country crooners and alt-country newcomers fills the room, thanks to LPs played on the house turntable. Poured-concrete floors, exposed-bulb fixtures, and unpainted-wood finishes help keep the vibe loose and easy.

Double A
Designer: Seed Design Studio
Neighborhood: River North
Type: Cocktail Lounge
Address: 108 w. kinzie st.
Phone: 312-329-2444
Web: www.mercaditorestaurants.com

The stylish, contemporary speakeasy tucked beneath the restaurant Mercadito is marked by a wide wood door with a sliding square peephole. The jewel box—like space is ringed by brown leather banquettes and seats just 60 guests. In the center of the room is a freestanding bar where mixologists whip up high-concept cocktails such as the Caipisutra, made with cachaça, pineapple, grapefruit, lime, and garam masala; and the Shuga Daddy, concocted from rum, kumquat, champagne, orange bitters, and rosemary. The ceilings were stripped for a tinge of industrial chic. Rare tequilas set in backlit mirrored nooks adorn the walls, and filament bulbs in steel mesh cast a warm glow.

Loft Six Ten
Designers: Weld Chicago and Randy Roginski
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Type: Nightclub
Address: 1332 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Phone: 773-904-8615
Web: www.loft610chicago.com

The bi-level lounge, converted from a cavernous commercial space, manages to be both upscale and refreshingly attitude-free. Oregon-walnut walls are punctuated by stained glass from an abandoned
city church, and wraparound leather banquettes form candlelit alcoves. The two floors are linked by a custom wrought-iron staircase. Beer and bourbon feature heavily—there are more than a dozen craft beers, plus five-liter “mini kegs,” and the mint julep is one of the best and booziest in town. Haute bar snacks include Guinness cheese dip with housemade pretzels and Maker’s Mark barbecue-sauced lamb chops. On weekends, DJs spin from a booth accessible only by ladder.

Roof
Designer: The Johnson Studio
Neighborhood: The Loop
Type: Rooftop Bar
Address: 201 N. State St.
Phone: 312-239-9501
Web: www.thewithotel.com

The sprawling lounge on the Wit Hotel’s 27th floor is actually several venues in one, with a range of set-tings in which to relax. The dedicated elevator whisks you up to the space, where a striking stacked-glass wall backs the main indoor bar. A seven-foot-tall, double-sided glass fire-place looks out onto the city’s dazzling skyline. Outside, fire pits are surrounded by counter-height tables, and telescopes are provided for admiring the stars. The truly daring should book the glass-enclosed table for eight, cantilevered over the edge of the building. Late-night DJs are a draw and spin everything from rock-and-roll to hip-hop.

Trader Vic’s
Designer: Jones Baker Interiors + Architecture
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
Type: Cocktail Lounge
Address: 1030 N. State St.
Phone: 312-642-6500
Web: www.tradervicschicago.com

After 50 years in business, Chicago’s beloved tiki haven was shuttered in 2005. Now it’s resurfaced with a fresh South Seas look and an exotic cocktail list that’s as potent as ever. Pass the 700-pound totem that mans the front door and slip into the suite of rooms lined in tapa cloth and brightened with tropical prints. Coconut-shell masks from the original location hang on the walls. The overall effect is at once exuberant and refined. Fruity multi-person libations come in bowl-size goblets, including the classic, rum-fueled Scorpion. The signature Mai Tai is meant for only one imbiber, but that’s fine, since you won’t want to share.

 
ADDITIONAL BARS

Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant
Music Club
11 E. Hubbard St.
312-642-6805
andysjazzclub.com
Live music seven nights a week, since 1951.

The Bar
Hotel Bar
108 E. Superior St.
312-573-6695
chicago.peninsula.com
Upscale cocktails at the Peninsula Hotel.

Billy Goat Tavern
Bar/Restaurant
430 N. Michigan Ave.
312-222-1525
billygoattavern.com
An institution since 1934. Famous for Saturday Night Live’s “Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!” skit.

Bottom Lounge
Music Venue
1375 W. Lake St.
312-666-6775
bottomlounge.com
Indie rock venue and bar.

Brehon Pub
Irish Bar
731 N. Wells St.
312-642-1071
brehonpub.com
Traditional bar, part of which was originally constructed for the Schlitz Brewing Company.

Chi Bar at the Sheraton
Hotel Bar
301 E. North Water St.
312-464-1000
chibarchicago.com
Jeffrey Beers–designed lounge with stunning views, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

Citizen Bar
Bar
364 W. Erie St.
312-640-1156
citizenbar.com
Lively lounge with a great bar menu.

Cityscape Bar
Hotel Bar
350 W. Mart Center Dr.
312-836-5000
martplaza.com
Floor-to-ceiling windows with south-facing city views, at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.

Crimson Lounge
Lounge
333 N. Dearborn St.
312-923-2473
crimsonchicago.com
Luxe nightclub with live music, DJs, and an award-winning mixologist, at the Hotel Sax Chicago.

Fulton Lounge
Upscale Lounge
955 W. Fulton Market
312-942-9500
fultonlounge.com
A mod aesthetic and an industrial setting in an old bookbinding warehouse.

Green Door Tavern
Tavern
678 N. Orleans St.
312-664-5496
greendoorchicago.com
Classic old-school bar in one of the first buildings constructed after the 1871 Great Chicago Fire.

Ghostbar
Lounge
440 W. Randolph St.
312-575-9900
n9negroup.com
Ultra-chic bar with contemporary furnishings, above N9NE steakhouse.

Griffin Lounge
Club
326 W. Chicago Ave.
312-280-9800
griffinlounge.com
Opulent night spot in a 1920s graphic-design building.

Le Bar
Hotel Bar
20 E. Chestnut St.
312-324-4000
lebarchicago.com
Elegant bar in the Hotel Sofitel, with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Lumen
Upscale Lounge
839 W. Fulton Market
312-733-2222
lumen-chicago.com
Late-night spot that serves organic liquors and garnishes in a space kitted out with a multimedia design.

Luxbar
Bar/Restaurant
18 E. Bellevue Pl.
312-642-3400
luxbar.com
Neighborhood saloon inspired by Adolf Loos, with artsy cocktails and casual food.

Market
Upscale Sports Bar
1113 W. Randolph St.
312-929-4787
marketbarchicago.com
High-design sports bar popular with professional athletes. There’s also a beer garden, rooftop deck, and sidewalk cafe.

Monk’s Pub
Bar/Restaurant
205 W. Lake St.
312-357-6665
mmonks.com
Monastery-inspired décor has made this a quirky institution since 1978.

The Matchbox
Dive Bar
770 N. Milwaukee Ave.
312-666-9292
Drink like a local at this tiny neighborhood bar.

Pops for Champagne
Lounge/Music Club
601 N. State St.
312-266-7677
popsforchampagne.com
An excellent selection of bubbly, a small-plates menu, and live jazz.

Potter’s Lounge
Hotel Bar
17 E. Monroe St.
312-917-4933
potterschicago.com
Classic cocktails in a stylish setting at the iconic Palmer House hotel.

The Redhead Piano Bar
Music Club
16 W. Ontario St.
312-640-1000
redheadpianobar.com
Popular sing-along spot, where the walls are lined with sheet music and movie-star headshots.

Rossi’s
Dive Bar
412 N. State St.
312-644-5775
A neighborhood watering hole with 50-plus bottled beers.

Seasons
Hotel Bar
120 E. Delaware Pl.
312-280-8800
fourseasons.com
Wine, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres, at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Signature Lounge
Lounge
875 N. Michigan Ave.
312-787-9596
signatureroom.com
Stunning views from the 96th floor of the John Hancock Center.

Sound-Bar
Dance Club
226 W. Ontario St.
312-787-4480
sound-bar.com
Upscale nightclub with a 4,000-square-foot dance floor and multiple bars, rooms, and lounges.

Stone Lotus
Lounge
873 N. Orleans St.
312-440-9680
stonelotuslounge.com
A posh “liquor spa” designed by SLDesign, with cocktails and fine small-plates dining.

Suite Lounge
Lounge
1446 N. Wells St.
312-787-6103
suite-lounge.com
Sophisticated underground martini lounge.

10pin Bowling Lounge
Lounge
330 N. State St.
312-644-0300
10pinchicago.com
Twenty-four lanes and an extensive martini list.

Third Rail Tavern
Bar/Restaurant
1133 W. Madison St.
312-432-9107
thirdrailtavern.com
Old Chicago at its best.

Y Bar
Lounge
224 W Ontario St
312-274 1880
ychicago.com
Elite luxury “cocktail boutique”
with DJs and bottle service.