Chicago has always had a reputation as a drinking city. It is, after all, the adoptive home of Malört. But while the Second City has long played custodian to a unique brand of tavern culture, boasting corner pubs on nearly every block, Chicago has simultaneously reshaped itself into a destination for any serious cocktail drinker. The Violet Hour paved the way for a speakeasy-style revival in 2009 and even as that stalwart of the early renaissance remains largely unchanged, bars across the rest of the city—including many VH alums—have taken the baton and run with it. Not long after, in 2011, The Aviary opened; the trailblazer in molecular mixology set a high bar for drinks that break the mold and push the boundaries of technique. At a rapid clip, Chicago has since produced a canon of bars that borrow from both camps, matching innovation with classic constructions. Those featured on this list do the same, with the added achievement of feeling as integral to the fabric of the city as the many taverns that came before them.
Chicago
Where to drink in
With only a limited time in the city, here are the can’t-miss places to drink.
Around the corner on Grand Street, Fresh Kills (from Richie Boccato) has been quietly serving some of the best cocktails in Brooklyn for nearly a decade.
NOTABLE AND NEARBY
• When outdoor seating is available, the wisteria-draped garden (book ahead on Resy) might fool you into thinking you’re somewhere between Louisiana and Provence.
• While Maison excels at the A-list classics, look closely and you’ll find lovingly executed takes on B-side hits, like the Yellow Parrot and the Obituary, that make the case for revival.
NICE TO KNOW
Where to drink in