One of my top 5 favorite bars in Chicago and the food is amazing too. I think I've been here four times already. They were listed #76 on North America's 50 Best Bars list for 2026. Sadly they took one of my favorite cocktails off the menu though :( the Deja Vu cocktail was sooo good ugh I hope they bring it back!!!! It was literally one of my favorite cocktails I've ever had. My second favorite is the Paradise Lost, which is what I got the most recent time I visited. We also came to try their new drink the Southside Samurai I love the cold noodles, chicken bao, cucumber salad, and spring rolls here. When it gets hot out, I crave their cold noodles!! They're so delicious and refreshing. I also love the speakeasy vibe. It looks like a takeout restaurant, but it's behind the "kitchen door." read more

Nine Bar - cold noodle - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was pretty dope. The lighting was nice. You walk in and it's just a fun vibe. The bouncer makes sure not to let it get too full inside, so sometime you have to wait out front. But that makes the ambience inside better for everyone inside. There is a full bar with bar seating and some lounge couches for groups. The drinks are solid. Really good, and great presentation. The desserts were very unique. The brûlée toast was kinda like a bread pudding but caramelized with a brûlée crunch. This is worth a stop while in Chicago. read more

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The Nine Bar in Chinatown is absolutely one of the best "Dive Bars" I've been to, and I've been to dive bars all over the world! But what really made my liver quiver here at Nine Bar was: For the first time in 40 years, I got carded. Man, was that the coolest thing that has happened to me in decades. I felt like I was back in college. There I was, I could have been a poster boy for Medicare and yet they needed to see my ID. That put a smile on my face that you would need a chisel to knock that grin off. Thank you Nine Bar for elating me; plus, my Gin Martini was great. read more

Nine Bar - My Bombay Gin Martini - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Most excellent vibes in this bar! Need fun drinks you're not getting anywhere else from bartenders who actually care? Found your spot. Would recommend for smaller groups and also GET THE McKATSU UGHHHHHHHH read more

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The vibe is unmatched. I really liked sitting at the bar and the bartender was really nice. The crab sandwich was okay but the crab ragoons were great as well as the drinks. read more

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Really interesting. The bar is inside of another restaurant. You walk in to a restaurant and then a bouncer let's you in and then and everything changes. The food and drinks were really good. That crab sandwich is fantastic. And the mocktail was really good. The service was great. read more

Nine Bar - Crabby patty - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came to try the limited time only krabby patty softshell crab sandwich. It's a fantastic sandwich and worth the visit. It is a bar inside so keep that in mind as it is dark inside and orders are placed with the bartenders. Great service though! I tried the lost paradise drink but it wasn't my favorite. However the lychee sour mocktail is delightful! read more

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Cocktails were top tier, the Ameri Kola was my favorite followed by the origin story. Service was attentive and friendly. Theme is pretty basic but cozy read more

Nine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Terrible experience from the get-go. Everyone in the reviews is complaining about the aggressive bouncer. Whatever, I ignore it..but what really was the nail in the coffin is the attitude of the Asian server with the bangs. Her disrespect is on a whole other level. Why is she employed? She clearly doesn't belong in the service industry..but then again, with an unpleasant attitude like that, she doesn't belong anywhere near people. read more

I'd give this place four stars for my overall experience. When we went, it appeared to be mildly crowded. If there was more organization with how they sat each party, our experience would've been better. Right when we came in at the front door, the energy was very tense. It appeared something was happening with table arrangements and the manager was expressing frustrations to the employees. To the point to where I could visibly see it. He sternly informed us that there was only standing room before heading in. However once we walked in, he found us somewhere to sit along the wall. The place is small & the best seat in the house is at the bar! Unfortunately we didn't get to sit at the bar. Shortly after we sat down, they sat another couple at the bar. Displeased but we made the best of it nevertheless. The vibes of the place were highly aesthetic, top tier interior design. Every inch of the place felt like I was in a movie. Our waitress was very nice and accommodating. We ordered two mixed drinks. I believe mine was called Mai Thai, it was a rum drink. 8.5/10 Properly mixed very pretty to drink out of. My boyfriend got the tequila mixed drink. 9.3/10 It had a lighter taste to it very smooth drink. This is the perfect place to go to for a chill date or a nice small little get together. You will leave feeling relaxed. This is not a party place! I would recommend Nine Bar for a date. Just be clear with the front desk with where you want sit because that matters! If you're willing to wait, it will be worth it. read more

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Don't be fooled! This small speakeasy is definitely a spot you should drop by! Though the bar itself is small so there could be a wait but it's very worth it. The drinks are amazing!!!! My friend and I had a couple shots as well as this origin story (lychee three ways). I think I've had about 3 of these?? It was delicious and sweet. We also snacked on some fries. The service was also amazing. The servers were super friendly and accommodating. Loved the vibes and will be back! read more

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Great spot to grab some food and drinks. I heard good things about this spot and things are reasonably priced. It is a nice vibe inside where people are enjoying themselves. We ordered a few drinks and some Soju. I wish they had more than just plum flavor as we didn't like the flavor. The origin story drink ($15) is a must have. Their food overall was delicious! The sesame noodles and sandwiches are all great! I'd skip the crab rangoons as it was too fried and not very cheesy. I broke it apart and it didn't have the long cheese strand. We did order fries but never got them. I wanted to try it but fortunately we were very full from everything else. Overall, great spot to grab some food and drinks! Highly recommend checking it out. read more

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What a great place to have a good drink! Cool vibe, nice lights set up, and music... great service, i have to come back soon! read more

Nine Bar - Paradise lost - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came for the Christmas pop up back in December. My cousin had really wanted to come by and since we were eating dinner in Chinatown we just walked over. They have a max capacity so we waited a bit until another group came out for us to walk in. It's small and kinda tight. Most of the seats were taken but we had no problem standing. They had a DJ at the back. And mirrors so the space looked bigger than it was. It took a min to flag down a bartender but they were attentive and aware of the customers. Really nice staff. Not sure what we ordered but the seasonal cocktails were good. It's a cute space! I'd come back. read more

Nine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food menu sounds so good but we didn't eat there since we just came from dinner. I have to come by another time with the intention of dining in. The service is great! They really make you feel like VIP the moment you walk into the bar. The vibe is buzzing with the dj set in the back and lounging seats to the side in front of the bar. I really enjoyed my time here. read more

Nine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This spot was such a vibe. Yes, we did have to wait a bit, but the hospitality was so nice from the security to the bartenders. We got the old fashioned and lychee martini on the special menu. Definitely hit the spot, plus they have affordable and unique bar snacks. Highly recommended. read more

Nine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My first time visiting Nine Bar this past Friday (5/8/2026), and the excitement I had died quick. For one, a location that doesn't do reservations considering the size of the place. Makes no sense to me. I was with three others so a party of four. They had us wait outside like it's a club and then you filter inside to what's another waiting area. The food and drinks were excellent. But the service sucked! The staff was rude, the guy at the door was extremely condescending, and no one seemed like that wanted to be there. This place has the potential to be great. But if I'm being honest, it's poorly managed. read more

Very friendly service, nice and clean atmosphere, and delicious drinks! Highly recommended! read more

Nine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A bit of a hole in the wall, and you do have to walk into like a kitchen bar area. There's a bouncer in the front who will ask if you're here with others. Really nice guy. The drinks are really good but the service could be better. Our waitress, in particular, was very dismissive and often just walked away. read more

So my friend loves a speakeasy...that's how I would categorize Nine Bar. It's a sleek, cozy cocktail bar hidden in the back of Moon Palace a Chinese restaurant. Vibrant, chill vibe, with good drinks. Service was quick. We hung out here for a while, before heading to the next stop. Good time! read more

Nine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Speakeasy anyone? How bout one in the middle of China town? One with a small nondescript entrance and a sign you can almost miss it. Once inside you get this John wick vibe we're goons can come out any time while you're having your drink with the flying lotus adjacent sound. Is it cool yes, did I like my paradise lost cocktail- no. But don't let that take you away from the experience. One more thing - it doesn't feel Asian in there. Being in Chinatown and all. Unlike some bars, this one had food. Such as The Mikatsu, a juicy pork cutlet - I like it. The brûlée toast was weird. Nine bar is a Cool spot though, come check it out. read more

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loved this cute and non-pretentious speak easy. It was hidden, my sister had seen so many reviews about this place and wanted to visit after dinner, it was centrally located in Chinatown and I love that they don't pack this place to the brim. The crowd was eclectic and welcoming. the drinks sounded yummy and the food looked delicious. I had a sensitive stomach and wasn't drinking and so I was there as an observer. The service was quick, the music was great, it felt inclusive and exclusive at the same time. I would come back in a heartbeat. read more

This place was such a vibe on a Thursday night. You come in and seat yourself and then go up to the bar to order food and drinks. This place had such a great option for food and sharing it between three people. We all enjoyed their crab Rangoon and cold noodles. The cauliflower with chili was really good. The drinks were also good and had such great options. There's also a bar you can sit at. Our bartender was really nice and gave us some of his recommendations and it was a hit. Definitely recommend checking this place out it's just under moon palace. read more

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Nine Bar has a really fun menu with Asian inspired drinks, all of the ones I've had, including a lychee drink and the MSG martini, are excellent. However, I was there with a large group and our waitress was very standoffish and rude. We were in way before closing, all ordering drinks, and tipped well, but were treated very rudely. read more

Chris was really friendly and hospitalble along with the other staff. Highly recommend this place if with friends or alone. read more

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I really love Nine Bar! It has become one of my favorite stops when I am visiting the area. This bar always seems to be very packed. The only time I didn't have to wait for a table was when I came closer to when they opened for the evening. You seat yourself at Nine Bar, but there is a server that comes to your table to take your order. Their Mai Tai is incredible! I've also had whiskey and other rum-based cocktails here that I've enjoyed. I still haven't tried their food yet, but I am hoping to in the future. read more

Nine bar is a speakeasy located in Chinatown. The front is a Chinese takeout where you can actually order food! We came here to get a drink and some food on our last day in Chicago. The interior is dark and moody. We were the only ones there when they opened at 5pm. Unfortunately, they didn't have a waiter available, so we had to order our drinks and food at the bar. We ordered crab rangoons, general jones' wings, and cold sesame noodles. I enjoyed the wings the most since it was crispy with a flavorful sticky sauce. I ordered a hibiscus seedlip gimlet and it was delicious. This a great place for a date night and/or hanging out with friends. The bartender told us that the Chinese restaurant let Nine bar take part of their space which I think is a win for both parties. They are also really strict about not allowing outside food/drink inside. read more

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I've had this place on my list for awhile and was very excited to check it out. Went on a Saturday evening with my significant other and it wasn't very crowd so we were able to get a table right away. You walk into a restaurant store front and the bouncer checks your ID and then leads you to the back, very speakeasy! I have heard good things about the food but we had dinner plans so we stuck with the cocktails. They were delicious and strong! I had the Paper Dragon which was tequila based. It was sweet but not too much, light and very tasty. The ambiance is great; intimate, relaxing, really a vibe. I knocked down a star for service. Our waitress was not very friendly. She never even introduced herself, was almost bothered/annoyed when we asked her questions about the drinks and recommendations. That was a bummer. read more

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9 Bar is a fun speakeasy in Chinatown, probably the only actual bar in the neighborhood except karaoke places. The bouncer is always hilarious, make sure you hold the door for your friends and you'll be sure to impress him. After going through the non descript stainless steel door you enter a dark cocktail lounge with a nice long bar. The drink list has some fun Asian fusion cocktails, several beers on tap and many more bottled options. Also have a good assortment of Asian spirits including Saki. Great place to grab a drink after dinner and before getting a late treat at one of the many great tea or sweets shops around the area. read more

Nine Bar - At the bar with friends - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nine Bar is a swanky cocktail bar in Chinatown with fun cocktails and amazing food! Technically, the bar is a speakeasy, so the outside of the bar says "Moon Palace" and when you walk through the doors, it's Nine Bar. The cocktails were strong and yet all those interesting flavors still came through. I had the Paper Dragon and the Pink Cadillac - both were great! The food was so good, especially for a bar, and they had so many vegan options!! We ordered the vegan dumplings, crispy cauliflower, and cold sesame noodles. The cauliflower had the perfect light crispy coating. The dumplings were spicy! The sauce on the noodles was great. The bar was easy to get to, as it's a 3 minute walk from the red line. It was very busy but we still managed to get a couple seats at the bar. They have some low tables that were cute if you can manage to snag one. They had a DJ playing upbeat music. Overall great vibes. I highly recommend checking this place out! read more

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A cool speakeasy tucked behind a Chinese restaurant. The cocktails were really good & it was a great end to our evening.

Nine Bar is a speakeasy situated in Chinatown. The front is a take out place while the back door leads you into a dark moody bar with great music. My favorite drink was the paper dragon. read more

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This speakeasy has been on my list forever. While my mom was in town, I decided to bring her in on a Friday afternoon. Upon entering, our IDs were checked and then we were let in. All seats were taken and we were able to snag 2 seats at the bar. I started off with the paper dragon, which was described similar to a Margarita. It was very yummy and had my fave, passion fruit. We ordered some snacks to share, the crab Rangoon, Mapo hot fries and crispy cauliflower. Bar tender also offered my mom a non alcoholic bev (their gimlet) and it was very refreshing. Over all everything was delicious and a vibe. It did start to get a bit noisy once a large group came in and there were not enough seats. I wonder what this looks like at night! read more

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Came here for Valentines Day this year and had a great experience! Our server was knowledgeable about the drinks and made great recommendations. I would also really recommend the mapo fries! The drinks are fun but are also super super strong so I would keep that in mind. My boyfriend and I weee both definitely quite tipsy after only 2 cocktails! read more

Nine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Place was decent. Not sure if they're worthy of best new bars in the country as & is this place new,? Nonetheless I ordered a single cocktail & while ok the midrange of the price spectrum I was convinced not indulge further. I also inquired about shots of premium Japanese whisky namely Hibiki & Yamazaki 12 but at $22 & $30 a shot I decided to just order a sandwich & go home. Chicken sandwich was ok, a huge portion & it was piping hot which I loved. read more

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Normally don't leave reviews but last night left a particularly sour taste in my mouth (and it was not the drinks lol.) Frequented here many times over the past couple years and I would say overall it is truly a gem. This bar delivers unique drinks, a sultry ambiance, and welcoming/ knowledgeable bartenders. Last evening I was met with a stand offish waitress who was not familiar with the liquor list of the establishment. I ordered a drink I am certain they can make and she immediately said it was not possible because they do not carry the ingredients. Not an offer to double check or inform me if there had been a change since my last visit. I double checked with the bartender as I could see the liquors necessary for my cocktail displayed right in front of me and he said it was possible. Once she came around I asked for the drink again and she still seemed incredibly reluctant about my request. She claimed she would check to see if it was possible but why not state that initially? I got my drink after her resistance. From there, her service became even more disengaged. I watched as she treated the surrounding tables with a much lighter demeanor, meanwhile she would leave my tables drinks on the edge and run off. I felt uncomfortable enough I contemplated leaving altogether. It's a high compliment when people choose an establishment over all the wonderful bars in Chicago and to be met with such hostility set an awful tone for the evening. Definitely better off sitting at the bar with the friendly bartenders or going somewhere else completely. read more

I'm already planning my trip back here. Definitely almost passed it as I do with most speakeasy's lol. It was a nice ambiance, low light, plenty of seating. It wasn't crowded at all when I went so I loved that! A bartender immediately greeted us and showed us how to access the menu. The food, crab rangoons. Star of the show!! Soooooo good!!! Literally the perfect consistency inside and out. My mouth is watering thinking about it. I'm a cucumber addict and I loved the cucumbers with the chili oil vinaigrette! My friends had the wings and cleaned the bones, so I'd say they were also fantastic. As for drinks, I got the space cowboy and it was really tasty. They have a Monday special that comes with the wings, a beer, and a shot. One of my friends got this and said whatever tequila they use was really really smooth which is surprising because it's such a good deal. Bartender showed us the bottle but I forgot the name Overall, such a great experience and can't wait to go back! read more

Nine Bar - Crab Rangoon, cucumbers, and dumplings - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here around 9:30pm for drinks with 5 others. We walked in and it was more crowded than I anticipated it being! All of the tables were full, and we ended up snagging 1 chair at the bar. The server at the bar wasn't the friendliest...he was quick but also acted like us ordering was an inconvenience. Since I got my drinks quickly I didn't mind this too much. I ordered 2 of the Mahjong Money ($14) - which were nice and I tasted the matcha. I thought the drink prices were fairly reasonable and closer to downtown prices. I would order this drink again. FYI no outside food or drink so finish your boba before you try to come in. The atmosphere is moody and darker, with loud hip hop music playing. Good for the vibes, but a little challenging if you want a conversation so it depends on what you're going for. The decor is trendy and a classier vibe than I was expecting for Chinatown, although we saw people ranging from casual to date night clothing. Overall I was pleasantly surprised and would come back again! Next time I plan to bring my girl friends. read more

Hidden bar. It may be hard to find from the street because it's actually inside the restaurant Moon Palace, so just go in. Nine Bar is on the other side of the door next to the bar in the restaurant. A doorman is always there checking IDs so there's no way to miss this actually. The prices of drinks are expensive and the food isn't much cheaper but these are high quality. After getting some dinner in Chinatown we came here. It was a good nightcap. This is actually located in the Moon Palace restaurant. It's on Cermak. Just to the west of Wentworth. First time coming and we didn't know it was inside. We walked past the restaurant a few times. Checked Yelp and learned to come inside. We started with cocktails and then got a little food too. It's about $12 for cocktails. Kind of a lot but these are good. I had the Snake Eyes. This was made with Knob Creek with ginger and peach. Shareable bites are about $9 and more. We got the Crispy Cauliflower, which is vegan. Good stuff and non dairy. This had Chinese orange sauce and confit scallion aioli, and the cauliflower actually had a crispiness but was still kind of soft. Good place for cocktails and small bites. It's just a little bit expensive. This still isn't too bad though. read more

Nine Bar - Snake Eyes And Crispy Cauliflower - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a really cool and fun place to visit! I was in the area and searching for a cocktail bar and I was pleasantly delighted to find this secret speakeasy in Chinatown. When you walk in, it's very unassuming it's sort of looks like an old cleaners, or small business space , but once you get behind the door you are immersed in a really cool dark and moody cocktail bar. The bar is pretty small and it seem to be really popular so this is a place that you want to get to pretty early. The cocktails all had fun names, and a bit of fun to them, they were really really good! If you are a fan of unique cocktails, this is a place you should go to read more