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The Lilac League

4.6 (60 reviews)
Closed • Closed

The Lilac League Photos

THE LILAC LEAGUE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Outdoor seating

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Cranberry mule
Bailey M.

Finally stopped in this bar! It's a nice cozy environment. They had a sign where we could seat ourselves. We were served right away. Our server was very friendly. I had the cranberry mule drink. It was delicious! I would definitely get this drink again. Most drinks are around $12. My friend had a lime/grapefruit drink. I forgot what it was called, but she enjoyed it. I will definitely be back! Overall, well balanced and flavorful drinks.

Randa U.

This is a small Place that's cozy in downtown Lombard, with mixed drinks and other libations you may be used to. They have a seasonal menu and the Fall Menu is what's being served. Right now it's bourbon/whisky, gin, and mezcal heavy. I had a hot toddy and my other half had an old fashioned. The hot toddy was very good, with whole cloves floating around. The old fashion felt very heavy to me, but that's because it generally does. It was delicious me was served with one large cube. This is a first come first serve and they do serve snacks. I am looking forward to seeing other things on their menu and trying them out.

humus and a delightful cocktail
Sara D.

great little place for cocktails and snacks, they have a full restaurant next door if you want more food. Basic tables but the bar staff make up for the ambience. Had the gin cocktails one was amazing the other good just not to my taste. Had the humus as a snack a little gritty not a smooth as I like but a great taste.

a table with candles and a mirror
Lexi J.

I needed a quaint place to go with speakeasy vibes. I'm glad that they have places like this in the burbs. Located in downtown Lombard next door to a place called Babcocks (you can order small plates though them) think is the name? The summer drink list was nice, the staff was great. Out of the four drinks we ordered the watermelon one was my favorite. It's small It seats maybe 40 people there are cushioned wall sections and regular tables. I'm uncertain if reservations are accepted or not my friend and I were able to walk in and seat ourselves we were serviced pretty quickly. Parking was tough but it's literally steps away from the Lombard metra station and we parked and walked near there.

Nohemi Z.

I love this place! Definitely gives somewhat of a speakeasy vibe. My server was amazing! I went too late so I was only able to try the cocktails which were perfection but I can't wait to go back and try some of the food.

Contestant 23, I think this was called. Perfect!
Siobhan D.

Popped in for a post-work cocktail with a colleague. Speedy, friendly, and accurate service. Cute space with small tables and a couple of cozy leather booths. Music playing. It was a lovely, warm summer evening, so we took our Contestant 23 & Sputnik's Delight cocktails out onto the patio and it was delightful. My blackberry inspired cocktail was delicious. I'm not a banana fan, but my colleague said the Sputnik cocktail was unique and tasty. Lilac League offers about 8 dishes: small plates like cheese curds, smashed potato, and a pesto-Swiss grilled cheese. We only had time for a drink, but next time I'll order food. Our waiter said Lilac League shares a kitchen with Babcock's Grove restaurant, so the food is guaranteed to be fresh and delicious as I am a regular at Babcock's and always enjoy their cooking. Cocktails $10-11, I believe. Beer and wine, too. Open 5:00-10:00 pm. Perfect after-work relaxing spot.

Hannah G.

Such a cute little place!! It had a vintage feel to it, and it looks adorable during the holidays. The drinks were great too. Would definitely recommend for a date, or meet up with a friend. Our waitress was very sweet too.

Hot toddy
Joy A.

Cozy ambiance enhanced by the dim lighting, fireplace, twinkle lights, and jazz music; excellent and unique cocktails; friendly waitstaff. 13/10 would visit again

Bees Knees and Matt's mystery drink...
Katy P.

Have been here four times. Really a great joint. But here are the problems... This place keeps strict hours, based on Babcock's. Closed for 10 days around 4th of July; must be done drinking by 10, apologetic bartenders, but last call is 9:45, period. (Valentines Day, extended curfew to 11...) You can order appetizers (good) but no food from Babcock's, yet if you need to use a bathroom, go through door and go through kitchen hallway of Babcock's to use their one stall restroom. While I was OK with it, Marty and two other Lombardians told me the League was too cramped to bring their spouses. It is tight-seating, for sure. Cocktails are top-notch, yet you pay $12-15 (Chicago prices) for what you get. Cute Lombard names, and the bartenders ("Mixologists" are city-trained or Glen Ellyn former servers.) Yet this the most disturbing to me - tonight, after I had one drink, server Chris followed my friend (who had two "Bees Knees") and I outside, and asked if he should call an Uber for us. Yes, we were silly, and I had stumbled on the high step outside, but this was truly not needed, but OK, safety first, I get it...except... As we waved him off, we saw and then pointed to the guy standing in the street (St. Charles Rd.) in a White Sox jacket who had been seated behind us at a table earlier. There was no response from Chris, who went inside. I then called the bar, and "Aliyah" answered. I spoke to her about the man in the street, and she said "(that) she didn't think he was in her place tonight." Well, tonight we spoke with Cat, Matt and Chris at "her place." All were very nice. We talked about their February Tiki theme and publicizing it in Lombard social media. I never saw another person - "Aliyah" or anyone else - at the Lilac League. So, I don't know who Aliya is, but it's time that both the Lilac League and/or Babcocks' owners/management address real issues with restaurant and beverage service. I LOVE patronizing local establishments, but there needs to be education and training of staff. Decide if this is a hobby or an actual investment. It just seems shaky to me.

Contestant 23
Eric H.

Such an amazingly cute cocktail bar in downtown Lombard. The drinks are complex, expertly crafted, and taste wonderful. This level of cocktail bar is unmatched in the suburbs and I simultaneously want everyone to know about it and want it to be a well kept secret. The interior is dark and classy with a laid back atmosphere. The waiters have always been very friendly and attentive, willing to offer great recommendations whenever needed. If you are looking for a recommendation, look no further than their standard 4 cocktails. Lilac Haze and Contestant 23 are particularly good imo. If you need a bite to eat, there are bar snacks served from Babcock's next door (they are connected) and those are great and affordable too. Lilac League is definitely my favorite bar in the suburbs and I highly recommend it.

Rosemary Dearest

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Love this place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great drinks and even better atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Friendly and welcoming with knowledgeable servers

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

Love this place...the drinks are awesome and the bartenders are very nice and friendly!

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2 years ago

Nice little cocktail bar with great service and nice small bites to eat. We will be returning when in the area.

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6 years ago

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Dana M.

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2 years ago

Good atmosphere and good drinks. Nice place to take a date, hang out and talk. Small place, not a club scene

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7 years ago

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Dana M.

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4 years ago

Such a cute little hidden gem. The drinks were perfectly made and it was so cozy inside!

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Josephine's Martini & Wine Bar

Josephine's Martini & Wine Bar

3.1
(55 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$

I love this place. Friendly, classic, and all the karaoke you can fit in your repertoire…read more Went dancing with a friend to the school upstairs and I endedgling down to Josephine's for real fun.

Talk about a dive bar, lol. The other reviews definitely don't do this place justice. We snagged a…read moreparking spot right off the street in front of the building. No complaints about parking or the walk. Boom, we were there. Now, where it gets interesting. You walk in the building's front door, and it opens up to a room where you can access several businesses. Josephine's is straight to the back. It's very dark, smelly, and loud. This totally reminded me of a dive bar on a college campus (maybe worse?). There's not much seating, especially when it gets crowded. The bar has limited seating, and the seating on the floor is even more limited. The chairs and couch are stained with who knows what. The song books for karaoke are sticky and nasty. From a great perspective, I was sitting in a chair and went to move and felt something poke me. It was a pair of random scissors! The drinks are 2/5 and prices are extremely expensive. I had a root beer float martini, and it was "meh". From a karaoke standpoint, it was decent. Lots of different people singing. Some good, some bad. It was entertaining, and some people were pretty brave, haha. Try this place if you dare. Get here early to get a seat. I don't think I'd come back. Once is enough.

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Josephine's Martini & Wine Bar
Bar
Bar
Josephine's Martini & Wine Bar

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Tribute Villa Park

Tribute Villa Park

3.9
(16 reviews)
2.5 mi

Tribute is one of those spots that feels thoughtful and intentional the second you walk in. The…read morefood was really good--clearly very homemade--and you can tell care goes into both the flavors and the menu. The options are a little limited, but in a good way: everything feels curated rather than overwhelming, with some unique combinations you don't see everywhere. The cocktails were especially fun--interesting, creative, and great-sounding even before the first sip. Huge shoutout to the staff too: super knowledgeable, friendly, and happy to talk through the menu or make recommendations, which made the whole experience feel relaxed and welcoming. The space itself is small, but it works. It adds to the cozy vibe instead of feeling cramped, and overall the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Definitely a good spot if you're looking for something a little different!

Incredibly excited to have a legit cocktail place in Villa Park. Amazing location which used to be…read morecalled Fuel and Crème. New ownership is keeping the ice cream (cinnamon gelato is fantastic) along with the Pineapple Dole Whip. Theme is North American Fusion so think Canadian, US, Mexican fusion. Menu include regional favorities across North America from Birria Poutine (amazing) to a White Fish Sandwich with Squid Ink and lime crema (come on now! It's fire!). This place is unique distinct and different and I love it. One of the owners has some legitimate cocktail chops (finalist in season one of Mixology on Netflix) and is bringing his background and passion to Villa Park! You can also try his cocktail bar in Itasca called No School Tomorrow which is similarly different, delicious, and unquestionably a great time especially if you lived life in the 90's. How freakin lucky are we to have a gem like this in Villa Park! My only hope is that we don't blow it. Like any new restaurant they are refining menu items and working out kinks. Food and drinks are on the pricier side (they have a solid kids hot dog and fries option for $5 for kids though) but what is the going rate for Squid Ink?! It is also unlike anything else you will find in Villa Park or Western Suburbs, or really anywhere so I would say absolutely worth it. Staff is also ridiculously friendly and excited about their product. While they have awesome specialty cocktails that you will not find anywhere else (pozole spices in a cocktail?!) they are also great making any classic cocktail you can come up with. My one feedback for now would be to up the dish-ware if going with higher price items vs going with paper products. This might just be they are testing things out. I'm also excited to see some brunch options or perhaps coffee and pastries in the future to get the biker/ boozy brunchy weekenders with kids crowd.

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A Fancy Drink and A Sweet One.
A Fancy Drink and A Sweet One.
Hard to find a better location in Villa Park
Hard to find a better location in Villa Park
Incredible patio off the Prairie Path

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Incredible patio off the Prairie Path
Common Good Cocktail House

Common Good Cocktail House

4.6
(116 reviews)
2.4 mi
•$$

If I could rate higher I would! I asked for help picking my first Japanese whiskey, and received in…read moredepth advice on what to choose out of their massive selection. The staff are extremely welcoming with the ambiance being a high class bar wrapped in a more casual vibe. 1000% recommend! Do not pass this gem up!

Apparently I'm an "iced vanilla latte with oat milk" person now. I don't know when this happened,…read moreand I'm not particularly proud of how pretentious that sentence sounds, but here we are. And unfortunately for my dignity, Common Good makes it ridiculously good. Smooth, not overly sweet, and good enough that I'm never going back to pretending I just want regular coffee. Then there's the old-fashioned donut. Holy heck. Crispy edges, soft inside, and flipping phenomenal. I don't know who they're getting their donuts from these days, but whoever is responsible deserves continued employment and possibly dental coverage. The ambience at 7 a.m. is also kind of fantastic. It's basically me, the barista, and whoever is standing across the street waiting for the train. Quiet, relaxed, and just enough civilization outside the window to remind you that other people have places to be while you sit there eating a donut. Next assignment: come back in the afternoon and investigate the cocktails. I take these reviews very seriously. It would be irresponsible journalism to base my findings solely on breakfast without conducting a thorough investigation of the cocktail menu. I didn't choose this responsibility, but I intend to see it through.

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They have a few whiskey bottles.
They have a few whiskey bottles.
Common Good Cocktail House
Common Good Cocktail House

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Pour Destino

Pour Destino

3.5
(13 reviews)
3.6 mi

I can't say enough about Pour Destino! We hosted my 50th birthday party there, and it was…read moreabsolutely perfect. The space is a trendy lounge with such an intimate, stylish atmosphere -- exactly the vibe we were looking for. Everything came together beautifully, and our guests couldn't stop complimenting the venue. Collin, the owner, helped us create a cocktail and wine list that paired perfectly with his tapas menu. The cocktails were beautifully crafted, the wine selections were elevated, and the liquor was top-notch. You can truly tell there's thought and care put into every detail. The staff the night of the event went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of and timed perfectly. They were polite and friendly, kept the drinks flowing, and made sure every guest had what they needed. The entire evening felt seamless and effortless. If you're looking for a chic, welcoming space for a milestone celebration or private event, this is the place. Highly recommend!

This place is definitely worth a try. Everything was good, but nothing stood out that made me have…read moreto come again. Plus some of the dishes were a little pricey and I wasn't "Wow'd" by anything, and some portions were small(it is a tapas place). Service was good, but way too attentive. She had came up about 20 times to check on us. I understand clearing plates, or filling water but it was interrupting our conversation the entire time that it became unenjoyable. Like I said, it's worth a try but nothing for me to come back to.

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Pour Destino
Pour Destino
Pour Destino

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The Lilac League - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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