Very cool little spot. The woodwork is fantastic. The cocktails are yummy. The crowd is laid back. read more

Size doesn't matter. I went to Whistler to see my friend's band play. I really like this place. Totally unsuspecting. Long. Narrow. Fabulous wood bar. Quaint back patio adorned with festive lighting. Colorful crowd. Friendly and efficient bartenders. A drink list that rivals Violet Hour... but is about $5 cheaper. These guys performed like mad scientists behind the bar. Grating, squeezing, measuring, mixing, and pouring. (I think my bartender was a bit thankful when I ordered two simple beers.) Low capacity. Go on a weeknight. I will definitely visit again. read more

Years ago I was waiting in a line when I finally arrived at the door and found out it wasn't Bonny's. What?! All that time and I was at the wrong damn bar? I left without stepping foot inside, because I had friends waiting at the correct bar, but I kind of regret not going in that night. Fast forward to the day I went bar hopping with friends. Somehow I get tricked into bar hopping down Milwaukee. Me, the same girl whose friend ran up to another friend and said "someone go get Claudia, she's pushing all the hipsters" while at Underbar. I'm convinced my friends are rude and secretly hate me. Anyhow, this hopping starts at The Whistler, because if I'm going to be in and out of bars on Milwaukee, I may as well start with the best, right? Actually, it was the closest to their residence. If only the pretty guy who worked at the Owl worked here, I would have stayed there all night. I repeat, all night. The Whistler was exactly as I expected. Small, full of hipsters, a craft beer selection that actually appealed to me and pricey cocktails that were worth every penny. Ok, I didn't actually pay for anything while I was here, so there's a slight chance I might not feel that way had it been my hard earned money, but that wasn't the case. WORTH EVERY PENNY! Friendly bartenders, surprisingly friendly clientele and since we left before it got crowded, surprisingly spacious. That definitely would not be the case on a normal night, but the only successful way to bar hop without dying is to leave before things get crazy. That means you arrive (and depart) at some bars before they lure you in. read more

The Whistler is an interesting place, billing itself as a combination of "bar, gallery, record label, and venue," which, I suppose, is what a post-recession hipster bar ought to be. Concept aside, The Whistler succeeds on several levels. Here are a few of them: The Space Minimalist, without a lot of fuss and bother. Outdoor seating is available on the back patio. Plenty of seats around the bar, some tables. The joint gets crowded later in the evening, though, putting chairs at a premium. High ceilings prevent claustrophobia. The Crowd Yes, this is a hipster bar, but I'm not a hipster and am treated quite well by the kind staff, particularly Charles and Billy. To avoid hipstierity, try arriving early (the bar opens at 6 M-Th, 5 on F-S-Su). Another option is to visit on jazz night Tuesdays, which attracts a more diverse crowd. The Entertainment Some sort of music every night, either a DJ, musician/band or both. Film nights are also on the calendar. No cover. Acts vary, so consider your taste, consider the schedule (and check out the band's website/MySpace/FB page) and plan accordingly. The Cocktails My stars, these drinks are good! As you walk into the establishment, your eyes are drawn to the illuminated liquor shelves behind the bar. You'll notice that many of the brands are decidedly esoteric, with many craft spirits alongside ultra-premium bottles. (Cheapskates and the unadventurous can take comfort in knowing that more familiar brands reside in the well, and cans of PBR sell for $2. Hrmph.) Whistler does offer its guests a lovely drink menu (printed daily), which includes selected cocktails, information about beer and wine offerings and an announcement of that evening's entertainment. Read and enjoy. However, neither you nor the bartenders are restricted to this menu, and while there are some truly exquisite drinks listed (try the Bensonhurst, an exquisite, semi-austere Manhattan variation) you are better off allowing the bartender to select your libation. By doing this, you'll have the opportunity to partake of some true liquid alchemy. The drinks here are made with exacting care: If you get a chance, watch your bartender (and his assistant. . .yes, Whistler bartenders have assistants) in action. Everything from the shape of the glass to the size of the ice cube is a matter for consideration, and your bartender uses a straw to periodically taste the drink as he builds it. Depending on what you order, he may use an eyedropper to add various bitters (chocolate, black walnut, etc), or you may catch the assistant hand grating fresh nutmeg into your beverage. Fruit rinds are cut to order. About prices: Beer and wine costs run the gamut, with many affordable choices. Cocktails range from $6-$12, with many in the $8 to $10 range. Special diets: Whistler offers one non-alcoholic beer. I can't recall its name, but I've tried it and found it to be quite tasty. They also offer one gluten free beer, which I've heard good things about. My Own Tips 1. Jazz nights seem to be curated very well. If you like jazz, show up on Tuesdays. 2. The Whistler does not serve food, not even bar snacks. Tamale guy can usually be relied upon to make an appearance, but his timing varies. I advise dining at one of Logan Square's excellent restaurants prior to your visit and exchanging dessert calories for a cocktail or two. Conversely, you could arrive early for a pre-dinner cocktail, which is never a bad thing. (Bitters aid in digestion, which is something to think about when making dining arrangements.) 3. The crowd here tends to be polite and friendly, though a little distracted. It ain't Cheers, so if you come alone, bring a book. The barstaff is usually too busy making drinks to spend a lot of time in chit-chat, though they do make every effort to be personable. 4. Get the sangria while you can. The best I've tried and not terribly alcoholic. 5. No TVs, so you'll have to monitor sports games on your phone. Boo-hoo. read more

I came home for the holidays and my friend Crystal recommended going here. We couldn't find the place because it wasn't marked and there weren't any noticeable signs but when we did, the interior was definitely impressive. It's intimate and the cocktails are delicious, inventive and affordable! $8! It's a chill spot with good energy. Drink of the night: Blood and Sand (whiskey, brandy, and some sort of fruit). Good, strong, and only $8! One word to describe the cats who go there - "Cool" as in smooth and easy going. Not overly "hipster pipster." I didn't detect any pretentiousness and the bartenders are most definitely friendly and polite. If I lived back at home, this joint would be my new fave spot. read more

Thank you, Yelp(ers), for helping me decide where to meet up for a sexy first date. A date w/ a hipster, nonetheless. *sigh* Clueless to all things beardy/hipster, I suggested it and next thing I know I'm in Logan Square sitting at the bar of the Whistler, with a delightful man. Three cocktails later, I wasn't at the Whistler anymore...Let's just say, a good time was had by all. The bartenders were great--especially when I needed help selecting my next cocktail. To be completely honest, I don't remember the names of the drinks I had, which means they were wonderful and I got tipsy. Not like, three sheets to the wind sloshed, but they are definitely not weak drinks. I likey. Even the one with cognac. Woahh. And how awesome is the live music?!? Lively music, yet we were still able to carry a conversation, which we really appreciated. Of course, I will be back. I need to keep working my way down the cocktail list. Love. It. read more

Okie doke. I've been cursed. EVERY time I show up at The Whistler, there is live music. Is this a good or bad thing? A bad thing (P.S. I'm a professional musician.) I'm not being critical about the musical performances but the fact that a five piece band is blaring new wave jazz into my face in a space not too much bigger than my living room makes me sad. Yes, it's an intimate space which barely contains enough seating for clientele (the drinky kind of kids) It seems to draw crowds for the live music. Again, no problem with that but entire tables for two or more are often horded by geeksters reading comic books, sipping soda water, and 'feeling' the music now and again. Drinks are interesting, cheap and tasty. Fine with that. However, I wouldn't mind a heavier hand now and again. On three separate occasions, main bartender man took my drinks or friends' drinks when they weren't finished with them. Not fine with that. It's just this much (holding my thumb and index finger very close to one another) too fancy for Logan Square. I only can judge this personally by my own need to 'pick out an outfit' or comb my head before I would show my face there. Go early, go on a Sunday, or go on a weeknight. Be prepared to shout at your friends and wear sensible shoes since you'll be standing next to the men's room most of the night. But I guess, at the end of the day, I'm glad it's something new for da hood. If anything, it will definitely serve as a prelude to many amazing Two Way Sunday night dance competitions. read more

My opinion? Cause I know you want it. The Whistler is what dive bars aspire to be when they are ready to mature and grow up. This could easily be a modern day speakeasy if for some reason prohibition were to go into effect again. The unassuming storefront window showcasing only an inconspicuous photo collage. The subtle lettering on the door that you'd never notice unless this was your destination. It makes it all ripe for the speakeasying! You go inside and it's like someone turned their living room into a micro bar. I don't want to say small, cause it comes off negative. And I'm fully aware micro = small, but does it not sound much cooler? Huh? Does it? I like the size. I like the way the soft neutral blues of the walls freshen up the exposed brick. The pub benches and chairs add a funky finish. The stage is perfect for the space and so is the size of the actual bar. Great space usage all around. Oh! And the bathrooms are nice and clean! The bartender was a peach, and it felt genuine. I was pleased with there being a cider option and the prices of the cocktails that I absolutely must try from what I hear. At $8 for what usually goes for $15 and up, I'll be trying quite a few. But this night was a cider night, and my Blackhorn Cider was perfect. Not too sweet, or too bitter. Kind of like The Whistler itself. I will be back. read more

I have to downgrade my already average review. The drink selection is still lacking vodka creations, but the bartenders did make me a nice Moscow Mule. Be prepared to wait at the Whistler. I'm not talking about waiting in line to get in...your drink will take 10 minutes. Even if you just order a beer. Back in the day, when I was a bartender, a customer would order a drink and I would give him/her the requested drink. At the Whistler, you order a drink, the bartender will take the drink order of the person next to you and perhaps another person, serve them, and THEN get around to making your drink. My friend who was drinking beer experienced the same thing. How hard is it to open a beer and pour it in a glass while taking the next order? Seriously, this is not my idea of a fun night. read more

The Whistler is like drinking cocktails in a closet. I had to give the closet one extra star for having really delicious cocktails, but who wants to drink with their friends in a closet? ... Not me. The point is... The Whistler is super tiny, bad for groups of people to go out together, often has terrible bands (I've never witnessed any good bands here, but I'm not sayin it doesn't happen), the drinks are delicious, the scene is super hipster... And as often as I have been called a hipster, I will never be hipster enough for the Whistler. read more

The building facade made me skeptical at first. If you drove past you would not see it, if you walked past you might catch a glimpse of people otherwise you might not find it. I think places that don't advertise from the street have something special to offer. This was definitely the case. A small stage (the back drop covered the front windows adding to the mystery) with a DJ and other live entertainment on various nights. A cozy area if you were to bring some friends but get there at before the bar rush begins. It was a bit crowded around 9:30 on a Friday but what place isn't. Word of mouth says to be in before 8 to catch a seat and get comfortable. I recommend coming in before you get hammered and enjoy the drinks - they do have a number of beers by the bottle or can. So make it your first spot for the evening and you will be well on your way to a good night. Specialty cocktails for 8 buck a pop. May sound expensive but it's worth every drop. Places in River North charge 8 bucks for an absolut and soda, holy fuck, that's ridiculous. You would be a very happy person to spend the hard earned 8 dollars on one of these stiff concoctions. I had 4 different drinks and I think the Gristmill was damn good. I also had them mix up a variation of the Jameson and ginger ale which was interesting. If you don't like something on the menu let them know and they will run with what you like. My date and I were fortunate enough to get a seat at the bar right in front of Paul who was mixing all the drinks. Truly a master of his craft and was like a show watching him for an hour or so. The 4 drinks sent me off buzzing to my next destination. I have to say it was a new experience for me, which left me thinking about the place the next day, or maybe that was just my head whistling. read more

The Whistler charges $8 for signature cocktails, gets packed really quickly and is near the Blue Line. Here's what that means to you: It's a great place to meet with friends early in the night, have two quick drinks for social lubrication, then it's off to hit the town. Anything else will leave you broke, waiting a long time for a drink and incapable of dancing. For fall drinks, I highly recommend the Shoulder Season, even if you don't like tequila. And if you get hungry, El Charro across the street has free (sorta burnt) chips and salsa. My date and I ate for less than the price of a cocktail at The Whistler. read more

The Whistler is a welcome addition not only to the neighborhood of Logan Square, but to the city of Chicago as a whole. A beautiful bar serving well thought out concoctions that you might wet your whistle; a stage that promises to host some great music, perhaps Andrew Bird, who as we all know is the king of the whistlers; and a quiet and welcoming outdoor patio that is as clean as a....well, you know. Whistler, where have you been all my life? read more

Violet Hour drinks at Logan Square prices ($8 hand crafted cocktails). Stopped in last night to meet a coworker. I started with a beer at home, so I stuck to a Guinness draft can. No taps, but decent selection of microbrews, plus PBR. From what I can gather, this is not a beer&shot type of place. If it is crowded, it will take awhile to get a drink; ponder this before you go, get angry & post a pissy review. Suggestion: Line out the door=try it another time. Credit cards are now accepted, as witnessed last night. Other tidbits include a cute door guy, really nice bartender/owner (Paul) creating great looking drinks, and great woodwork, at the bar & lots of benches (what can I say, my Dad's in the lumber biz). Oh, and it's really small. read more

I'm gonna be that guy, the guy w the old balls, even though the place hasn't been open but a year or so. I went right after it opened. The place is great. It's small, the cocktails are good, the prices are fair. The hipster crowd was, well, a hipster crowd, but if you stare back they leave you alone, because they're huge pussies. The last three times I've been by this place I've noticed a line. A LONG line. I actually waited in said line, once, and we got inside to notice a bar that wasn't really packed at all. My point? Get over yourself, Whistler. You're not The Violet Hour, nor will you ever be. You're a small cocktail bar w DJs that play throwback pop tunes and can't even match beats. Moreover, you used to have a neighborhod following. Now, I see broads in cocktail dresses from River North and dudes who are fresh from the gym w button down shirts and too much product in their hair. Congrats, guys. You were really cool the first couple times I visited. Now, you're the flavor of the moment. You used to taste better. read more

I love cocktails and I stumbled upon The Whistler one night on the way back from a long days work. I needed something to calm my nerves and heck, some company. I was hoping to chat up one or two people in the crowd just for the sake of having a conversation and not remaining to focus on my drink. I got there at 9 p.m. and there was a crowd but I loved every moment because for one, the drinks are great. It's as if they are made with a kind of romantic passion and you need to check yourself before you go ever board. There's great service to go with it and the music is just loud enough while of the highest quality for a live band. It's some distance from my apartment but that doesn't stop me from visiting my drinking buddies every week. Nothing better! read more

This didn't do anything for me. We got here a little after 10pm on a Saturday night and it was crowded but no wait to get in. The music was already blaring so that we had to shout at each other. The DJ was playing disco boogie house music. While the disco beats were fun, it wasn't songs that were popular back in the day so no way to sing along. This place is really small and only has 1 bar. There were 3 bartenders who were all nice but clearly overwhelmed. Took a bit to get a drink and I asked the bartender to run my tab instead of keeping it open. Perhaps he didn't hear but I stood there for awhile while he helped other folks. The other bartender saw that I had been waiting awhile and was kind enough to take care of it. Our drinks were good but it was just too loud. I went over to get waters and the first bartender who helped me initially said he would get them but then started making drinks for other people. I waited and waited and just said f this. We left. Apparently there's a patio but with service and noise like this, why bother? read more

So many hipsters Maple syrup - in a drink?? Mmm, goes down easy. Only $8 for a fancy-ass cocktail with like six ingredients? In Chicago? I'll take it. I had three of them: the Vermont Cocktail (with the aforementioned maple syrup, which was very subtle), the Mexican Firing Squad, and...a fizzy drink that I don't remember. All were delish. The Whistler doesn't sell food, but they do allow street vendors to come in and hawk their wares, which is pretty sweet if you're hungry. The bar itself is small and dimly lit, and populated entirely with hipsters. At one point, my boyfriend was the only clean-shaven guy in the whole place. But that's okay, it made for some interesting people-watching opportunities. We went on "Soul Night" for a friend's birthday, and she was looking forward to doing some dancing, but no dice. Dancing in Logan Square isn't cool, I guess...unless you're doing it ironically. Or something. read more

The ladies' bathroom here smells great. That's really all you need to know. Just kidding! At least two of the following three are true: a) they have a very nice list of $8 cocktails that changes seasonally. Fun. b) Your mom comes here all the time. c) The beer list (all bottles and cans) is rather nice as well, but still includes $2 PBR cans. For after you've bought three $8 drinks and realize you have $3 left. The room is kinda small, with a stage. It's nice if your friends are playing, but the musical entertainment can be a bit loud if you are not here for it. Overall, though, a very nice bar. Also, a patio (for smoking and other illicit activities). But it seems to close early. read more

It is in fact a pretty nice space, albeit very small. After a workout on a weekday I stopped by to get a beer. I was a little disappointed: they don't have tap beer. Their beer selection is decent, but like I previously said I found their lack of taps to be sort of a monumental Extinction Level Event FAIL. The bar was pretty crowded for a weeknight at 8:00. I did manage to obtain a seat at the bar and ordered a Bell's Winter White. I quickly surveyed the customers and found 1 thing rather disturbing: I was the only male in the bar without a beard, including the bartenders. So besides the fact that everyone always thinks I am angry and psychotic looking (sorry that's just how it is), maybe this is why the people in there seemed afraid of me. Yes, afraid. Might be the shaved head and lack of beard. All males had a big mound of hair and a beard. Very odd indeed. Anyways I had my beer and left. Now I do like this place and would certainly go back, especially if I still lived in Logan (wish I still did TBH, miss it), and will go again. But with all the great stuff I heard about this place; I was let down. And no tap beer lost them another star. I still think Weegee's is way better, though more than likely The Whistler is more popular because of its better/ safer location. I still would take Weegee's. read more

You might get the feeling that The Whistler doesn't want to be found. It has that whole "no sign" thing going on, that evidently portends a mysterious, exclusive, esoteric hipster heaven. As a marketing move, it is certainly effective ("Scarcity" is the economic phrase - but most simply it plays to our humanity. No more left? I want some! Hard to find? By Jove, I'll find it!). In order to spot the Whistler, you must look carefully for the street number, keep your eyes peeled for the black-and-white psychedelic sheen that covers the windows, or go when it's busy and look for the line of Chicago's coolest waiting outside. The warm atmosphere at the Whistler is old-timey bar-like, in a non-divey, not-too-fancy, no TV, dim-enough-to-make-us-all-look-good kind of way. I love it. I'm in the Whistler-on-a-weekday camp, though my Saturday stop-by was a positive one. We arrived right before they hit capacity, which meant that the inside was rather crowded. We headed for the patio, which is adorable and suitably sized. This is not a giant beer garden. We're talking less than 10 tables that can be dragged around to fit different sized groups. Plus standing room. Gloriously, there is a cash-only bar on the patio offering three choices of libation: Jameson, PBR, and Patio Punch. The Patio Punch is based on Pimm's, and was as worth $8 as it could have been, without being a double. The cucumber garnish made it feel extra-special. Inside, all of the cocktails are artsy and unique, and are shaken (not stirred) with care. These are serious bartenders. They have every kind of bitters you can think of. When they are not busy, they will indulge your alchemical whimsy, and make you whatever crazy drink you can think up. The simple sophistication of the Whistler is commendable. After a couple of cocktails, however, I'd toss the word "commendable" aside and describe it as "totally worth trying." read more

RE: Other people's reviews Dear Whistler, I like you. I don't mind that you're small. I think that makes you more intimate and cozy. I'm glad that you're full of people b/c that means you are doing things right. Your crafted cocktails are quite tasty and I don't mind waiting a little longer for them because I know it takes longer to make something good. I know people compare you to the Violet Hour and you are similar in that you both have unique crafted cocktails, but you're cheaper and more low key, so how does that make you a wannabe? If those people want Violet Hour, why don't they just GO THERE? Anyway, thanks for being a classy, tasty, low key, high quality bar in my hood. Love, MB read more

They had me at $8 for a craft cocktail! I liked the atmosphere and music, but we must have gone at a bad time because the place was packed so we couldn't get a table. There are tables in front and near the back and the bar is in a narrow area in between. We hung out there, but kept getting bumped and squished by people passing by. I had the Delhi Cooler which was interesting, but refreshing. I liked the curry aftertaste, but it's not a drink I could have all night. The Artist Special was tasty as well. I would come back, but at an earlier time to snag a table. I want to try more drinks! For those who are complaining about the wait for a hand-crafted cocktail, stick to Grey Goose and cranberry at some bro bar, ok? :) read more

The Whistler is to Violet Hour as Logan Square is to Wicker Park. It's a little cheaper, a little smaller, a little less posh... $8 fancy cocktails aren't bad, but waiting a long time for the single bartender to mix them stinks. I just wanted a beer and had to wait about 30 minutes for someone to fetch me a bottle on a Saturday night. The DJ was playing Stone Temple Pilots as well. What self-respecting DJ would play STP on a Saturday night in Logan Square? The decor is bland. The stage is cute, though I'm not sure it's a great place to see a band play unless it's solo acoustic or the like. The back patio looked nice, but was closing when I arrived. Go to the Whistler on a weeknight for best results. read more

Damn good Old Fashioned. That's honestly almost enough but... Just last week a "service industry" guy tried to tell me an Old Fashioned had soda water and a muddled orange in it. WRONG. This is one of maybe a dozen joints in all of Chicagoland that will make old school cocktails the right way. Their fru fru newfangled drinks are swell from my experience, but the Manhattan and Old Fashioned are surpassed only by that other place... you know the one. Great beer selection, running the full gamut and priced fairly. Also, thanks for having music! Live music and booze went together so well for the couple of millennia leading up to the advent the sports bar... FWIW the entertainment here is hit or miss but I can't fault the bar for the couple instances of ineptness/ douchebaggery I've encountered there. read more

This used to be one of my favorite bars when I lived in chicago. It has a great atmosphere and the bartenders are awesome. 1. Small, dark, and intimate 2. Mixed drinks are delicious and they have a good selection of beers. 3. They have great shows and djs here and even their house music is a great selection. 4. Cute bartenders that are friendly and inviting. If you're in Logan square, I suggest spending an evening here. read more

On both of my visits to The Whistler, I arrived shortly after five and entered into the empty bar. I was able to pull up a stool and casually order my drinks after asking a few questions to Paul. As everyone else stated- the drinks were great and the large ice is a pleasant touch. Around 9 the place started picking up and that was the cue. Great spot for an after work bender. read more

HIPSTER ALERT..... GREAT COCKTAILS.... FUN DANCING So I'm no hipster... But I do enjoy less stuffy places and I love me a hard to find place that doesn't have signage etc.... which this place fits the bill. It's a very unassuming place, tiny little shop front and the only way you really can tell it's a bar is because there is a line out front (on a Saturday night anyway around 1am and it moved really fast). We'd been out and wanted to do some dancing so some hipster friends of mine love this place and brought us over here. The beauty of hipster music and venues is that you don't have to be a great dancer....everyone is just doing their thing and you can just let loose... which I did! Although a small venue we were there from 1am to 3am and it was busy but not so packed that you couldn't move or have personal dance space. Throw in $10 delicious cocktails and its a great night dancing the night away.... Until the ugly lights come up haha oh that's what we look like!! Haha read more

I think I found a new weekday bar to love. The weekend lines and hipster-pop djs are a little beyond my tolerance level - but the drinks will certainly bring me back. The menu was admittedly a little heavy on the whiskey and gin, and while I'm not complaining, I think it was a bit disappointing for the less crafty of my Saturday night crew. A bit of a longer and more diverse menu would be fantastic. The prices are absolutely lovely, and I'd love to imprint myself on one of their bar stools reading a book until I can't make out the letters. Like I said, can't wait to come back on weekday. If you are going on a weekend, the place is small. Tables are scare so ladies, choose your shoes wisely. read more

Interesting reviews for this place so far. I would note that there are some kinks to work out - not having the credit card machine ready, and only having one bartender for a busy Saturday night. I also went here on Saturday, October 4, 2008, and I went a bit early - about 9:00. Got a seat, not too busy, got drinks pretty easily. But I know this place is hot and it gets crowded later - so there you have it. Still, I give the place 4 stars. The stars are almost exclusively for the level of bartending here that I saw - the bartender, name unknown (trimmed beard, glasses, medium height) was indeed a mixologist, which means drinks may take a bit longer, but they are top notch. I watched the guy work and he was actually really fast, and clearly a professional, very skilled - and the cocktails were outstanding. Really good. I ordered a Diablo, (tequila based) and a Rosemary Fizz, I believe - both excellent. They have a drink menu with "Fall drinks" with about 8 or so drinks. They all looked interesting. I also think $8 is a great price for what you get - the drinks easily compare with the Violet Hour, which prices most of their cocktails at $11. I mean, I ordered a shitty glass of Pinot Grigio in Andersonville the other day and it was $8. So, this place is a bit small, and trendy, and difficult to enjoy later on the weekend, to be sure. But if you get in earlier, get settled, and have a chance to enjoy some top-notch bartending/mixology, this is a great place to go. We'll see how this place develops. I say it is a great addition to the Logan Square-ish area. Lastly, when I was there, I absolutely loved the music. They were playing high-quality 80s rock, which may sound like an oxyrmoron, but in fact it was great - stuff from the Talking Heads afro-beat period, REM, etc. I like it. Not everyone may. But for me, it was great music selection. They had a DJ. read more

Best cocktail bar in the city, and I've been to many. Creative, tasty, affordable cocktails for the 99%, without a hint of mixologist arrogance. In fact, the bartenders seem more like scientists: their precision in the realm of chemists using pipettes, test tubes, and flasks (laboratory, not hip) to blend their concoctions. And did I say "hip?" Yes, "hip" and "stir" are two words that describe this place, rather than being combined as one. And the fancy ice cubes contribute to the chill vibe. It can be romantic, with candles on the table, or rocking, depending on the band. This is my go-to place to bring friends for celebrations, like new beginnings (e.g., new jobs) and escapes from the past (e.g., crummy jobs!). I've only come here in the early hours, for a cocktail before dinner. Even on a Friday evening, at around 7 or 7:30, you can still get a table. And the live music is at a volume that still allows for conversation at this time. They don't go nuts; though try the nuts--the three varieties they offer are excellent. In fact, it would be a plus if they added a few more inventive snacks. I hadn't been here for a long time, not since the master moved downtown to go Tiki; so I was worried that it would no longer be the same. But it's still a remarkable, intimate place. I really need to celebrate more often. read more

When your friend suggests spending a Friday night in Logan Square for a 90s dance party and $2 PBRs, you know you're making wise life decisions. We showed up around 11:30 and there was a line out the door. Luckily, a bouncer dishing out regular wait time updates and whiskey jacket made the 20 minutes in line relatively painless. The venue was fairly small but cozy. Two DJs dueled on a stage with the best of the 90s as their weapon and Chicago hipsters were gettin' jiggy with it in the small dance area next to the bar. The bartenders were quick and friendly and my only complaint was that the $2 PBRs weren't of the tall boy variety. Sometimes I still walk into Chicago bars with a Wisconsin prices mentality. In time, I'll learn. read more

Thank you for opening so near to my house. The bartenders are polite, and even though there's a crowd and they are busy, they seem happy to be there and to serve you. Quality cocktails are served up, or there is a cheap beer option. The door man commented on my Hawaii license and said there was someone else there from Hawaii a few weeks ago! Then we realized that it was me. read more

One thing kept going through my mind as I sat and sipped on my delicious Rosemary Collins.. "All those people who say they don't like gin because it tastes like Christmas trees are idiots" Because all I could smell were Christmas trees.. and it was amazing. Anyways... that was my first experience with The Whistler.. I'd been meaning to get there for a while. It was a great time. The drinks were great.. and really well priced. I'll definitely be back to try more of the cocktail menu! read more

I must have walked or rode past here thirty times without realizing there was a bar here. I came here on a Tuesday night after 10:00 and there was a nice sized crowd. The Whistler has a nice interior, the bartenders were friendly and, more importantly, the drinks were strong. The only problem was that the DJ was blaring some sort of death metal for the whole time I was there. I would think that this doesn't happen every night, but if it does that would change my review. read more

Came here on a Saturday night with friend's for a birthday fete. I was excited because I heard it was sort of Violet Hour-lite. While I did appreciate that the cocktails were hand-crafted and they were willing to make things off the menu when requested, I didn't really like any of the drinks I tasted that much (and in fact I really didn't like the one I had). Nice sized back patio, but overall the ambience of the place didn't do much for me. I probably won't return. read more

I had heard a lot about this establishment, locally and nationally. I was excited to try a new bar in a neighborhood that I don't usually frequent. I anticipated that we would have to wait in line, turns out it only took 15 minutes or so. Upon entry, I took a look at around and thought to myself, "this is what all the fuss is about?" The bar is very average looking. We sat at one of the few tables which happened to be near the door, which was such an eyesore. The whole bar was dimly lit, except for the giant bright light coming in through the entrance. All in all, our drinks were good. They had an extra kick to them and weren't completely outrageously priced. They had a fun DJ, but the music could have been just a bit louder. The line out front helps appropriately control the limited space in the bar, which we appreciated. All in all, i would go back, but if I'm looking for a hip, cocktail type of night, I'd rather spend it in the ambiance of Violet Hour. read more

So after a so-so birthday dinner, we took a cab over here. Love it. Love it love it love it. We got here around 10, went inside with no problem, and sat on the patio. Even though there were no heating lamps outside, it was still nice because it really wasn't that cold. The drinks were reasonably priced ($8 or so) and they were rocking out to late 90s music (think Usher). The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because they started making people wait outside, even though there were only about 40 people inside. Maybe it was a fire code thing, but it was annoying since my other 3 friends had to wait 15 minutes. Boo. Other than that, it was really fun. We ended up with a table inside and danced around like it was an eight grade dance. Word. read more

Came here on a Saturday night, a little too late just missed the pive performance. It was a tiny little space but was pretty cool. They have great drinks, probably my favorite part about this place. Super hipstery crowd which shouldn't surprise but they seemed like a nice bunch. If I'm in the area I may return for primetime but late night is pretty fun too. I suggest you give it a swing and make your own assessments. read more

We came here with friends on a Saturday night around 8 o'clock. The place wasn't full yet and we found a nice table to sit at. Then we realized the patio was still open so we decided to go out there. The patio was great and so cozy. Throughout the course of the night we had Autumn Sweaters (mulled wine cocktail, so tasty), Old Fashioneds, Modern Medicine, and a few other cocktails on their list. Everything was delicious. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and made great suggestions. We stayed here for a few hours and it got pretty crowded but it had a nice vibe. read more