The Cove is your friendly neighborhood dive bar. If you are looking for a place to meet new and…read moreinteresting people, grab a drink after a long workday, or hang with friends on the weekend, then this is your place. I love it here because you can get a super-boozy Old Fashioned for only $10. You will also get friendly bartenders who actually enjoy meeting patrons and making conversation with them. I like grabbing a seat right at the bar (when there is a seat available because it is typically crowded) because that is where you can meet the most interesting characters. This is not the place to come if you are looking for drinks with frills. This also is not the place where you can get some nosh with your liquor, but I have seen folks order and bring in food. There's not live music (i.e.: a DJ), but there is a paid jukebox in the back. #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFoodAndDrink #YelpEliteSquad

The cove is a great little dive bar in the Hyde park neighborhood. A wide range of patrons from…read morelocals to UChicago students you will see in here. A laid back bar with friendly staff with great service. The drinks are mixed well and you can typically find a seat in the bar pretty easily.

Every thing is cool but the volume of the music TURN IT DOWN A BIT. Cant hear yourself think.read more

Super expensive drinks AND the barmaids don't give you your change back, you have to ask for it,…read morenever heard BS like this. Ambiance is good but limited seating on crowded nights...won't be back.

Speakeasy on the second floor of recently renovated Niso. Very warm vibe with a Greek decor except…read morefor a misplaced disco ball . I went for a night cap after dinner at Komo last night and the 'mixologist' was a lot of fun to chat with. They also have a 'secret menu' but I'll leave the rest of the details on this for you to go experience it. I asked for a scotch sprit forward drink with some smoke to it and was presented an Ardbeg laced with some green chartreuse and it was excellent. The chartreuse was a substitute to using absinthe which I don't enjoy. Overall a great experience and a cool spot to hang out.

Located in Nisos, The Lounge is one of 3 spaces and this one is their cocktail lounge! What a…read morebeautiful spot! However, come here only for the vibes and your IG pics because that's all there is to this place. The ambiance is very moody and sexy which I love however, I felt like I was sitting in seating meant for toddlers! It seemed like all the seats were super low to the ground and i'm pretty short so not sure how the taller folks feel. It felt super awkward to sit in the space. Our drinks tasted like pure perfume so it was disappointing considering they were almost $20. I'll be skipping out on the lounge and will only enjoy the restaurant spaces in the future. Prime Bar's bar on the first floor is 100x better if you're looking for a good drink and aren't too invested in vibes.

The Berkshire Room is one of my favorite speakeasies in Chicago. While they offer a fantastic…read morecocktail menu and a full bar, I almost always order The Dealer's Choice. You simply choose your preferred spirit, flavor profile, and glassware, then let the mixologist create something just for you. It's one of my favorite cocktail experiences in the city, and they've never steered me wrong. What I especially appreciate is how knowledgeable the bartenders are. They're always happy to offer recommendations if you're unsure what to order, but they're equally excited to create something completely unique if you're feeling adventurous. Watching them craft each drink is part of the experience. I've even hosted a birthday gathering here in their private side room, where we enjoyed charcuterie boards alongside our cocktails. If you're just stopping in for drinks, though, I'd recommend grabbing dinner beforehand, as the food offerings are fairly limited. More often than not though, you'll find me sitting right at the bar. I love watching the bartenders showcase their craft and chatting with them about the incredible selection of spirits they have on hand. It's a great spot for anyone who genuinely appreciates well-made cocktails and the artistry behind them. I'm also a member of their loyalty program, which is well worth joining. It can be used at The Berkshire Room as well as several other excellent restaurants, making it an easy way to earn rewards while exploring some great dining spots around the city. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or simply looking for a sophisticated place to unwind, The Berkshire Room consistently delivers. I'll definitely be back for another Dealer's Choice soon! #YelpEliteSquad

A small group of us came in on a weeknight for after dinner cocktails... The venue is interesting,…read moresomewhat dim and vibrant at the same time. Definitely has a cool, fun vibe. Cocktails are ok... I say that because we ordered something that wasn't too off the wall which involved ginger simple syrup and they couldn't make it - odd for a truly craft cocktail joint. So, they're more mainstream with their cocktails. Service was just ok as well, not the best, but somewhat friendly. Overall - it's worth checking out, even if only for the venue.

Spent the other night at this place with a close friend…read more It's a great place to stop, enjoy the drinks and have a meaningful conversation. Greatly appreciate the hosts we had by the bar, as they served us the most delicious margaritas and spirit free cocktails! Saved and hope to be back soon!

We swung by best bar for a few drinks before heading to radius. It was kinda crowded in a. Friday…read morenight but we eventually got some place to sit at the bar. The service was a bit slow since there were only 2 bartenders we ordered a thyme cocktail and some espresso martinis. The drinks were decent. The prices were reasonable too. It was not too loud but the atmosphere was lively since it was a Friday night. The bar was a bit smelly though, especially cz they were about to close. Not sure if I will be back but overall, did have a decent experience.

7/3/26: Absolutely fell in love with their HH deal! Had their espresso martini and Appletini. Both…read morecocktails were of superior quality! Loved the apple flavor and sweetness to the appletini while the espresso martini had a nice espresso flavor and wasn't too sweet. I thought waffles fries had some great seasoning, just wish they came out a little warmer. The red lighting set such a cozy mood for a girls night out and the photo booth made our experience that much more memorable.

Super cute for a night out, not super busy inside but the lighting makes it really fun! Since photo…read morebooths have become popular again, this is a perfect spot for that! The bar is slightly hidden around the corner, but easy to find and the service is fast. Def recommend for a night out stop

100/10. Highly recommend! Had my first experience at The…read morePearl Club about a week ago and they did not disappoint. From the moment you walk in it gives speakeasy and sultry. Very dark ambiance so bring your flash light and reading glasses but the music is perfect - not too loud that you can't hear your own thoughts. My friend and I ordered the Clarified Ube Colada, triple crown sliders and shoestring fries with aioli. When I tell you that Ube colada is the best drink I've ever tasted in my life! I thoroughly enjoy my dark beverages. But this..!!!! Tuh! It's a must try - slow to sip and a great balance of alcohol and sweet. The food was really tasty - no recommendations or substitutes needed. I will return.

I went to the Pearl Club this evening for the Fantasy Bay Burlesque night. the vibes in there are…read moreimmaculate & such a cool history with this building that has existed since 1890! The decor was elegant and swanky, the espresso martinis were delicious, the seating was very comfortable for me as a plus size and disabled person, and despite not advertising it there is an ADA bathroom on the main level in addition to the bathroom down the stairs. All the staff were super kind and friendly and the performers were so immensely skilled at their craft-- shout out to the burlesque artists Sugar Cane Jane, Honey Bee Rose, Nami Flare, Sassy Squire, and Chi Faguette an amazing night that I will never forget. I can't wait to come back !

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

Brando's was a good time. Drinks were solid. There's two main areas split by the bathrooms -- one…read morefocused on karaoke and the other for conversation (with bartenders available in both areas). When we arrived karaoke seemed pretty paired down but an hour or two in, it was lively with a long queue for singing.

Had a great experience here for my birthday!…read more Came with my boyfriend for some cocktails and food a few weeks ago. Love the inside vibe in here, very relaxed but upscale. To order we had the Hamachi Crudo with coconut, melon, lime leaf, the Fava Gnocchi with ramp, fava bean, a parmesan foam, and the Rêve Burger with american cheese, pickles, rêve sauce. Everything was absolutely incredible! The burger was melt in your mouth delicious, but my favorite was the hamachi crudo- so many textures and flavors that worked together perfectly! My boyfriends favorite was the fava gnocchi, which I also loved. We had a couple cocktails as well, which some were good some we wouldn't recommend. But overall will be back!

Stopped into After Lounge for a pre-dinner drink. Their standard menu has cocktails, shots, beer,…read morewine, and bites. Looking over the cocktail menu, you can tell the bartenders go a step further in being mixologists. Most drinks offer unique flavor pairings that I've only seen here. My husband and I visited for Happy Hour where a couple of drinks were strongly discounted. He tried the Vesper martini which came with a waygu crisp and caviar. This may have been the best vesper martini I've tried with how balanced it was with a sweet finishing note. This cocktail is discounted by $11 for happy hour which is a steal! I got the Old Fashioned which had a classically, beautiful presentation. It was smooth and not smoked here. The staff working was extremely kind; and for as beautiful as the space was, was dressed casually (which I liked). Diana made all of our drinks and did a great job. She even offered us celebratory birthday shots complimentary! We told her to make what she liked and I think she gave us the Snaquiri which had fruity, sweet notes. It was very easy to take and was the perfect way to end the experience. Cannot wait to visit again soon to try out their standard menu!

One of my favorite cocktail bars in the city, I just learned a secret-- visit on Sunday afternoon…read morewhen there isn't a line out the door and it isn't slammed inside. Really creative cocktails, unusual wines, great snack list (and the complimentary olives and cheese made us able to stay longer add have another round!). If you sit at the bar, one of the very talented, friendly mixologists will guide you to your perfect drink progression-- that's right-- you're not just have one thing. Too hard to choose so why should you? There are low and no ABV options as well to balance out the martinis and other spirit forward offerings. I love the decor and overall vibe--classy, French-y, fun not stuffy. Great on your own, with a date, a small group. Special shout out to Hannah but everyone we interacted with was great.

Of course when in Chicago, I had to check out Bisous, ranked #30 on North America's 50 Best Bars…read more2026, climbing from #39 in 2025. With an intimate ambiance, in Chicago's Fulton Market, Bisous brings the vibe of a 1960s Parisian cocktail lounge. Since they don't take reservations, I had a short wait at the door. Somehow, they knew exactly what I wanted, which was a seat at the bar. My favorite place to sip, exhaole, and chat with the bartenders. The cocktails were delicious, and the service was warm, attentive, and welcoming. My tongue-clicking sips for the evening: PASTRY WAR Pistachio Cream, Agricole & Jamaican Rums, Grappa, Almond, Egg White, Lemon, Nutmeg BAIT & SWITCH Blueberry Cordial, Mezcal, Blanche Armagnac, Baking Spices COUNTERPOINT Fig Leaf, Armagnac Duffau Napoléon, Yellow Chartreuse, Oscar.697 Rosso Vermouth Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers! Enjoy!