Whether you walk or drive its windy streets, it’s hard not to be impressed by the amazing buildings of Chicago. These edifices are the perfect pairing of classicism and modernity, so it’s only fitting that elements of the city’s culture do the same. One example being Chicago’s bar scene.
It’s not only classic and modern but diverse to boot. Here, you can find the latest and best cocktail trends, designs and concepts, and a wide variety of styles. So much so that one can no longer cite New York as the only place to get a good drink. No, while New York, New Orleans, and San Francisco have made great contributions to the history of the cocktail, Chicago is creating the future: breaking rules and making drinks that everyone is talking about.
The city’s contributions to the field of cocktails can be seen in new bars that are reinventing classic, specialty bars serving up unique gin, beer, whiskey, and even margaritas, and establishments wading into the field of “fine drinking.”
“The bar scene here is evolving,” says food journalist Steve Dolinsky. “People can appreciate the creativity coming out of our talented bars and restaurants. In fact (as an example), at The Aviary, the people running the bar are technically chefs, so they take a more culinary approach to drinks. We’ve also seen the addition of places where they feature rare, auction-worthy bottles, specifically amaros and rums,” Dolinsky says.
And being the less famous than one's rival city pays off - at least for the clients. “The nice thing about Chicago is that the prices aren’t crazy ridiculously expensive like in New York City or London,” Dolinsky adds.
This evolution is thanks not only to the new bars on the block but to those that have been mixing and pouring drinks for years. Every bar tells a story, and in Chicago, those stories are full of many different characters, rhythms, textures, concepts, and most importantly, tastes.
Here are the places where you can enjoy Chicago’s diverse nights at their best.
