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Arsenic & Old Lace at Bernard's Bar

Cocktail bar report cards

We rate 19 iconic cocktail bars to see if they’re still worth your money.
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It's de rigueur for drink enthusiasts to rave about the Aviary or put the Violet Hour on a craft-cocktail pedestal. But do those spots and other mainstays live up to the lore? We revisit 19 iconic cocktail bars to assess whether they're still worth your time and money.

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The Drawing Room
Bars

The Drawing Room

How the bar’s holding up since Charles Joly jumped ship for the Aviary.
Sepia
Bars

Sepia

Expert cocktails meet Michelin-rated food.
Coq d’Or
Bars

Coq d’Or

The live music is better than the cocktails at this historic bar.
NoMI Lounge
Bars

NoMI Lounge

The view is better than the drinks at this iconic bar.
Bar DeVille
Bars

Bar DeVille

A spot worth waiting 35 minutes to snag a drink?
Tiny Lounge
Bars

Tiny Lounge

Not so tiny anymore, but still a good neighborhood option.
Violet Hour
Bars

Violet Hour

Is it worth waiting in line for this speakeasy?
Nacional 27
Bars

Nacional 27

Can you still get a good cocktail at the bar that started it all?
Weegee’s Lounge
Bars

Weegee’s Lounge

The vintage bar now serves its classic cocktails with superb service.
Double A
Bars

Double A

Why you should spend your money elsewhere.
Sable
Bars

Sable

Sometimes it’s okay to pay $13 for a cocktail.
The Whistler
Bars

The Whistler

The iconic bar in the post–Paul McGee era.
Scofflaw
Bars

Scofflaw

The year-old Logan Square cocktail spot is an instant classic.