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Photo: Jason Little | Berkshire Room

Cocktails in Chicago

Whether you love tiki drinks or spirited whiskey cocktails, our guide will help you find the best cocktails and more
Written by Elizabeth Atkinson
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Chicago has a fantastic bar scene, with great beer bars and wine bars, but it also has a cocktail scene that's worth the buzz. With classics, twists on old favorites and even more adventurous ideas, our best bartenders are perpetually coming up with great new cocktails. Whether you're looking for your next stop for a drink or want to try to make one yourself, we've got you covered with our guide to cocktails in Chicago.

Find the best cocktails in Chicago

The 10 best martinis in Chicago
Bars

The 10 best martinis in Chicago

Whether you like yours cold as ice or with a piney gin, we found our favorites at Chicago's best cocktail bars, steakhouses and seafood joints
The 9 best pisco sours in Chicago
Bars

The 9 best pisco sours in Chicago

The South American brandy has made its way onto cocktail lists for those who love a balanced cocktail with a citrus kick tempered with an egg white
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Cocktail recipes

How to make a martini
Bars

How to make a martini

We turned to Yael Vengroff, head bartender at the Spare Room in Los Angeles, for her take on a 50/50 martini that you can whip up at home
How to make a pisco sour
Bars

How to make a pisco sour

This South American cocktail has made its way to the US. It's made with the South American liquor pisco—a brandy made by distilling grape...
How to make an Irish coffee
Bars

How to make an Irish coffee

Irish whiskey, coffee, a little cream and sugar—there's not much to an Irish coffee, but when you're holed up in a bar on a chilly evening, it can seem...
How to make a daiquiri
Bars

How to make a daiquiri

Too often the daiquiri gets a bad rep for being overly sweet—but a great daiquiri is perfectly balanced, a bright mix of rum, citrus and cane syrup

The latest bar reviews

Bokeh
Bars

Bokeh

  • 3 out of 5 stars
Retooled classic cocktails and a stylish, relaxed atmosphere make this late-night newcomer a welcome addition to Albany Park.
Outside Voices
Bars

Outside Voices

  • 4 out of 5 stars
This very Midwestern wine bar pleases both casual and contemplative drinkers, thanks to its knowledgeable staff and a low-key vibe.
Lazy Bird
Bars

Lazy Bird

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This basement bar in the West Loop is easily one of the best new bars of the year.
Carol’s Pub
Bars

Carol’s Pub

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Uptown’s famous late-night honky tonk tavern is back from the dead and good as ever.
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Know your bartender

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Crawl through Chicago bars

A civilized Wrigleyville bar crawl
Bars

A civilized Wrigleyville bar crawl

Whether you want a glass of wine over dinner or craft beer and barbecue, here are a few well-behaved Wrigleyville bars to check out
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More cocktail content

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