The Best Cocktail Bars
Whether enjoying a fresh cocktail on a patio during the summer or a perfectly balanced old fashioned at a dark and cozy bar during the winter, the Chicago suburbs offer great options for grabbing a drink. We appreciate places that do the classics well, while also offering their own signature cocktails. Below is a list of our favorites across the suburbs.
NORTH SHORE
28 Mile Distilling Company
The North Shore distillery makes their own bourbon, gin, tequila and vodka which you can sample or have mixed into one of their delicious craft cocktails. The Soto Bar tasting room has chic Art Deco decor and experienced mixologists that create new cocktails every month like the Park Avenue, which magically transforms a Manhattan into a Boulevardier as you sip and enjoy it.
The Bar at Deer Path Inn
Located within the iconic Deer Path Inn, the bar offers equal parts sophistication and a laid-back atmosphere that invites you to sit back, relax, and savor their satisfying pub classics, exquisite sushi creations and perfectly crafted cocktails. A perfect spot for a cozy date night or friendly get together with friends.
The Old Mill Lounge
A classic cocktail lounge and restaurant from the group behind Everett Farms, Inovasi and other North Shore restaurants. They focus on offering the finest small batch liquors combined into both classic and unique cocktails. Enjoy your cocktail of choice with tasty small plates in their relaxing mid-century designed lounge.
Ward Eight
A small cozy cocktail lounge on the edge of Evanston. Ward Eight provides excellent spins on the classics like an old fashioned along with lesser known historic cocktails like the Pegu Club and Scofflaw, paired with a menu showcasing each drinks origin date. The bar also serves a small menu that includes items like saffron hummus and smoked brisket tacos.
NORTHWEST SUBURBS
Mockingbird
The downtown East Dundee restaurant featured on a few of our restaurant guides is also one of our favorite places to grab a bar spot and enjoy a cocktail or two. They offer a mix of creative seasonally inspired drinks along with their takes on the classics and three interpretations of the old fashioned, one with bourbon, one with mezcal and one with dark rum.
Region Kitchen + Bar
Go for a delicious dinner or find a spot at the bar and enjoy their excellent cocktail menu. We love their always changing take on the old fashioned, which recently featured Rabbit Hole bourbon, barrel aged cherry and sarsaparilla bitters, coffee porter, demerara and a salted cherry. They also have a great wine and beer selection, along with tasty non-alcoholic cocktails.
The Distance Social
Opened during the pandemic with a clever name, The Distance Social is one of our favorite cocktail bars in the suburbs. Enjoy expertly crafted drinks in a historic and refurbished building where they created a unique and cozy environment to unwind, relax and gather with friends. In addition to their excellent cocktails, they offer an extensive whiskey and spirits collection and a small menu of wine, beer and snacks.
WESTERN SUBURBS
Barrel + Rye
As their names alludes, they specialize in whiskey, offering a huge selection from around the world which can be ordered straight up for sipping or mixed into a classic cocktail, like an old fashioned, smoked Manhattan or barrel Sazerac. If not a whiskey fan, they have plenty of other cocktail options as well, along with a delicious food menu that features an excellent burger.
Common Good Cocktail House
Started by the former beverage directors from Longman & Eagle and Mott St. in Chicago, which are well known as some of the best cocktail spots in the city. Here you will find a menu of creative cocktails with equally creative names like Outta Your Damn Rind and OJ Simpin', which is actually an orange creamsicle inspired drink. They match their beautiful cocktails with a beautiful but low-key, friendly environment and always friendly service.
Craft Urban
A colorful and creative spot making delicious food and cocktails in downtown Geneva. They constantly changing food menu is complimented by a cocktail list featuring all the classics like an espresso martini and Miami Vice. They are open for lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends, and offer a great happy hour during the week.
Locations in Geneva and Aurora (see map for details)
Maize + Mash
From the same group behind Barrel + Rye in Geneva, Maize + Mash also offers an extensive whiskey selection, excellent cocktails and a delicious food menu. A great spot for dinner and drinks or to sip some bourbon with friends. Be sure to check out their chef dinner and whiskey pairings, which offers a five course meal paired with rare high end bourbons.
Northcott Liquorette
Part of the Empire Restaurant Group, which operates several popular spots in Naperville like Empire Burger. Northcott Liquorette is modeled after the speakeasies of the Prohibition era, featuring absinthe fountains, liquor-infused teapot kettles and rare whiskey acquisitions in a private, cocktail lounge setting.
Preservation
Sip craft cocktails while listening to live music on their all-weather outdoor heated patio. Preservation offers up a great menu of signature cocktails that can be paired with their equally creative and delicious food menu. They have live music throughout the week and never charge a cover. We recommend the Korean pork belly tacos and a barrel of monkeys.
Santo Cielo
Located on the fifth floor of the Hotel Indigo in Naperville, Santo Cielo is a modern upscale latino restaurant from the Bien Trucha Group. They also happen to make incredible cocktails that can be enjoyed at the bar or paired with dinner.
The Graceful Ordinary
The husband and wife team behind Graceful Ordinary make excellent cocktails that pair well with their delicious and refined rustic fare. We love the New York Minute, a boozy, smokey and bitter take on the Manhattan. A great place for date night or dinner and cocktails with friends along the scenic Fox River.
3 East Main Street
St. Charles, Illinois
The Parlour
A warm and cozy cocktail lounge from the amazing local interior designers at Park & Oak. Go for the expertly crafted cocktails like the Mulberry Manhattan or Mark Twain, which includes scotch, angostura bitters, lemon juice and simple syrup while also enjoying the amazing design details throughout the space.
The Walrus Room
Inspired by the traditions of a Wisconsin supper club like fish fry Fridays, prime rib on Saturday and Wisconsin old fashioneds, which feature brandy over bourbon. The fine dining establishment makes great cocktails that go perfectly with their dinner menu, excellent service and dark, cozy atmosphere.
