Address
630 W Lake Street, West Loop, Chicago, IL 60661
West Loop, Chicago
West Loop, Chicago
Best For
Japanese-style cocktails, sake, special occasions
Opening Hours
Tue–Sun17:00–24:00
MonClosed
Reservations
Strongly recommended
Dress Code
Smart casual
Price Range
$$$$ · Cocktails from $20
Our Take
Japanese Cocktail Discipline in the West Loop
Kumiko opened in 2018 from Julia Momose, formerly of GreenRiver and one of America's most respected bartenders. The bar is committed to Japanese cocktail discipline: hard ice, slow stirring, immaculate dilution, and a cocktail menu built around sake, Japanese whisky, and intentional ingredient pairings.
The cocktail programme is one of the most considered in America. The seasonal menu changes four times yearly and runs to 12-15 drinks. The food menu — Japanese small plates from the kitchen — pairs thoughtfully with the cocktails.
The crowd is mid-thirties cocktail enthusiasts and visiting bartenders. Best for a careful evening — this is not a casual stop. Pair with The Violet Hour for a Chicago cocktail evening.
What to Order
Seasonal Highball
From the rotating Highball programme. Pre-batched and perfectly carbonated.
Kumiko Old Fashioned
Japanese whisky, demerara, Angostura. Built using Japanese-style technique.
Sake by the Glass
From a curated sake programme. Bartender will recommend by style.
Tasting Menu
Five-course paired cocktail and food tasting. Reserved seating only.
