Logan Square's Gin Temple
Scofflaw opened on West Armitage in 2013, the year Logan Square announced itself as Chicago's most interesting neighbourhood for cocktail bars. The bar takes its name from the Prohibition-era term for someone who habitually flouted liquor laws, a lineage it embraces in both name and philosophy: the cocktail programme is rooted in pre-Prohibition technique, applied with 21st-century ingredient access.
The back bar holds over 100 gins, which makes Scofflaw the definitive gin address in Chicago and one of the better gin collections in the United States. The selection runs from London dry classics to contemporary botanical expressions from the Pacific Northwest, from Italian Navy-strength gins to small-batch Midwestern producers. The staff knows the shelf and navigates it with authority.
The cocktail menu changes quarterly and is written around whatever botanical and seasonal ingredients are peaking in the Midwest. In summer this means rhubarb, elderflower, and freshly pressed citrus. By October it shifts toward apple, cardamom, and aged spirits. The room itself is a long, narrow Logan Square standard with good lighting and a soundtrack chosen by people who actually care about music.
Order This
The Scofflaw Gimlet is the drink that defines this place: their house version uses a lightly sweetened lime cordial made in-house and a gin selected by the bartender based on what you say you like. It arrives cold, sharp, and balanced in a way that reminds you why the Gimlet became a classic in the first place.
If you are new to gin or want guidance, tell them that. The bartender will ask two or three questions about what you tend to drink and return with something specific. This level of engagement is not performance; it is how Scofflaw operates. We also recommend checking the seasonal menu for whatever house creation is currently anchoring it. The signature drinks here consistently compete with the best in the city.
The Gin Collection
Over 100 bottles, organised by style and region. Particular strength in American craft gins and classic London drys. The staff can articulate the differences between them without being condescending.
Best Night
Tuesday through Thursday early evenings are ideal. The room is comfortable, the bartenders less pressured, and the experience closer to what Scofflaw is actually about. Friday and Saturday are louder and more crowded.
The Neighbourhood
Logan Square is the right Chicago neighbourhood for a night out that involves more than one bar. The Violet Hour is nearby in Wicker Park; Billy Sunday is a few blocks east. Plan a route.
Getting There
3201 W Armitage Ave, Logan Square. Blue Line to Logan Square station, then a short walk. Street parking available. Walk-in only; no reservations.
Keep Exploring
Scofflaw sits in a city with one of the most serious cocktail bar scenes in North America. Chicago's cocktail bar guide covers 18 venues across the city from the West Loop to Wicker Park. For something more theatrical, The Aviary in the West Loop operates on a different level of ambition entirely. The Violet Hour in Wicker Park remains the benchmark for Chicago cocktail bars, and our Chicago cocktail bar editorial maps the full terrain.
