Chicago's hidden bars include both the famous (The Violet Hour) and the genuinely-hidden-from-tourists (Sportsman's Club). The 10 below show both.
Part of our 50 Best Hidden Gem Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best hidden gem bars in Chicago
01 · Chicago
Wicker Park
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Curtained · No phones
Long blue curtain at the entrance. House rules taken seriously.
Order: The Violet Fizz
02 · Chicago
Logan Square
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Neighbourhood + cocktails
From outside it looks like a dive; inside it's serious cocktailing.
Order: Bartender's choice
03 · Chicago
Logan Square
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Tiki · Polynesian
Paul McGee's Logan Square tiki bar. The rum list is one of America's deepest.
Order: A Mai Tai with their reserve agricole
04 · Chicago
Logan Square
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Pre-Prohibition · Tinctures
Pre-Prohibition cocktail bar in Logan Square.
Order: Whatever uses their house tincture of the month
05 · Chicago
West Loop
$$$$
Tasting menu · Theatre
Grant Achatz's cocktail kitchen.
Order: The Bond — frozen, dressed up
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06 · Chicago
West Loop
$$$
Japanese counter · Omakase
Julia Momose's Japanese-influenced cocktail counter.
Order: The kuro tasting
07 · Chicago
Logan Square
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Gin-led · Casual
Logan Square gin-focused bar.
Order: A Negroni made with their reserve gin
08 · Chicago
Uptown
$
Jazz · 1907
Operating since 1907. Al Capone drank here.
Order: A bourbon, neat, during the late set
09 · Chicago
Logan Square
$$
Inn + bar
Whiskey-leaning, cellar-deep.
Order: A whiskey-based seasonal
10 · Chicago
Lincoln Park
$$
Whiskey saloon · 1993
Operating since 1993. Lincoln Park whiskey saloon.
Order: A flight of bourbons
More Chicago hidden gemsThe full Chicago hidden-gem-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How Chicago hides its best
The Violet Hour and Lost Lake are essential. Most peak between 9 and 11 PM.
