West Side Chicago’s Best Cocktail Experiences

Your guide to going out for drinks in Wicker Park and Logan Square 

Chicago’s western neighborhoods, Wicker Park and Logan Square, are home to some of the best cocktail bars in the country (some are even the best in the world). From a nautical-themed place to start the night out with friends to a speakeasy to wind down in, this guide to Chicago’s best cocktail experiences on the West Side has something to sip for everyone. So take a deep dive into liquor excellence with these five bars.

Queen Mary is arguably one of the best five bars in all of Chicago. The drinks are excellent, the staff is brilliant creators, and the vibe is sophisticated yet welcoming. The interior of this intimate lounge is reminiscent of, you guessed it, the royal voyager Queen Mary.

These are the sort of bartenders you say “make me anything with rum” and they come back with the best rum cocktail you’ve had in your life.

Highlight: Navy Strength Old Fashion

The Violet Hour revolutionized the cocktail scene in Chicago. Their staff is some of the most decorated bartenders in the city. With a seasonal menu, created by the bartenders themselves, The Violet Hour is a modern-day speakeasy. Be sure to class it up and take off those gym shoes. This intimate, Gatsby-esque speakeasy doesn’t allow cell phone use, so bring your date and keep it classy.

Highlight: The Hush and Wonder (They’ll make it for you even if it isn’t on their seasonal menu.)

This hidden gem is often overlooked because it sits just above its sister, The Robey, at Wicker Park’s six corners (the intersection of Damen, Milwaukee, and North Ave.). Take the elevator to the tip-top and find this intimate lounge with panoramic   views of Chicago’s skyline. The cocktails are lovely, and there is quite a selection of whiskey. The views are thrilling, and they even have a heated patio for Chicago’s chilly winters.

Highlight: A Wide Whiskey Menu

Lost Lake frequently finds itself on the list of “Top 50 Bars in the World.” The highly decorated bar is a tropical oasis when Chicago isn’t warm. The intimate lounge provides over-the-top tiki drinks, complete with bananas sculpted to resemble dolphins and other outrageous tiki decor. If you’re visiting during the winter holidays, Lost Lake turns into a tropical winter wonderland – a must-see for Christmas in Chicago.

Longman & Eagle is a modern day travelers oasis. It’s an inn, restaurant, and micro-cocktail lounge. The micro-lounge, known as The Off Site Bar, is a snug area for patrons to enjoy the art of fine drinking. The space itself welcomes a diverse clientele, and is the sort of place you can enjoy a sophisticated shot of whiskey with your breakfast.