Chicago’s cocktail culture is thriving—one sip at a time. Across neighborhoods, bartenders are pushing boundaries, reviving old favorites, and pouring serious creativity into your glass. Here are 10 bars mixing up drinks that are worth the detour, the dollars, and definitely the buzz.

Queen Mary Tavern
The Drink: Navy Strength Old-Fashioned

Forget whiskey. This old-fashioned goes rogue with a punchy blend of high-proof rum and gin. Demerara syrup, bitters, and a pinch of salt round it out. It’s bold, briny, and perfectly balanced—fitting for this maritime-inspired bar in Ukrainian Village.

Source: Imbibe Magazine

Three Dots and a Dash
The Drink: Trader Vic Mai Tai

Tiki gets the tribute it deserves with this impeccably dialed-in Mai Tai. Aged rums from Barbados, Fiji, and Jamaica pay homage to the original 1944 creation, all mellowed with lime, orange curaçao, and orgeat. It’s a tropical legend, reimagined.

Source: DIVINE

Billy Sunday
The Drink: Amaro Daiquiri

A daiquiri with an Italian accent. Bitter and refreshing, this cocktail combines rhubarb and herbal amari with lime and a rare syrup made from maidenhair fern. The result? A bitter-leaning, herbaceous twist that’s pure Logan Square.

Source: Imbibe Magazine

Parson’s Chicken & Fish
The Drink: Negroni Slushy

This slushy helped kick off the frozen cocktail craze, and it still holds court. Made with local gin and a Midwest aperitivo, it’s citrusy, vibrant, and best enjoyed on a sunny patio. A true Chicago rite of passage.

Source: Food Republic

Kumiko
The Drink: Ume Boulevardier

Japanese whisky meets Campari and umeshu in this elegant twist on the Boulevardier. Balanced with floral Cocchi Rosa, it’s as delicate as it is powerful—like everything else at this intimate West Loop bar.

Source: Instagram

The Aviary
The Drink: Jungle Bird

A cocktail, a science project, and a spectacle all in one. With layered rums, Campari spheres, and tangy pineapple-lime syrup, this drink is an art piece you can sip. The wide straw? Mandatory.

Source: Cocktail Chemistry

The Whistler
The Drink: Forest Fire

This shaken Scotch cocktail blurs the lines between seasons. Infused with spruce tips and sweetened with orgeat, it feels both wintery and tropical. Think smoky pine forest meets island vacation.

Source: Instagram

Best Intentions
The Drink: Year-Round Horchata Margarita

This creamy-meets-spicy take on a margarita uses oat-based orgeat spiked with cinnamon. It's smooth, warming, and built for any season. Even better: it’s a steal.

Source: QueRicaVida

Elske
The Drink: Martini

Somewhere between a classic martini and a white Negroni, this dill- and cucumber-kissed drink is a standout. With vodka, herbal liqueur, and award-winning precision, it’s a Michelin-worthy pour.

Source: StarChefs

Avondale Bowl
The Drink: Frozen White Russian

A bowling alley surprise that delivers serious flavor. This slushy White Russian is vegan, creamy, and laced with local coffee liqueur. It’s pure fun in a glass—and half-price on Thursdays.

Source: Bevvy

Let’s be honest—there are a lot of bars in Chicago. But only a few sling drinks that actually make you pause, raise an eyebrow, and say, “Okay, wow.” These 10 cocktails do exactly that. If you’re looking to explore what makes this city’s bar scene buzz, consider this your cheat sheet.