10 Unique Chicago Bars And Restaurants
“Where should we eat?” is the question on everyone’s lips come the weekend. From unique dining experiences to sweet-tooth-satisfaction deserts, these 10 Chicago bars and restaurants make the cut as the most must-check-out-spots in the city. Indulge your taste buds all year round!
1. 3 Arts Club Cafe
Greenhouse meets urban chic at this Gold Coast staple. Located inside of Restoration Hardware, 3 Arts Club Cafe’s chandelier, olive tree, and the exposed brick backdrop make for the perfect setting for drinks with the girls or brunch with the family. Make sure to check out the beautiful furniture – and view – from the second floor while waiting for your table!
2. Flamingo Rum Club
Cuban food, cabaret dancers, rose gold flamingo cocktails. Flamingo Rum Club, River North’s colorful rum bar, boasts lively nightlife and tropical decor. Living up to its Caribbean vibe, diners can enjoy cabaret shows, cha-cha and bachata dance lessons, and live entertainment. For those looking for an Instagramable moment, the bar’s flamingo wall mural outside is famous among city dwellers.
3. La Bodega del Barrio
Hungry? La Bodega del Barrio is known for their specialty flavored churros and presentation. Popular choices include Original, Fruity Pebbles, Oreo and Nutella. Seasonal flavors are released throughout the year as well, the most recent being a Lucky Charms churro in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Plan to take your sweet treat on-the-go as La Bodega del Barrio is a convenience store and takeout window.
Source: Chicago Magazine4. Three Dots and a Dash
Hidden within the alley of Hubbard St. and Clark St., Three Dots and a Dash is Chicago’s swanky, Polynesian tiki bar tucked into the bustling urban streets of River North. Unique from other tiki bars showcasing bright colored shirts and plastic coconuts, Three Dots and a Dash attracts only the cool and collected, housed in dark lighting and VIP-worthy booths. Choose from a variety of festive cocktails (I recommend the Aloha Felicia) or, for the brave, the infamous Treasure Chest – $385 worth of a dry ice tropical concoction fit for King Titan himself.
5. Chicago Magic Lounge
Pair your Friday night with a dash of close-up magic at Chicago Magic Lounge. Enjoy cocktails and card tricks at three different performance areas throughout the art-deco venue, ranging from live jazz to theatrical additions. Sip upon a How Houdini Died cocktail in The Magician’s Library or fill your appetite with featured small plates honoring Schuliens, Chicago’s first close-up magic restaurant in 1886. Keep your eye out – you might come across a secret door during your visit! If you’re going to visit any of the Chicago bars and restaurants, make it this one.
6. Kingston Mines
Witness Chicago’s world-famous blues bar, Kingston Mines, located in North side’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Dating back to 1968, Kingston Mines has housed Magic Slim, Sugar Blue, Billy Brand and many more great musicians of our time. Featuring shows seven days a week, there’s always entertainment to experience and great BBQ to try – I’m talking Wicked Wings and Cajun Style Chicken. Tickets can be bought online or at the door!
7. Public House Chicago
Let them eat cake (shakes)! Beer and sports lovers unite at this American fare favorite, however, the main event is the original and seasonal gourmet cake shake. Each month Public House highlights a new cake shake – new cake flavor, new ice cream flavor, new candy decorations. Some months correspond with holidays, such as the Love Shack Cake Shake during February 2018, while others play ode to fun flavors. Try to resist one, I dare you. Chicago bars and restaurants offer a lot of variety for all the foodies out there.
8. Yuzu Chicago
Japanese tradition has met its modern match. Yuzu Chicago’s sushi chefs give a colorful twist to served plates, adding artistic creations made from edible sauce to pair with your order. From the Chicago skyline to custom wording, each masterpiece adds a lively addition to a delicious craving.
9. Parlor Pizza Bar
Despite the name, the pizza is not what makes this restaurant unique. Tacolatos, desert tacos dressed up in sugary goodness, is the staple at Parlor Pizza Bar. Those with a sweet tooth can choose between pre-made combos (Unicorn Dreams and Go Shorty are fan favorites) or pick their own shell, filling, sauce, and toppings. Dig in.
Source: Time Out Chicago10. Mahalo
Ahola from Chicago! Wicker Park’s own little surf shack is found at Mahalo, a Polynesian-Asian fusion of flavorful food and cocktails. The Hawaiian kitchen features Piña coladas in real pineapples (found on the menu as The Big Kahuna), surfboard decor and an open rooftop during #patioseason. Island favorites include the Papaya Salad, Kalua Pork Fried Rice, Ahi Tuna Nachos, Fish Tacos, and more. Kick back and sip your way to your own tropical staycation.
