Chicago's Best Cocktail and Wine Bars

In but two days I turn 21 and will take my first official steps down the long road toward a lifetime of borderline alcoholism. In order to make this journey as simple as possible, I'm asking for your help.

I am looking for a collection of Chicago's best cocktail and wine bars. I don't really care about a trendy scene, cool music, or anything like that. What I'm looking for is crafted drinks and a knowledgeable staff that can shepherd me on my journey.

Do such establishments exist in Chicago?

I know New York is going through something of a cocktail renaissance in the past couple years and am wondering if such a movement has taken root here. I've been following the opening of The Violet Hour, and based on what I've read this is exactly the type of place I'm looking for. Are there wine bars that follow in the same vein of being low key and very product focused? I'll also consider places that can teach me all about beer, though this is of slightly less importance.

I appreciate the help.

Allow me to be the first to suggest both the Matchbox and the Green Mill.

Know them well.

Edited to add: Check the Map Room for "Beer School" night also.

whiskeybent wrote:Allow me to be the first to suggest both the Matchbox and the Green Mill.

Amen. Two excellent choices. I had the pleasure of several Manhattans at the Matchbox last night (thanks GWiv), and can confirm that the Green Mill does a similarly fine job with renditions of same.

Gentlemen -- a fine beginning list. If only i had had my first legal drink at the Matchbox, my life might have taken a decidedly different path.

I'd like to put forth another suggestion....The Hopleaf. For its sheer variety and for putting forth an excellent nosh base upon which one can imbibe with a more carefree attitude.

Ignore the surly barstaff and drink up, son. Your future awaits!!!


Hopleaf Bar
5148 N. Clark St.
Chicago

Someone on eG suggested it and I'll agree. If you're looking for wine, Webster's Wine Bar is a great spot.

Webster's Wine Bar
1480 W Webster Ave
(773) 868-0608

If your main criteria is to learn, not necessarily drink at a cool place, one of the best things to do is frequent good, small wine shops. The staff there will probably explain far more than a wine bar, help you figure out what you like, and you will get to try alot of good wine for a whole lot less $$. Plus some places have free tastings and classes. Consider places such as Randolph Wine Cellars, and Lush Wine and Spirits.

Randolph Wine Cellars
1415 W Randolph St.
Chicago, IL
(312) 942-1212

Lush Wine and Spirits
1306 S Halsted St.
Chicago, IL
(312) 738-1900

2232 W. Roscoe
Chicago, IL

Some additional places to check out in this thread:
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=9167

The leading cocktail bars have already been mentioned. A lot of restaurants make great cocktails also. I particularly like going to the bar at Frontera Grill for their takes on Margaritas and such. I recently had great drinks at Moto also.

I second the suggestion above to taste wine in wine shops. It's a different experience than going to a wine bar at night, but it's fun way to spend part of a Saturday afternoon. It's also easier to buy a bottle of the stuff you taste and really like. Many, if not most, small wine shops in the city have tastings. A lot of the tastings are actually hosted by wine distributors; some are hosted by the shops themselves.

A boutique wine shop that I really like is Bennett Special Wines, in the loop. It is owned and operated by an incredibly friendly lady named Liesel Bennett. Most of the wine is in the $10-$20 range, though there are few higher-end wines. It's a small selection, but a very carefully chosen one. I've loved every bottle I've bought there.

Bennett Special Wines
802 W. Washington
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 666-4417

fox5 wrote:If your main criteria is to learn, not necessarily drink at a cool place, one of the best things to do is frequent good, small wine shops. The staff there will probably explain far more than a wine bar, help you figure out what you like, and you will get to try alot of good wine for a whole lot less $$. Plus some places have free tastings and classes. Consider places such as Randolph Wine Cellars, and Lush Wine and Spirits.

Randolph Wine Cellars
1415 W Randolph St.
Chicago, IL
(312) 942-1212

And after you're done learning, you can learn some more next door to Randolph Wine Cellars at The Tasting Room. Excellent wine bar, the upstairs has a wonderful view, and the selection of whites is one of the best in the city.

As an aside here, let me just suggest a way to think about alcohol. I've dedicated a large portion of my life to understanding the flavors in alcohol (this is not a keyword for drunk, though ask me that a few days ago and my girlfriend might say differently).

Wine: Wine is an art that anyone can learn to love and appreciate. I highly suggest a combination of things to learn it and love it- first go out and buy two books (links to amazon below)- How to Taste and The Wine Bible. Read them both. Then read them again. Now pick a few varietals and go taste those. And taste them again. And find a way to do vertical tastings. But here's the most important part- find people with a similar curiosity about wine to share a discussion with as you taste. Do you like or not like the wine? What do you taste? Pretty soon you'll develop a vocabulary for wine including words like "tobacco, tar, forrest floor, limestone with a hint of shale".

Spirits: Spirits are similar to wine but can be more potent, so be careful. Avoid shots to start out and focus on just tasting little bits of liquor by themselves to get a sense of what's going on. Drinks should be made in balance meaning you shouldn't taste too much alcohol nor should you taste too much sweet.

Oh yah, and have fun

Edit to add the links:

Wine bible: http://www.amazon.com/Wine-Bible-Karen- ... 538&sr=8-1

How to taste:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Taste-Guide-E ... 576&sr=1-1

can't help a shameless plug for wine bar, but you asked. vintage on division just e of damen has a nice interesting selection, very easy going atmosphere indoors plus a street side patio, decent food, and every thurs i'm in town, cool musica ala latin jazz and ballads supplied by moi w/my trio and sometimes quartet "jazzfood". come by on a thurs and i'll buy you, or any other lth'ers a drink.

Bin Wine Cafe
1559 N. Milwaukee
http://www.binwinecafe.com/

They are nice flights, so you can taste a few glasses and have some nice food.

Also a huge fan of the Matchbox and the Silver Palm the less smoky and larger place upstairs.

I concur with the Matchbox calls. I just love that place.

The folks from Webster's will be opening a new place (construction willing) next week. On Damen, 2 doors N. of Hot Chocolate. There will be a bit more food and a bit less wine than at Webster's, but it should be good. Jeremy (wine director at Webster's) will also be doing the wine at the new place, though he'll still be at Webster's most of the time.

For cocktails:

The bar at the James Hotel (David Burke's Primehouse)

Motel Bar

Marty's (1511 W Balmoral Ave)

For wine:

Avec

Second the Webster's rec

Quartino

It could be worth asking this same question in the Something to Drink forum, too.

I haven't been yet, but from what I've heard about The Violet Hour, it certainly sounds appealing. It's in the old Del Toro space and has apparently moved away from a place for eating and focuses on cocktails instead. I forget where I saw it now, or I'd provide the link, but I know that their house Manhattan is made with rye and the glass is rinsed with a bit of Laphroaig to ramp up the smokiness -- two steps that sound really tasty.

(here's some additional information)