
Bar industry experts curated by Time Out Chicago have chosen the best bars in Chicago – and there are definitely some to add to your Chicago summer bucket list.
This June, we got together in the west loop at The Herbarium (right next to Au Cheval – I’m still digesting that burger). After tasting inventive cocktails from William Grant & Sons, which were notable next to individual sized bottles of Rose with cones on them. It seriously felt like a summer spin New Year’s Eve.
Time Out Chicago’s editor, Morgan Olsen announced the winners for Time Out Chicago Bar Awards 2018, who were ranked and profiled by an industry-renowned panel of high-profile drinks experts and top bartenders. The panel included Julia Momose, beverage director at Oriole; James Beard Award-winning sommelier Belinda Chang; Benjamin Schiller, beverage director at The Fifty/50 Group; Hendrick’s Gin Ambassador Mattias Horseman; Monkey Shoulder Ambassador Vance Henderson; and , the Olsen, herself.
The full list of Time Out Chicago Bar Awards 2018 winners:

- Bar of the Year presented by Hendrick’s Gin: Lost Lake
Guys! I haven’t been here. I was excited about this bar back in 2015 when it opened. For about a year and a half I was following Logan Square’s bar and restaurant scene as a new business writer (shout out to JAM for the best brunch of my life), but I transitioned out and sadly haven’t really explored Logan Square that much besides the occasional PBR, Jamison shot, and pizza special at Boiler Room. If you make a bar crawl out of Lost Lake, I would also add the vintage sports club and eatery, Park & Field to your list of summer time bars – it gave me Cali vibes in their patio with the fire pit and summer games 🙂
- Best Legacy Bar presented by Monkey Shoulder: Green Mill
Green Mill is a staple. I use to go every Friday night with visitors from Hi USA Hostel. I personally love it for a date night on Sunday with the poetry slam.
- Best Wine Bar presented by Segura Viudas: Red & White Wine Bar
- Best New Bar: Golden Teardrops
- Best Bar-Restaurant Program: Bad Hunter
- Best Bar Crew: Sportsman’s Club
- Best Cocktail in Chicago: Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch at Maple & Ash
Maple & Ash recently got on my radar. It’s always a popular spot – even when I pass through it in the Gold Coast on a Tuesday.
- Sexiest Cocktail: Spanish-Style Gin and Tonic at Cindy’s
Cindy’s is the best – actually all of Chicago Athletic Club is because it’s versatile for a girl’s night, book club hangout, or a sexy date night. I think I visit Cindy’s the most often. Need to add this cocktail to my list, though 🙂
- Best Speciality Bar: Todos Santos
- Most Creative Drinks List: The Drifter
- Most Stylish Bar: Prairie School
Time Out Chicago Bar Awards 2018 panelists
- Mattias Horseman
- Vance Henderson
- Ed Marszewski
- Julia Momose
- Danny Shapiro
- Calvin Martin
- Christopher Marty
- Benjamin Schiller
- Brenton Engel
- Paul Hletko
- Caitlin Laman
- Nandini Khaund
- Belinda Chang
- Morgan Olsen
- Zach Long
