Cocktails in Chicago!
posted September 7, 2015 12:49 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Tue September 22 at 7:00 PM, Sable Kitchen & Bar
505 North State Street, Chicago, IL, USA (Map & Directions)
Meet me in Chicago for drinks & MeFi times on Sept 22?
I'm visiting Chicago for the first time, and would like to meet some MeFites over good cocktails. It's a short trip, but Tuesday, Sept 22, is my cocktail-designated day.

Let me know if you'd like to meet up, and where a great place would be! I'm excited to attend my first non-local meetup.

EDIT: It has been declared. Sable at 7pm.
posted by Zosia Blue to Meetup (35 comments total)

I have that night free, so I'll plan on joining you!

The Aviary is closed on Tuesdays (and I think is probably not an easy place to go to with a group anyway). Did you have any other places you were interested in trying? Are you specifically interested in going to a place like the Aviary that has name recognition as being a really top bar in the city, or is any place that has well-made cocktails an option?

There are lots of cocktail bars in the city, and I've only been to a handful of them, but maybe we can get a sense of interest/group size and figure out what would work well!
posted by jessypie at 6:58 PM on September 7, 2015


Any well-made cocktail place is fine with me!
posted by Zosia Blue at 7:26 PM on September 7, 2015


The Whistler might be mefite-friendly, depending on group size. (Aviary definitely would not work for a meet-up, alas)

If I'm off the injured list, I'd be up for it, for sure.
posted by crush-onastick at 7:46 PM on September 7, 2015


Good cocktail bars I'd recommend: Whistler, Billy Sunday, Sportsman's Club, California Clipper, Sable, Scofflaw, Weegee's Lounge.
posted by misskaz at 6:27 AM on September 8, 2015


The Aviary is great, but everybody out of town knows it and heads there first, thus, it's nigh on impossible to get to for a big group. The Whistler is fine early and impossibly loud late thanks to music. Billy Sunday is smaller, but the patio would work if the weather is nice.

I will second every one of misskaz's recommendations with the exception of the California Clipper, which I haven't been to. Well, given the track record, I'm willing to back her on that one as well.

I'm a thin maybe because while I'm a sucker for a cheap guitar for an awesome manhattan I'm back from Cincy Sunday and out to Orlando Thursday and may not be able to break free Tuesday but I'm only 1800 feet from Billy Sunday and FFS I should be able to wander by for a drink if you end up there, or if you're at the Whister early (but seriously, if it's late, I can't hear there.)

One I haven't been to out this way is Analouge, 2523 N Milwaukee. Heard good things about the drinks. Sidewalk is currently torn up for construction at the building next door, so those with mobility issues, be aware.

One nice thing about the Milwaukee Strip is you theoretically could try three-four really nice place if you wanted a craft cocktail bender, with the Whistler, Billy Sunday and Analouge all within easy walking distance, and Scofflaw walkable to many and mostly a pleasant walk down Kedzie (Boulevard most of the way).

One bad thing about the Milwaukee Strip is you could theoretically try this and succeed and then think things like "Hey let's check out...."
posted by eriko at 6:57 AM on September 8, 2015


All of Kaz's suggestions are good, with Weegee's scoring highest points for "classic fancy cocktails" and "can handle a crowd" but pretty low on public transportation accessibility.
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:46 AM on September 8, 2015


Awesome suggestions - thanks. I'm coming in blind and going off of name recognition alone (thanks to this cocktail thread I posted last year).

Weegee's sounds like a winner, but I don't want to make it difficult to get to. Would Scofflaw or Sable be easier to reach, and still OK for a crowd?
posted by Zosia Blue at 12:22 PM on September 8, 2015


...or if you're at the Whister early (but seriously, if it's late, I can't hear there.)

What time do they activate the whistle array?
posted by Evilspork at 2:38 PM on September 8, 2015


There is also the JParker @ Lincoln Hotel depending on where in Lincoln Park you are staying. Cocktails over looking the park and lake has always intrigued me but I haven't been yet despite walking by it almost daily.
posted by srboisvert at 3:56 PM on September 8, 2015


The view is the really the only thing about J Parker--the drinks are sort of ordinary and it tends to get crowded early. So, I would not recommend it for this purpose, but would recommend it in other circumstance.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:04 PM on September 8, 2015


I'd put in a plug for The Barrelhouse Flat as being easily accessible via public transit, decent for groups (especially on a weeknight) and with a lovely cocktail program, plus food.

I'm kind of fascinated that no one has mentioned The Violet Hour, although maybe it's too hard for a group to convene there, given their seating meshugas.

Absolutely terrible for groups (max capacity in the space is 38) but if you, individually, have a chance to stop in at the Drifter, they have an amazing ambiance and the drinks are top notch.
posted by merriment at 4:39 PM on September 8, 2015


Out of misskaz's list, Sable is probably the easiest to get to via train. The rest would require bus or cab from Lincoln Park.

Once all the peanut gallery speaks up, Zosia Blue, you'll have to try to squeeze some sense from our suggestions, and pick one (or some for a crawl) and post the specifics to get a good chance that people will show up.
posted by garlic at 7:05 AM on September 9, 2015


Let's go with Sable. Sable allows reservations, too, so that seems to be a good choice. I'll change the info for Sable - say 7pm? Then make a reservation next week when we have a firmer grasp on how many people are coming. Thanks for all of the suggestions! I'm excited to meet you all.
posted by Zosia Blue at 7:23 AM on September 9, 2015


What time do they activate the whistle array?

About 9:30PM.

But seriously -- I'm all for live music, I used to do PA work for live music, live music is a beautiful thing. But I've also done enough damage to my hearing that I need to be careful, and for a meetup, where conversation is the thing, live music is rather a big strike.

Given the reason and the location, I think Sable is a fine choice, and I'll see if I can break away -- Grand on the red isn't too hard to get to from the Blue.

I'm kind of fascinated that no one has mentioned The Violet Hour, although maybe it's too hard for a group to convene there, given their seating meshugas.

The seating is exactly why I didn't mention TVH. Cocktail wise, one of the best in the city. As a place for a meetup? One of the worst. The only way you could work it for a meetup* is to meet somewhere else and then go as a fixed group, and even then, if you had more than eight, it would be hard.

Also, folks, feel free to keep shouting out suggestions even though a site has been set. There are a couple of places now on my "To try" list that I hadn't heard of!


* I'm wondering when I was talking about Greek temples last because my computer keeps autocorrecting meetup to metope
posted by eriko at 8:15 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]


I just want to go on record in case I forget to tell you in person that I really appreciate the idea of having a "cocktail-designated day" and think more people should do this on trips, short or not.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:27 PM on September 14, 2015 [1 favorite]


I'm traveling a ton over the next year and plan to do this in every city I visit! Cocktails & MeFites are a good combo.
posted by Zosia Blue at 3:52 PM on September 14, 2015


So, just to be safe, I made a reservation for 4, but if anyone else wants to join - let me know! I'll stretch the reservation. Looking forward to it.
posted by Zosia Blue at 1:56 PM on September 16, 2015


If you want to hit other places for cocktails as well during your visit (how's your liver?) this cocktail heatmap was just published today.
posted by srboisvert at 3:19 PM on September 16, 2015


My liver is ripe and ready for all the cocktails I can slam into it. Thank you for that link!
posted by Zosia Blue at 12:48 PM on September 17, 2015


this is in 2 days -- any other maybe's turned more definite? I don't want you have to look in from the cold while we're enjoying delicious cocktails.
posted by garlic at 8:51 PM on September 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


Yes! Let us know.

I'm going to attempt the Violet Hour tonight, hoping that Monday makes it a little easier to get in. Will I regret this? Will I love it? I'm aiming for love. MeFites also welcome to join, though I know it's tougher to organize.
posted by Zosia Blue at 12:06 PM on September 21, 2015


Reservations are under Zosia Blue (figured that would be easier to remember then my real name). I'll try to be the first to arrive. I'll be the petite woman with orange hair looking nervously around the restaurant.
posted by Zosia Blue at 10:28 AM on September 22, 2015


Excellent! All three of us who are meeting you there have our pictures and cell phone numbers in our profiles, so that should make finding us a little easier too (though my hair is a lot shorter than pictured at the moment).
posted by jessypie at 11:02 AM on September 22, 2015


Awesome! And the reservation is for up to 6, so if any of you maybes want to join, there's room.
posted by Zosia Blue at 11:52 AM on September 22, 2015


Purple shirt, brown slacks, maybe new shoes, same face that is in my profile.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:38 PM on September 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


HOW WILL WE KNOW THEY ARE NEW SHOES? (not that I'll be there. I need to hobble home and die)
posted by crush-onastick at 1:27 PM on September 22, 2015 [2 favorites]


That made sense in my head because I would be buying the new shoes and presumably wearing them but also carrying my old shoes in the box that came with the new shoes. So of course I'd be easy to spot.

Unfortunately, I was at work longer than I expected (still there!), so I didn't go shoe shopping. I am still going to be wearing relatively new shoes. They just will not match the pants I am wearing if you have a problem with brown and black whether or not they match.

I am in a shoe buying mood is what I'm saying.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:35 PM on September 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


I need heel caps for my Fluevog Hi Choice Kristens. So I need to go to Wicker Park. But I don't know when or when I can even wear real shoes again.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:04 PM on September 22, 2015


I'm here in old shoes - one of the first tables past the restaurant host booth. I'm wearing black. I look kind of sleepy.
posted by Zosia Blue at 4:49 PM on September 22, 2015


That was magical. Thanks everyone.
posted by Zosia Blue at 11:22 PM on September 22, 2015 [2 favorites]


it was pretty great. sorry for summoning the tech-dudes. You're welcome for banishing the tech-dudes.
posted by garlic at 11:52 PM on September 22, 2015 [4 favorites]


That was a wonderful evening! Thanks for scheduling it, Zosia! You should definitely come down for first Wednesdays from now on.
posted by jessypie at 12:19 AM on September 23, 2015 [1 favorite]


Even in the (too) bright light of today, I am very happy this all happened. Thanks again!
posted by MCMikeNamara at 6:35 AM on September 23, 2015 [1 favorite]


Yeah I want to make this a thing! I need to see more of the tech-bro wizardry. That was pretty special. In the security line now. I think I still taste Malört in my face.
posted by Zosia Blue at 7:10 AM on September 23, 2015 [1 favorite]


To answer a question nobody was curious about but me, In Our Time is the awesome boring BBC podcast that I sometimes use for sleeping.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:18 AM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]



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