5 Chicago Bars With Epic Large Format Drinks
via Boleo
If your summer bucket list includes enjoying as many deliciously refreshing cocktails as possible with friends, this is the round-up for you. Let’s face it… cocktails are always better with good company! Check out our list of Chicago bars + restaurants that offer special large-format drinks, perfect for sharing and enjoying with your crew:
Boleo {122 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL; 312.750.9007}
Set on the 15th floor rooftop space of the Loop’s Kimpton Gray Hotel, Boleo is one of the best places in the city for authentic and flavorful Pan-latin cuisine. With a food menu focused on small shareable plates + tapas, it’s only fitting that the Boleo team also just launched some delicious new large-format cocktails to share with the table. The first offering is Thyme For Piña - Jose Cuervo Tradicionale Tequila Blanco, Giffard Banane du Bresil, pineapple juice, ginger & thyme syrup, lime, club soda and served in a festive pineapple jug. Next up is Brisa De Fresa - Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint,Dolin Dry Vermouth, Strawberry Cordial, lemon juice, crushed mint + Sprite.
Three Dots & A Dash {435 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL; 312.610.4220}
Calling all tiki-drink lovers! Three Dots & A Dash is arguably one of Chicago’s best cocktail bars, and is here to make all your group drinking dreams come true. Their cocktail menu includes a variety of large-format cocktails all served in flashy, over the top vessels that can serve anywhere from 2-6 people. Highlights include The Treasure Chest with Venezuelan Rum, Brut Champagne, passionfruit, guava, lemon + tangerine, The Hurricane Buster with Blanco Tequila, Mezcal, apple brandy, guava, pineapple, lime + almond orgeat and the famed Shotsapus, a round of flavored shots served in life-like octopus tentacles.
via The Robey
Clever Coyote {2018 W North Avenue, Chicago, IL; 872.315.3050}
No large-format drink list is complete without the mention of at least one fish bowl and Clever Coyote is here to deliver! Located in Wicker Park’s The Robey Hotel, Clever Coyote is a tiki-inspired lounge serving up tasty fare in a laid-back, nostalgic setting on the hotel’s 2nd floor. Their large-format Fish Bowl - Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary, Rum, Milagro Tequila, Blue Curaçao, Lemon, Lime - is a party in a bowl and comes garnished with a very on-theme Swedish Fish floater. Fish Bowl serves 2 or more people depending on just how thirsty you are….
Pizzeria Portofino {317 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL; 312.900.9018}
Summer season is also spritz season and River North’s Pizzeria Portofino takes that to a whole new level with their iconic Portofino Purses. Diners can create their purses from one of Pizzeria Portofino’s signature cocktails or spritz lists, which is then served in a large-format style for 2-4 people in (you guessed it!) a make-shift purse bag! Spritz the night away on the Chicago Riverwalk alongside delicious pizzas and your favorite crew.
Queen Mary {2125 West Division Street, Chicago, IL; 773.697.3522}
Queen Mary is Ukrainian Village’s beloved neighborhood cocktail bar dating all the way back to the late 1940s. Their menu is inspired by the ‘British naval drinking tradition’, focusing on maritime cocktails + wine in a moody, laid-back setting. Queen Mary offers two hand-crafted, large-format cocktails including Barbie World Punch - Glendalough Rose Gin, Ramazzotti Apertivo Rosato, lemon, strawberry, rhubarb + milk wash and everyone’s favorite Pimm’s By The Pitcher - Pimm’s No 1, lemon, blackberry, ginger, orange, cucumber, mint, génépy, gin+ bitter lemon soda. Both beverages serve anywhere from 2-6 people and can also be ordered as a single serving cocktail.
By Robyn Glaza | Market Manager