Incredible care in the selection of spirits, exceptional on their own, and something different every visit. While the space is limited, don’t pass on the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel Raveling
Woah this place is all about the experience and the atmosphere and it nailed it. The drink menu is so unique and very adventurous. The bartenders are fantastic. It's small and not blasting loud, intimate and beautiful. I didn't find quite what I wanted on the menu so I told our drink specialist what I liked and was looking for and he made me a drink based on that. And it was AMAZING. So don't be afraid to go off the menu. We had 2 hour reservations and need to stick to that as they are very busy. Hope we can go back again next time we visit Chicago!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter Jackson
Chill, relax and enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Courtney B
Highly recommend visiting this super lowkey and intimate bar. It’s inside of Pilsen Yards. There’s about 6 tables and 4 stools at the bar. It’s dimly lit cozy space that’s aesthetically pleasing with chandeliers and a mix of black art. The drinks are not your traditional cocktails, they come with a twist that makes them unique. It’s a good place to try something different. They also play a good mix of r&b, soul, funk, and electronic.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Maria Fernanda Wetzel
If you are looking for a cocktail bar, make sure to come to the Alderman. It’s a small, hidden gem, that transports you somewhere else. They welcome you with a delicious mezcal shot and then continue with amazing cocktails. I tried the purple pisco sour and the Miami vice. Both were the perfect balance of flavors. I will be back and highly recommend it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas Harnish
Fantastic cocktail bar, best in the area hands down.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Syaqinah Harun
Amazing cocktail bar with great ambiance and drinks! Amazing mixologist at the bar - Matt was very passionate and knowledgeable about his cocktails. We had 6 different cocktails total and all were delicious. The winners for me:- Lost Explorer: if you like mezcal!- Purple Pisco Sour: a little sweeter but the maracuya foam is delish!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike D.
Very cool spot tucked away inside of Pilsen Yards. Was surprised to see a place like this in Pilsen. The drinks were awesome and honesty, appropriately priced. Very cool place to stop by for a special occasion. It's small and intimate, and I believe you need a reservation. Highly recommend.
LenaG
The Alderman is ALWAYS a good idea. The drinks are so creative and delicious, and the staff is so welcoming and helpful with their suggestions. This was our second time but will not be our last!
Cody J.
Easily one of the best cocktail bars we've ever been to. Definitely worth a visit, but be sure to have a reservation. Go for the cocktails that THEY created, as they are super unique over the classic route.
Fantastic atmosphere, okay drinks and service. Love the concept and creativity of the drinks, but they weren't as tasty as I wanted them to be. They can definitely afford to take it up a notch!
Kara
Outstanding cocktails that are worth the price, plus friendly service. Note that they don't serve food, but that's ok, you can eat at Pilsen Yards before or after your reservation.
Yvonne I.
I had previously tried getting reservations here in the past, but had been unsuccessful. This bar has limited seating and you ideally should try to book a reservation here at least a few days in advance if possible. My husband and I had planned to be in the area for dinner, so we decided to also book a reservation here for an after-dinner drink. Soon after we arrived, we were brought to our seats at the bar. The welcome drink was a nice way to start the experience. We both enjoyed the opportunity to speak directly to the owner of the bar and another bartender. Several cocktails caught my eye, but I stuck with whiskey focused cocktails during my visit. The Whimsy Old Fashioned, Private Label Old Fashioned, Trifecta, and Raised by Wolves were all outstanding. The menu also includes several other cocktails that feature rum, gin, sake, cognac, etc. Most cocktails were priced around $16 and felt fairly priced.
Laurie Halliday
In the hypo-era of the speakeasy, I think The Alderman stands out as a chill version that still has that super-cool and fun vibe. Lance, the bartender, definitely makes it so. When the four of us were greeted by him, he ran down the menu for us, then went away to prepare our amuse bouche cocktail. He returned with them & they were delicious, and then I tried to order a drink he had told us he was out of. Typical me. My listening skills are muddled at best. But Lance stepped up and decided to concoct it with a substitute or two. That, my friend, is eloquent service. The drinks were good, the small space filled up yet wasn't too loud, and I would have returned each night I was in Chicago if I could, just for a kick-off cocktail to start each evening. Definitely go!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Laurie H.
In the hypo-era of the speakeasy, I think The Alderman stands out as a chill version that still has that super-cool and fun vibe. Lance, the bartender, definitely makes it so. When the four of us were greeted by him, he ran down the menu for us, then went away to prepare our amuse bouche cocktail. He returned with them & they were delicious, and then I tried to order a drink he had told us he was out of. Typical me. My listening skills are muddled at best. But Lance stepped up and decided to concoct it with a substitute or two. That, my friend, is eloquent service. The drinks were good, the small space filled up yet wasn't too loud, and I would have returned each night I was in Chicago if I could, just for a kick-off cocktail to start each evening. Definitely go!
Incredible care in the selection of spirits, exceptional on their own, and something different every visit. While the space is limited, don’t pass on the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Woah this place is all about the experience and the atmosphere and it nailed it. The drink menu is so unique and very adventurous. The bartenders are fantastic. It's small and not blasting loud, intimate and beautiful. I didn't find quite what I wanted on the menu so I told our drink specialist what I liked and was looking for and he made me a drink based on that. And it was AMAZING. So don't be afraid to go off the menu. We had 2 hour reservations and need to stick to that as they are very busy. Hope we can go back again next time we visit Chicago!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chill, relax and enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Highly recommend visiting this super lowkey and intimate bar. It’s inside of Pilsen Yards. There’s about 6 tables and 4 stools at the bar. It’s dimly lit cozy space that’s aesthetically pleasing with chandeliers and a mix of black art. The drinks are not your traditional cocktails, they come with a twist that makes them unique. It’s a good place to try something different. They also play a good mix of r&b, soul, funk, and electronic.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
If you are looking for a cocktail bar, make sure to come to the Alderman. It’s a small, hidden gem, that transports you somewhere else. They welcome you with a delicious mezcal shot and then continue with amazing cocktails. I tried the purple pisco sour and the Miami vice. Both were the perfect balance of flavors. I will be back and highly recommend it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic cocktail bar, best in the area hands down.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing cocktail bar with great ambiance and drinks! Amazing mixologist at the bar - Matt was very passionate and knowledgeable about his cocktails. We had 6 different cocktails total and all were delicious. The winners for me:- Lost Explorer: if you like mezcal!- Purple Pisco Sour: a little sweeter but the maracuya foam is delish!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very cool spot tucked away inside of Pilsen Yards. Was surprised to see a place like this in Pilsen. The drinks were awesome and honesty, appropriately priced. Very cool place to stop by for a special occasion. It's small and intimate, and I believe you need a reservation. Highly recommend.
The Alderman is ALWAYS a good idea. The drinks are so creative and delicious, and the staff is so welcoming and helpful with their suggestions. This was our second time but will not be our last!
Easily one of the best cocktail bars we've ever been to. Definitely worth a visit, but be sure to have a reservation. Go for the cocktails that THEY created, as they are super unique over the classic route.
Restaurantji Recommends
Fantastic atmosphere, okay drinks and service. Love the concept and creativity of the drinks, but they weren't as tasty as I wanted them to be. They can definitely afford to take it up a notch!
Outstanding cocktails that are worth the price, plus friendly service. Note that they don't serve food, but that's ok, you can eat at Pilsen Yards before or after your reservation.
I had previously tried getting reservations here in the past, but had been unsuccessful. This bar has limited seating and you ideally should try to book a reservation here at least a few days in advance if possible. My husband and I had planned to be in the area for dinner, so we decided to also book a reservation here for an after-dinner drink. Soon after we arrived, we were brought to our seats at the bar. The welcome drink was a nice way to start the experience. We both enjoyed the opportunity to speak directly to the owner of the bar and another bartender. Several cocktails caught my eye, but I stuck with whiskey focused cocktails during my visit. The Whimsy Old Fashioned, Private Label Old Fashioned, Trifecta, and Raised by Wolves were all outstanding. The menu also includes several other cocktails that feature rum, gin, sake, cognac, etc. Most cocktails were priced around $16 and felt fairly priced.
In the hypo-era of the speakeasy, I think The Alderman stands out as a chill version that still has that super-cool and fun vibe. Lance, the bartender, definitely makes it so. When the four of us were greeted by him, he ran down the menu for us, then went away to prepare our amuse bouche cocktail. He returned with them & they were delicious, and then I tried to order a drink he had told us he was out of. Typical me. My listening skills are muddled at best. But Lance stepped up and decided to concoct it with a substitute or two. That, my friend, is eloquent service. The drinks were good, the small space filled up yet wasn't too loud, and I would have returned each night I was in Chicago if I could, just for a kick-off cocktail to start each evening. Definitely go!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
In the hypo-era of the speakeasy, I think The Alderman stands out as a chill version that still has that super-cool and fun vibe. Lance, the bartender, definitely makes it so. When the four of us were greeted by him, he ran down the menu for us, then went away to prepare our amuse bouche cocktail. He returned with them & they were delicious, and then I tried to order a drink he had told us he was out of. Typical me. My listening skills are muddled at best. But Lance stepped up and decided to concoct it with a substitute or two. That, my friend, is eloquent service. The drinks were good, the small space filled up yet wasn't too loud, and I would have returned each night I was in Chicago if I could, just for a kick-off cocktail to start each evening. Definitely go!