The 10 Best Cocktail Bars in Chicago

You going to Chicago? It's windy out there—especially this time of year—or so they say. Thankfully, there are plenty of places where you can reliably shelter yourself in the warm glow of alcohol. And what better place do that than a cozy, dimly lit cocktail bar?

Don't feel like compiling a list of the greatest cocktail bars in Chi City? Well, we've already done that for you and our list features not one, but two tiki bars. Rum, or a glass of fine booze in general, should warm you up plenty. In the words of Chicago's finest bluesman, "It's good for your head and it relax your body, don't you know?"

Read on for our picks, and don't forget to check out the rest of the MUNCHIES Guide to Chicago here.

The Barrelhouse Flat: While many bars these days are stripping their menus down to a few select, take-it-or-leave-it options, The Barrelhouse Flat's cocktail menu is a throwback to the days when bartenders were expected to remember how to make dozens of disparate drinks at the drop of a hat. While drinks fit into categories based on the liquor-of-choice (bourbon, gin, etc.), the options are vast, and a solid number of classic recipes show up to play. They serve food, too, which is probably a good idea considering how many drinks you'll consume here.

Dusek's: With a Michelin star recently added to its list of accolades, this New American restaurant was popular from the moment it opened, in large part because of its esoteric draft list and succinct but well-put-together cocktail menu. Mixed drinks fall under the categories of both "classic" and "seasonal" for just ten bucks a pop, and astute diners will notice the brunch menu has its own list priced at only $8 each. If you've ever wanted to start your day with a Corpse Reviver made with blanco tequila, ancho reyes, absinthe, lemon, and a "house fortified blend," go here.

Lost Lake: Run by famed Chicago bartender Paul McGee, Lost Lake is a tiki refuge in a world overrun by Negronis and Old Fashioneds. Cocktails are a flat $12, with the exception of an $8 daily rotating daiquiri and some more expensive drinks designed to be shared amongst friends. While garnished with everything from banana dolphins to umbrellas, imbibers will be happy to note the drinks are not the syrupy cream of coconut concoctions many automatically associate with tiki. While the menu does skew heavily toward rum (as is appropriate), scotch, gin, bourbon, and tequila all make an appearance as well. It's a funky space with gorgeous, delicious drinks. Don himself couldn't do any better.

Broken Shaker: Located in the beautiful Freehand Hotel, the Broken Shaker is an award-winning cocktail bar featuring an extensive menu of both food and drinks. The latter take the form of both punches and freshly-mixed cocktails, and you can expect concoctions like the Ambassador To Funkytown, which blends Stiggis' Fancy Plantation rum with Batavia Arak and Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao, which is shaken with red bean, almond, and fresh pineapple.

Three Dots and a Dash: The tiki revival is real, people, and hopefully it's here to stay. Three Dots and a Dash is equal parts upscale cocktail lounge and kitschy tiki bar; the retro-inspired menu is divided into sections like "Creamy n' Delicious," "High Octane," and "Group Excursions," and it features an extensive rum index. Make a reservation and get in early—you can nosh on bites like Thai fried chicken and crab rangoon while you get lit under the glowing skull decor.

For five more of Chicago's best cocktail bars, plus more places to eat, drink, and get weird in the Windy City, check out the rest of the MUNCHIES Guide to Chicago here.