Bloody Marys are one of those drinks that can made in many different way– which is why people have such split reviews on bars and restaurants that serve them. Some like it spicy, some mild and don’t get me started with garnishes. Every place listed is notable in their own way– sometimes you need to taste it to fully understand, others you can just read the ingredients list and immediately gravitate towards it.
Some of the best Bloody Marys in Chicago :
Homeslice
938 W Webster Ave, Chicago
(312) 789-4600
Lincoln Park
Homeslice may have created the perfect hangover Bloody Mary. You won’t need breakfast, just order a couple of these and you’ll be good to go. Skip breakfast? How dare I say something so heinous. Well, each Bloody Mary is equipped with a cold slice of Hawaiian-style pizza, pepperoni, pepperoncini, and a Miller High Life pony. Boom.
Fat Cat
4840 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 506-3100
Uptown
Fat Cat serves up a wonderfully spicy and peppery Bloody Mary, with just enough sweetness and a hint of bbq sauce. The best part– a chunk of brown sugar sriracha glazed bacon (lardon) with it!
Glenn’s Diner
1820 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 506-1720
North Center
The jumbo tiger shrimp Bloody Mary is all the rage here. Nicely seasoned rim with carrot, celery stalk, slice of honey dew and 4 shrimps to top it off.
Jam
3057 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 292-6011
Logan Square
This housemade mix is rich with tomato flavor and spiced nicely, as well as spicy. The smoke mussel definitely gives it a unique taste. If that is your sort of thing, then you found your place.
Twisted Spoke
501 N Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 666-1500
West Town
Their Bloody Marys are a meal in a glass. The mix has a nice spice kick to it, but not so much so that it is undrinkable. Topped off with shredded cheese and a garnish of salami round this out as a fully balanced meal.
Headquarters
2833 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 / 213 W Institute Pl, Chicago, IL 60610
(773) 665-5660 (312) 291-8735
Lake View River North
These people are crazy with their Bloody Mary. Not only does it taste phenomenal, but their garnish is on point. Fresh meats, veggies, cheeses and topped with a White Castle slider makes it a sight to see.
Sunda
110 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 644-0500
River North
Sunda serves up the most insane Bloody Mary in Chicago. It is dubbed the Sumo Mary– I would love to know if anything is quite as hearty as this. For example– the garnish may be (deep breath) : Chinese broccoli, Oshinko, loompya stick, tocino grilled cheese, herb-roasted potatoes, baked snow crab hand roll, duck bao, braised pork belly and without further ado– it is completed by none other than three slices of bacon. If you planned on coming for a meal and a Bloody Mary, good luck. They do change up the ingredients from time to time, but it is never less impressive. They also have a Bloody Mary bar during lunch.
Hamburger Mary’s
5400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 /
(773) 784-6969
Andersonville
Not much compliments a burger better than a Bloody Mary. They season the rim of their glass with lemon pepper seasoning– not for everyone, but if you are into it, it accents the flavor immensely. Their house infused jalapeno vodka is a nice touch as well.
Rockit Bar & Grill
Many Locations
Rockit is perfect for all types of Bloody Mary drinkers. Their Bloody Mary bar gives you the option of what you want to add for flavor. No more must you make requests or remove things from your hearty drink to the point where it looks like just a glass of tomato juice.
Fireside
5739 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL
(773) 561-7433
Edgewater
Fireside also embraces the perfection that is known as a Bloody Mary bar. They start you off with a hefty amount of vodka and then unleash you to create your own preferred mix.
Davanti Enoteca
1359 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL / 30 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL
(312) 226-5550 (312) 605-5900
University Village Near North Side
Davanti Enoteca’s Bloody Mary bar is well stocked with over twenty forms of hot sauce, pickled items, and garnished to the point that you could make a light meal out of your drink.
Dunlay’s
2600 N Clark St, Chicago, IL / 3137 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL
(773) 883-6000 (773) 227-2400
Lincoln Park Logan Square
They serve up a Bloody Mary that is spicy, but not in the aggressive kick your face in the mouth sort of way. Great consistency with the required garnishes of celery, an olive, a pickle and a slice of salami.
Lula’s Cafe
2537 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 489-9554
Logan Square
There is something that seems extra refreshing about Lula’s Bloody Mary. A sense of summer to it, a sense of garden freshness. It pairs perfectly with hot summer days.
Grandview Tavern
1202 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 733-6378
West Town
One of my personal favorites in the city; their mix is spot on. I like it spicy, but this is a nice balance where anyone can enjoy it– not overpowering. Served up with a lemon, pickle, cheese, olive and the salami chunk makes for a nice appetizer while you wait for your food.
Chicago Q
1160 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 642-1160
Near North Side
Barbecue joints know that more is better– which is why Chicago Q serves up their Bloody Mary bar. Just like meat comes in different cuts, so can your Bloody Mary.
The Bristol
2152 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 862-5555
Bucktown
The Bristol goes spicy with their mix– the beer back can help to combat that though if needed. It is thick and smoky with an aggressive amount of flavor, as it should be– with a pickle, ham and cheese to top it.
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-7110
Logan Square
If you are feeling like a friendly quarrel (oxymoron, I know)– Longman & Eagle’s Bloody Mary is for you. It is garnished with a little cocktail sword to start off your battle. First, you need to make it through the square of cheese and cornichon though. The glass rim houses a lime and lemon to finish it off.
Heartland Cafe / Buffalo Bar
7000 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 465-8005
Rogers Park
Heartland Cafe serves up a Bloody Mary that lives up to their name. The mix is phenomenal, with the right amount of spice to flavor ratio. The entire drink and garnishes taste garden fresh, with a slice of bacon to add the saltiness that us humans sometime (most of the time) require. Pickle and olives included.
Tweet
5020 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-5576
Uptown
Some of the meanest Bloody Marys in the city come in the form of wasabi & Sriracha mixes. Tweet gives you options (such as the classic style) if you don’t like the spice, but they have enough variations to appeal to anyone. They are served up in vintage styled tiki cups for that little extra flare.
Uncommon Ground
3800 N. Clark, Chicago / 1401 W. Devon, Chicago
773-929-3680 773-465-9801
Lakeview Edgewater
Uncommon Ground’s Bloody Mary is a unique mixture. It starts with two different choices– the garlic-infused prairie vodka or the ancho-infused tequila. From there the house made mix is added and a skewer of garden options tops it off. This Bloody Mary absolutely is not lacking in flavor.
Jimmy Green’s
825 S State St, Chicago
(312) 386-9000
South Loop
Jimmy Green’s understands Chicago. Their Bloody Mary is so much more than just a cocktail. Maybe because it is loaded with salami, cheese, an assortment of vegetables… and a mini-Chicago style hot dog. No ketchup allowed, but you can surely dip it in your Bloody Mary mix.
Smoke Daddy
1804 W Division St, Chicago
(773) 772-6656
West Town
Smoke Daddy embraces their specialty and adds a touch of smoke to their Bloody Mary mix. The flavor of their mix alone could net themselves on this list, but what really locks them in is the addition of warm smoked brisket and pulled pork used as a garnish. I don’t need to say anything more.
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