The Alley Cat Bar
Chicago
Arrive early to snag a good spot before the bar gets busy, particularly on weekends.
Nestled in Chicago's vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood, The Alley Cat Bar is a local favorite known for its creative cocktails and inventive bar bites. This cozy spot offers a menu filled with intriguing flavor combinations, all designed to provide a delightful experience for visitors. Customers can expect a range of shareable dishes with unique twists; the menu features a selection of slightly unexpected items alongside more familiar offerings. The cocktail menu is equally imaginative, with various draft cocktails crafted using quality ingredients and skillful techniques. Whether one prefers a classic like a Negroni or something more adventurous like the Girl Dinner Gibson, the drinks here cater to diverse tastes.
The Alley Cat Bar is an easygoing venue that draws a laid-back crowd seeking relaxed evenings. Open every evening, it provides a warm setting to unwind at the end of the day, making it a popular choice for weeknight gatherings or weekend revelry. The setting is perfect for both casual catch-ups with friends and more intimate meetups. As the kitchen closes 45 minutes before the bar, planning ahead for both dinner and drinks is advisable.
The atmosphere is welcoming and unpretentious, making The Alley Cat Bar an easy stop for both locals and visitors exploring the area. With an eye on creativity and quality, this neighborhood bar offers a distinctive twist on the traditional bar experience, attracting patrons who appreciate novel flavors without frills. From early evening to late at night, this Chicago spot buzzes with a lively energy reflective of its location, appealing to those wanting to savor its one-of-a-kind offerings.
Reviews
Crispy Tots FAB, Bread AMAZING, Fish sticks why even have them on the menu…. they tastes like i put a wildfire in my mouth. they were not advertised like that either. the drinks are so lovely & loved the vibe. will be back. If you decide to go i’d recommend everything else but pass on the fish sticks unless you like the taste of smoke
Love the vibe in this place. It's something akin to dark academia meets gothic. It's unlike much in the neighborhood. My honest impression was that the one cocktail I tried (the aviation) was sub-par. I can't tell if it's due to the mixology, or the fact that all the cocktails are pre-mixed and served on draft (which I definitely appreciate to keep the prices reasonable). I'll give it another try or two for the vibe (and bonus points for the $3 pickled egg).
The long bar is first and foremost. There’s also a lil area to look at behind you in the form of book shelves. (Nightmare for cleaning and is it even functional?) I’m curious if this place will eventually go 2AM vs their midnight close currently. Either way; Service was amazing.! I was greeted by Britt who is an award winning bartender in her class. My cocktail was the “Saturn”… I will leave this here, because I would like you to try it yourself. Amazing! Food? YES! I had the fish sticks and they were everything I would ask for.
Fantastic cocktails, small bites were insanely delicious, very sophisticated, yet very friendly and inviting. The briny Gibson was superb. Also - maybe the best value for price in the Division Street strip.
Had a great first time at Alley Cat. The surrounding area has needed a spot of this type for some time. Long bar with an intimate atmosphere, perfect for a date or night cap. Plenty of additional group and date sitting in the back two areas with a quiet feel. Absolutely recommend the Pork Skewers and Taters. Friendly staff Clean bathroom Good drinks
