Journal
The Chicago journal
FROM $2ADVERTINYA $2 note on the guidesFrom $2Blog-style notes on what Chicago actually drinks: signature cocktails, local pours, and neighborhood showdowns. Hours and prices come from the venues' own pages — full windows on Deals.
Chicago's local pour: Malört, drafts, and the aperitivo hourMalört as the handshake, aperitivo in the West Loop, $4 Pacifico in Wicker Park: how Chicago drinks local.Local pour · checked 2026-09-03River North vs West Loop: where to drink in ChicagoThe Illinois-and-Kinzie grid or the Randolph strip: $8 spritzes and oyster bars against $9 martinis and $10 tinis — compared on windows and printed prices.Comparison · checked 2026-09-03Chicago signatures: $8 spritzes and $1.50 pintxosWhat the bars print: $8 cocktails in River North, $9 martinis and $4 sliders in the West Loop, $1.50 pintxos in Lincoln Park, and $12 half-dozen oysters on Hubbard.Signatures · checked 2026-09-03