The Alderman

Such a phenomenal experience!! Matt was the bar tender and had fabulous recommendations! The drink menu has an array of tasty concoctions to chose from. Our drinks were creative and very enjoyable. Highly recommend reservations as there is extremely limited seating.

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!

Without a doubt worth of all the awards it’s won (best bar in Chicago 2022). Tiny spot - only 5 tables, reservations seriously required - hidden inside Pilsen Yards. Decor & vibe is “modern prohibition”, if there is such a thing, and you’re immediately transported into another world where the cocktails are amazing: unique, intelligent, well travelled & creative creations that are beyond compare. An amazing experience - you must go!

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.

Fantastic cocktails, wonderful service. Place is small and kind of hidden inside Pilsen Yards and you will need a reservation to be seated here. If you love classic cocktails made from scratch this is a must.

Cozy & personal atmosphere, amazingly curated cocktails. Highly suggest ordering off menu and asking for bartenders choice, every drink was made to perfection.

Really good vibe and great drinks! Some of the cocktails are created by the bartenders which are very unique. Definitely coming back again!

A private, quiet speakeasy hidden within Pilsen Yards. This place is amazing! It's completely insulated from the lights and music of the larger bar with a hip, noir vibe and environment all it's own. Golden, dimly lit chandeliers and table top candles glow in a palo santo scented space just big enough for a dozen or so. Lance, the bartender who runs the place, operates like a high end sushi chef but for alcohol. His drinks are custom and brilliant and unlike anything I've ever tasted. Refreshing, smooth, and interesting. We drank from his custom menu and whatever ideas he had in mind for us as the night went on. He's so friendly and funny and gets to know everyone in his room. A real master of the art. We ended the night sitting and laughing beside him with a couple drinks. It was a night we'll never forget.

Really good vibe and great drinks! Some of the cocktails are created by the bartenders which are very unique. Definitely coming back again!

My wife had found this place randomly but it was not easy to find reservations (already a good sign!) Once we finally did, we were blown away. It is a very small and intimate space, so maybe only 12-14 people max, but the whole ambiance screams speakeasy. Interesting yet gorgeous artwork, dim lighting, excellent music choice (think BlackStar, Jurassic 5 etc.) Then comes Lance's menu. Lance is an artist and the drinks he has put together are phenomenal. It doesn't matter what you select, its going to challenge you and rock your world. AND if you have allergies, or prefer a different liquor, don't worry. For the first drink my wife said "I have a pineapple allergy, I like Vodka and nothing too sweet" and Lance goes "I got something." I can't even remember what he brought back but it was amazing. Something about Gin and raspberry but who cares, it was an incredible cocktail. The second drink she just said "surprise me" and another knockout! I tried the Summer Thyme and I the second one had Pisco in it, but both were also very delicious!

It was such a wonderful setting. Drinks were unparalleled and unique. I will definitely go again. The creators are there making the drinks and drink with you if not too busy. Definitely worth a try. Then head over to Pilsen yards for food.

One of my favorite cocktail bars in the city. Eat before you go as they don't serve food. Don't skip the Gin & Tonic.

My wife and I love this bar! The place is really nice and intimate, great vibe, great music, and a great time always!! ...plus Lance makes THE BEST drinks I've ever had. Definitely our new favorite spot! 🥂

Okay this place is amazing. I love the quaint, speak easy vibe and the name is perfect BUT what blew me away was how complex, interesting, boozy and tasty all the drinks I had were. This is a perfect date night spot.

This is the coziest and most romantic spot in pilsen! Drinks were strong and amazing, bartender was so nice and knowledgable. I love how bright & open Pilsen Yards is and then you walk into the alderman and its candlelit and intimate. I made reservations to go back while I was still there 🤣👌

It’s very cozy in there, the drinks were amazing 🤩 and service was outstanding. Definitely make a reservation, as seating is very limited.

Lance is great!! His cocktails are even better!! Sexy, romantic spot for date night or just a good, no, GREAT cocktail 🍸

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.

I had a wonderful time at the alderman!! The bartender catered the drink to my preferences and I’ll definitely go back soon!!

Beautiful speakeasy and amazing bartender! It is completely candle-lit!

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!

Some of the best drinks I’ve had in a long time. The espresso martini is amazing.

Excellent, hand crafted cocktails made by true professionals. A gem. The night I went, the mixologists were fantastic. Top of their game. Right up there with Milk Room, Meadowlark, Sparrow, and Violet Hour. Great product and great service. Note - no food or snacks; drinks only.

This frequently changing menu is always fantastic and the service is always top notch. One of my all time favorite cocktail bars anywhere. Always bring guests here.

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!

A Sip of Magic at The Alderman: Pilsen Yards’ Best Kept Secret My wife and I recently made a reservation for The Alderman, tucked away inside Pilsen Yards, and let me tell you—this place is pure magic! We’d heard through the grapevine (and various websites) that this was a top-notch, speakeasy-style spot, and it did not disappoint. We were on the hunt for a cool, secret entrance kind of place that served not just the classics but something truly unique. The Alderman is exactly that. Forget about your run-of-the-mill liquor selection—these folks are shaking things up, literally! They craft their own fabulous concoctions that are as creative as they are delicious. Shoutout to bartenders Charlie and Roger, who are like the new kids on the block, but with the swagger of the Beastie Boys. These guys know their stuff! My wife and I each tried a few different drinks, and every single one was a hit. You’ll be doing yourself a favor by letting these mixology wizards surprise you. Honestly, I wish I lived closer so I could make this my regular haunt. But here's a pro tip: don’t wait to make your reservation! Space is limited, and they only let a select few in each day. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this hidden gem. Cheers! 🍸

Serious top notch craft cocktail bar. Every cocktail I tried was delicious and interesting. The relatively early hours make it accessible to those of us with young children or other constraints on late night debauchery. I can’t wait to come back and try the Dat Dill Doe and the Old Cat, New Tricks.

The Alderman came as a recommendation and I will say it did not disappoint. Was in town and had a few reservations at some other awarded cocktail bars that are a bit more known outside of Chicago. I hadn’t heard of this place before and it was the last stop we had on the list and personally I am glad it was, after visiting The Alderman the other places would have just been a disappointment. This isn’t a spot for bums, it is a spot for people who appreciate the craft of cocktail making. As you enter The Alderman the appearance and vibe changes dramatically compared to Pilson Yards. The room’s décor is well thought out and sets the vibe and mood the moment you enter. However the real magic of this place is the man behind the cocktails. Everything that was ordered was incredibly well put together. You can tell that this is a person who has spent years honing his craft, the cocktails and the awards are proof of that. This is one place that I will make sure I visit each time I am in town.

I cannot say enough about this place- I didn’t catch our bartenders name (we were there this evening until close, much later than we anticipated because it was such a great environment ) but he was the nicest guy maybe of all time. Came over and sat with us, explained each of our drinks with us, had some nice chats and even at one point made us each specialized drinks going off just our favorite liquors and what vibe we wanted for the drink (bright, deep, etc). I’m going to be coming back here all the time but I cannot compliment whoever was serving us tonight (5/17/23) enough because he was the dopest dude and made the best drinks. Love love love !

Best cocktail bar in the city. Cozy and yet classy, elegant but not snobby. Bartenders are so good they match the excellence of the drinks, which are creative, tasty, and have plenty of plenty of breadth. With making a reservation for - tiny space, my only regret is it’s hard to just drop in.

Went here for a cocktail for my partners birthday and the space was super cozy and beautiful, the drinks were creative and delicious and the service was amazing. Roger was our bartender and he was attentive, knowledgeable and very friendly. He made the experience so special. Book yourself a table and prepare for a good night! Thank you Roger, give him a raise!

The Alderman is a hidden gem if you’re into craft cocktails and a speakeasy vibe. Tucked inside Pilsen Yards, it’s got that low-lit, intimate feel that makes for a perfect date night or chill night out. Spent around $50 for two drinks and a small bite—had the Smokey Old Fashioned ($18) and a Paper Plane ($16), both perfectly balanced. The bartenders actually care about their craft, and you can tell from the quality of the drinks. Not the cheapest spot, but if you want a well-made cocktail in a cool, relaxed setting, this is it. Definitely coming back.

The Alderman is just a good bar. Nothing too extravagant and low-key enough to hold a conversation without too much hassle. Service is good but you have to be patient, since there are no other servers besides the bartender. Just as a heads up, they don't offer food and their cocktail menu is kind of small.

Nice speakeasy. Drinks were good. Very small. Only complaint I have is that the bartender served our first drink but never came back to ask if we needed another drink.

I love love love their cocktails. The bartender (so sorry I forgot his name) is always friendly and attentive. It’s nice to get to talk to the person who is making all the magic happen rather than having a third person just bringing you the drinks. I have to say though, every time we go even though we have a reservation and show up on time, we always end up waiting at least 10 minutes to get seated. So if you are in a rush, that could be a problem. Also last time we were there, the music was so loud. I don’t mind it so much if it was a nice mellow R&B or lofi but so pleasant when it’s with crazy rap or EDM… Other than that, the atmosphere is amazing, and the people are nice and friendly and their cocktails are just so amazing. My new favorite bar in Chicago :)

No food here … just cocktails. It’s an old school vibe inside of Pilsen Yards (also a cocktail destination). Mezcal is a frequent ingredient in the cocktails — a good option even if that’s not your normal groove. Make a reservation — just a few seats and limited capacity.

The cocktails were absolutely delicious, and we were served a small amuse bouche cocktail as well that was also delicious. Would have loved a second cocktail, but after receiving our first round of drinks the bartender ignored us for the remaining hour we were at the establishment. We had to flag down another employee to finally pay our tab. There were, maximum, 12 other people in the bar. It was the strangest thing.

They never told us that the table would be reserved for only an hour and a half. It was my husband's birthday, and he ordered another drink — even then, the server didn’t mention that they would ask us to leave in the next five minutes. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have ordered it. We were asked to leave shortly after. Fortunately, they have a taco pub outside where we could use the bar space to finish our drinks, but it really watered down the experience. Also, the drinks were very strong, and I couldn’t taste any of the highlighted flavors.

Came in on a Thursday for a drink after dinner, excited by the high ratings, but left thoroughly disappointed. Despite the bar being nearly empty, we waited 10–15 minutes for a seat—fine, that happens. However, it took another 15 minutes just to place our drink order. The real letdown was the drinks themselves: not just “not good,” but objectively bad. My wife’s Sichuan Panda was undrinkable—she tried, I tried, but neither of us could stomach more than a sip. My No New York cocktail wasn’t much better. The experience started with an overwhelming cloud of torched rosemary smoke (a nice touch when done right, but this was excessive) and ended with a barely serviceable drink that I couldn’t finish either. Long wait times, a hefty bill, and drinks that were far below expectations made for a disappointing experience overall.

Good cocktail. Painfully slow service. Don’t plan on them coming back to offer you a second drink. Spent an hour and 40 mintues there and the bartender only came once--had to flag down a different employee to pay our bill. there were maybe 15 people there. It was not busy. Might not be worth it.