Broken Shaker at Freehand Chicago
Cocktail bar · Near North Side
19 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Highlights
Creative craft cocktails & diverse eats in a hip, tropical-themed space.
Creative craft cocktails & diverse eats in a hip, tropical-themed space.
"Broken Shaker is a tiki transplant from Miami complete with a giant bandana-wearing octopus mural, whom some call “Tupactopus”. Nestled within the Freehand Hotel, the vibe is utterly cool with a tropical flair. The bar is known for their warm weather cocktail menu that emphasizes dark spirits. Standouts include the Banana Rum Manhattan and a Cocoa Puff Old Fashioned made with cereal-infused bourbon. Who wouldn’t want their drink to taste like chocolatey breakfast cereal?" - One Design Company
"This small bar in the back of the Freehand Hotel smells like incense and sounds like spring break, and there will probably be at least one couple trying to recapture the thrill of a vacation fling. You’ll find tropical cocktails and a disco ball spinning inside what’s basically an ‘80s tiki hut. Sounds weird, but between the atmosphere, people watching, and decent drinks (which do lean sweet), it makes for a fun date option. At the very least, it’s a good place to stop in for a cocktail where you won’t spend the entire time staring at your phone." - veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen
"Remember when you travelled to Europe in college or spent a semester abroad? Yeah, that was fake life. The fact you could drink eight days a week and stay in hostels with other young people looking to do the same meant there was always something to do. Well, the Freehand Hotel is trying to make hostels cool in the U.S., and the bar inside, Broken Shaker, is doing a great job all around with the food and drinks." - sam faye
"Broken Shaker is a hotel bar that’s trying really hard not to be a hotel bar, and it’s mostly successful. Instead of sleek furniture and Old Fashioneds and People Who Mean Business, you’ll find tropical cocktails and a disco ball spinning inside what’s basically an ‘80s tiki hut. The small bar in the back of the Freehand Hotel smells like incense and sounds like spring break, and there will probably be at least one couple trying to recapture the thrill of a vacation fling. Sounds weird, but between the atmosphere, people watching, and decent drinks (which do lean sweet), it makes for a fun date option. At the very least, it’s a good place to stop in for a drink where you won’t spend the entire time staring at your phone." - Veda Kilaru
"It’s easy to stay awhile at this River North hostel, where life-size Jenga and a surplus of comfy booths serve as an entrance to the lobby level’s focal point: A bar where the team takes a creative and quirky approach to drams and dishes alike. An on-site garden supplies herbs and spices for concoctions, while globally sourced ingredients inform an ever-changing menu of libations like the Bengali Old-Fashioned (with Old Forester bourbon, mango, and garam masala) or the Detox to Retox Margarita (with Olmeca Altos Blanco tequila, roasted grapes, blistered shishito , pineapple, and ginger-turmeric salt). Pair it all up with bites like the carnitas and tortillas, or the octopus po'boy with kimchi rémoulade, shaved cabbage, and potato-chip crumble."
