The Aviary

"For Chicago, The Aviary in the West Loop is the special occasion cocktail bar. Which isn’t surprising since it’s from the Alinea group—so expect elaborate, Alinea-esque drinks on the menu here. Cocktails start around $27, and vary in the amount they look like science experiments. For example, The Jungle Bird has little clear tapioca-like balls filled with rum that pop in your mouth, and the In The Rocks goes even further—it comes in a ball of ice you need to snap with a rubber band. You can make reservations, but you can also walk in (there might be a wait, but that will give you some time to quickly reread your eighth-grade science textbook). Plus their basement speakeasy, The Office, is also great if you want to keep things going afterwards." - adrian kane, john ringor

"The Aviary is the special occasion West Loop cocktail bar. It’s from the same owners as Alinea, complete with elaborate, Alinea-esque drinks on the menu. Cocktails start around $28, and vary in terms of how much they look like science experiments. The Jungle Bird has little clear tapioca-like balls filled with rum that pop in your mouth, and the Old Fashioned comes in a ball of ice you need to snap with a rubber band. Make a reservation if you're hoping to stop by on the weekend. You can also try walking in, as long as you're OK with a wait. Just use that time to rearrange your monthly budget in preparation of a night here." - nick allen, john ringor, adrian kane

"Finding oneself at the Aviary is far from an accident and almost certainly planned for ahead of time. That being said, and with the Alinea Group at the helm, the food is obviously a main draw. Best bets are to eat a fuller meal before or after, but leave room for smaller dishes such as the truffle explosion (first featured at Alinea) and over-the-top snacks like beautifully presented crispy pork skin. And if a trip to the Office — an intimate speakeasy located beneath the Aviary — is in order, get the enormous sundae, a dessert that will leave anyone feeling luxurious." - Eater Staff, Ashok Selvam

"Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas’ impact on the culinary world extends beyond food. At the Alinea Group’s cocktail temple, which won a Beard in 2013, the talented team behind the bar practice alchemy to create mesmerizing and awe-inspiring libations that are unlike anything else in Chicago. The downstairs speakeasy, the Office, serves classic drinks and vintage spirits." - Naomi Waxman, Eater Staff

"From the owners of Alinea, the Aviary takes chef Grant Achatz’s approach to molecular gastronomy and applies it to beverages. That might be off-putting to dive bar lovers, but the result is a bar with vintage spirits, unusual cocktails, and prices that make the well-to-do feel like they’re shelling out for something worthy. For pure cocktail fans, the presentation, glassware, and whimsical approach to beverages are worth scoring a reservation. There’s also a more exclusive space, the Office, located downstairs." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman