Absolutely LOVED loved loved The Meadowlark. We came for cocktails with friends on Wednesday night before our 7pm dinner reservation. Upon check in, the hostess escorted us to four seats at the corner of the bar. The bar itself is the most cozy and feels like being at a friend’s house if that friend had a bar in their living room. The bartender was incredibly personable as well as being knowledgeable about the various cocktails on the menu. Before a round of classic cocktails we had to try some of their specialties. The pool party, field trip and pizza party were all remarkably good and interesting without being cloying or sweet. If I lived in Chicago, I would be frequenting this bar on the regular.

Meadowlark Bar is such a creative and memorable spot in Chicago! The drink menu is wild—in the best way. Each page is themed around school life, and the cocktail ingredients play right into that concept. Super unique and well thought out. I tried some bar bites too, and they were just as inventive—especially the peanut butter & jelly-inspired dish and the pepperoni pizza puff. Both were surprisingly good and definitely not your typical bar food. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for something offbeat and different. Loved the concept and the overall vibe

Really cool spot with plenty of seating. All of the drinks were fantastic and the menu had a fun theme (I assume it rotates but when we went it was a composition notebook from highschool). It is a little pricey, but worth stopping by on a date

Gorgeous, dimly-lit speakeasy cocktail bar with creative menus, outstanding drinks, and a unique ambiance. It feels almost like a library with the leather couches and bookshelves. All of the drinks looked outstanding, but we especially liked our drinks, the daydream (pineapple smoky) and the field trip. Definitely a great spot for a date night!

The space is small but intimate. They have concepts that rotate through the seasons. When we went the concept was a school concept. The menu was super cute and felt very nostalgic for my friends and I. The drinks were amazing, it’s impossible to go wrong with what you get. The menus were very thought out and each page had a prompt that initiated fun conversations in our group. The vibes were incredible and overall a great bar and experience

What an awesome time! This has been on our list and we finally made it. Everything was spot on- ambiance, menu, drinks & hospitality. Really had a great time and is hands down our favorite cocktail bar in the city. Draven was very hospitable and was a big part of our experience! This place is thoughtful and intentional! Definitely recommend.

Tucked behind an unassuming entrance in Chicago’s Logan Square, The Meadowlark is a cocktail lover’s dream. This intimate, 30-seat hideaway feels like a cross between a vintage library and a secret society lounge — low lighting, plush seating, and shelves lined with old books create a moody, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re at the bar or tucked into a velvet corner, it’s the kind of place that instantly slows you down and invites you to sip and savor. The cocktail program is next level. Each drink is crafted with both bold creativity and subtle balance — many named after Midwestern birds, like the Cedar Waxwing or Blackbird, each telling its own flavor story. Drinks are layered, innovative, and perfectly suited for the space. Even the small plates are thoughtful: smoky jerk chicken hearts and buttery turkey empanadas in bacon-fat pastry had just the right punch to pair with the cocktails. But what made our visit truly unforgettable was attending “The Twist,” a special dinner experience hosted by Resy and American Express as part of Member Week. This event was exclusive to American Express Platinum Card Members, and the elevated service and attention to detail made that abundantly clear. From the moment we checked in, the vibe was sophisticated yet unpretentious. The evening featured a three-course prix fixe dinner, each course masterfully paired with a modern twist on the classic martini. We started with a fresh seafood crudo paired with a bright, citrusy lemongrass martini. The main course — duck confit with roasted spring vegetables — was elevated even further by a dirty martini made with mushroom-infused vodka and olive brine. Dessert was a beautiful floral sorbet accompanied by a lavender and dry vermouth martini that was both aromatic and refined. Throughout the evening, live jazz set the tone while the Meadowlark team guided us through each pairing with warmth and precision. The cocktails didn’t just accompany the meal — they enhanced the entire experience, transforming it into something memorable, luxurious, and genuinely unique. Huge thank you to American Express and Resy for curating such a thoughtfully executed event. As Platinum cardholders, we felt truly celebrated — from the curated menu to the exclusive ambiance, it was a night that reminded us of why we love exploring cities through food and drink. We’ll absolutely be back to The Meadowlark — and we’ll be keeping an eye out for the next Platinum experience. Thank you, Amex!

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been a frequent visitor to Meadowlark since it opened in fall of 2022, which has allowed me the pleasure of working my way through all three of their cocktail menus to date. I love this bar so much that even though I now live on the west coast I will fly out just to pay them a visit. The bar offers an unmatched drinking experience thanks to the admirable way in which it blurs lines between elevated cocktail bar, moody, romantic speakeasy, and always inviting neighborhood bar. This balance allows it to serve as a perfect locale for any occasion - wowing a first date, showing your parents what Chicago is about, pre-dinner drinks in Logan Square, or a serendipitous nightcap. Keep in mind you can reserve lounge space for larger parties, but the bar is first come, first serve. The menus are incredibly inventive, diverse, playful and surprising. With drinks ranging from lighter and sweeter to darker and more spirit-forward there are always multiple cocktails that will suit everyone’s taste. The bar team is truly exceptional. I have experienced some of the best service and hospitality in my life at Meadowlark, and if nothing else, that alone is worth coming for. Shane, Beth and Nico are true professionals; each brings a remarkable cocktail acumen to their craft, and their attention to detail, care, and originality are what really elevate the experience. Beyond the drinks, the menus are part of the drinking experience itself. Each iteration (Birds of the Midwest, Magic City, Composition Book) has been thoughtful, original and authentic - they are thoroughly researched and so beautifully presented that I have bought one of each to display on my home bar. To create a speakeasy and cocktail program of this depth, originality and quality is an incredible feat in and of itself, but to accompany it with a series of menus that authentically capture Chicago’s history and stature within American culture is a monumental feat - the artistry, craftsmanship, hospitality and attention to detail on display at Meadowlark combine harmoniously to make indulging at the speakeasy nothing short of the finest drinking experience in the city.