27

Gus' Sip & Dip

Chicago

New Entry

Gus' Sip & Dip opened in Chicago's River North neighbourhood in 2024, and from day one it was clear the programme would eventually be recognised as one of best cocktail bars in the city's formidable scene. The tavern-style space feels like the kind of joint where Al Capone or Frank Sinatra might relish in an ice-cold martini on the way home from a long day of work: dark and elegant with vintage touches, but with a bustling neighbourhood vibe that makes it feel distinctly Midwestern.

Alongside a hearty food menu lies a list of elevated classics that reads like a favourite book, with all of the greatest hits included, plus a few curveballs like the Japanese Cocktail (cognac, almond orgeat, orange bitters), and regional darlings like the Brandy Wisconsin Old Fashioned (cognac, orange, cherry, 7-Up). At the hands of beverage director Kevin Beary and bar manager Scott Kitsmiller – who also developed the bar programmes at Three Dots and a Dash and The Bamboo Room, which won the Campari One To Watch Award in the inaugural edition of North America's 50 Best Bars in 2022 – each drink has been recalibrated to hit precise balance and maximum flavour, prompting eyebrows to raise in surprise at how meticulously each one has been reimagined for modern palates. Even more remarkably, the team configured a system for reducing menu prices to just $12 per drink – in a city where far less delicious versions of these drinks can run upwards of $20, this makes Gus' a place that reflects the egalitarian ethos of Chicago to a T.

Contact