Sometimes the universe conspires to make wanderlust convenient. The inaugural Chicago Cocktail Classic, landing Sunday, June 15, promises to transport cocktail enthusiasts across continents without requiring a passport—just a willingness to hop between three River North venues from 4 to 8 p.m. It’s the kind of event that makes you believe in magic, even if that magic involves strategically pacing yourself through 10 sample-size cocktails while pretending you understand the nuanced difference between rhum agricole and aged Jamaican rum.
This isn’t Chicago’s first dance with global recognition in the spirits world. The city that gave us Malört and elevated the dive bar to an art form has quietly been building a cocktail reputation that rivals established scenes in New York and San Francisco. Three Dots and a Dash alone has earned recognition from the World’s 50 Best Bars, while venues like The Aviary continue to push molecular mixology boundaries. This year, don’t be surprised if you see a modern riff like the Floradora’s Second Act making an appearance alongside more classic pours.
The lineup reads like a cocktail enthusiast’s fever dream. International heavyweights, including London’s The American Bar, Bangkok’s BKK Social Club, and Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons, will share space with local legends like Bisous and Truce. It’s the kind of convergence that happens when someone decides that geographical boundaries are merely suggestions when it comes to exceptional mixology.
Unlike sprawling festivals such as Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans or London Cocktail Week, Chicago’s approach feels deliberately intimate—think curated dinner party rather than convention center chaos. Kevin Beary, the beverage director behind Three Dots and a Dash and Gus’ Sip & Dip, envisions the event as more than just a tasting—an immersion into world-class mixology. “The Chicago Cocktail Classic offers the perfect opportunity to immerse guests in world-class mixology, all in one unforgettable evening,” he explains, with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely believes cocktails can be portals to other places.
Each participating venue will showcase different guest bars throughout the evening, creating a natural progression for curious palates. Picture sampling a Bangkok-inspired cocktail featuring Thai basil and coconut milk at one stop, then discovering an Edinburgh bar’s take on Scotch whisky innovation at the next. The format encourages exploration—your $89 ticket includes 10 drink tokens, each redeemable for sample-size cocktails crafted by world-renowned bartenders.
Early bird tickets are moving quickly through Tock, and given the intimate venue sizes and global talent roster, this feels like the kind of event that will sell out faster than you can say “Aviation cocktail.” The smart money books now and asks questions about designated drivers later.
Whether you’re drawn to rum-forward tiki creations, high-concept martinis, or daring flavor experiments that sound like they were conceived during a particularly inspired late-night brainstorming session, the Chicago Cocktail Classic promises something for every palate. And if you’re already dreaming of cocktails for winter, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your next cold-weather gathering among the innovative pours.
Sometimes the best journeys happen within a few city blocks, armed with curiosity and a healthy appreciation for the craft of exceptional bartending. This inaugural edition feels less like a debut and more like Chicago finally throwing the party it always deserved.
