The Barrelhouse Flat Cocktail Bar / Lounge

Lincoln Park, Chicago –

Helmed by a former bartender from The Violet Hour and a GM whose previous ventures include The Aviary, The Barrelhouse Flat is a temple to craft cocktails located in an area better known for rowdy packs of college kids.

The first floor has a saloon feel, with weathered exposed brick and a vintage jukebox that plays this strange thing called records. Flanked by a long bar and open kitchen, the room is dotted with paneled booths and scattered tables, as well as low seating in the front that offers great views of the inevitable evening lines.

Management keeps the space from ever getting too packed, so the diverse crowd of older professionals, tatted hipsters, and preppier DePaul students can all enjoy a laid-back setting. The upstairs lounge with its own bar boasts an even more refined atmosphere, with beautifully patterned wallpaper, plush armchairs, a fireplace, and a custom-built pool and card table.

Upstairs or down, patrons are faced with an extensive cocktail list, with roughly seventy options organized by liquor and preparation style, as well as signature punches delivered in large crystal bowls via rickety old handcarts. Add to this a pianist plunking out improvised jazz most nights, as mellow friends snack on seasonal small plates like pig face poutine and even house-made cotton candy.

With its whimsical charms and historic vibe, The Barrelhouse Flat would be right at home in more artsy neighborhoods, and no doubt attracts lots of new blood to Lincoln Park.