In Chicago, finding a cocktail that doesn’t break the bank can be a challenge. However, several bars and restaurants offer affordably priced drinks without compromising on quality. From $7 margaritas to budget-friendly martinis, these venues serve up great deals not limited to happy hours, but featured on their all-day menus. These places include neighborhood dives, historic taverns, and renowned cocktail bars, all offering drinks below the city’s expensive norm.
240 Lounge
If you’re looking for a lively night out with cocktails under $10, 240 Lounge in Albany Park is the place. Known for its sports bar vibe and dive atmosphere, most cocktails here are priced between $7.50 and $8. Popular options include whiskey sour, Crown Royal peach sunrise, and an $8 seasonal mojito. Micheladas and the Brazilian old-fashioned are also available at reasonable prices. Located near Lawrence Fish Market, the lounge is a favorite for its friendly bartenders and affordable drinks.
Belmont Tavern
Belmont Tavern offers a straightforward cocktail menu, pricing all drinks at $12. After reopening in Avondale following a 25-year closure, the bar maintains its neighborhood charm with vintage furnishings and restored architecture. The menu features 26 cocktails categorized by spirit, like Bison Grass vodka-based Freshly Mowed Lawn and the Unclarified Milk Punch with Amaro Averna. Each drink brings a unique twist to traditional and house-original recipes.
Cove Lounge
Hyde Park’s Cove Lounge, near the University of Chicago, is valued for its long-standing neighborhood appeal. The dive bar features a mahogany bar, foosball, and darts. Its cocktail menu, priced mostly at $10, includes classics like old-fashioned, Manhattan, whiskey sour, and margarita. Unique alternatives, such as Lake Michigan and Malibu Dream, are $12 each. The space is perfect for locals, students, and spirited gatherings.
Esmeralda’s Lounge
Located in Humboldt Park, Esmeralda’s Lounge transports patrons to a tropical getaway with Caribbean-inspired flavors. Situated within its dimly lit, late-night setting, the bar offers cocktails priced at $8 to $12. Choices range from frozen cocktails to spirit-forward creations like caipirinhas and old-fashioneds, making Esmeralda’s a popular late-night choice.
Gideon Welles
A family-friendly option in Lincoln Square, Gideon Welles positions itself across from Welles Park. Its cocktail prices range from $10 to $13, with many at the $10 mark. Offerings include a house Manhattan, picante margarita, mezcal negroni, and variations of mule cocktails like Moscow and Kentucky. This location is perfect for a relaxed family atmosphere with quality drinks.
Gus’ Sip & Dip
River North’s Gus’ Sip & Dip is recognized nationally, ranking on North America’s 50 Best Bars list in 2026. Despite its high acclaim, cocktail prices remain at an affordable $12 each. From margaritas to mojitos, the menu lists 30 classic and innovative cocktails, all maintaining exceptional quality.
Mac’s Wood Grilled
Situated in a historic former Schlitz Brewery building, Mac’s Wood Grilled offers budget-friendly cocktails with its $5 classic bloody marys and $6 seasonal mules and lemonades. The venue is ideal for having drinks while watching games and dining on American comfort food. Affordable alcoholic beverages complement its friendly, neighborhood atmosphere.
Taquería Primo Chuki’s Uptown
Known for its vast selection of cocktails under $10, Taquería Primo Chuki’s Uptown in Albany Park satisfies cravings with $7.99 red sangria and flavored mezcalitas. Margaritas start at $8.99, with indulgent options like watermelon margarita and mangonada priced at $9.99. This spot is perfect for those who enjoy a variety of flavors on a budget.
The Radicle
The Radicle in Logan Square, from the team behind Daisies, impresses with its accessible cocktail program. Its $10 menu hosts inventive, playful drinks like Indecent Locals, highlighting mezcal and watermelon, and Birdwatching in Milan, featuring fernet branca. More whimsical cocktails are priced up to $12, providing an exciting menu for sippers seeking creativity.
Roost Chicken & Biscuits
Roost Chicken & Biscuits, offering Southern comfort food, presents the cheapest cocktails on this list at just $7. Classic combinations like bourbon-spiked peach tea and jalapeño margaritas accompany a menu that includes $10 boozy shakes. The second location, however, does not serve alcohol.
Wil’s Martini Lounge
SPECIALIZED in martinis, Wil’s Martini Lounge in Andersonville offers large martinis priced between $16 to $18. Smaller six-ounce servings can be enjoyed for $11 to $13. This bar, opened in 2025, caters largely to the LGBTQ+ community while providing both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink menus.
Freelance writer Eva Remijan-Toba provided additional insights.