There are plenty of surprises at The Aviary in Chicago. This haven for luxury cocktails, helmed by Grant Achatz, takes the art of mixology to a new level.
As we sat in The Aviary’s luxurious, dimly lit lounge, we marveled at Grant Achatz’s mecca for fancy cocktails with a price tag to match. Drinking at The Aviary bar is no bargain – our two luxury cocktails and one dessert cost us $82 in 2014. That’s a hefty price even in Chicago.
Update: We returned to The Aviary and again ordered two cocktails and a dessert at a cost of $97.
We paid the bill without much of a thought as do many who worship at the Chicago temples of the star chef. You have to give Achatz and Nick Kokonas credit. They have built a blockbuster luxury dining brand, and diners will pay exorbitant prices for their restaurants, us included.
The Aviary is proof that the cult of celebrity chefs now extends to luxury cocktails.
How did we get to The Aviary, you may wonder.
Our road to The Aviary started when we booked our tickets to Chicago back in 2014. Our heads whirled as we considered the overwhelming number of dining choices in the windy city.
Of course we would have hot dogs and deep-dish pizza. We only had three dinners on our own, so we had to be picky. Going to a Paul Kahan restaurant was a must. Schwa looked intriguing.
But what about Alinea, the behemoth of Chicago dining and one of the most respected restaurants in the world? This was the question everybody asked us: Are you going to Alinea?
After much consideration, we decided that we didn’t have time for Alinea during this trip, plus the tab at Alinea was out of our league back then. But we’re not quitters! The Aviary was a unique way to dip our toes in the Grant Achatz pool. So that’s what we did.
Our Experience At The Aviary Chicago
So how was it??? Even though weren’t yet cocktail people back in 2014, our Aviary experience was very cool – a sort of show where dining borders on the world of entertainment, with chefs and servers as the entertainers.
Atmosphere
The industrial, Chicago West Loop meatpacking district exterior gives no hint of the sophisticated lounge living inside. With its dark, plushly upholstered interior, The Aviary’s atmosphere is both luxurious and romantic.
Our ticketed reservations landed us in a prime spot on one of the high-backed couches. Surrounded by other couples as well as an exuberantly excited threesome from San Francisco, we were quite comfortable as we perused the bar’s list of unique liquid creations.
Luxury Cocktails
Although the Aviary cocktail menu offers a tasting menu, we opted to order from the a la carte menu. This turned out to be a good call, as our Aviary drinks were quite potent. One of each concoction was more than enough for us, plus it was a good way for us to manage the relatively steep Aviary prices.
Our original Aviary experience started with a slushy amuse-bouche made with pisco. We’ve had many an amuse-bouche in our culinary experiences, but this was our first semi-liquid version.
Daryl went out on a limb and ordered the most expensive drink on The Aviary menu for $28 in 2014 and $30 in 2022. He wanted a rum-based drink, and the Jungle Bird spoke to him as the server described the drink with two types of rum, pineapple and Campari. The ingredients are layered (don’t ask us how), which looked rad even in the dark room.
To us, the drink was elevated to ultra-cool status by the wide glass straw and the rum balls floating in the middle. We took turns slurping the rum balls through the glass straw, and we both delighted as they burst in our mouths with sweet alcohol flavor. It was like drinking the best bubble tea ever.
Mindi ordered an In The Rocks cocktail without even knowing about the slingshot since she was attracted to the drink’s ingredients of absinthe, tart cherry, vermouth and rye. For this clever cocktail, cracking an ice egg is necessary to get to the strong yet delicious drink, and that’s where the slingshot comes to play.
With the server’s instructions, Mindi skillfully executed the slingshot to crack the ice egg. As the ice melted, the alcohol escaped into the glass. Given the interactive slingshot experience, this drink was a relative bargain at $21 in 2014.
Update – The 2022 iteration of the In the Rocks cocktail cost us $30. Ouch!
Dessert 1.0
We couldn’t go to a Grant Achatz restaurant, even one that specializes in mixology, without sampling the artistry of the food. That would just be crazy, and we’re (mostly) not crazy.
We ordered the rhubarb crumble with cardamom and caramel so that we could experience the work of the culinary artists working behind (or in front?) of the birdcage. In true Achatz fashion, the rhubarb was presented in five different ways, surrounded by “snow”.
What are the five ways that culinary artists prepare rhubarb? They are chips, gel, poached, ribbons and raw.
Eating the complicated yet tasty dessert was a tease of what we could have been eating at Alinea – an intermingling of flavors and textures that combine to create a complete dish where a simple ingredient, in this case, rhubarb, is deconstructed in classic molecular gastronomic fashion.
Dessert 2.0
We ordered a different dessert during our second visit and it was glorious. Simply called Dark Chocolate Ice Cream, it was a beautiful dish that paired the ice cream with graham cracker crumbs and toasted meringue.
Most important – it was delicious.
Final Thoughts
We don’t regret spending beaucoup bucks for two luxury cocktails and one dessert since it was a once (or in our case, twice) in a lifetime experience. That’s what Achatz and Kokonas are banking on. It’s a show for which diners will pay top dollar, in advance, as we did, for the chance to try one or more Aviary Chicago drinks.
Would we do it again. We would and we did.
The Aviary is located at 955 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, United States. Click here for hours, reservations and current pricing.
Thirsty For More Bars?
Check out great bars in New Orleans, Paris, Strasbourg and Vilnius.
About The Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on their website 2foodtrippers. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.
Disclosures
Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.
Funding
We self-funded our two luxury cocktail experiences at The Aviary.
Original Publication Date: June 15, 2014
Jerry
Sunday 21st of July 2019
Thank you for posting this snapshot of your experience. My wife and I plan to visit, and your post helped me decide to go with the al a carte, rather than the 3-drink tasting experience. I don't think we could handle six cocktails between the two of us! Thanks again!
Lifer Leaving
Wednesday 26th of June 2019
Why would anyone frequent this establishment after what happened. If they spit on one they’ll spit on another or in drinks or food. The city is a violent cesspool. Don’t believe me? Walk downtown after 11 pm. Too much crime too much anger too many lowlifes
Francesca
Monday 7th of July 2014
This Chicago girl has been to zero of Grant Achatz's restaurants. Glad you guys enjoyed it. That rum drink does sound like a lot of fun!
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Monday 7th of July 2014
So many great places in Chicago, so little time.
Nick
Monday 7th of July 2014
I definitely need to check out Aviary next time I'm in Chicago. I love a place with interesting or unique cocktails and it sounds like this place is fantastic!
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Monday 7th of July 2014
The Aviary has beer too!
Linda
Saturday 5th of July 2014
I am so glad you both had such a good time. It sounds so wonderful. My kind of Town.