Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileBisous
Chicago, IL · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Bisous is a cocktail bar with a martini-centric menu that also extends to highballs and frozen drinks. The program balances classics with playful twists, including a 50/50 Martini and an absinthe-rinsed Tuxedo variation. The bar also fields premium cocktails with aged spirits, priced at $40.
- What should I order?
- Start with the 50/50 Martini, a stirred-up blend of Broker's Gin and Dolin Dry Vermouth with a lemon twist. For a guest-approved choice, the Vesper combines three gins with vodka and Kinas for a citrusy, snappy profile. If you're feeling adventurous, ask for an Old Pal—one guest reports the bartender made it without hesitation.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Martini enthusiasts will appreciate the dedicated section and the guest-praised Vesper and Counterpoint. Those who enjoy classic cocktails with a creative edge will find options like the absinthe-kissed Tuxedo No. 2.1. The presence of non-alcoholic cocktails and local beers broadens appeal beyond cocktail purists.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $14 to $18, with the French Seventy-Five at $15 and a premium section at $40 for drinks like the Vieux Carré and Sazerac. Wines by the glass start at $10, and beers run $8–$11.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu is designed around martinis and classics, with a featured 50/50 Martini and a Tuxedo variation that gets an absinthe rinse. The use of house-made rum cream in the Pink Squirrel and a $40 premium tier with aged Armagnac and Cognac add distinctive flourishes.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail program covers martinis, highballs, and frozen drinks, balancing classics with twists. Named options include the 50/50 Martini, Vesper, Counterpoint, and Tuxedo No. 2.1. Guest reviews specifically praise the smooth, cold martinis and note that the bartender accommodated an off-menu Old Pal request.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive martini-focused menu with a dedicated highball section and a featured 50/50 Martini.
- — Guest review specifically praises the Vesper and Counterpoint as smooth, fragrant, and cold.
- — Bartenders are described as expert and accommodating, as evidenced by an off-menu Old Pal request.
Standout selections
- — Vesper – Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle, Tanqueray, & Botanist Aged Gins, Wodka Vodka, Kinas; citrus and snappy.
- — Counterpoint – Fig Leaf, Armagnac Duffau Napoléon, Yellow Chartreuse, Oscar.697 Rosso Vermouth; stirred, up.
- — 50/50 Martini – Broker's Gin, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Lemon Twist; stirred, up.
- — The Tuxedo No. 2.1 – Absinthe-rinsed with Citadelle Vive le Cornichon Gin, Dolin Blanc, and Maraschino.
Pricing: $14–$18 for most cocktails; $15 for the French Seventy-Five; $40 for premium cocktails.
Spirits
The spirits program is integrated into the cocktail menu, featuring a wide range from gin to aquavit. A premium tier showcases aged Armagnac and Cognac in classic recipes like the Vieux Carré and Sazerac, priced at $40. This demonstrates a spirit-forward approach with high-quality ingredients.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktail menu uses a wide range of spirits including gin, vodka, rum, mezcal, tequila, brandy, and aquavit.
- — Premium cocktails feature aged spirits such as 15-year Armagnac and Rhum Clément XO.
- — Spirit-forward program is evident from the focus on classics with modern twists.
Standout selections
- — Vieux Carré – Chateau De Briat 15yr Armagnac, Rhum Clément XO, Cocchi Torino Vermouth, Benedictine, Mace Aromatics.
- — Sazerac – Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Stauning Danish Rye, Peychaud's, Chicory, Persian Lime Scented St. George Absinthe.
Pricing: Premium cocktails using aged spirits are priced at $40.
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