
Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileThe Hi-Lo
Chicago, IL
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
Research completed 2026-09-19 · Based on current public sources
Menu evidence checked: 2026-08-01
Editor: Micah Rousey
Review methodology and evidence standardsThe editorial take
The Hi-Lo's beverage program covers more ground than its cocktail-bar label suggests. Frozen cocktails like the Naked & Famous and Corpse Reviver #2 anchor the list at $14, while a five-item non-alcoholic cocktail section matches that price. Wine spans red, white, orange/rosé, and sparkling by glass and bottle, with house pours at $10. Beer is limited to High Life and Hamm's but priced for volume-free easy drinking. Happy hour rotates daily specials, including Tuesday martinis and Wednesday half-off bottles.
- What should I order?
- Start with the frozen Naked & Famous, built on Union Mezcal, Cappelletti, and Dolin Genepy. If you want wine, the De Forville Dolcetto d'Alba is $14 by glass. For a non-alcoholic option, the Masala Spritz uses Martini & Rossi N/A Vermouth Bianco with masala and lemon.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a defined cocktail list, a real non-alcoholic section, and wine by the glass without a full dinner commitment. The beer selection is narrow but deliberately cheap.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the obvious draw: Tuesday for $10 martinis, Wednesday for half-off wine bottles, Monday for $3 High Life, and a late-night $2 Hamm's special every night.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails are $14. Wine by the glass runs $10–$15, bottles $48–$56. Beer specials are $2–$3 during their respective windows.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A cocktail bar with frozen drinks, a five-option non-alcoholic cocktail list, and a wine program that includes orange/rosé and sparkling by the glass and bottle. The beer list is short and cheap rather than broad.
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 list includes frozen Naked & Famous and Corpse Reviver #2, each $14, plus a dedicated non-alcoholic section. Happy hour adds Tuesday $10 martinis and a Thursday rotating cocktail. The program is specific but not sprawling.
Menu strengths
- — Frozen cocktails with named spirits and modifiers, not generic slush
- — Tuesday $10 martinis and Thursday rotating cocktail give the list a weekly rhythm
Standout selections
- — Naked & Famous: frozen with Union Mezcal, Cappelletti, Dolin Genepy, chamomile and peach teas, lime
- — Corpse Reviver #2: frozen with Still Gin, Hendrick's Blood Orange, Method Vermouth, Magdala Orange Liqueur, absinthe, lemon
Pricing: $14 frozen cocktails; $10 martinis on Tuesday happy hour; Thursday rotating cocktail
Wine
Red, white, orange/rosé, and sparkling wines are available by glass and bottle. House pours are $10, and listed wines run $13–$15 by glass and $48–$56 by bottle. Wednesday happy hour takes half off bottles.
Menu strengths
- — Four wine styles represented by the glass and bottle
- — House wines at $10 and Wednesday half-off bottles lower the entry point
Standout selections
- — De Forville Dolcetto d'Alba DOC: red from Piemonte, $14 by glass or $52 by bottle
- — Evesham Wood Blanc du Puits Sec: Pinot Gris from Oregon, $14 by glass or $52 by bottle
Pricing: $10 house wines by the glass; $13–$15 by glass and $48–$56 by bottle; Wednesday half-off bottles
Beer
This is a cheap, narrow selection rather than a broad beer list.; Two clearly priced beer specials tied to specific days and times
Menu strengths
- — Two clearly priced beer specials tied to specific days and times
- — Late-night Hamm's at $2 is an unusually low entry point
Standout selections
- — High Life: $3 on Mondays; Hamm's: $2 during the late-night special every night
- — High Life — 3 — Happy hour beer special, Monday.
Pricing: $3 High Life on Monday; $2 Hamm's late-night every night
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated N/A Cocktails section lists five non-alcoholic cocktails at $14 each, including spritz variations and a carrot-and-ginger option. This is a full parallel section, not a single token drink.
Menu strengths
- — Five non-alcoholic cocktails, each $14, spanning spritz and non-spritz formats
- — Ingredients include Giffard N/A liqueur and Martini & Rossi N/A Vermouth Bianco
Standout selections
- — N/Aperol Spritz: Giffard Spritz N/A Liqueur, Mionetto Sparkling N/A, strawberry/vanilla infused, fresh lime
- — Silly Wabbit: Martini & Rossi N/A Vermouth Bianco, carrot juice, honey ginger, fresh lemon
Pricing: $14 each
About this review
Research is based on recent public evidence, including official venue materials and beverage menus when available. The review date is the research completion date and does not imply an in-person visit.
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