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Cocktail bar

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The Whistler

Chicago, IL · $$$

Inebrious Beverage Program Score: 86 out of 100

Inebrious

Beverage Program Score

Editorial review: 2026-09-19

Editor: Micah Rousey

How we score

The editorial take

The Whistler runs an award-winning cocktail program with an always-changing menu of classics, contemporary favorites, and Whistler originals. The menu is photographed and posted online because it changes regularly, and a current menu image lists ten cocktails priced from $14 to $16, including the Ranch Water, Old Faithful, Island Time, and Daddy Cool. GQ named it among The 25 Best Cocktail Bars in America. Guest feedback calls the drinks good but not always living up to the hype, with one noting that almost all the cocktails are sugary.

What should I order?
Order the Ranch Water, a blanco tequila, lime, Topo Chico, and simple syrup mix described as a Grape Hopland Mule in the bottle, or the Old Faithful, a bourbon, Amaro Nonino, apple, lemon, Angostura, and soda drink described as a Smoke & Oak Old Fashioned but with rye. The Island Time and Daddy Cool are also named selections.
Who will enjoy this place?
Drinkers who want a rotating cocktail menu with recognizable classics, contemporary favorites, and Whistler originals at $14 to $16 will find plenty to consider. Those who prefer less sweetness should note that one reviewer found almost all the cocktails sugary.
What should I expect to spend?
Cocktails are priced from $14 to $16 on the current menu image, with the Ranch Water, Old Faithful, Island Time, and Cornhoil at $14 to $15 and the Daddy Cool and Lunatics in the Garden at $16.
What makes the beverage program distinctive?
The Whistler describes an award-winning cocktail program with an always-changing menu, and the menu is photographed and posted online because it changes regularly. GQ named it among The 25 Best Cocktail Bars in America. The current menu spans classics, contemporary favorites, and Whistler originals.

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

Inebrious Cocktails score: 86 out of 100

Ranch Water — $15 — Blanco Tequila, Lime, Topo Chico, Simple Syrup; described as a Grape Hopland Mule in the bottle.

Menu strengths

  • Award-winning cocktail program with an always-changing menu of classics, contemporary favorites, and Whistler originals
  • Menu is photographed and posted online because it changes regularly
  • Named across ten cocktails with prices from $14 to $16

Standout selections

  • Ranch Water — $15 — Blanco Tequila, Lime, Topo Chico, Simple Syrup; described as a Grape Hopland Mule in the bottle.
  • Old Faithful — $14 — Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Apple, Lemon, Angostura, Old Fashioned Bitters, Soda; described as a Smoke & Oak Old Fashioned, but Rye.
  • Island Time — $14 — Gin, Falernum, Lime, Pineapple, Angostura, Mint; described as tropical, refreshing, complex, tiki.
  • Daddy Cool — $16 — Reposado Tequila, Cynar, Lime, Simple Syrup, Grapefruit, Ancho Reyes, Tajin, Cucumber; described as spicy, cucumber.

Pricing: $14-$16

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