Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileZ Bar
Chicago, IL · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Z Bar, atop The Peninsula pours a serious cocktail program with creative combinations and rare spirits. Signature drinks like Pen 25 and the $425 Òle 25 Old Fashioned showcase ambition. The wine list features top Champagnes, and the spirits collection spans vintage rarities. Guests praise the cocktails as top-tier, though pricey. A rooftop lounge with fire pits, it pairs bold flavors with iconic city views.
- What should I order?
- Start with Pen 25, a gin-based cocktail with yuzu and Champagne. For a splurge, the Òle 25 Old Fashioned with Michter's 25 Year Old Bourbon is a statement. Ember offers a smoky twist with lapsang tea honey. From the wine list, Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2015 is a premium choice.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking creative, high-end drinks and rare spirits will find much to appreciate. Those willing to spend for premium ingredients and a luxurious rooftop setting will feel at home. The program is not for budget-minded drinkers, but for those celebrating or impressing guests.
- When should I go?
- Evenings on the rooftop terrace, especially when fire pits are lit, offer a memorable setting for cocktails. The views of the Magnificent Mile are a draw, making sunset a particularly appealing time.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails start at $18 and climb to $425 for the Òle 25 Old Fashioned. Wine ranges from $23 for a rosé to $850 for Cristal. Spirits pours start around $20 and can reach $750. Expect a high-end bill.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The combination of a rooftop lounge with city views and a beverage program that spans creative cocktails, rare vintage spirits, and top-tier Champagne sets Z Bar apart. The use of unique ingredients like yuzu and lapsang tea honey in cocktails, alongside a $425 Old Fashioned, signals a bold, luxury-focused approach.
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 menu is creative and extensive, using premium spirits and unique ingredients like yuzu, jasmine essence, and lapsang tea honey. Signature drinks include Pen 25, Ember, First Light, and Wabi-Sabi. Prices are high, but the quality is praised by guests.
Menu strengths
- — Creative combinations with premium spirits and unique ingredients.
- — Signature cocktails like Pen 25 and Ember show range from refreshing to smoky.
Standout selections
- — Pen 25: Bombay Sapphire Gin, Yuzu, Taittinger Champagne, Lemon, Jasmine Essence - $25
- — Òle 25 Old Fashioned: Michter's 25 Year Old Bourbon, Caramelized Fig, Vanilla Bitters, Luxardo Cherries - $425
- — Ember: Three Spirits Nightcap, Ginger, Lapsang Tea Honey, Lemon - $18
- — First Light: D'ussé VSOP Cognac, Rhum Agricole, Macadamia, Grand Marnier, Orgeat, Pandan, Whey, Lime - $24
Pricing: Cocktails range from $18 to $425, with most signature drinks around $25.
Wine
The wine list is well-curated with a focus on premium Champagne, including Dom Pérignon, Cristal, and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne. International selections from France and California are also offered. Prices reflect the high-end positioning.
Menu strengths
- — Premium Champagne selection from top houses.; Vintage and rare bottles available.
Standout selections
- — Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2015 - $850
- — Dom Pérignon Brut 2015 - $520
- — Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013 - $540
- — La Fete du Rosé, Provence - $23
Pricing: Wine prices range from $23 for La Fete du Rosé to $850 for Louis Roederer Cristal.
Beer
The beer selection is straightforward, offering well-known domestic and imported labels like Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat, Bud Light, Corona Extra, Guinness, and Sapporo. Prices are moderate, fitting the upscale setting without much craft variety.
Menu strengths
- — Includes recognizable favorites from the US and abroad.
Standout selections
- — Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat - $9; Guinness Extra Stout - $10
Pricing: Beer prices range from $8 to $10.
Nonalcoholic
A few thoughtful mocktails are available, using premium non-alcoholic spirits like Lyre's and French Bloom. Options include Amalfi Spritz, Mojito Virgen, and Fade Out Lines, which provide creative alternatives to cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Uses quality non-alcoholic spirits.; Creative flavor combinations in mocktails.
Standout selections
- — Amalfi Spritz with Lyre's Italian, Lemon, Grapefruit, Sugarcane
- — Fade Out Lines with Hibiscus, Berries, Elderflower, Lemon
Pricing: No prices listed for non-alcoholic options.
Spirits
The spirits collection is extensive, covering all major categories and featuring rare vintage bottles like Moskovskaya Russian Vodka from 1950 and Balvenie 40 YO. Whiskey, scotch, tequila, and cognac are well represented, with prices up to $750.
Menu strengths
- — Rare and vintage spirits from the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s.
- — Deep selection across whiskey, scotch, tequila, and more.
Standout selections
- — Balvenie 40 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky - $750
- — Macallan 25 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky - $300
- — Yamazaki 18 YO Japanese Whisky - $110
- — Clase Azul Ultra Extra Añejo Tequila - $320
Pricing: Spirit prices range from $20 to $750.
How it sits with the food
Guests recommend upscale shareable plates and desserts, such as warm vanilla bean beignets, which pair well with the creative cocktails and sparkling wines.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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