THIS STORY IS PART OF OUR 2022 BAR GUIDE. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THAT FEATURE.

New

1. Mosler’s Vault

5900 W. NORTH AVE. 

With an 11-person capacity, this very intimate speakeasy operated by Bittercube is set in an old bank vault on the garden level of the new North Avenue Market.  (We like the roomier main bar upstairs, too.) Lowly lit canned lights along the ceiling, blue lights beneath the bar, candles and lamps set the mood in the tiny space, which has fortified walls made of immaculate Cream City brick. The cozy bar, with a base made of safety deposit box faces, accommodates only four stools. Skilled, friendly mixologists prepare transcendent, tasty craft cocktails with catchy names (Queen of Lemon Herbs) and unusual ingredients. (Fennel pollen syrup, anyone?) Reservations highly recommended. Wed-Sat nights.

New(ish)

2. Leo Lounge 

1758 N. WATER ST. 

Nestled above the East Side’s Tauro Cocina (better known as the one-time Trocadero), Leo Lounge is exactly what you hope for in a speakeasy – tucked away, with curtains over the windows and moody lighting. The main decorative element here is the artwork by women artists, including a beautifully hand-painted floral bar. The fun, feminine theme carries over to cocktails such as the Womanhattan – which the menu says is “better than any Manhattan,” and we agree – and Presidenta, a tasty vodka cranberry grapefruit drink fit to lead the nation. Fri-Sat nights.

3. Shanghai MKE

2000 BLOCK OF EAST IVANHOE PLACE

Within the shadows of Black Cat Alley, near the Ivanhoe Place entrance to the mural valley, lies an inconspicuous door to this windowless, minuscule cavern with the barest of lighting.  Shanghai makes the most of its vampiric quarters with a curated list of classic and “eccentric” drinks that change seasonally. There is one elixir you can sip any night – Shanghai Fog, a creamy, tea-infused gin concoction highlighting local makers Rehorst and Rishi. Wed-Sat nights.