Jul 15, 2025 - Business

Chicago's $20 cocktail era may be coming to an end

Justin Kaufmann

Photo of a three drinks on a table. — Drinks at the new Radicle in Logan Square. Photo: Courtesy of Dave Yakir

Chicago restaurants and bars are adjusting the price of cocktails.

The big picture: In some cases, drink prices have soared above the $20 threshold, but in recent weeks, high-profile restaurants, like Avli in River North, have announced they are modifying their cocktail menus, bringing them down to more reasonable prices like $14 or, in some cases, less.

This trend is exemplified in Lettuce Entertain You's latest venture, Gus' Sip and Dip, which offers classic cocktails for $12.

Reality check: The price reduction is not just altruistic. The strategy is to get customers to hang out longer and order more cocktails.

The latest: Logan Square restaurant Daisies just announced it is opening an all-day cocktail bar, called The Radicle, in its old space on Milwaukee. It will open this fall with $10 aperitivo-style cocktails.

The other side: Restaurants are hoping the strategy works because it's already been a rough year with increases in labor costs, plus many are paying much more for expenses like appliances and ingredients.

While it's still just a handful of restaurants adjusting their cocktail prices, many others are putting more energy into happy hour menus, hoping to bring in customers during off hours.

The bottom line: Adjusting cocktail prices is one small step for restaurants, but a giant win for thirsty customers.

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Chicago's $20 cocktail era may be coming to an end

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