Chicago’s newest and most exciting cocktail bar, Afterbar, is nestled next to Canal Street Market & Eatery and The Green at 320, the West Loop’s largest park and garden.
The new bright bar provides a cozy space in winter and bright and airy in the warmer months, with the option of indoor and outdoor seating. Afterbar offers an atmosphere suitable for both professionals and locals, with the same goal of relaxing and unwinding with lively conversations and cocktails.
Much of Afterbar’s design influenced their introductory bar program in 2022, but more recently they introduced a new menu with cocktails that are a “labor of love” according to Laine Peterson, director of operations at Afterbar. “These drinks aren’t just for quenching your thirst or looking good on your social feed – they’re designed to be ones you’d want more than just one of! It is with immense joy that we have rolled out our second menu just in time for our upcoming one year celebration. Their cocktails range from eclectic to common and irresistible classics, but whatever the libation, they are expertly and thoughtfully balanced, and aptly named, to deliver an all-important guest experience.
The unique names given to Afterbar’s cocktails tell a story, such as “Disagging Island”, which was intended to be the namesake of their coconut blue cocktail, their “Payday Millionaire: No Trophies for Trying” which is described as a “micro “. drop for those drink expectations” and “Better Together,” which gets its name from the “rum that forms the base of the cocktail.” Kasama Rum. “Kasama” roughly translates to “together” in Tagalog, a nod to the shared experience of having a drink in good company.
The Afterbar gourmet menu complements the beverage program and is an Italian-inspired menu with antipasti, handmade pastas, pizzas and main courses. The fresh pasta is served with a range of traditional sauce preparations such as English Pea Ravioli with Peas and Goat’s Cheese, Carrot Puree, Chervil, Almonds and Ricotta Salata, Mafaldine Cacio e Pepe, Calamarata with Grilled Prawns and many more. ‘others. Neapolitan-style pizzas are made to order and include Spicy Fresno Honey Soppressata, Truffle with Spinach, Mushrooms and Truffle Onion Jam, Bismark with Prosciutto, Egg and Arugula, and Margherita.
Afterbar believes in “curiosity and collaboration” to up your cocktail game. “When it comes to thoughtfulness and excitement, your colleagues and communities are invaluable. There is something magical about sharing ideas and seeing them evolve through different perspectives. Trust me, you’ll never cross paths with someone who doesn’t have a clever trick up their sleeve that you’ve never seen or considered before. Peterson comments that sustainability and local sourcing are the next big trends. “There is an increasing effort to do things responsibly, and bartenders can take the lead in reducing waste while improving the quality of our ingredients. »
