Arbella is a hidden gem in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Come for the drinks but stay for the food. The lounge-y and hip vibe here makes this place chic without being pretentious. And their approachable and fun staff compliments their whimsical fare.

Settle into a cozy booth or saddle up to the bar for one of their 30+ craft cocktails. I love that their waitstaff is knowledgeable and able to be your drinks tour guide, finding new spirits or flavors based on what you already like.

Along-side their globally inspired cocktails are some sophisticated bar snacks. The perfect complimentary to a refreshing beverage are some of their array of savory bites fusing different Asian and Latin flavors like bao buns, empanadas and tacos. A personal favorite is also the Korean Fried Chicken – basically grown-up chicken strips, and I am here for it.

I love meeting people for happy hour meetups here. But, I would also highly recommend for late-night hangs that are far less ‘bro-y’ and cool compared to some of the other spots in this area on a busy weekend night.