Cantina Rosa’s Tropical Drinks Set the Mood for an Intimate Hyde Park Date Night | Eater Chicago

"Opened in 2024, this Hyde Park cocktail bar focuses on Mexican spirits—tequila and mezcal alongside rum and gin—to build easy-sipping tropical drinks that suit a low-key date night or a quick escape. The Jushu, a mezcal-based riff on the Bee’s Knees, is tart and crushable, with acacia honey balancing the smoky agave spirit. The Manta Ray is refreshing yet spirit-forward; the gin and bacanora come through clearly while jalapeño adds a subtle bite. There’s just one frozen cocktail, a transportive guava colada served in a cantarito mug that evokes the feeling of laying on a beach with a drink in hand. To snack, crisp empanadas de hongo are packed with mushrooms and black beans; a drizzle of green salsa adds heat and the tangy onion-habanero slaw provides bright contrast. Despite the tropical lean, the room avoids tiki kitsch, favoring moody lighting, intimate booths tucked into alcoves, and a fabric-draped ceiling for a warm, inviting atmosphere. Note that the food menu is small and the most filling items—quesabirria and a torta—are only available during happy hour (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and all day Sunday)." - Jeffy Mai