Whimsical Bar Bambi Will Bring Technique-Driven Cocktails to West Town | Eater Chicago

"A new cocktail bar from veteran bartender Katie Renshaw is headed to West Town, where Bar Bambi at 1703 W. Chicago Avenue will reimagine classic cocktails with molecular techniques — fermentation, clarification, and forced carbonation — turning a martini into a sparkling highball and an old fashioned into a clarified whiskey sour, alongside spirit-free drinks, natural wines, Champagne, and bar snacks like wings and burgers. Designed to feel ethereal and dreamlike with playful, whimsical elements grounded by industrial touches, the space features a mirrored back bar with neon accents, floor-to-ceiling front windows, and an adjustable electric light installation that shifts with the hour and mood. Renshaw, a 2019 U.S. World Class Bartender of the Year with stints at Moneygun, Billy Sunday, GreenRiver, and the Aviary, says the lounge balances surreal, otherworldly details with comfort to feel both magical and distinctly Chicago, and it’s slated to open in late 2025 or early 2026." - Jeffy Mai