28 Mile Distilling Company

No surprise this is already a 4.5 rated place - which is no easy feat on Yelp. The vibe here is immaculate, the cocktails from the Soto brothers are top of the line, the live music venue is huge with great acoustics. In the summer when the roof is open it's a whole different bar - with even more live music up there on some weekends. Eric has done an amazing job here, and continues to impress me every time we go out.

Ordered 28 Mile pizza last week and was disappointed. I love New Haven style pizza and was really excited after seeing the reviews. We ordered a veggie pizza and a cheese pizza. The veggie pizza was the better one, but neither pizza really hit the spot. I will start by saying the crust was decent, could have been crispier, but the sauce didn't cut it and tasted artificial.

We attended a show "The Longest of Shortcomings" by Joel Chmara -- part poetry, part comedy, and a whole lotta local stuff about food, Chicago, and of course, Highwood, which is where this venue is located...28 miles from Chicago. This is a beautiful venue from the street-- multi-level, large gleaming distillery vats, outdoor fireplace -- although we were only there for the event in the Bourbon Lounge which was set up comfortably with high tops and stools. We sampled New York-style pizza dubbed " The Chicago," which had Italian beef and giardinara, which, funnily enough, was a topic addressed during the show, Italian beef, that is, and though I found the performer funny and likable, I do prefer my pizza a little more traditional. The pizza was fine, the charcuterie board was just ok. I'm not a spirits connoisseur, although 28 Mile distills gin, vodka and bourbon -- but I was more than intrigued by the story behind 28 Mile. Is this legend, the Debonair, is it the truth, or a marketing ploy? That is what will drive me to scour the calendar for live music and events at this stunning North Shore location.

28 Mile has an amazingly chic and modern atmosphere to it while providing IG and Yelp worthy cocktail and food options. I came in about 6pm on a Saturday with a few girlfriends and the bar side was pretty busy. We had to wait a bit between drinks, as the bartenders are mixing and serving, but that's not a huge deal. All of the drinks were absolutely gorgeous, but I wasn't a HUGE fan of the Pornstar ... it had a good beginning, weird middle, and chapstick taste end, that I just wasn't a fan of. I had also asked for a spicy margarita, but was giving a normal margarita instead. They were quick to fix and make me a new one once my friend said something, which I did appreciate a lot. After 2+ cocktails each, we all moved to the other side and were STARVING. We shared a giant pretzel, the hummus platter (they forgot the olives, maybe because we also ordered olives? But I want my extra olives, man), and marinated olives. We cleared ALL the plates and left with happy tummies. They have amazing bands popping in as well, so definitely stay for the music!

28 Mile has become a beautiful Highwood staple, and I've never had a bad experience here! It's upscale and modern vibe is a breath of fresh air in the area - perfect for a younger crowd looking for a city-like vibe, or long time residents looking for a great cocktail and live music for a night out. I've never met a drink here that I didn't like, plus the bartenders are all quick and helpful. Highly recommend the Elderflower Gin Fizz if you're a gin lover!

OK I've been here a couple times just for cocktails and I love it. This is the only place I know of where you can get a flight of alcohol instead of wine or beer. They do have a distillery on site. I got a flight of two different kinds of tequila, one of vodka and one of the butterscotch bourbon, which was amazing and I don't even like bourbon! We also got the margarita pizza which was delicious and very filling. Please support this business. They have live music on the weekends no cover charge.

28 Mile Distilling is a beautiful food and drink venue. There are several separate dining areas, including the lounge with live music. The beverage service includes the 28 Mile products. And their specialty is fantastic pizza. Service was friendly and efficient. We'll be back!

Amazing service. Cocktail experience was top notch. It can not be matched. The brother bartenders made the experience comparable to nothing else. Will I be back? Have no doubt!

I am writing this review from a personal and professional standpoint, as I have hosted a few work events at 28-Mile over the past year, and recently had my son's Bar Mitzvah party there. As a former event planner, and someone who plans numerous events for my job, I can honestly say that I have never encountered a more professional and accommodating staff. From the ownership, to the management, to the bar & waitstaff, and I have to mention the woman who tirelessly maintains the cleanliness of the venue, each and every one of them go above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly for your event. Both of the recent events I hosted had elaborate set-ups, and the entire staff (even the owner!) helped make sure the space looked the best it possibly could. From my initial meetings with Mike the manager, to the walk thru/layout details of the space, and menu discussions, Mike gave me his undivided attention and great suggestions as to what would work best. He promptly answered any questions I had, and leading up to my events he could not have been more responsive, flexible and accommodating. This is not a venue that just wants your money, they truly care about their customers and strive to make sure that from start to finish everything goes well. From the laborious set-up to breakdown for both of my events they could not have been more helpful! We also got so many compliments on the food from our guests, their pizza is definitely some of the best on the North Shore! The bar staff is amazing and so efficient. Not only do they make awesome cocktails (their butterscotch bourbon was a crowd favorite), you also feel their genuine commitment to making sure that the event is a success. No matter what my request was of the management, or the bar or waitstaff, they made it happen with a smile on their faces. If a scenario is possible, they will do whatever they can to make your vision come to life. If you are considering having an event at 28-Mile do not hesitate, I promise you will not be disappointed. I am already thinking about other events I can plan there, especially when the weather gets warm so I can utilize their roof & patio. I could not possibly be more grateful to everyone at 28-Mile for helping to make my son's Bar Mitzvah party a night we will never forget!!!

What a great place for live music or a quaint evening. The limited menu is sufficient for snacks while enjoying their cocktails. I would suggest a few more high tops but still just the best customer service I've had in a while. Spacious, great acoustics, and clean bathrooms. The pretzel was huge and could easily be a snack for four people.

I went here to watch the local Libertyville band called Sneezy. The bar is nicely decorated and it makes a great date place but like many restaurants lately they were understaffed to accommodate the crowd that came in. The restaurant no longer accepts the Yelp coupon but they still gave us a free appetizer which was kind of them. Unfortunately the artichoke spinach dip was lukewarm and just OK. They make their own beer and vodka. My vodka lemonade was just ok and pricey. There are plenty of bars/restaurants in the area to choose from.

I had the honor to be here for a fundraiser, my first time at this place and loved it!!! Perfect for events like this!!! And of course for a weekend evening!! Very elegant, good ambiance!! The food was delicious!! And service amazing!!!

Great indoor bar Great outdoor patio Menu is simple but effective Nice fireplace outside as well on the first floor. Great venue for live music, hanging out and grabbing some snacks The cocktail list is simple and good. Obviously they make their own vodka and gin and it's really quite good. Service was a touch slow but the place is great

We went for an after dinner cocktail with another couple. A couple rounds of mules on the outdoor deck on a pleasant Saturday evening. Drinks were good service was fast. It was much louder inside where a band was playing but the patio was more inviting.

School of Rock had their winter show at 28 Mile Distillery. It was a good venue and provided ample sitting. The acoustics were great and provided wonderful ambience. The facilities were nicely decorated for the holidays with ceiling suspended full size Christmas trees. The drink menu offered a wide range of whiskeys and drinks. Their food menu for this event only had 3 options, hummus, pizza and pretzel with dips. We ordered the pretzel and it was large enough for several of us to enjoy. It came with 4 dips, 3 were mustard dips and one was cheese. It was a fun environment for the School of Rock event.

The service was good however the food and drink were not worth the price. The portion of the cocktails were small and over the top ice. The ambiance was nice on the roof top

Fantastic ambience and excellent drinks! Bartenders are awesome! Friendly and made great recommendations!

I didn't grow up in Illinois so am not part of the large cult that think there's something good about Chicago "tavern style" pizza. I think it's generally awful, often soggy, tasteless cheese, blah. 28 Mile is one of a very few places that I have discovered that have great pizza that doesn't follow the local pizza template and seems to source its ingredients from a place that others don't. The crust was airy and crisp and crucially.. has pie shaped slices. The cheese is flavoral, not excessive or greasy.. and toppings were first rate. Hopefully, they will maintain consistency the loss of which has been the downfall of the few other pizza places I have found and liked. Also, they should sell pizza 7 nights a week!

Friendly local bar and distillery with a great vibe, craft cocktails and friendly staff (especially Alex)

Hubby and I went here last Thursday. We just had to give this new place a try. We have been watching for it's opening for several months. It was a nice evening, so we actually walked there (which was a good idea, considering how great their drinks are!). We sat at the bar. Paulina waited on us. She was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Her partner behind the bar seemed the same. Hubby and I each had a dirty martini. It was refreshing, and well made. We ordered an avocado bruschetta and a shrimp cocktail. Both items were fresh and tasty. Hubby also had a beer and we shared a very spicy bloody mary. I love spice, and it was quite hot. The venue is fun and has a retro vibe. We can't wait to go back when the patio is open and when they have the live music. Highwood is making it harder and harder to make the trek to the city with places like this to keep us closer to home!

We are spending a couple of weeks at the Great Lakes NAS FAMCAMP. We discovered this wonderful distillery only 9 miles away. The atmosphere is modern and upbeat. The drinks are great and Alex the bartender is very personable, accommodating and fun to watch. He has created all the mixed drinks. We will definitely come here again.

Great atmosphere, awesome service and nice drink list. The food menu is really geared more towards noshing rather than full meal service.

My experience at this joint was unfortunately not as great as the other fellow yelpers and below you are gonna read why. First off I must warn you this review is going to sound a bit oxymoronic but here goes nothing. A friend suggested this place and we figured why not. The pics and the reviews on yelp looked great so we braved the snow and came in. I like the name of the place. I assume it takes its name from the milage travelled from downtown to Highwood. If I am wrong then oh well, its a pure assumption. The place is gorgeous with some really cool decor pieces. Their distillery portion of the restaurant is exposed and it adds to the decor. There is an outside portion that I can assume is great in the summer time. They have live music inside and outside which can be a nice touch. I dont know if they switch bands or what but the band that was playing last night, was awful. It was a lady, and two guys and let me tell that they were the least talented trio I have ever seen. Maybe it was because the were drunk and kept laughing as they were singing but couldn't be in sync to save their lives, it ruined the atmosphere for us. We had two drinks at the bar and an avocado bruschetta. The bartenders were not very attentive at all otherwise we would have ordered more drinks. We had to order a drink, then another one instead of the bartender asking once. We also had to order the food twice for it to even come. I gotta say that avocado bruschetta was a great dish but it was more of an avocado toast with arugula on top. They had other dishes that looked great that I wish I had the opportunity to order. We did hang out outside and the experience there was much better. Liz, the bartender was very nice and engaging and fast to serve us the drinks. To conclude, this place is nice and it has immense potential but since they opened July they still haven't figured out their stuff.

Love the cool, elegant vibe here! I am very excited for them to really work the kinks out and be simply amazing. The staff is really great! Very friendly and anxious to please. Whoever designed the decor did amazing work. It is elegant without being pretentious. Really makes you want to become a regular here. We are looking forward to them opening their patio and having live music. I do think though that their recipes could use some tweaking, both the cocktails and food. The Coco Curry Fizz was too heavy on the curry and should have really been balanced out with some sweetened coconut milk. Though it had coconut milk in it, the flavor was completely overpowered by the curry. We also ordered the trio of spreads and none of them were really that good. I liked the feta one alright but hubby didn't like it all. The everything white bean bagel hummus was only okay. Somehow it was pretty lacking flavor. Neither of us cared for the roasted cauliflower hummus at all. I love cauliflower especially when it is roasted but this just didn't work. I would stick with classic cocktails for now, until they get these recipes under better control. I would also stick with the more classic food selections. I believe they have great potential and could easily be five stars if they would just maybe try some better food and cocktail options.

28 Mile Vodka is a really nice place for drinks and a bite to eat. We came here on a Friday afternoon around 7pm, and there was no wait. We were able to get one of the booths in front of the bar, with a view of the distillery. We were greeted by our server, Jay. Not only was he knowledgeable about the items on the menu, but he was also super friendly and nice. We ordered an old fashioned and a sour tea, as well as the "tasting tower." The drinks were great and the tasting tower had a lot of tasty options like deviled eggs, mushrooms, ham, salmon, and more. We also got the avocado bruschetta, and that was delicious also. Overall, the food, drinks, service, and ambiance were all great. We'll definitely be back!

Nice place great outside patio area We went there while they had live music had a really nice time the only thing they may be under staffed because it took a bit to get our drinks and Appetisers

Chic atmosphere. Great appetizers. All in a city vibe -- urban, exposed brick, so well designed. Love their craft cocktails. One of the best places to see live music around these burbs.

This place is a gem! Far away from the city and you still feel you are in some really cool place in Chicago. The owner Eric is welcoming and so his amazing bar tender Alex! He knows how to make a good cocktail, by just looking at you he can guess how you like your cocktail. Music is great!

During this difficult time, please come out and support this amazing vodka bar. You can stop in, take a tour and leave with a bottle or two of their vodka. Oh and you can get some made to go vodka cocktails! Thank you for making my night!

I wanted this to work on so many levels but, aside from the patio being a nice space, it was a horrible experience and was worse than "working out the kinks." - My drink was 15 minutes later than the rest of the table. I had to get up and ask where it was. - Some drinks came in plastic cups while some came in nice glassware. Plastic isn't nice when your spending $12 for a drink. - Food/Apps came with no plates. They said plates would come (more were being washed I guess) but they never did. So we ate apps off napkins. You heard that right. - Food was not cleared and was attracting bugs - I had to bus the table. - Expressed concerns to owner, free bottle of vodka offered. I shared that I don't need a bottle. NOTHING else was done in light of that. Owners and Staff don't seem to get how bad it is. It's a nice space but service and our experience were beyond terrible.

Turn the music down. I know I sound old but people are there to socialize not listen to a 2 bit cover band blast our eardrums out. Literally could not converse with friends at my table. Screaming at eachother didn't even do it.

This review is based upon the place being open for a week and during its soft open. First of the decor takes you back to something out of the Great Gatsby. Fun with a high-end feel that is befitting of the quality. The service is very attentive to the point of overstaffed. There is maybe seating for 75 (patio not open yet) and there was at least 10 bartenders and servers. But training and time open will change this. The star of the show is the vodka and boy does it shine. Sweet, clean with very little burn. There is a taste of vanilla but not a cake just smooth. Easy to drink straight up or on the rocks. There are some very good cocktails that feature the vodka but with all the house made mixers the vodka is masked. The owner came over and introduced himself (Eric) talked about the vodka now, the gin that should be available in a few months and that they are looking for a wiskey in a few years. Seems like the place is on a great track and will be a nice addition for years to come. Cheers!

This place is awesome. The decor is chic, drinks on point, friendly service & good prices. The presentation of the drinks is absolutely flawless! Wish I was going to be here in July when the patio opens

Love this new place! The drinks and food were wonderful and atmosphere was exceptional! I will be going back soon!

I came to 28 Mile having heard that Highwood had a new distillery. Knowing Highwood establishments I was expecting friendly people, an OK ambiance and a competitive but pedestrian product. When I arrived I felt like I had walks through the looking glass! First of all, while the establishment is new, it looks like it came out of the flapper era. Not a detail was missed. Beautiful bar and finishes. The patio (which is under a tent now, but I understand will be finished with a retractable roof) has great features, including fountains and a fireplace. As for the product, it is unique. They distill with malted grains. As they tell you during a tour, very few vodkas are made this way. The result is an amazing vodka that is nutty and maybe even hints of chocolate. Unlike any vodka I've had. But I have to say, one I will continue to drink! They make amazing cocktails with their product. I love that many are riffs on whiskey cocktails, but made with their malted grain vodka. My favorite is the Rose Tea Sour. Made a bit like a whiskey sour, but smooth and coats your tongue. The dried rose petal garnish adds beautiful color and a hint of bitterness. The staff is great. Polished and professional. I will definitely be back!

28 Mile Vodka is a nice addition to the Highwood scene. 28 MV is a cool spot for some tasty craft vodka cocktails. The Nicely designed interior with views of the distillery make it a perfect spot for cocktail and lite appetizers. Once the patio opens, this will be the can't miss summer hangout.

Brady did a great job helping us understand how the vodka was made and the difference between this vodka and other vodkas

A friend told me about this place- Truly enjoyed the vibe! The furniture, facilities and bar were all beautifully decorated. Great ambience, drinks and an incredibly friendly and classy staff! Very attentive!! They have a great drink menu with skilled bartenders. The live performance was the cherry on top! Been here twice now and every time has been a great experience. During our first visit, my friend and I also toured their distillery. The manager shared a plethora of information making the entire experience well worth every penny!! Looking forward to going back.

We came to 28 Mile with a private wedding party, and everyone was amazing to work with. We took a tour, played yard games until it rained, and then moved under the tent where we continued the festivities with heat lamps, music and plenty of fabulous drinks. It was so fun learning the history of the company and it's historic ties to the area! I'd give this place more than five stars if I could, and you should go if you haven't yet!

This place is great. Always a good vibe and right in the heart of Highwood. The new outdoor area with live music is great too.

First time there last night with a girlfriend and we had a great time! Drinks were tasty and atmosphere was very inviting. The service was amazing. Will definitely return!

I swear to god this place made my entire day. Stopped in on a whim and was blown away by the kindest owner and the best staff. Nothing is more memorable than the day I almost got my car towed but had the best few drinks of my life. Eric your a rockstar. Thank you for being awesome. If you're not having drinks here you're doing it wrong.

I think it's a nice spot with a lot of potential. That said... If you are on the patio you can't order all the drinks (nope, you can't get a vodka soda at the vodka distillery). Further, what you can order is served in plastic cups. The part that made me laugh... They won't take cash.

Great new place in Highwood. Live music, heated outdoor area, cool atmosphere inside. Friendly staff. We got to take the vodka tour and sipped the signature spirit, as one of the owners walked us through the distillery process. Fantastic! Highly recommend this new spot.

Met there for a meeting. I loved the ambiance and decor, a speakeasy feel that you might find downtown Chicago. I had the Chill, loved the crisp vodka and the onions and olives that accompany the cocktail. The service is spectacular. The server Victoria couldn't have been better. She made sure we knew about all the items on the menu. She suggested the Tower which includes salmon they cured with the vodka. It felt like high tea with vodka. They have a beautiful patio, and dueling pianos. It was like going down to Chicago, but right here in the north shore!

Best Old Fashioned I've ever had. Kudos to the amazing staff who are knowledgeable and provide amazing service. Superb date night for a quieter night inside or dueling pianos in a sufficiently warm outside. Well done.

My wife and I have been a fan since opening. Cool upscale venue. On each occasion since opening, service has been horrible, as tho they do not care. On 7.30.2022 we went there for a few drinks and waited an hour and no one served us. When I approached to get food/drinks, we asked for service and bartender responded "are you here for private party" I said no, and he stated food and drinks cut off. Waiter came by our table and taunted us by being confrontational and saying what are you going to do and what are you going to say to my boss. I was speaking Spanish to my wife and he stated that my Spanish sucked. He is approx 35, short hair, 189 lbs five foot nine. I also noticed since their opening an amazing lack of diversity in a heavily Latin X community. He chased us out. After being chastised heavily, we went one block away We went with our tail between our legs, humiliated to Teddy Obriens where service was great and we were welcomed with open arms and good food. They also sell 28 Mile Bourbon which I have bought many bottles at Binnies which we enjoyed for a long time. You have totally aliented local residents. I have never yelped in my life but you can be damn sure that my negative experience will be repeated. Good news travels fast but bad news travels exponentially

Really enjoyed our first time there. Nice to see an upscale distillery with a beautiful decor added to Highwood. What struck me was the attention to detail. Even the exit signs appear etched and a throw back to the Great Gatsby era. This combined with a friendly and good looking staff made me feel like I was in a New York level restaurant. The food was very good...we had the shrimp cocktail, assortment of veggies and dips, avocado toast and the Jell-O shots....best Jell-O shots I've ever had. Never thought I'd say that. The vodka is clean and smooth and the unexpected beer that's brewed in house was a kolcsh type and great for summer. Can't wait for the expansive outside to open shortly complete with fireplaces, a stage and, from what i hear, glass roof in the next year. Welcome to the neighborhood, we will see you soon!

I went here for the first time yesterday. The drinks were the best I've had for the suburbs in so long. Paulina was my bartender and was also amazing! She made sure I was okay with food and drinks during the whole experience. I will go back constantly, I love this place!! Paulina rocks

Stopped by 28 Mile Vodka last Saturday. Was a very inviting space with a beautiful Art Deco decor. I had a sample of their vodka, and it was unlike any I've had before. It was so smooth and it had some vanilla notes. Tori the sever recommended the old fashion, and it was surprisingly good. Never thought you could make an old fashion with vodka. They also had dueling pianos, which was a lot of fun. I highly recommend a trip to 28 Mile.