Clara

Clara is so good!!! Love this spot so much! We always end up going here when we are out with friends in our neighborhood. The E Major espresso martini is the best espresso martini I have found in Chicago. It’s worth going just to get that one drink. They also have great seasonal cocktails like strawberry matcha. They used to have really delicious cheese boards too although I don’t think they have renewed their food license so they aren’t serving them anymore. But if they ever start again, they are so bomb and I recommend. They have live music and it always gets packed. It’s a great vibe in there every time and the service is excellent.

Artist owned bar with live music on a ton of nights and a cool selection of cocktails. They did a good job making it look inviting for live music and have a cool list of drinks, I don't think there is good available but check out their website for the schedule of live music.

Loved the cocktails. It IS a little pricey (broke college student here) BUT SOOO worth it!! I LOVE that it’s artist owned! Best espresso martini I’ve ever had! 5 stars!!

Incredibly wonderful bartenders here! Fantastic drinks, chill vibe, warm atmosphere. Best jalapeno margarita I've ever had...medium heat/level 2. The E Major is dessert in a glass...and will give you a little pep for your evening. Great place to hang out with friends or entertain guests. Photos are the Spicy Margarita, the E Major and Amaretto Sour. All were phenomenal!

Good service, good drinks. Often has a live jazz band playing. Perfect after dinner or happy hour spot.

Good drinks and a nice vibe with live music. Has a nice cheeseboard with vegan options and was decently priced. Service was great!

Cocktail bar with an industrial art deco style of decor. Music playing is mostly jazz and art times there's slated to be live music as well and possibly small plates. For the time being outside food is allowed. Menu is good, there's a fair number of low or zero alcohol options as well. Allergins are listed if vegan/vegetarian substitutes have nuts. The cocktails we tried were very good. Looking forward to stopping in again in the future. Improvement wise I think the walls need some art or a mural, especially down in the front.

The cheese plate is a steal! Great quality for the price. Drinks were good and the vibes were immaculate.

My wife and I were visiting from Vegas so we were checking out different bars while in Bucktown. Clara was a nice vibe. Bartender was friendly, drinks were crafted, & the ambiance was enhanced by the jazz band. Would definitely revisit in the future!

Came to Clara recently to celebrate a friend's bday. I had never heard of this place beforehand, but glad he held his celebration here. When you first walk in, you see a piano and someone performing on it. They do really good live music here...mainly classical and jazz I believe. My friend told me Clara are heavy supporters of classical music...outstanding! Once you pass the piano and hi-tops, there are steps that take you to the bar and additional seating. The vibe is very chill and mellow and proper for good cocktail consumption. Guys behind the bar and ladies serving the tables were very good. Nice looking drinks everywhere! I decided to go with the Festive Lion which is sort of a mezcal/tequila old fashioned...I loved it! Good space and definitely a Wicker/Bucktown gem.

Perfect date night spot! We got their Cabernet and it was very tasty. The charcuterie board was huge! Lots of different bites to try. The live music makes it a unique experience. I recommend checking this place out.

Walked by and saw the live Jazz band and decided to pop in. What a pleasant surprise! The ambiance and vibe is equally cozy and festive. Decided to sit at the bar and while perusing the menu, the bar tender was more than willing to take a few minutes and discuss the options. I settled on the much recommended espresso martini complete with crushed pistachio sprinkled on top, and made our way over to a small table next to the booths. Delicious cocktails, friendly staff, live music and no cover. WIN!

I already loved this bar because of the name and jazz! We got to see a nice jazz band and sit at the picturesque bar. It was so nicely decorated, and the drinks were definitely artistic and fancier. The espresso martini had a nice pistachio cold foam, which was tasty. The festive lion was more like an old fashioned, so I switched it out for a spicy margarita. Perfect date spot!

Came here for a friends birthday party and had a great experience. They reserved the back room and we were able to meander through the entire bar. I wasn't able to drink this particular evening but I took a few sips from my friends cocktails. The espresso martini goes crazy and I can't wait to return and have one for my own.

There was a live band playing when we walked in and plenty of seats at the bar in the back. You can pick a spot depending on how loud you want the music to be, which is nice. The cocktail menu is thoughtful and well balanced with non-alcoholic options, including shrubs. I picked the Festive Lion and it was delicious! So glad to have stumbled into this place.

While there are many close-by options for a post birthday dinner after party in the North Ave, Damen and Milwaukee corridor, Clara was at the top of my list. It exceeded my expectations! About 14 of my crew walked over post-dinner and not only enjoyed ourselves with the solid cocktail/beer menu; but, with the ample and comfortable space to, at first stand around and talk; but, to then sit and talk. There were a few patrons in the place when we arrived and it wasn't long before we found ourselves to be the only patrons there - very likely due to the impending storms which were about to hit. Service was prompt and friendly. My drink of choice was Smooth Sailing, which is rye whiskey, lemon juice, Benedictine, maple syrup and super foam - really darn delicious! Many in my crew ordered the Old Fashioned, which I got to try; it was tasty. The bar area was nice and cool, the seating was comfortable, the bathroom clean and well stocked. One of the owners was there and come over to chat with us, sharing they've been open for three months. I wish Clara continued success, as you are on my short list of places to come hang and have a delicious cocktail or beer. Go Clara, go Clara!

First time moderate Jazz experience. Environment was light and pleasurable, cocktail selection and variety was great. I'll be coming back. Thank you Clara!

The Clara team makes creating a special event experience with their space simple. It's charming and an incredibly intimate place to check out live music while visiting with friends or as a solo patron. Good vibes! We'll visit again soon.

Really excited about this place! Spacious place but intimate ambience for the booth seating around the bar. Jazz tracks are a welcome departure from the music found at most Wicker Park places, and the service is super friendly. Great drinks: Smooth Sailing is a great whiskey sipper, pretty balanced. Haydn's Head was nicely gin-forward without being overbearing. The Coquito was a hit, a comparison to Cinnamon Toast Crunch milk but with much better depth. Solid mocktail list as well. Looking forward to trying out more stuff and catching live music soon!

Great new intimate venue. Service was good, no cover for a fun 7 piece band. I will be back

Great new bar in Wicker Park with friendly bartenders, live music, and 10/10 cocktails. Hidden gem!

Amazing cocktail menu and great addition to the neighborhood. Will definitely be back for the live music!

The BEST espresso martini in Chicago. The staff is so nice and personable. The bar is super cozy. We tried multiple drinks and were so impressed. Definitely will be coming back again soon.

Amazing espresso martini! The pistachio garnish makes the drink. The place is new, but has a very cozy vibe. Great low-key date spot or hang out venue for friends. Would recommend!

Such a cool vibe and that espresso martini is probably the best I've ever had! The pistachio made it for sure! Darwin, the bartender, was awesome and so personable. Will definitely be back.

Friendly and personal service! Very chill atmosphere!. Very intimate. I enjoyed Megan's quirky and queer vibes. Definitely going to be a regular