The Drunken Bean Coffee & Wine Bar

Way over priced. The place itself is cool and across from a lovely park. Service is slow and staff seemed rather bothered. Coffee was mediocre. Was expecting more from a $7 croissant and $13 breakfast sandwich. I wouldn’t recommend this spot.

Loved it! Cozy and semi tucked away, this hidden gem is one you need to find. They don’t play around with that breakfast burrito and the drip coffee gives you that morning hug to set you in your way. Must see and do if you’re looking to feel joy.

Hidden near the river. Hard to get to because of many flights of stairs, but lovely once you get there. Beautiful park with many, many dogs, all well behaved. Pastries and coffee ok, but missed design on latte.

Avocado toast is great! Very clean and cute atmosphere. Took off one star under food because their house made pesto is just greens blended up. Does not taste like traditional pesto AT ALL. Not bad but definitely disappointing as I was expecting pesto sauce.

On a Saturday morning at 10:30, the restaurant was active but calm enough to enjoy my Sesame Lox Sandwich and coffee in peace. The women running the shop were putting in the effort to keep the place tidy and organized. The sandwich itself was on a bagel that is softer and with less “bite” than my favorite place in New York, and the schmear was the right amount to balance but not overpower. Basically, “sandwich” is the right description; quite tasty.

Service and atmosphere were fine. We sat outside and watched dog owners buy their dogs snacks from the cute dog snack truck parked out front. The coffee seems to be hit or miss. My husband ordered an oat milk matcha latte, which was really good. I was disappointed with my pumpkin spice late because although it smelled like pumpkin spice, it tasted like plain coffee with cream. No pumpkin flavor or sweetness. I'm glad I tried this coffee spot, but wouldn't go out of my way to go back

It's okay, the place seems nice in the inside, and it's great that it's by the park. I had the blue velvet cupcake special drink, but it was really not good - seemed like flavoured unsweet milk. The almond croissant was good. May or may not stop by here again, but I would not make effort to walk here out of the way.

I enjoyed my Americano and the pita lox & avocado toast. Can't wait to come back! Service was very friendly and prompt. Chill atmosphere for a relaxing breakfast.

Got a cup of drip coffee and the Sesame Lox Sandwich. The toasted sesames were perfect with the lox. It was delicious.

I really love the cozy feel of coffee shops and when they're paired with wine and cocktails you really can't lose! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Drunken Bean. We used this as an inbetween stop while walking to our next destination in the area. It's about a 15 minute walk from Navy Pier. We were glad to see it after a windy walk. I loved the vast variety of drinks that were offered. The baristas were very kind and patient because we didn't really know what we wanted. I got the Bourbon Latte which was amazing. It had great notes of bourbon, coffee, and chocolate that put you in the mind of a salted caramel drink. The barista gave me a few of her favorites which I always love that I could pick from. I would say that there were gnats flying around pretty aggressively and some trash overflowing that kinda bummed me on the ambiance but overall it's definitely a must visit if you're in the area.

I love the team at the counter, no nonsense, friendly and efficient. Great latte and a fresh warm croissant. While I loved the "total blackout interior, it was a bright morning and so I sat outside and enjoyed the filtered sunlight and read a few chapters of my book. Next time I am in Chicago, I shall return.

I stumbled upon this neighborhood spot for the first time, and it certainly won't be my last visit! I initially stopped by for a quick treat and decided to try their vanilla ice cream with marshmallows. After I noticed they carry Colectivo coffee, I will be back. For those who know, you know - Colectivo is top-notch in my book! Think small neighborhood local hang-out spot vibe that makes it a great place to unwind. It's the perfect place to stop by after a long day at work and hang out with your neighbors. The ideal for both a casual coffee catch-up or a relaxed evening with a glass of wine. The staff was very friendly, especially when I came with a very indecisive seven-year-old!

This place is absolutely average! They barely have any vegan or GF options. I tried their Avocado toast without the poached egg and it was a little disappointing. It just had Arugula all over it and wasn't flavorful at all. It's 2024 and having limited vegetarian/ vegan savory options is really not cool! They have good coffee options, and hence I'm not deducting a lot of stars. I tried their Lavender latte with almond milk which was good! From ambiance point of view, they have a lot of seating and good decor. I could observe a lot of seats were occupied by students so it is definitely everyone's spot to just grab breakfast and work together. I may come back to try their coffee specialty drinks but definitely not coming back for food.

Could there be any better cafe in town?!?! Absolutely not. This cafe is my version of Central Perk. You can def channel some "Friends" energy here. This is a hidden gem in the heart of Lakeshore East community and possibly one of the only cafes in town which is open until late that serves the food from their breakfast until dinner menu at all times. It's quite roomy with lot of seating and cozy sofas and chairs. The coffee is amazing; whatever food I have tried so far has been truly exceptional. They have seasonal drinks menu and everything tastes pretty amazing. The happy hour is pretty impressive as well. The cafe often hosts trivia nights, stand up comedy shows, and live music shows which give platform to the local artists and also bring everyone together for shared experiences, fun and laughter. Overall, that adds the vibrancy and warmth to this cafe atmosphere, making it more than just a place to grab a drink or a bite to eat. Def a great opportunity to socialize and meet new individuals with common interests. The staff over here is super friendly, kind and very hard working, always has smile on no matter the time of the day! The cafe is pet friendly. Every weekend, there's an ice cream truck for pets stops by the cafe. They also have an outdoor seating that looks out to the Lakeshore East park right outside the cafe. Cant hype this cafe enough. So glad to be staying in this community and enjoying the perks of this wonderful cafe!

It was my first time visiting, and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it while out for a grocery run. Surprisingly, I ran into a couple of friends who were out on a walk. We decided to try coffee on a cold chilly evening. The ambiance at Drunken Bean is chic and casual with unique sitting arrangement. On this particular evening, we were treated to live music from a talented lady strumming her guitar and singing songs, adding to the cozy atmosphere. As for coffee, we tried the strawberry hot chocolate, toasted marshmallow and creme brulee latte. While all were enjoyable, the creme brulee latte stole the show for me! Observing the mix of people engaged in conversation or working in the casual space was a nice touch. We spent our time sipping coffee, chatting with friends, and soaking in the relaxed vibes. Overall, Drunken Bean provided a cozy and relaxing environment for spending quality time with friends. I'll definitely be back to indulge in more creme brulee lattes and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere! The proximity to my place is a bonus, just a quick five-minute walk away! Any people in lakeshore east area must definitely try this place.

A friend that I stopped in the drunken bean coffee shop today. We had a great time. Nice, decent pastries. Good coffee. Funky interesting place to stay with lots of private spaces. Good service at the counter

We swung by Drunken bean for a Trivia night. The entry for the trivia night is free and you can play individually or in a group (max 8). We ordered our cocktails and prepared for the trivia night. We ordered a Pilsner and crème brûlée martinis. The beer was great and the crème brûlée martinis were so tasty! The trivia night was fun overall. We did have the server come to us and ask if we needed anything and when we said yes, she asked us to step to the counter her to order which was odd. Haven't tried the food so I can't really comment on that, but overall it was a fun experience.

Drunken bean is my favorite cafe in Chicago. There are numerous options including both hot and cold coffee and tea. My favorite being strawberry chocolate mocha. The food includes pasta, flat bread, and other confectionary items. Their cocktails are amazing as well and my favorite is cinnamon flavored hot one. The ambience is pretty cool and is located right in the lakeshore east park. Service is pretty quick and always helpful. It's a hidden gem in Chicago and I love it.

The best place to post up on a cold Chicago winter day. I love everything about this place - the service, the people, the vibe and oh, yeah, the coffee. I always joke around and say that I feel like I'm in a Friends episode and sitting at Central Perk. It's that kind of place with comfy couches and good lighting. They have a great menu and I love that you can get everything from coffee to cocktails to soups, salads, and sandwiches. A great place to chill out!!

Popped by around 7am when they opened as I was in the area as a Chicago Triathlon spectator. I needed something to keep me awake! I ordered a Masala Chai Latte with a shot of espresso and oat milk. It was very good! I appreciated the extra oomph via the Masala spices. A lot of locals seemed to come in with their dogs, presumably while out on their morning walks, so it seems to be a good spot if they're coming in. Also, the bar area seems nice to catch happy hour specials. Definitely tucked away from the chaos that can sometimes be downtown Chicago. Service was good and didn't take too long to get my drink. There are indoor and outdoor seats. Lots of seating options to come in and read a book or have a drink with a friend. (This would be a good spot to have pre or post dinner drinks if going to nearby Avli on the Park.)

Great local coffee shop! They sell coffee, pastries, salads, sandwiches, soup, and cocktails! The sandwiches come with a side salad, which is perfect for sharing! They also have wifi if you're looking to work, however it's dimly lit and might get busy/crowded. It's pretty relaxed inside, and they have some outdoor tables!

Get some booze or caffeine, or both. In fact, I can get liquor in my coffee and be good for both the night and morning. The Drunken Bean is a nice little hole next to Lakeshore East Park. Has a few vegan friendly cookies and baked goods. Prices are high on liquor but better on coffee and sweets. A place like this is good for morning, afternoon, or any time you need a jolt. It's actually only open until the evening, so don't wait too long. This is kind of hard to get to. It's on the north side of Lakeshore East Park. Such a rich ass community, with big ass high rises. Forget about driving. Walking from one of the L stations is much faster. Also there's limited parking so you may not be able to find anything. The best coffee is the Blue Moon Latte. It's $4.50 a cup. This isn't made with Blue Moon. It's actually made with blue matcha and lavender. The liquor is the most expensive thing. It's about $10 for a cocktail. There's also vegan treats like muffins. It's about $3 each. These are small but packed with chocolate richness. Choose this place if you like mind altering beverages. It's good either to drown your sorrows, or if you need a morning pick up get some caffeine. They also have vegan muffins and treats.

Overall, absolutely love that this place is a cute all-in-one shop with coffees, alcoholic drinks, pastries - you name it! I tried the Masala Pumpkin Chai (iced) and thought it was a great seasonal drink, but I hoped for more of a "masala" kick. Also, wasn't a fan of the amount of flies in the space sadly, so that may be deterring to me trying to WFH or sit inside for a longer period of time at this shop.

Visited 11/26/23 in Lakeview East. Nice quiet area. Drip coffee was good. (Had the light medium blend) Absolutely HORRIBLE gluten free blueberry muffin. Do not spend $4.25. Took one bite and threw it away. I don't know who or what makes them but seriously take a pass.

I am giving The Drunken Bean Coffee & Wine Bar a cautious 5 stars. The place is adorable. Big storefront windows look onto the park. Cozy couches, tall and low tables and an L shaped bar offer a ton of seating. Rich earth tones really create a relaxing atmosphere. They offer EVERYTHING!! All types of coffee beverages, pastries, soups, wraps bowls and more. They also have a full bar. In the afternoon, they have Happy Hour. In addition to regular cocktails, they create the best cocktail coffee beverages also. Their price point is spot on, which is fantastic. Each time I have gone in, the staff is very nice. But also each time, I have to wait while they finish chatting. On my last visit, I waited and waited. No greeting nothing. after 4-5 minutes of waiting, the guy behind me just calls out his order over the top of my head. Now it's not their fault that there was a weird, rude guy with no social skills or manners that cut in front of me. But it is their fault that they took his order and his payment and gave him his coffee before they said one word to me! When I pointed out what had just transpired, they offered a genuine apology. But...it should never have happened in the first place. Customers should be greeted and assisted even though you are conducting personal chit chat. This little oasis offers so much! The staff is incredibly sweet but they must tighten up their customer service ASAP!!!!

This is a hidden gem in the Lakeshore East neighborhood in Chicago. They have a decent spread across coffee, wine, cocktails, and specialty drinks. You'll spot several residents of Lakeshore East working remotely from here. Also great for grab and go. Watch out for their events calendar - there's a roster of second city stand up artists who perform there. Service is friendly and quick. They do seasonal drinks and their mulled wine is one of my go to drinks. Overall, a cute coffee/wine bar that can become your next regular hangout joint.

Great place overall.... Ambience is amazing.... Seating outside , the view, the peace..break from the city inside the city!!!

Got 4 croissants for 32$ - went to garbage - it was minimum 2-3 days old , what's wrong with you people? U can make someone seriously sick!!!

Nope. Got a BLT today. On sourdough. Sandwich was made from the very ends of the bread. Resulting in a tiny and very poor excuse for a sandwich. They charge about $15.00 for this garbage.

Yep, the drunken bean coffee and wine bar is a neat little place hidden down by the riverwalk. It's alittle bit more challenging to get to for a tourist, but the food and coffee is absolutely amazing. I ordered a white chocolate mocha, which was made really well. Blended and mixed. The pastries were delicious as well, which was a good compliment to the coffee. Since we are tourists, walking the river walk with their coffee was the perfect thing to do in the morning. Absolutely, i would recommend it at least once a visit.

My favorite secret hide out. I have lived above The Drunken Bean since 2019. Needless to say I am a regular for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Very welcoming atmosphere. Lots of snacks to choose from. If you're picky, they happily remove any ingredients to work around allergies. Breakfast served all day.. I highly recommend the breakfast burrito! Looking for something different from the standard latte? Try one of Liz's creative coffee drinks off the menu. Yum! A great spot to sit and read, work, chat with neighbors, or just relax and enjoy the cafe music in a comfy chair. Walk up window is open in the summer for ice cream, and drinks for your walk in the park.

Eclectic and easily appetizing city vibes in a earthy remodelled modern dark barn bar atmosphere, fun staff, unique and clever menu, great variety for the kids, basic white girls, hipsters, and adults! Sadly didn't have the need for food seeing a lot to treat my appetite right, was looking for coffee but figured most were too sugary for so early in the morning, not good for me. My eyes lit on the blue moon which turned out to be a blue seaweed matcha. The first three sips were bitter, beyond reason earthy seaweedy, a tad gross but over the next many sips turned into a complex and delightful alternative to traditional American sugar flavored lattes. Glad I went for it and definitely would go for again!

I love the girls that place ! The coffees and food are delicius ! Definitely I'll come back

Food is fantastic. It's my new favorite place. Everything on the menu is delicious. Have tried almost everything. They also serve alcohol, has a true trendy European vibe. Great place to hang out with friends. Love it.10/10

I just got back from visiting Chicago and stopped at The Drunken Bean Coffee and Wine Bar for a glass of wine with my friends, but ended up having many more than that lolll. The atmosphere was great, and the service was awesome, thank you especially to Rodrigo for your service. It was 10/10 I'll be back ASAP!!!!

This is such a hidden gem! It is tucked into the corner of Lakeshore East park and has quite the eclectic variety of drinks and dishes. My friends and I met up here for coffee and were all charmed by the comfy atmosphere and chill vibes. The breakfast burritos were a big hit - 2 people in our group said it was the best breakfast burrito they've ever had. Would definitely recommend visiting here if you have some leisure time over the weekend!

I had a delicious blt and iced tea with a group. We all ate and then stayed far too long catching up with long absent English friends in the warm summer air. No complaints, all joy.

I was intrigued to see signage that the Drunken Bean now offers a Greek menu (think: spinach pie, spanikopita). I decided to stop in for a late carryout lunch after a nearby mani/pedi appointment. Was bummed that the Greek menu doesn't kick in until 3 pm, but opted for a chicken salad croissant with a choice of side salad or soup. The food was of good quality and the portion generous. The salad was thoughtfully presented in a cute to-go container, separated from the croissant sandwich (very important!) with dressing in a separate cup. The salad was crunchy and fresh, with baby greens, cucumbers, and radishes. For the salad alone the establishment deserves a shout-out: it seems like it would be hard to screw up a side salad but it is amazing to see how many are either soggy, have unnecessary bells and whistles, or are simply a lettuce overload and calling it a day. I waited a little while for my order to come out but am giving this business grace what with all of the staffing factors, physical distancing, sanitation protocols, etc. that are now part of our new world. Really enjoyed my take-out experience from here and hope to be back to sample the Greek menu.

Although the coffee and variety of options are great, I've always left disappointed with my overall experience. The staff never honors the Magellan Resident Rewards Card discount during high traffic hours. In addition, I've never waited less than 10 minutes for a coffee even when the store is empty. Lastly, during my most recent experience I was brushed away by staff members for making simple inquiries about menu items. While I love their drinks, I have felt no sympathetic love with the staff and unsettling environment inside the store.

I was really hoping this coffee shop would be a nice pit stop to kill time before a mani / pedi appointment I had nearby but boy was I wrong. Not only was this establishment not following social distancing and safety / sanitation protocols, but the wait time to get my food was insane. I was almost late to my nail appointment and I admittedly threw the majority of my food in the trash. I ordered an iced mocha latte which was actually decent. The mocha was mixed well with the espresso and the espresso packed the punch I was looking for. I also ordered a "croissantwich" because I was hangry and who doesn't love a croissant. After waiting for what felt like 30+ minutes for my sandwich, I was given this large greasy and undercooked sandwich. This menu item comes with bacon, eggs, cheese, arugula, and aioli but I requested the later two items be removed. The bacon was a complete undercooked fabrication to what I was expecting and it was so greasy that I ended up just eating some of what remained of a buttery croissant. I don't think I'll ever visit this place again. It was cramped. The coffee was just okay. And the menu item I chose was disgusting. Not to mention the long wait time to get anything you ordered. Visit Dark Matter or Hero Coffee instead!

This place slaps. You can get a coffee or mimosa and it's walk up?! The spot reps quality Collectivo coffee blends and I ordered a delicious cold brew with salted Carmel sweetener and oat milk. Tasted like a milkshake. Bomb. The ham and cheese croissant with everything bagel seasoning was a nice treat, but I would prefer to have it warmed in the oven next go around. Sampled a mocha almond gluten free muffin which had dark chocolate chips and a crusty caramelized sugar topping. My friends were not a fan, but they never got to the chocolate chips. Friendly staff and cute little ambiance. Great for dine in, drinks, or studying!

This is such a cute place whether you want to chill and grab a coffee with a friend or have a drink here. I've gone here a couple times and tend to get the flatbreads. They are delicious! They have a few different kinds but I really enjoy them all so far! At first I didn't think I'd get full but surprisingly I was full when I finished my pizza. If you're going to buy food, I highly recommend the flatbreads! I have to admit that I've gotten their red velvet bread once and was very disappointed. It was stale and hard which I was sad about because I love red velvet. That was the only baked item I've tried so far but maybe I'll try their other foods as well. If anything, I will always get the flatbreads because I think that's one of the best items on their menu!

Great food and wonderful drinks!! Beautiful area and scenery. Great service!

Been there to grab something quick for brunch. The coffee is not bad, but the avocado toast is not that tasty... there are plenty of seats inside, good vibes for spending some time w friends

Lots of seating space and cute area! Mostly indoor seating. Tons of flavored latte options

Awesome coffee shop/ wine bar tucked away in the north east corner of Lake Shore East. I've been coming here since they opened and I think it is one of the best in the city. They use Dark Matter Coffee and their baristas know how to properly make espresso drinks. I usually get their breakfast burrito or one of their flat bread. Both are really good. Today I tried their Veggie Grain Bowl with quinoa on the bottom and a poached egg on top. It was amazing. My last comment is that their beer and wine selection is really solid . Great happy hour deals.

Place: This place is very boujee and it has a bar, food, cafe in one. The place is very spacious and definitely room to sit down and eat. Service: The service really depends on the day. Some people are nice and some are straight up not having it. So I hope you get the good barista. Food/price: The drinks are really expensive (PERIOD). I got like a lemonade slush and it was $7... I was like whoa but it was pretty solid. The other time I went I got a matcha latte and it was around a typical hot drink $5. Audience: This cafe place is near the residential living so many families come to bring their kids. A lot of adults and couples come as well. I guess it is for everyone even though there is a bar area. Recommend/tips? I recommend it.

I love this place! I come here frequently to work and the staff is just so friendly and welcoming - shout out to Ana who is always amazing! Great atmosphere, good food and even better Happy Hour deals! Definitely recommend!

Had happy hour here with my friend. Their happy hour starts from 4:30. I liked the place just a small cafè, their cocktails are those premade ones which were ok, nothing fancy. We ordered two flat breads, the flavor was good but I wish the crust would be more crunchy. Over all I'd come back here.

I popped in to grab a quick coffee and lunch and I ordered the pita with a salad and a 16 oz cold brew. As I sat there she gave me a 12oz cold brew which I had her correct. Then get my food and have to her to the airport. I get in my Lyft to find hott soup and not a salad. The worst part is the soup was literally two pieces of small chicken and three noodles and all broth! Very disappointed and I want a refund for the 22 dollar meal I did not get to enjoy!

They have a good breakfast burrito, but they should have more variety of music. They run the same music all the time...

Ordered "Irish Rolled Oats" to go. What a joke. They provide a carton of unprepared dry oaks and a few separate accoutrements for $8! Are you kidding me? I could've just gone to store for the same and made it my self for $1... Adding more ..orders egg bites ..horrible ...egg was not blended so chunks of egg white ..and soggy wet inside container .. Worse breakfast I've had in a long time ..I live very near but will never go back

Stopped by this place on a walk and ordered an iced vanilla latte. I received an iced caramel latte......but I'm so glad! It was so good! We also ordered a breakfast burrito and avocado toast. Both were good. Cute little spot with a lovely view of the park and none of the fuss a typical brunch spot. I'm a fan.

I finally visited this place the chai latte was the best... full of spices/ flavorful. And the Veggie Grain Bowl called my name when I wasn't planning on ordering food. I'm so happy I got it. There is so much to it it kept surprising me with every bite. Walking in this cafe is quite and cozy. It would be great place to have a bite while you sort through emails. Right now they are operating at a smaller capacity due to covid 19. There are outside tables 2 of them if you prefer to sit there. There are so many options for when you need something quick and still healthy. I am so happy this is in the neighborhood and can't wait to visit in the evening for their wine bar.

Such a cute place! Just got a tea and bread slice (choc chip banana ) but it was delicious!

Great food at good value - but nothing tops the professionalism that their staff bring to the table. Rudi, Liz and Christian to name a few - I've come to learn their names because of the rapport they build with customers - They always keep a smile on even when working on multiple fronts. They run a tight ship and make this place work for us.

Checked this out with my cousins today and got the GF Blueberry muffin. It tasted so good and it seems like they use actual fresh blueberries. The muffin was a little dry and flaky, but honestly pretty good. I wish they had a bigger bathroom though and I didn't like the broken soap dispensers.