Three Dots and a Dash
Cocktail bar · Near North Side ·
Classic tropical cocktails, rums & house daiquiris in a retro Polynesian-style setting
Classic tropical cocktails, rums & house daiquiris in a retro Polynesian-style setting
"This River North spot is a tiki bar serving tropical cocktails in mugs shaped like pineapples, conch shells, and mermaids, among other things. It’s a good place to go before your Super-Bowl-winning trip to Disneyland, because your (very generous) friends can buy you the $425 “Treasure Chest,” a cocktail for 6-8 people. It gets especially crowded on weekends, so unless you want to be standing and getting an unintentional arm workout by holding up that chest full of booze, book a table in advance." - adrian kane, john ringor
"Listed as one of the best bars in the world by Drinks International, Three Dots and a Dash makes you feel as if you've been transported to a Hawaiian luau. Don't be fooled by drink names, like Bunny's Banana Daiquiri. These drinks are strong. Going out with a crowd? Three Dots has drinks to share. Giant seashells, treasure chests, and skulls are filled with exotic rum cocktails accented with brightly colored straws, cocktail umbrellas, flaming limes, and orchids. Three Dots and a Dash is a bar that should not be missed in River North - although the alley entrance off Clark street is very missable. To find this spot, go down the alley behind XOCO (one of our other recommendations)." - One Design Company
"Originally founded as a basement tiki bar by bartender Paul McGee and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Three Dots has evolved over recent years, steering its focus toward tropical cocktails and away from tiki’s complicated past. A festive retreat even on the most frigid winter days, the bar is a popular after-work stop in Downtown Chicago. It even houses a bar within the bar, the Bamboo Room, for a more intimate experience." - Ashok Selvam
"Tiki-forward cocktail bar serving as the starting point for a walk-around tasting event that brings together more than two dozen world-class local and international bars; tickets include vouchers for sample-size cocktails from a curated lineup." - Lisa Shames
"Three Dots And A Dash is a (usually) crowded tiki bar located in the alley behind Bub City. There’s patio seating in warmer weather, but take the stairs down to a year-round beach party that serves tropical cocktails in mugs shaped like pineapples, conch shells, and mermaids. Drinks like the $425 “Treasure Chest,” a Venezuelan rum-passion fruit-guava-tangerine-dry ice concoction for 6-8 people border on being over-the-top, but the single-serve cocktails are reasonable and the atmosphere is fun without screaming “spring break.” Reserve a table to ensure some space." - veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen