Billy Sunday

Hands down my favorite bar in Chicago to enjoy amazing drinks with great friends. The bartender does a great job whipping up craft cocktails with unique ingredients. The kitchen serves up amazing «snacks» all of which nicely complement an evening of drinking. Service, well lets just say I don’t think you meet a nicer staff in Chicago. (Overall — 5 stars)

After 3 years, still my favorite establishment in the city. The quality of product and service has never declined. I’ve been to some of the best cocktails bars in San Francisco, New York, London, Boston, Miami, and Paris… and Billy Sunday takes the cake.

Excellent spot for drinks in Logan Square. Cocktails are a (somewhat) new foray for me (preferring for the longest time only beer and wine), but the staff at Billy Sunday are very helpful and enthusiastic about showing you the way. It’s also great for more seasoned imbibers.
Expect a wait, but if your group is four or less it shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.

Really big fan of this place! They have excellent cocktails with crystal clear ice, great service, a chic vibe, and the largest collection of Fernet I have ever seen. They even have a leather bound book of all their fernet. I’ll definitely return here.

If you want to take someone you really like on a date, take them to Billy Sunday, and if they don’t like it, then that’s not someone you want to take home and fuck that night anyway. They have no taste and will probably be prodigiously boring in the sack.
Sure, there are cocktails here I didn’t like. But that’s because I already didn’t like what was going into them in the first place. The head bartender, Lee, can make you anything. Anything at all. If you ask for the most dumbass, complicated, obscure beverage, he’ll make it for you, and he will do a damn good job, too. I was there with a friend who insisted I try Mezcal for once, so I asked for a Mezcal cocktail, and Lee whipped up this delicious, egg-​white, smoky-​sweet cocktail, and my God, was it awesome. The bar snacks are also phenomenal. They don’t serve full meals at Billy’s, but each little thing they have is something spectacular, like steak carpaccio, or white bean hummus, or artisan bread from The Publican, all in a trendy, calm, quiet-​ish atmosphere.
I’d write more, but my fever is coming back so I gotta take it easy. But I highly, hgihly recommend the place. I’ll edit this when I have more.

This review is for the cocktails only: Billy Sunday is such a cozy place for a date night or with a small group of friends. The environment inside is classy, without coming across pretentious. When my boyfriend and I came on a Wednesday night «black out Wednesday», it was pretty packed, but we were able to get seats at the bar. Sitting at the bar at Billy Sunday, is the best spot in the entire place in my opinion. Sitting at the bar allows you the opportunity to see the bartenders craft interesting cocktails.
My first drink was the Hanastel, which main bases were brandy and sherry. I felt that this drink was strong, yet soft at the same time. It was not a harsh tasting cocktail, and I really liked that about it. One of the drinks my boyfriend had was one of their pre — made tonics (unfortunately, I forget which one). The particular tonic he had was very light and refreshing. My boyfriend also ordered the Box Lunch cocktail that was made with goats milk. I was a little hesitant to try it, but it actually was a very ideal dessert/​creamy cocktail. Before we left I asked our bartender if I could take a look at the «Good Book». The good book is essentially a rustic looking large menu of the different spirits they offer. I was more in the mood for a whisky that evening, and our bartender was able to suggest some great options. I ended up choosing one of the ones she suggested, and was pleased.

A true cocktail lounge, with nice «bites» to keep your palate honest. Nice discovery in Logan Square, will definitely be back to try more of the cocktail menu and the bites.
Nice date spot, we sat at the bar and struck up a nice conversation with some new parents who, like us, were enjoying a night out without the little ones.

Came here for a glass of wine during the day and it was really bad. Over priced quarter filled. I would give less stars but I haven’t tried their food. Will update once and if I come again.

Billy Sunday is a solid place to go for a good drink and good food. This place can be hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. i circled around about four times before we finally spotted this place. I’m glad that I made the decision to keep circling instead of driving away.
Let’s start with the drinks. i had the Old fashioned, the Victorian, the Puka’s Empire, and about two drinks out of «The Good Book», and yes, you want to order drinks from that good book because it is a VERY good book. each drink was really good with a solid, yet not too overpowering finish. from the ingredients, it can be really easy for a bartender to overpour these, but, thankfully, he didn’t, which made for a good experience for me.
The food menu is not extensive or laced with variety, which is why I couldn’t give Billy Sunday five stars, but my steak sandwich was good.
Again, this place can be hard to find if you are not from the area, but be patient and you will find it. Billy Sunday is worth the trip up north.

Fantastic. I read about the cocktails here in an old issue of the Chicago Magazine. We both really enjoyed our selections. I had «Don’t Speak,» and it was an intricate and pleasant treat. We also enjoyed the steak tartar, based on Unilocal and our server’s reviews. It was delicious with a runny egg over and thin potato chips. I loved the dark and elegant feel of the bar. Very romantic.

Billy Sunday is named after a 20^th Century evangelical minister made famous for preaching against the supposed evils of alcohol. And while I can’t claim that the irony of the bar’s name makes for better-​tasting drinks, it certainly makes me happy.
But Billy Sunday would be an outstanding bar regardless of its name. For starters, the atmosphere is just what I like when going out for a drink. The long, narrow space is classy without feeling stuffy, intimate without feeling crowded, and moody without feeling drab. The atmosphere is complemented by a polite, knowledgeable, and refreshingly non-​intrusive staff.
And then there are the drinks. I’ve visited Billy Sunday on several occasions, and the cocktail menu has been different every time. And while I’m often unfamiliar with many of the ingredients they use, I have never had a drink that wasn’t outstanding. If beer is more your speed, they have a modest bottle selection and several rotating taps as well.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more esoteric, Billy Sunday specializes in Amari, Italian herbal liqueurs (popular examples are Campari and Fernet Branca). Their cheekily titled «Good Book» contains a list of these and other specialty items, many of which you won’t find on any other bar menu in Chicago. But be warned: most of the drinks in this book are extremely expensive.
There’s a reason that Billy Sunday is frequently listed among the best bars in Chicago. It offers a great drinking environment, an accommodating staff, and some of the best drinks in the city. Do yourself a favor and stop in.
P. S. I grew up in Billy Sunday’s hometown of Winona Lake, Indiana (and even visited his house — now a museum — on a grade school field trip). So I’m a wee bit biased as far this bar is concerned.

I’ve been to Billy Sunday a bunch of times and it used to be one of my favorite places to grab a nice cocktail in the neighborhood, but I went back recently on a Tuesday night and it seems it’s gone down hill. Most notably the terrible service (along with the only average Old Fashioneds — which used to be awesome, by the way)
I was basically first ignored at the bar, and then switched to a table where they forgot our order. We finally get it and more friends join us. We order some beers and whiskeys which take FOREVER to come out. (like 20 minutes for beers?) When the drinks FINALLY come, the order is wrong. They forgot a mixed drink, but gave us an extra shot and brought the wrong beers.
To top it off the server was snappy with us.
AND they charged us for everything in the end, even the drinks we didn’t originally order.
It’s amazing how terrible service can really bring you down.
I’m sorry Billy Sunday it’s over between us. I don’t plan on coming back anytime soon.

Was excited to check out Billy Sunday for some cocktails after seeing it recognized on a national list of best cocktail bars. Myself and two friends were able to snag a table around 9:00 pm by the front window. The bar has a polished, hipster vibe that made me feel like I was in someone’s fancy living room. I ordered the Anxiety’s Door, which had a bacanora base. It was very good, with a strong smoky flavor. Watching the bartenders, you can tell they take their craft very seriously, judging from the level of detail that went in to making the various drinks. There are definitely some unique and fancy combinations on the drink menu!
We also ordered the Baked Alaska, which was delicious! Anything that is marshmallow, dark chocolate and peanut butter lit on fire is going to be good. Highly recommend this dish if you’re looking for dessert.
I wouldn’t come here every weekend but it’s definitely one of the elite cocktail bars in Chicago.

Billy Sunday is a very chic, very trendy cocktail bar. It reminds me of many of the trendy cocktail bars that have popped up in Chicago over the last decade – Violet Hour, the Whistler, Scofflaw, etc etc. This one fits right in, with a few added bonuses.
To start, they bottle some of their cocktails here. I enjoyed a guava daiquiri, which was totally delicious. My husband enjoyed a bottle of whiskey sour, which he also enjoyed. A friend had this weird but totally delicious drink that was super interesting on the palette – tomato water? some kind of booze? honestly it was so delicious and light and healthy tasting it didn’t take like a cocktail. Delicious.
Bar was comfortable and it wasn’t too loud. Would definitely recommend this place for an after dinner drink!

A decent roster of drinks presented in a typeface begging to offend the eyes. My biggest disappointment, however, was that the kitchen closed at midnight on Saturday night (the bar closes at 2am) with the final call for food orders supposedly occurring at 11:30pm. After the kitchen closed, our only choices were olives (not particularly recommended) and roasted nuts (roasted with some brown sugar and served in a little iron skillet). Unfortunately, we were forced to chain order the latter at an astonishing $ 6 a pop for about a half of a cup of nuts to try to even out the alcohol.
Save all these food-​related issues, though, Billy Sunday is a decent hangout – just don’t go there too late.

I love a good craft cocktail. And this place has plenty. Lots of different drinks to choose from, and the atmosphere is really chill. I’ve been here several times and have brought out of town guests as well.
Billy Sunday is home to one of the best Old Fashioned’s I’ve had (second only to RPM Steak), and I’ve yet to try a sip I didn’t like.
Do yourself a favor — if you see the 100 proof bourbon on the drink list — don’t hesitate. Get it.

Excellent cocktails! Reasonably priced (drinks). Outdoor seating. Small plates. Logan Square. ‘Enuff said!
****So here is what I didn’t like about Billy today. paying $ 6 for BREAD!!! We got a jar of white bean hummus ($ 5) which was actually very good but you would think it came with something to eat with (or spread) so when she asked if we wanted bread with it, I said sure. I didn’t realize that 6 small pieces of bread would cost $ 6! *****

I really, really, really hate this part of Logan Square. It makes me dizzy, driving around and around that circle in all of that traffic.
But then I found (free) parking, finally sat down inside Billy Sunday, and had one of the best cocktails of my life here.
You better believe I’d drive around and around again — blindfolded — just to drink another «Don’t Speak.»
The crème de menthe in the drink intrigued me, but this drink is not at all minty. The pear flavor stands out making a refreshing and tart cocktail that I would happily fork over $ 11 for again. The bartender was helpful explaining the menu and flavor of the cocktails. I wish I had the time, and possibly a designated driver, so I could try more of the cocktail menu. Trust that these bartenders know their mixology.
Billy Sunday opens at 5:00 p.m. during the week, and I arrived shortly after opening and almost had the place to myself. I felt a little awkward sitting at the bar alone, but my cocktail kept me company, and nobody gave me any weird looks.
There are seats outside, with a lovely view of that circular boulevard, but the dark gray walls with a vintage, hipster flair and just as welcoming as the sunny patio.
Great cocktails and great service, what’s not to love?

This place has become my cheers.
The food is outstanding here as are the drinks and service. Love the atmosphere and the nice people who work here.

Billy Sunday you are sexy! Small, sleek, dark, intimate pretty much the definition of sexy. We were seated at one of the high tables against the wall. A few cocktails and a Pimento Cheese Ball spread was the order of the night.
The cheese spread was nothing special it tasted like Velveeta that we could spread on small pieces of bread. Not that that’s a bad thing, it still tasted pretty good. I always say cheese is like sex, even when its bad its still pretty good. But the cocktails were the star of the show.
Anxiety’s Door (Bacanora-​Tequila, Citra hops, Persimmon, lime, bitters)
William Jack (Brandy, Alpine Liquor, Gensha, Jackfruit, Bitter)
Dont Speak (Italia Pisco-​Brandy, Poached Pear, Swiss Fernet, Lemon)
These cocktails can only be described as sophisticated, innovative and super delicious. Some of the best cocktails I have ever had. Drinking these cocktail creations in a very sleek and sexy setting made it a truly memorable experience.
Overall the drinks were beyond amazing, the atmosphere was wayyy too cool and the service was impeccable. Billy Sunday you may be my favorite bar of all-​time!