The Alcove

My absolute favorite bar in the WORLD. Incredible space, incredible drinks, incredible people. If you are in the area, I HIGHLY recommend you check this little spot out! But keep your party size under 4 — it’s a tight squeeze — but somehow that makes it even BETTER!

Fantastic small Euro-​style bar. Felt like I was in Spain! So good!

The Alcove is a lovely bar right by the Main St station –it is very small, so make sure to grab your seat early. In the summer, they have outdoors seating. I love their cocktails and friendly environment. Perfect for drinks with friends and date nights.

All it took was a sip of the Alcove Collins and I was hooked. This is a cute very small bar but very much full of personality. Just moved to the area and heard good things about the place so I thought I would give it a try. There are four seats at the bar and a couple of small tables. My bartender has this sense of recall and humor that surpasses the norm. My concoction of a beverage starts with 3 oz of Bombay gin, add some homemade sweet and sour, throw in some cherry juice and a few maraschino cherries and some ice and YUMMY. this has quickly become a place I will return to {pleasantly} harass the employees. I hope it sticks around for a long time. It is a much needed escape for the area.

One of the best bars in all of Chicagoland. I love this place. It’s tiny and cozy. The cocktails are delicious classics. The food is top notch. You can tell that the person creating the menu and making the food has put some thought and effort into the ingredients and flavor combinations. Owners are chill and easy t o talk to, making you feel welcome anytime.
The lighting!
The music!
The atmosphere!
Best place in Evanston to have a cocktail and light dinner or cheese platter, OH! OR DESSERT! Home-​made desert.

Love this cozy little place. It was a freezing night when we went on a date, and I counted 14 total seats in the house. The place slowly filled up and you have no choice but to start chatting with your fellow patrons, but guess what? This is Evanston, so there’s a good chance they will be friendly and probably pretty interesting. Somehow I managed to connect and have great conversations with both the couple in their 70s and the college kids. It almost feels like a house party because the space is small, cozy, inviting, and it feels OK to chat everyone up. Probably not a good place for those who wish to be anonymous and ignored.
I ordered the hot buttered rum, which I had never had beyond the LifeSaver variety. It was delicious and warmed me right up. We also had a few signature cocktails. There is only one waitress and she gives you your space but keeps an eye on the drinks.
The music was groovy easy-​listening from the 1970s. Like Karen Carpenter, Carole King, James Taylor, etc. Perhaps not the kind of music that I listen to at home, but somehow it was perfect for the mood and ambiance of this place.
Perfect date night destination, romance, or good for a small group of friends. Love the Alcove and may it stay in Evanston forever!

The alcove is a little piece of Europe right here in Evanston. It was a treasure that we stumbled upon for an early Valentine’s Day cocktail. The cocktails were perfect, especially the hot buttered rum, the ambience is eclectic and transports you to a small Paris side street where you forget all of your cares. We just love this gem of a bar.

Totally cute, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot on Main Street in Evanston. The Alcove has approximately 14 seats. 4 at the bar and the rest scattered at the tables and long banquette along the back wall.
I’ve driven by this place many times and always wondered what it was like in there. Now I know! We were warmly welcomed by the woman behind the bar and shown the drink/​food menus. My husband ordered a Frogtown IPA and I got the house-​made Irish Cream. Scratch that, I got *two* house-​made Irish Creams! It was that good.
We only stayed for about 30 – 40 minutes, but I could see myself hunkering down in there with a book or maybe some close friends just chatting and drinking. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The music was mellow jazz (90.9FM). The two bartenders/​servers (owners?) were friendly, but not in-​your-​face. The food looked good (we didn’t get any but saw it on the tables behind us!) Also, there’s an added bonus: cards on the bar and at the tables; I’m guessing a little gin rummy (or solitaire) is encouraged!
All in all a brief, but good visit. We’ll be back!

Perfect in every way.

Funky little cocktail spot with a cozy, boho-​chic vibe. Limited liquor offerings, but they make up for it in inventive and tasty creations. Cash only

The Alcove is a fantastic, tiny, get-​to-​know-​you kind of place. The cocktails are interesting, delicious, and strong. And the menu, while limited, was original and enticing.
The bartender and chef, who I’m assuming as well to be the owner, was incredibly kind and friendly, really adding to the comfortable atmosphere. It helped that the décor was cozy, it was snowing outside, and the Christmas music (then classic country, pertinent to our conversation) was playing lightly. It made for a truly memorable evening, and it wound be a great date spot.
It’s cash only, but, having brought only a credit card, they nonchalantly told me just to drop off payment in the mailbox out front. Really, really friendly place. I will definitely be back.

One of the best and most unique places in Evanston. Had some great French wine and delicious food. Scott and Nicole are great hosts. Looking forward to my next visit.

Yummy fresh panini and salad. Had to stalk a table for 40 minutes. I wish they took reservations.

Nice tiny neighborhood joint. Great wine, great service & small plates were yummy. We tried the antipasta plate which had a nice selection of meats, cheeses & olives. We also tried one of the salads which was nice as well. They have a couple tables outside so you can dine outside during the warm summer months.

Definitely one of my favorite places to hit up after a long day at work. Their handcrafted cocktails and artisan food pairings make this place stand out among other local fare. This secret neighborhood nook certainly lives up to its name with its close dining quarters, but this charming trait helps fuel conversation with the other patrons. Chances are good that you’ll make a new acquaintance before you pay your tab for the evening!
They keep things simple with their offerings, though sometimes I wish I’d come in to find a few new food items to choose from. I hear they used to make some killer paninis, but I’ve yet to experience the deliciousness. Here’s hoping they bring ‘em back!
(Oh, and they usually keep a chess board or deck of cards lying around. Makes for great ice breakers or an opportunity to play some Texas Hold ‘Em with your buddies!)

The perfect tiny place. Everything is small and simple and I like that. Drinks were good, the cheese plate was good the look and feel of the Alcove is great. What more could you want.

After a taxing week, a friend and I came here looking for an antidote. It was early on a Friday night — around 6:45 but luckily, we only had to stand for a few minutes until one of the three (yes, three) tables cleared and we were able to sit down.
Our server was delightful, the drinks were moderately priced, the décor is charming and the cheese-​and-​fruit plate we ordered was just right. It is true that proximity to the other guests will encourage cross-​talk — we liked that, but if you need privacy, this probably isn’t the right place for a serious «we need to talk» conversation.
The reviews here do a good job of summing up the vibe here — and for those of us who live in the neighborhood, The Alcove is a genuine treasure. Now I’m sorry that it’s taken me almost two years to walk the three blocks to this charming bistro.

After several more visits, I still love this place. Currently, I’m also obsessed with the life-​sized light up Santa in their front window that borders on creepy (but it’s fantastic).
They have added a few specialty drinks for the late fall/​early winter season, including a hot buttered rum and whiskey apple cider. I had the former last week and it was amazing and perfectly powerful. My friend had the cider and loved it.
I still haven’t tried their food but it always looks great when other customers order. I also hope to try their brunch soon, but it’s only on Saturdays and I teach during those hours. I do wish they were open on Sundays, but I know the owner has to have a life outside of the Alcove.
Seriously try this place. It won’t disappoint.

With 12 seats inside, and about as many on the sidewalk, the Alcove may not be the smallest bar/​restaurant in America, but it’s certainly a contender. The food menu is limited to basically several paninis or a cheese plate, but the smoked turkey panini I had was delicious, and the salad that accompanied it was almost European in character, in keeping with a number of European wines and spirits on offer. Service is friendly, and the atmosphere is definitely cozy and unique.

This place has personality and character. That is simply the best way to describe it. The menu is limited though it sounds like there is a bit more now than when it first opened (3 – 4 different paninis, a salad, one beer, few different wines, and any cocktails that Scott can make!).
They have done a great job with this small space (10 – 12 inside seating and another 8 – 10 outdoor) and making it unique and attractive.