THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The vibe at CH Distillery is sophisticated, modern and filled with Chicago professionals looking to unwind with co-workers or friends. Upon entering, it is hard not to notice how aesthetically pleasing the location is with the dimly lit, sleek restaurant area on your left and the actual distillery on your right. ( Tours of the distillery are every Tuesday and Saturday, and include free tastes. )

Once the first round of drinks arrived, I realized that the word "sleek" did not just describe the bar's physical appearance. To celebrate National Iced Tea Month, CH Distillery collaborated with Argo Tea to create three deliciously refreshing tea-based cocktails.

I ordered the "Makes Me Feel Fine," which is infused with cucumber, mint and lime. This gin cocktail tasted like summer ( which is how it felt at CH, thanks to a broken air-conditioning system—that, thankfully was quickly fixed ), and is exactly what I would love to be sipping on during a hot day at the beach.

The only thing that could make the cocktail better, however, was the grilled cheese with smoked bacon. Grilled-cheese sandwiches, of course, can be made a variety of ways—and I liked how CH Distillery makes it: juicy, smoky, and burned just the right amount. My dining companion found the pork-belly poutine not quite as decadent as it sounded, and liked my sandwich a bit more.

Overall, CH Distillery is a sophisticated and fun experience. The menu is teeming with savory cocktails and food, and the search for original recipes is always a priority with this spot.

Note: Restaurant profiles/events are based on invitations arranged from restaurants and/or firms.