Logan Square’s hottest cocktail bar can be found in the heart of the square, on Logan Boulevard. Opened in early 2013, Billy Sunday quickly shot to the top of multiple rankings, including Food & Wine’s 2013 list of best new bars and Chicago Magazine’s best new bars list (February 2014). Despite it’s immense popularity, I have always been able to be seated in a reasonable time frame, waiting no more than 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of my group. More often than not, though, the amazing host (who seems to be working every time I venture in) quickly scans the room and is able to seat you right away.
On a cold, blistery day, during one of Chicago’s worst winters on record, peek into the cozy 50-person capacity bar and you will see the patrons sipping on a variety of cocktails, each served in a speciality glass. The bar is dimly lit with rustic decor, which gives the space a very romantic feel. The drink menu at Billy Sunday changes with the seasons. In my most recent visit, I warmed myself with Last Of An Ancient Breed, which is a mix of Jamaican rum, St. Lucia 7-year rum, quince, maywine and topped off with a pieced of smoked Japanese cedar on the rim. Essentially, it was a perfect hot drink on a cold winter night. The Hoar’s Frost is a London Dry Gin cocktail that had a light, floral taste while the Old Fashioned is a classic choice, served with a beautiful, hand chiseled globe of floating ice. The cocktails on average cost approximately $10. Although Billy Sunday is known for their cocktails, one can also choose from homemade tonics, “booze sodas,” an extensive scotch and whiskey list, beer, and wine.
For those craving a bite to eat, Billy Sunday offers sophisticated bar snacks, such as crispy pig ears topped with sour cream and roasted onion or steak tartare with egg yolk and mustard chips. Vegetarians look no further than “Things In Jars” for items such as egg salad, oven roasted tomatoes in olive oil, or bread & butter pickles. For those planning ahead, seafood towers can be pre-ordered up to two days in advance.
With the start of spring, Logan Square residents hold on to the hopes of summer and al fresco dining, where Billy Sunday patrons will start to venture outside to enjoy summer cocktails on the patio. It will be exciting to see how a new season will influence the cocktail offerings at Logan Square’s craft cocktail bar. Check out Billy Sunday for yourself at 3143 West Logan Boulevard, steps from the Logan Square El stop.