Chicago may be known for its heaping slices of deep dish pizza, kickass comedy, and daaaa bears da bears da bears… But there's a chicer side to the Windy City that often goes amiss. We're talking cocktail culture - and Chicago's one of the cities that does it best.

Skip that pint of Matilda (yes, we know it's hard) and jump on in to the masterfully muddled world of mixology. Whether you're interested in something stiff or prefer a slice of lime in that mint mojito, the rules are off at these artisan cocktail bars. Read on for MetroWize's top picks for the best mixology and craft bars in Chicago.

Or choose a Bar Below:
• Sable Kitchen & Bar
• The Violet Hour
• The Whistler
• The Drawing Room
• Big Star
• Barrelhouse Flat
• Gilt Bar & Curio
• The Aviary
• Maude's Liquor Bar
• Weegee's Lounge