Best Intentions

Best Intentions was the final stop for after dinner drinks. It is old school and is dive bar-​esqe (but nicer than a dive bar). The bar is decorated with antiques and vintages — they still have a jukebox which you just don’t see anymore. They have a hardcover menu for their drinks which consists of class cocktails and their more modern takes on them. There is something for everyone.
It was crowded but we found a nook on the side of the bar. The bartenders were friendly and efficient. I enjoyed a solid moscow mule which was really good followed by a cider. Good spot for a drink in the area.

Bartenders here are all super nice and eager to explain anything, mix up a fancy cocktail for you and just generally there to help.
I went back when this location was Marble and Best Intentions has kept the same type of chill atmosphere and the exact same layout but it’s amped up a bit with better food, better cocktails and things look much nicer. I wish they would add a few more tables though so sitting at the bar wasn’t the only option.
Food menu is limited and mostly everything has some kick to it, but I tried the chips & skins — basically a bad of chips with some skins added & hot sauce. Also has the muffaletta sandwich and really enjoyed it. Fries were on point as well.
Loved the cocktails — I found them to really unique, competitively priced and tasted pretty darn good. One was served in this all metal glass which made me feel like all drinks should be served this way because it kept it nice & chilly.
If Best Intentions were in my hood, I could see myself coming here quite a bit. I don’t think it’s destination spot so much — but wouldn’t mind popping in again for drinks. I can definitely see coming here again in the warmer months because they have a kick@$$ patio out back!

Sweet bartenders, super rad atmosphere, old school jukebox– definitely a gem in west Logan Square.

The drinks are good, the people are great, it’s dark, it’s quiet on the weekdays, cocktails are worth the price.

I’ve been here three or four times and this time was definitely the last. My good friend bought a condo nearby and so he was hoping this would be a nice local place to be. The prices are pretty bad — 6 or7 $ for a Pacifico? But I did have a tasty cocktail, I forget the name of it, something Japanese?
Anyways the prices are one thing, the service is really what earns Best Intentions its one star rating. After waiting for awhile (10 – 15 minutes) for a drink it seemed they had not noticed us as the bartenders were serving other people immediately as they approached the bar. My friend put his hand in the air in a very polite, unobtrusive way just to let them know we were ready to order and just as he does so one of the guys behind the bar flies over and begins loudly lecturing us as follows; «Hey buddy there are two things that you NEVER do to a bartender. #1, you NEVER raise your hand to a bartender» and we never got to find out what the second rule was as my friend immediately cussed him out and asked to see the owner/​manager. But, surprise, this jerk was the owner! My buddy was pissed, mostly because he was embarrassed for recommending the place. I just laughed. It was nearly unbelievable how rude, pretentious and arrogant that guy was, I felt like I was in an episode of «Curb Your Enthusiasm.» I’ll never set foot in here again.

Updated review: I re-​visited in the winter, this time without the patio. Although I wish there were more seating, my drink was better and this time I definitely knew better than to order food.

4.5 Star Joint… first off the name just says it all! What was once a total dive bar on a sketchy part of Armitage Ave. has been cleaned up but they managed to keep a lot of the cool aspects. From the shots of Angostura to the naked lady glasses to the glass block windows. this place has it all! Great drink list with some definite throwbacks such as a Salty Dog as well as some obscure beer choices; think Rhinelander «Shortys» for $ 2. Bartenders are good and it’s usually pretty packed. but not just with fucking hipsters, it’s a hodgepodge from all walks of life! Great place to hide with a Tinder Date. get dat did

So confused by this place.
Looks and feels like a dive bar… Drinks and food dive bar quality… but charge as much as top quality bars. Why?
Bartenders are alright. One time, I saw one of them smile. It was crazy.

Best Intentions? Not really. Recently went here for a friend’s birthday and after a friend ordered a round of shots while a few of us sat at the bar, the bartender asked us if we were ordering anything else to which I replied «I’m still thinking about it.» He then proceeded to tell us to free up the seats because «he had a packed bar and he needed people who were going to buy drinks.» I agree that a group of 7 can be a hindrance to people having access to the bar, but 1) believe you me, people will push through crowds for liquor, and 2) it would have benefited you greatly if you had just waited a few minutes… no one goes to a bar to order just one round of shots. Strike 1.
Then, a bartender walked by and I asked for tequila sunrises. He scrunched his face up, said, «Seriously?» in a patronizing tone, and went off to ask someone else go make them. Strike 2.
Slightly annoyed by the staff, I tipped the bartender two bucks for three drinks. The guy who made them then confronted me and asked if there was something wrong with the drinks or his service. He also told me that a two dollar tip for three drinks was absurd and gave me his sob story about how he lives off his tips (because telling me this will TOTALLY result in me opening my wallet and giving you extra tips). Strike 3.
Bottom line: Keep away unless you’d like to deal with condescending bartenders. Also, for the bartender who confronted me about his tips: here’s a tip– maybe wait a bit before you try to kick people off the bar or confront guests about tips, it’ll make the establishment seem less money-​hungry.

You know how there’s a lot of people that hate hipsters. They’ll make jokes about things being cool before something, or beards, glasses, bikes, etc.
I’ve never been like that because I ride a bike. I have a beard sometimes. I could be considered hipster (if I wasn’t so rural/​hillbilly). I don’t really like making fun of groups for having similar taste.
But this place makes me cringe. From the name to the tin cans, the attitude of the staff, to the customers, the music. If you’re looking for a massively overpriced dive bar that will make you feel the absolute whitest you can, boy do I have the place for you.

What a great find. Great cocktail menu, nice bartenders, and am authentic retro ambiance. They have a working juke box that plays 45s — yes, vinyl records — something I haven’t seen in over 20 years. The attention to detail really makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Well worth stopping by for a bite to eat and a drink or three.

Best Intentions totally embodies your stereotypical dive bar: Cozy/​narrow interior, standard drink options and a relaxed atmosphere. My boyfriend lives about a 15 minute walk away, so we decided to check it out on a Saturday night recently. I started off with the Krieger in the Henhouse, which is a bourbon based cocktail on their menu. I’ve never had a bourbon based cocktail, with pineapple cordial mixed in. The drink went down smoothly, and I enjoyed the subtle fruitiness. Unilocalers have raved about the homemade ginger beer here, and I totally agree with the positive reviews of it. The ginger beer has the right kick to it, and tastes well alone or mixed in a cocktail. Moving around inside was a little difficult, but luckily there is a large outdoor patio area if you need to get a breath of air.

Great bar, the perfect amount of dive without the sleaziness that can accompany a dive bar. We ordered two mules, and they were fabulous, I love the way they crushed the ice in the cup to make it look like a snow cone. The staff was awesome. I ordered the hot dog and it was delicious, the fries were crispy and seasoned perfectly. They even have a cute back area and I believe an outdoor bar as well.

I really love this place — it is the platonic ideal of a laid back, neighborhood bar that still has a serious cocktail program behind the bar. It is still relatively new so there were a few bumps in the 5 (five) hours I was there on Friday, but they handled things well. Comped a couple food items and re-​made a jacked up sazerac without being asked. And really that’s all I can ask for — bartenders who are really eager to please, friendly and professional, turning out terrific, interesting cocktails often for under $ 10 each. The vibe is really relaxes and comfortable, great jukebox, and lots of comfortable seating. I’ll be back — living around the corner certainly doesn’t hurt.

I went here last night for the first time and I’m essentially sold. The Cajun Dog was great. Fries were bomb. Bonfire in the patio was like some fucking dreamy movie set where all the chill romantic stuff happens, and then the lady serving us goes all like: ‘yeah, I got some s’more making stuff, feel free to use my FREE s’more making stuff.’ Well fuck! Thanks lady, you’re awesome and so are these Mexican chocolate s’mores after the Hot Toddies. We’ll be back… A lot.

I will be coming here at least every other day until I am too tired to smile. Lovely food, drinks, and jukebox. Get a fancy cocktail or a Coors Banquet Draft. Fire pits in the back. Kisses.

We’ve been talking about visiting Best Intentions since it opened, but it took a visiting friend for us to actually explore our neighborhood a little more. We’re very glad we did!
The atmosphere has a very traditional midwest dive-​bar vibe. The awesome plus is that they have a wonderful fenced in patio, including an outdoor bar and fire pit. Also a kitchen!
I started off with a shot of Angostura Bitters (on tap!) which was… intense to say the least. It also stained my fingers. No complaints. I followed it up with a «Jungle bird» which was refreshing with it’s ice and pineapple juice, but also kind of dark and bitter. Very delicious. Rum, Campari, Lime & Pineapple. Nice.
Next up I tried the «Ef Em» with rum and gin. Also good. Then I tried a champagne drink that included a sugar cube and some more Angostura.
Last drink was a Sconnie D’Itala, which included gin and white port. All of the drinks were great. And YES I was a little tipsy so we ordered some apps.
The chickpea fritters were AWESOME. Light and fluffy with a nice and spicy mayo dipping sauce. The «chips and skins» were sharable but I could have eaten them all myself. A small bag of LAYs chips tossed with fried chicken skin and some hot sauce. Delightful!
Also, the styrofoam cup filled with peanuts and bacon, tossed in a maple glaze were AOK.
We didn’t try any of the cajun themed entrees but I’m sure we will in the future. Service was great. Best Intentions is a perfect neighborhood bar in a most perfect neighborhood. Yay.

If a bar owner ever goes out of their way to procure a very specific liquor for you (Asbach) you better make sure this bar is on your permanent radar. When Calvin took over marble and then shut down to change everything about the place, I was in the middle of some change myself. I walked in to a completely different bar with a change for the better.
Cheers to success and permanent plum brandy. Thanks Calvin, you have a customer for life.

«Angosturra Bitters on Tap?! WTF»
This was our rebuke to the neon sign staring us in the face as we strolled by the black-​painted, cinder block bar in search of a post-​dinner drink. Being curious, we popped in to inquire and were quite pleased with what we found.
The bar is a delightful throwback. A jukebox that plays 45’s from an array of artists like Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan and Tone Loc. A pristine pay phone at the end of the bar. A wall of vintage beer cans by the bathroom. A lot of wood paneling. And a cooler with the phrase «Fancy Cocktail Bar» emblazoned on the top. Nothing felt faux or contrived, everything was well chosen and likely truly vintage.
We arrived a few hours before the crowds. We perused the menu, which looks like a little old hardcover book, not much thinner than a Golden Book. There’s a nice selection of craft cocktails, classic cocktails and other libations featured inside. We chatted up the bartenders, all of whom were extremely friendly. One of the bartenders, a part owner, mixed up a creation for the manfriend based on some absurd combination of preferences that was so good, it surprised him and us.
We didn’t get a chance to check out the patio, but I imagine we’ll be back.

The Cocktail de Oliveira is great, the oyster po boy was even better AND THEN, mid 90’s-playlist, Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ came on. It’s September 5^th.