Double A
108 W Kinzie St, at Clark; River North; 312.329.2444
Putting people behind counters can lead to estranged relations -- why do you think people hate the DMV, or that kissing booth floozy at the county fair, who's totally letting everyone get front cuts on you. Taking your bartender from behind the counter and putting him amongst you, Double A.
Opening Thursday on the lower level of Mercadito, DA is an intimate, speakeasy-style lounge centered around an "open bar" work station for the mixologist, giving him no room/barrier to separate him from his thirsty customers, who surround the station in dark, low-slung leather booths with filament bulbs hanging overhead from the wooden ceiling, which female woodchucks have long been trying to break through. Their cocktail program focuses on inventive libations (cooled with Kold-Draft ice cubes) that include the Masalarinha, a cachaca-grilled pineapple-grapefruit peel creation infused with garam masala syrup, and a chili-infused reposado further flavored with ginger liqueur, fresh mango, hot sauce, and Thai basil called KissyoMama, yes, even with that mouth. Further buzzworthy goodness comes from the Frequent Flyer (Plymouth gin, Maraschino liqueur, hibiscus, lime, Champagne), the Down South (Averna citrus sambuca, strawberries, guava nectar, lemon juice, prosecco) and the Daisy Lightning, which combines curacao, lemon, egg white, and cayenne with Death's Door White Whiskey, perfect for those with a thirst for danger, or hypochondria.
As if you weren't already impressed, the owners are showing off a collection of more than 50 rare, only in Mexico, bottles of tequila displayed along the walls, much like the giant pink pandas you're gunning to give consolation kisses.
