Scofflaw
Logan Square, Chicago
Bar in Chicago, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
Scofflaw is a practical Logan Square choice when the night needs a real bar atmosphere with food worth considering, not a formal dinner plan. Booking pressure is easy, so it suits close-in plans, small groups, dates that benefit from flexibility more than polish.
About Scofflaw
Scofflaw is a Chicago venue with late operating hours and a casual dress code. It opens at 5 PM Monday through Thursday, at 3 PM Friday through Sunday, stays open until 1 AM most nights, with 2 AM closing on Friday and Saturday.
Plan around the basics rather than assuming a specific menu, drinks program, reservation format, or service style. For a flexible Chicago night, confirm any current offerings directly with the venue before you go.
Come for the schedule, plan around confirmed basics
The right expectation is important. Scofflaw is a casual Chicago option with late hours, though it does not confirm specific food, beverage, booking, price, or seating details. If the night is built around dining first, use Our full Chicago restaurants guide before committing to a plan.
For broader scouting, Our full Chicago bars guide is the better starting point. For Scofflaw specifically, the grounded decision points are its Chicago location, casual dress code, late schedule.
Use it for flexible nights, not precision planning
Scofflaw is easiest to evaluate by its hours: Monday through Thursday from 5 PM to 1 AM, Friday and Saturday from 3 PM to 2 AM, Sunday from 3 PM to 1 AM. That makes it a practical option to consider when the timing of the night matters.
For other options to compare, Best Intentions, Bungalow by Middle Brow, Gretel, Lonesome Rose (Logan Square), and Meadowlark each may pull the decision in a different direction. Choose Scofflaw when its late hours and casual dress code fit the plan.
For trip planning beyond this venue, use Our full Chicago hotels guide and other Chicago guides for broader context.
Planning details
- Location
- 3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- scofflawchicago.com
- Phone
- +1 773 252 9700
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Scofflaw settles into a low-lit, narrow room that feels like a well-kept neighborhood tavern rather than a spectacle-driven cocktail showroom. The space reads serious and considered without becoming austere; the emphasis is on craftsmanship over theatre. Its intimacy and focused restraint make it feel quietly confident—more about provenance and technique than flash. Regulars and curious visitors alike find a calm, refined atmosphere where the bartenders let spirits and ingredients do the talking, and the room’s modest scale keeps the mood discreet and approachable.
Best For
Scofflaw is best when you want a drink-first bar experience—an after-work stop for a carefully composed cocktail, a low-key date-night spot, or a casual hangout with friends who appreciate thoughtful drinks. The writing on the wall is about gin and technique, so it suits visitors who come ready to explore spirit-focused menus rather than destination theatrics. Because the room is narrow and low-lit, it’s ideal for quieter socializing and conversations anchored by serious cocktails rather than loud, boisterous groups.
Ordering Tips
Order with the spirit in mind: Scofflaw frames its program around gin and ingredient-driven techniques, so start by asking about their gin selections and any highlights or regional bottlings on the menu. If you’re unsure, request the bartender’s recommendation—the bar prizes the drink itself, and staff guidance will steer you to preparations that showcase botanical detail or American gin interpretations. Avoid expecting large-format theatrics; here the reward comes from nuanced pours and well-honed classic and contemporary cocktails.
Venue details
Ambiance
Victorian-style salon with baroque, salvaged furnishings, warm lighting, and a familiar fun vibe.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Good Music
Signature Pours
- Swizzle #27
- Rocket Frost
- Scofflaw Swizzle
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Best Intentions, Notable alternative
- Bungalow by Middle Brow, Notable alternative
- Gretel, Notable alternative
- Lonesome Rose (Logan Square), Notable alternative
- Meadowlark, Notable alternative
Bar context
How Scofflaw Compares in Chicago
Choose Scofflaw when the priority is a flexible neighborhood bar night with food in the mix. Meadowlark is the stronger choice for a more cocktail-led evening, while Scofflaw makes more sense when the group may want to eat without turning the night into a restaurant booking.
Best Intentions and Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) are better cross-shops for casual neighborhood energy. Pick Best Intentions when the bar itself is the draw, Lonesome Rose when the group wants a food-friendlier Logan Square plan, Scofflaw when easy booking and late-night usefulness matter more than a tightly defined format.
Bungalow by Middle Brow and Gretel pull more clearly toward food-driven drinking. If dinner is the anchor, start there. If the anchor is drinks with the option to order food seriously enough to stay put, Scofflaw is the simpler bet.
Explore Chicago
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Scofflaw guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Scofflaw
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Scofflaw | Chicago | No published awards |
| Best Intentions | Chicago | 2026 Food & Wine Top 10 US Bars · #32026 North America's 50 Best Bars · #16Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best U.S. Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro - Best U.S. Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro (Top Four Finalist)2026 James Beard Award SemifinalistsTales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best U.S. Cocktail Bar - Best U.S. Cocktail Bar (Top 10 Nominee)2025 North America's 50 Best Bars · #25Top 500 Bars 2025 · #4652025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2024 North America's 50 Best Bars · #48 |
| Bungalow by Middle Brow | Chicago | No published awards |
| Gretel | Chicago | No published awards |
| Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) | Chicago | No published awards |
| Meadowlark | Chicago | 2026 North America's 50 Best Bars · #652025 North America's 50 Best Bars · #38Top 500 Bars 2025 · #2362024 North America's 50 Best Bars · #32 |
How Scofflaw Chicago compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scofflaw open late?
Yes. Scofflaw is open until 1 AM most nights and until 2 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Do I need a reservation at Scofflaw?
What's the best time to go to Scofflaw?
Scofflaw opens at 5 PM Monday through Thursday, at 3 PM Friday through Sunday, closes at 1 AM Sunday through Thursday, closes at 2 AM Friday and Saturday.
