Nobody’s Darling

It’s 4 pm on a Sunday and Nobody’s Darling is packed. Rainbow flags proliferate the surrounding neighborhood, and the bar feels lively and joyous.

This is the first bar I’ve been to on this trip that I would consider to be an elevated cocktail bar- no Redbull to be found. And for good reason, Nobody’s Darling was nominated for a James Beard award in their first year of business. The price is right too, most of the cocktails are $13, better than even Vermont cocktail bars.

Tonight there is an art show put on by the staff; the paintings, embroidery, mixed media, and photos on the walls are all originals by the people working tonight. My bartender is constantly greeted by friends who came to support the show and greets each one effusively.

Just a sample of the original art for sale

Speaking of, both bartenders working are exactly my type, with gold-framed glasses and confident attitudes. The owners both hop behind the bar throughout the night to barback and alleviate some pressure, and seem to have a great time doing it. Everyone who works here is hot and happy and very good at what they do.

The crowd is incredibly diverse across all spectrums, I’d say at least half of the folks here tonight are Black. Most of the clientele seems to be in their late 20s-mid 30s, with a few elder butches drinking beer in their flannels. Owned by two Black Lesbians, inclusivity is at the forefront of Nobody’s Darling, and it shows from the logo to the art to the bottles behind the bar. Intentionally focused on queer women, not Lesbians, you can tell this is the kind of space where everyone is greeted with open arms.

The eponymous poem

A contingent of elder Dykes mingles effortlessly through the bar. Overall, the people here are spread across the spectrums of gender and sexuality, in a way that feels inclusive, not invasive. Because of the art show, I think the demographic skews slightly older.

Street fashion dominates, not overly dressed up, but dressed well in dark denim and designer sneakers, jackets that are not just for warmth, but a part of the outfit. The vibrancy of personalities here is electrifying, everyone here is interesting and interested. People are at ease, taking up space with confidence.

This reminds me of some of my favorite bars, not so craft that it’s inaccessible to the average consumer, and an easy, welcoming attitude that encourages you to sit and relax for a while. The space is busy and alive, the bartenders move quickly without seeming frenzied, greeting friends and making conversation over their work. The back bar is stocked with mostly local or craft bottles, rivaling a lot of the more traditional cocktail bars I’ve been to.

Nobody’s Darling is bright and airy, trendy without feeling outdated or overdone. Exposed brick, geometric chandeliers, rich maroon walls, and a matching bar top make the space feel elegant but comfortable. The outdoor space is full, someone has reserved some of the large tables for a birthday celebration in the Chicago sunshine.

I sit in front of the service well, and more people order old fashioneds than at any bar I’ve ever been to. I’ve intentionally been drinking only beer on this trip, cocktails aren’t cheap, but I’m so tempted by this old fashioned, which includes one of my favorite black walnut liqueurs, that I give in and order one. It is exceptional, and I can see why this cocktail menu was nominated for Best Bar Program.

What can I say, I love whiskey

I love sitting by the wells when I go to bars, you can learn so much about a space just by how the customers and bartenders interact. You get insight into the kind of people the bar attracts, what they bring to the table and what they expect in return.

Even though it’s busy, the owners move through the space with ease and grace, never seeming stressed or on edge. You can tell there is a lot of support for employees here, a space intentionally created for the community it supports. Everyone seems happy to be here and to inhabit this space.

I keep catching eyes with cuties across the bar, and I wish I could stay longer, but due to a variety of scheduling factors, this is only bar number one of three I need to visit today. I feel so happy to be in this space, but maybe that’s the old fashioned talking. There is something deeply joyous about Nobody’s Darling, an energy that permeates into every sip. Everyone feels like friends, or at the very least, friends you haven’t met yet.

People hug in greeting, excited to see each other out on a Sunday afternoon. There are people who are here for the first time to support their friends, and regulars who inhabit the space as easily as ever. This is the kind of bar I would love to hang out at, where I could come weekly and try something new every time.

I feel both outside of everything and deeply entrenched within the flow of space, a silent observer amongst a sea of boisterous love. Love dominates and love expands infinitely outward from the doors of Nobody’s Darling.

Denim jackets: 18

Leather jackets: 5

Chicago, IL