Entry No. 41 — the Chicago file — filed under: speakeasy-bar

The Drifter

Hidden in the basement of the Green Door Tavern -- one of the few wooden-frame buildings put up before Chicago banned wood construction downtown after the Great Chicago Fire -- this Prohibition-era room sits behind a knickknack-covered door reached by heading downstairs from the tavern. There is no printed cocktail list: bartenders work from a deck of more than 100 hand-illustrated tarot cards, pulling a handful at random each night so the menu is different every visit. Through the evening the cramped room runs short burlesque, sideshow, and magic performances every hour or so.

The move: Order whatever cocktails the bartender's drawn tarot cards happen to deal you, then stay for the on-the-hour burlesque set.

📍 Before you go Open Wed-Sat evenings only (closed Sun-Tue); small room, expect a wait on weekends.

• 📍 River North
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 676 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23