Move over, New York and Tokyo. A Chicago bar has shaken and stirred its way to the top of the global bar scene.
Kumiko in the city’s West Loop neighborhood was dubbed one of the world’s best bars, according to a recent nationwide award.
At the 19th annual Spirited Awards held in New Orleans on July 24, the West Loop Japanese‑inspired dining bar claimed the coveted titles of both World’s Best Bar and Best Restaurant Bar.
Kumiko was founded in 2018 by bartender and mixologist Julia Momosé alongside local restaurateurs Cara and Noah Sandoval.
The bar offers an omakase-style tasting menu for both cocktails and food, blending Japanese cocktail culture with Midwestern hospitality.
But before the World’s Best Bar title, Kumiko was no stranger to winning awards.
Original Chef Mariya Russell earned a Michelin star in 2019, naming her the first Black woman to be awarded the honor.
Kumiko also was ranked in the tenth spot on the “50 Bars of North America” list, making it the first from Chicago to rank since 2018. Chicago bars Meadowlark and Bisous also made the list at the 38th and 39th spots.
Earlier this summer, Kumiko also won a James Beard Award for “Outstanding Bar.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
