Pigtail: Pig & Cocktail

A basement speakeasy inside Jaleo Chicago hid modernist cocktails and Spanish snacks

Punching well above its weight thanks to excellent service, Pigtail (a punny portmanteau of pork snacks and cocktails) was José Andrés Group’s avant garde, service-focused speakeasy nestled below the Chicago location of Jaleo. It offered visual, intellectual, and flavorful riffs on recipes and tricks from Washington, DC’s Barmini, including a remarkable dual-temperature Reverse Carajillo (warm tres leches foam on top, liquid nitrogen-chilled coffee cocktail below), a Vacuum Gin and Tonic literally distilled from botanicals before your eyes, and a theatrically chamomile-melon vapor-infused Melon Cloud.

The “pig” side of the name comes from a handful of jamon iberico and other pork-focused treats, including deluxe croquetas, miniature buns with pork belly, garlic-sauced pig ears, and smashburgers; oysters, shrimp, and brick pastry cones are also available. Even with far less staffing and a less immediately enthralling space than NYC’s similarly themed Nubeluz, Pigtail relied on personalized attention and up-close presentation to deliver a better overall experience. It closed along with Jaleo Chicago in early 2025.

Stats

Price: $$-$$$
Service: Table
Open Since: 2021
Closed: January 2025

Addresses

500 N. Clark St. #465
Chicago, IL 60654

Instagram: @pigtailcocktail