First Taste: Slippery Slope Chicago Restaurant

I had never been to Bonny's, the cultishly adored Logan Square bar known for its dancing, drinking, and general devil-may-care debauchery, but I hear the neighborhood's latest dance-y bar is a close doppelganger. Slippery Slope glides onto Milwaukee Avenue courtesy of Danny Shapiro and co., the team responsible for Scofflaw elsewhere in the 'hood. While Scofflaw treads in craft cocktails and a casual manse-like setting, its rowdy younger sister is decidedly more upbeat, reportedly bearing a strong resemblence in vibe and motif to the much-loved Bonny's. I can't attest to certain bars gone too soon, but I can affirm that Slippery Slope is one of the best new bar additions in Chicago. 

(Slippery Slope skee-ball)

The Space

Nestled smack dab in the most rapidly expanding stretch of street in Logan Square, Slippery Slope is primed for success. Look for the ruby glow of the "Slippery Slope" moniker beckoning above the entryway like an oasis of booze and beats. Queues tend to form on weekends, but generally the bar is pretty accessible during the week. The first thing you'll notice once inside is the trifecta of skee-ball machines lined along the wall, and instantly you'll fall in love with the place. While pricey for skee-ball ($1 for one round), it's enjoyable and unique, despite the fact that it's a lot harder than I remember skee-ball being in childhood arcades. Also near the front of the bar is a tamale window, with a solitary guy slinging food off a very concise menu. It's just chili-topped tamales called mother-in-laws and Frito Pie if you're lucky. It's the perfect bar foor for a setting like this, heady and hearty and cheap. The focal point of the space is the ample bar, staffed by jovial 'tenders and often packed with patrons. Towards the rear of the space, behind the bar, is a cabin-esque dance floor sheathed in cozy wood with a DJ perched above the cheery melee. As the night stretches on, the dance floor fills up and guests swivel with reckless abandon to the upbeat tunes, which span from tribal grooves to electronic jams. There's also a photo booth nestled in the corner. 

The Booze

Another thing that sets Slippery Slope apart from Scofflaw is its beverage program. While Scofflaw peddles more meticulous libations, Slippery Slope is pretty basic and easy-going with their mixology methodology. There are several cocktails available, mostly classics such as Aviations and Old Fashioneds, but they're all bottled and adorably sized, outfitted with straws befitting a quaint tea party. This is designed for easy drinking while dancing or skee-balling, which is a nice touch. Most of the drinks are really solid, especially the bracing Old Fashioned. The Aviation tends to be on the sweet side though. They do special shots and feature a special cocktail not served in bottles. Aside from cocktails, there's also a nice spread of affordable beers. Whatever you're order, bartenders are dexterous and very pleasant. The volume isn't so high where you have to get their attention via smoke signal, so the process generally goes pretty smoothly. 

Examining each component of Slippery Slope by itself, the bar wouldn't stand out as anything really extraordinary. But compounded together, it makes for a memorable experience. Is this the place to go for cocktails in Chicago? No. Is this the place to go for a well-rounded good time filled with loving, laughing, and living? Absolutely yes. Embracing the convivial spirit of Bonny's before it, Logan Square once again has the fun-loving bar of its dreams.  

- Matt Kirouac