Dearly Beloved
NA Program Strength is an editorial assessment based on publicly available menu data. See methodology.
900 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60610
Dearly Beloved is a self-described "cocktail restaurant" from Machine Hospitality Group, which opened in May 2024 in River North's former Kiki's Bistro space at 900 N Franklin St. The beverage program is led by mixologist and beverage director Aneka Saxon, who sourced ingredients on travels through six countries. Alongside its spirited menu, the venue maintains a permanent "Zero Proof Cocktails" section rather than a one-off list — a commitment Saxon highlights as core to the program. Named non-alcoholic builds include Clearly Cultured (with Seedlip Grove), Understory (Heywell lime adaptogen soda), Fresh Cut Grass (dandelion honey, grasshopper syrup, liquid chlorophyll, lime), and Soda Pop (orgeat, oat milk, coconut soda, orange flower and rose water). A Happy Hour zero-proof option, Zeal Without the Rest, uses the Crodino NA aperitif. In January 2025 the venue hosted Chicago's Spirit-Free Cocktail Fest, pouring eight zero-proof drinks.
What to order
- Clearly Cultured
- Understory
- Fresh Cut Grass
- Soda Pop
“Our menu always has a dedicated Zero-Proof section. We are just lucky enough to get to highlight it in January.”— Aneka Saxon, Beverage Director, Machine Hospitality GroupThird Coast Review, 2025 →