Customers Embrace Bitter & Sweet Cocktail Boutique, Founders Eye Expansion As 2-Year Anniversary Nears

As Bitter & Sweet Cocktail Boutique in Arlington Heights approaches its two-year anniversary this fall, its founders are celebrating the enthusiastic embrace of their unique business and considering a potential expansion of the concept. The lively mixology classroom and upscale retail store, which features premium spirits from local craft distilleries, are bringing back the allure of the cocktail party and meeting the increased demand for experiential activities that are interactive, educational and fun.

“We have been thrilled with the excitement over our themed classes, which often sell out in advance, as well as the traffic in the store and the interest in our private events and other offerings,” says Janine Durbin, co-founder of Bitter & Sweet, located at 157 N. Evergreen Ave. “The incredible response has been from customers in the local community but also Chicago and far-reaching suburbs, as the word spreads that this is a great place to connect with others, get creative and learn a new cocktail recipe or skill you can use at home.”

This fall, to celebrate the two-year milestone, Bitter & Sweet will have a full schedule of classes, collaborations with local businesses and private events. In addition, Durbin and her partner/co-founder, Scott Sanaghan, are now looking to the future and exploring expansion ideas, including the possibility of seeking a full bar license from the Village of Arlington Heights, so they can serve cocktails on site in their lounge in addition to offering mixology classes.

Durbin and Sanaghan had the idea for Bitter & Sweet during the pandemic, when they began experimenting with craft cocktails at home. They learned there were no Chicago-area businesses at the time offering interactive mixology experiences combined with specialty liquor retail. They developed a business plan by 2023, then found and renovated their site, located in their own community just a couple blocks from the Arlington Heights Metra station. They received a liquor license from the Village Board in October 2024 and opened their doors a month later.

Bitter & Sweet launched at a time when the alcohol and spirits industry was beginning to contract and shift, due to factors such as inflation and changing spending habits, as well as the rise of ready-to-drink canned cocktails. But the business immediately took off and has continued to thrive in spite of these economic and industry conditions.

Durbin says the boutique meets the growing demand for social interaction and experiential entertainment, while also making mixology accessible. “We help people learn what they like as we educate them about the unique and hard-to-find spirits on our shelves. We encourage product sampling before purchases, and we share recipes throughout the store so they can use their new finds in their own creative cocktails,” she says. “All of this has contributed to our success, especially among women and customers in the midlife/older-adulthood demographic.”

Liquor stores sometimes appeal more to men, according to Durbin. “But both women and men love the experience of coming into a beautiful space like ours, connecting with each other and exploring new techniques and recipes they can then make for their friends and family.”

The majority of the boutique’s revenue comes from the hands-on classes, which feature local ingredients and classic and modern recipes, including mocktail options. Classes are generally two hours, with two or three cocktail demonstrations led by a mixologist, often along with a food pairing. Guests have the opportunity to measure, pour, muddle, stir, shake and garnish their cocktails.

The schedule and registration can be found online at www.bitterandsweetcocktails.com/mixology-classes; walk-ins are accommodated if space permits.

The upcoming fall classes, collaborations and events come on the heels of a busy summer season that included themed mixology lessons combined with food pairings provided through restaurant collaborations. Public classes have included Cocktails from Scratch (with Scratchboard Kitchen of Arlington Heights), Summer in Italy (with Tievoli Pizza Bar of Palatine) and Summer Abroad (with Fix Sandwich Shop of Barrington). There also have been a series of book clubs that incorporate cocktails thematic to the book being discussed.

The retail side is also a draw, according to Durbin, thanks to the curated selection of high-quality, unique spirits from local distilleries, such as Chicago-based KOVAL and Wolf Point and southwest Michigan-based Journeyman. In addition, the shop has barware, glassware and premium cocktail kits that combine a recipe and cocktail ingredients in a signature box that is perfect for gift giving.

Bitter & Sweet also provides mobile bartending services for private functions and hosts on-site private events, such as showers, bachelorette parties and nonprofit fundraisers.

In addition, the boutique holds an indoor farmers market each Saturday morning throughout the winter. The event features some Arlington Heights Farmers Market favorites, along with Bitter & Sweet spirits and merchandise.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love and for the many ways the community has embraced our idea,” Durbin says. “We look forward to continuing to inspire and connect people, as we find creative ways to take our business to the next level.”