OUR MISSION
To create a vibrant local hub where every drink becomes an opportunity for impact—raising funds and awareness for Chicago nonprofits and uniting community, purpose, and good drinks under one roof.
OUR VISION
A future where every casual gathering in our space becomes a night of purpose, blending good times and great drinks with meaningful support for Chicago nonprofits.
GOOD DRINKS DO GOOD
The Collective Spirit is more than a bar — it’s a movement.
Our volunteer bartenders keep their tips, while 100% of the bar’s profits are donated to local nonprofits chosen by our patrons each month. We provide a welcoming space where Chicagoans can come together, enjoy great drinks, and make a difference with every round.
At The Collective Spirit, Good Drinks Do Good.
A Letter from One of Our Founders
I arrived in Chicago in the spring of 2015, brimming with curiosity and the resolve that no city would hold me for more than ten years. Before that, I’d called New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Houston home—each time finding my footing in the community through volunteering at homeless shelters, support programs for the elderly, animal rescues, a school for the hard of hearing, MS support groups, arts organizations, and women's shelters.
My first year in Chicago was a deliberate pause: I wandered the city, explored the lakefront, and mapped out career possibilities. Yet, as in every place before, idle hands led me to local nonprofits. I found myself working at food pantries, mentoring youth programs, volunteering for the Architecture Foundation, toy drives, and organizing arts workshops. When it was time to apply for jobs, I leaned in heavily toward the nonprofit sector—humbled and inspired by the people I’d met and the work that was quietly sustaining our city.
Nonprofit professionals, I came to realize, are the hidden scaffolding of Chicago—much like service-industry staff or skilled craftsmen—working behind the scenes where neither government nor private enterprise fully reaches. Their dedication reminded me that meaningful change often happens not in grand gestures, but through consistent, community-driven effort. I applied for and accepted a job with Youth Guidance a 100 year old mission-driven organization whose mandate and impact remain very near and dear to me. More than anything, this organization and its place in the Chicago nonprofit ecosystem inspired me to do even more.
Now, as I enter my tenth year here, I’m embracing a new challenge: to open a door for every Chicago nonprofit to step into the spotlight, even as Chicagoans do what they do best—gather over a good drink. The Collective Spirit will showcase a rotating roster of deserving organizations, ensuring that every pour translates into support for vital missions. Behind the bar, our volunteer staff—from seasoned bartenders to hospitality newcomers—will turn each drink into an act of kindness simply by sharing their craft.
I invite you to join us in this simple yet powerful experiment in generosity. Together, we can create a place where conversations flow as freely as the spirits, connections form organically, and impact is measured one toast at a time. From the bottom of my heart, I welcome you to raise a glass with purpose—Good Drinks Do Good.
With gratitude,
Joe Davis
Founder, The Collective Spirit
OUR LOCATION
Discover Chicago’s first nonprofit bar supporting local causes with every drink. Join us in the [UNKNOWN] neighborhood for good drinks and good deeds.
Location
1234 Spirit Ave, Chicago, IL
Hours
5 PM - 11 PM