Entry No. 51 — the Chicago file — filed under: hands-on
Aroma Workshop
Chicago's original custom perfumery, running for over three decades, where a trained perfumer guides you through blending from a library of more than 50 fragrance oils. You sniff, experiment, and balance top and base notes until you've composed a signature scent that's bottled for you to take home. The oils are ethically sourced, vegan, and cruelty free.
The story
In 1993, former dancer Tedd Neenan opened Aroma Workshop on North Halsted Street in Lincoln Park, bringing a scent-blending concept he studied in Missouri straight to Chicago. Over three decades later, the shop at 2110 N Halsted remains the city's original custom perfumery, now run by owner Marija Lazarevic. You didn't hear it from us, but while commercial perfume counters sell mass-produced bottles, this independent shop gives you access to a library of over 50 ethically sourced, vegan, and cruelty-free fragrance oils.
The craft relies on a trained perfumer sitting with you to systematically balance top, heart, and base notes so your scent doesn't flatten out. Every final formula is cataloged and kept on file. That means once you blend a signature fragrance, you can reorder refills at a discount indefinitely as long as you keep your original glass bottle.
What it's like
Expect a relaxed, seated session where a staff perfumer walks you through the scent bars. You'll sniff your way through various fragrance profiles—from warm woodsy notes to bright citruses—and flag your favorites. The perfumer then dips paper test strips with balanced variations for you to evaluate before blending and labeling your final bottle right in front of you. Sessions run about 45 to 60 minutes, and the shop is BYOB for beer, wine, or hard seltzers (no hard liquor). Bring cash if you plan to tip your perfumer.
The move: Blend each other's signature scents from dozens of oils and walk out wearing a fragrance the other person designed for you.
- 📍 Lincoln Park
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Red Lion Pub — Pair your custom fragrance blending with a pint at this British pub 0.4 miles away, built on 19th-century burial grounds.
- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool — Walk 0.8 miles east to give your senses a quiet reset inside a Prairie-style hidden stone garden.
- The Wiener's Circle — For a stark sensory contrast after an hour of delicate fragrance oils, head 0.7 miles north to get yelled at over char-grilled hot dogs.
Good to know
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, scent creation sessions are held by reservation at their 2110 N Halsted St store and typically last 45 to 60 minutes.
Can I bring drinks to my appointment?
Aroma Workshop is BYOB for beer, wine, and hard seltzers, but hard liquor is not allowed.
Can I reorder my custom fragrance later?
Yes, they keep your exact formula on file so you can order discounted refills whenever your bottle runs out.
Are the fragrance oils vegan and cruelty-free?
All fragrance oils used in the workshop library are ethically sourced, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23