We had an amazing experience at Bar Avec this past Friday Oct 9 for small plates and cocktails. The ambiance and views are just stunning; nice touch that with a cool fall breeze the heat lamps were on. We ordered from the "snacks" options (pick three)...they were delicious. The true favorites (for me at least in my party if 5) were the falafel seasoned french fries and the mortadella tartine. The true star of this dining experience was our server, Deja. One person in our party had a number of food allergies; Deja had a detailed conversation with her to make sure our order would not pose any problems. Deja also had excellent recommendations on wine and cocktails. Her description of the Assyrtiko white wine was spot on; and when my husband described his ideal mezcal cocktail profile she had the perfect answer and I truly believe this will end up being my husband's go to order in the future. She was friendly, attentive, and fun! For me the dining experience is based on the big three: ambiance, food, and service. And Bar Avec hit on all three, especially the service. read more

My best friend was dying to show me this trendy and cute rooftop bar. I'm so happy we checked it out. It was exactly what we were craving for a summer outing. This would've been a 5 star for me, however, I couldn't help like we were being rushed. I would've understood if it was busy, but there were a lot of empty seats around us. Ignoring that, we had a great time. We were seated at hightops with lovely views of the city. Since it is a rooftop, you are greeted by a host downstairs that calls an elevator for you and then by a host upstairs. It's mainly outdoor seating. They offer some food, but if you want something more substantial, Avec downstairs is your best best. Our server was fun and guessed what drinks we would like most based on our vibes. I was happy when he said mine because I was already between two drinks and he picked one of those! I loved the Side to Side cocktail. My bestie wanted more from her Golden Oldie. It's a pretty spot. read more

Bar Avec - Side to side and golden oldie - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

The vibes here are immaculate. You walk into a building and check in and they send you up in an elevator to the roof. It's so iconic. Every server was kind, but we lucked out with Ingrid who was extra special! Quick and the drinks were very good. The food was just amazing. We got so many things I didn't get pics of. These dates wrapped in bacon were a highlight. Honestly you couldn't go wrong with anything you try here! read more

Bar Avec - The view - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Great rooftop bar with plenty of reservations. Located on the sixth floor, you get a fantastic view of River North. I can see this place being a popular spot during the summer. We went here for drinks and light bites before we went to dinner. It is a little disappointing that they do not have a happy hour menu. We ordered the falafel fries, kale Caesar salad, and Vinho Verde & Ibisco d'Amorita. The drinks were refreshing and well made. The fries were good, as was the salad. The Caesar could've used a hint of lemon, but the seeded crackers were a nice substitute for croutons. read more

Bar Avec - View - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food, service, and ambiance is great. Loved our drinks too. I'd definitely come here for a date on a rooftop or for a girlie catch up chat! read more

Bar Avec - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Superb dinner with a thunder and lightning show for dessert. We have dined out for one week and this experience stands out for service, fare and view. Our cheese and and hummus plate was outstanding. Our cucumber, radish, strawberry salad was life changing. And the salmon with greens was Michelin level. Adam, our waiter was super friendly and ensured we had a fantastic experience. read more

Bar Avec - Salmon with Greens - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Came here for drinks with an old coworker and it was so lovely!! The views of the city are so beautiful, and we were able to sit right next to the ledge to take it all in. We each got a drink and split a couple of apps. We got the Caesar salad and the cheeseburger. Both were pretty good and I would recommend. I also got the lust for life and my friend got the livin la vinho verde. I didn't try my friends, but I really liked mine and thought it was fresh. The servers seemed a little hectic as there was a corporate event happening on the other end of the patio. Overall though we didn't have to wait too long for our drinks or food and had a great time! I'll be back! read more

See all

Service, drinks, and food are all nice. Getting up to the bar is a little frustrating but not a deterrent. It's quite loud though and my dinner mates and I had hard time hearing one another. I'd go back, depending on occasion. read more

I was looking for a cute rooftop bar while in Chicago and randomly saw this place. I did not have a reservation ahead of time and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. It was a Friday night and we got sat right away. To eat, we got the Caesar salad and French fries to share. To drink, I got the cute cucumber drink which was amazing and refreshing. The staff were sooo nice, the food and drinks were amazing and so was the view. Highly recommend! If I am ever back in Chicago I will for sure go again! read more

See all

This is my fave rooftop with beautiful views of the city grab a table by the rail and grab a glass or bottle of rosè and shrimp cocktail and enjoy the vibe read more

Love this place for the vibes and large groups. Everything is shareable and the drinks are very good. The space feels warm and inviting with a lively energy that works well for a night out with friends or a casual date. Service was friendly and attentive and the staff did a nice job guiding us through the menu and pacing the meal. The vibe is definitely a big part of the experience and makes the visit feel special. Overall, it is a place I would happily return to especially to explore more of the menu and enjoy the atmosphere again. read more

See all

Love this place! We were there on a cloudy, drizzly day so they had the screens up, but still a great view of the city. Our server was outstanding! Food and drinks were wonderful! We tried the Hibiscus Fizz, an NA cocktail. Does not look impressive (looks like koolaid) but was very tasty and not too sweet. We also had the Livin La Vinho Verde, very nice. For snacks, we had the pick 3 - hummus, cucumber raita and marinated olives. It comes with bread and crackers. We ordered some extra bread to go with it. The bread is really good! We were only planning to stay for one drink, but enjoyed it so much we had a couple. read more

Bar Avec - menu - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

We were there for a wedding celebration and it was a perfect venue, amazing food, service and location (and weather) all with a spectacular open air view of the city! Thank you! read more

Came by on a random Sunday. Super cute views, the service is great. We were never without drinks and the food is tasty and shareable. There's a lot of photo opportunities and it's such a fun vibe. read more

See all

Came for dessert and drinks and was not disappointed! My first time trying these popsicles and the salted chocolate was to die for! read more

Bar Avec - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food was so great and our server was awesome! The rooftop was so cute and you could see the whole city read more

See all

Great views, covered rooftop on a rainy 4th was SUCH an excellent chill vibe. The elevated bar food is quite good as well. The chicken basket was huge!! The shrimp cocktail and that sauce was epic though and unfortunately they were out of the dates?? whaaaaa.. that hurt. drinks were fine and server was awesome and attentive... would def return!! read more

Food, service, ambiance, 10/10. The views were stunning, the food was sooooo unique and delicious. I cannot wait to come back I loved every minute! read more

See all

Bar avec was great, my bartender was Murdoch he provided me with a charger when my phone was running low. It's the last weekend before rooftop season is over . Nice night! read more

Rooftop bar offering stunning views of the city with interesting drinks and a limited food menu. We went there for the atmosphere, view and drinks. I got myself a ibisco d'amorita which was a hibiscus infused tequila cocktail which we paired with the fresh hummus served with crackers and fresh veggies. The Urfa chili gave the hummus a smoky flavor (similar to mustard oil) and the pine nuts added to crunch which hit the right spot! Our waiter Alejandro also suggested amazing cocktails for my friend. Overall I couldn't ask for more. read more

Bar Avec - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

This place has amazing rooftop as well as ambience. We came more so for the drinks, but they did have a nice variety of small bites. It gets a little bit crowded as well as loud, but I did enjoy myself. I do feel like you can get up here quicker than other rooftops so check them out. Service is good and they kept the tables clean; the only negative was where I was sat because I was right in the way of waiters, but I know they're trying to maximize the space. read more

See all

Realllllly cool roof top bar. Fun view of the city. The drinks were very delicious and experimented with flavor combos that you don't see very often!! The fries were soooo good. My only complaint was that the ceiling fans were at full speed AND the wind was whipping, so it was like a tornado simulator at our table. Also VERY loud. I still will likely be back and am excited to try more of their drinks!!! read more

See all

Drinks were pretty average/ pricey but the skyline views and vibes were pretty awesome! Service was also pretty quick. read more

See all

Great food, great views, great service! Everything that we tried was amazing. One of the best hummus' I've ever had. I will definitely be visiting again! read more

Bar Avec is a vibe!!!! We came here for cocktails during sunset, which I highly recommend! One, make a reservation because it's not a super large space but it's worth it. It is a roof top with an incredible view! If you come pre sunset and stay through it, you'll see the city go from day to night which is absolutely gorgeous. Our waiter was Micheal who had an incredible personality and graciously explained to us the meaning of the cocktail names. The cocktails were delicious!! I highly recommend coming here especially if you're visiting Chicago this is a rooftop vibe you don't want to miss! read more

Bar Avec - Cocktail- livin la Vida verde - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

During our Chicago visit, my friends and I visited bar avec, enticed by its rooftop seating and good reviews. We reserved a table in advance, but thankfully the place wasn't too crowded anyway - it was the perfect setting for brunch! I started my meal with a Bloody Mary, and it was a great level of spiciness and flavor. For my main course, I went for the Croque Madame. The bread was expertly toasted, the fried egg added a delightful twist, and the side of fries was cooked to perfection. The service is top-notch, and very attentive. We each had our water glass filled up like 10 times because every time it was slightly empty, the staff came over with an immediate refill. They were also very knowledgeable about their menu, and were able to accommodate my friend who has a dairy allergy. Bar Avec is a true gem, and I think it's great for both locals and visitors alike. It's a dining experience that you won't want to miss! read more

Bar Avec - Bloody Mary - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Been here two separate times, once on the roof and once in the restaurant down stairs. Our roof experience was just "okay". The drinks were good but took a lengthy time to arrive, and our snack platter was also good - def the highlight. Our server (young man, dark wavy hair) however seemed to be in a daze as there was a bit of a communication problem. I'm not sure if he was exhausted or distracted but we had to repeat our order back to him at least 3 times every time because he would repeat our order back to us incorrectly. It was odd. I asked for more cucumbers and he brought me hummus? I asked for a certain drink and he said "a water?" Like...very strange. Our hostess who brought us to our seats was superb though! Our restaurant experience occurred during brunch and was just that "okay"...again lol. We were with a big party so there was some confusion between the runner and waitress (they were arguing in the corner) about our numbering because they kept giving us the wrong plates. The food was good and the drinks were okay. We had the bottomless mimosa which we were made to share orange juice from a tiny carafe with the table? Odd. I also had the matcha chacha because I love matcha however all you could taste was the pineapple and rum. Disappointed. Overall, for the price you pay to get that kind of dazed and confused service twice in a row was definitely unfortunate. Beautiful space and okay food, I'd give another star if it wasn't a bit pricier. read more

Went on Father's Day around 2pm. Fairly empty but nice rooftop. Residence pool adjacent to restaurant which is a little odd. Food was delicious but very limited menu. Service was slow for as empty as it was. 90 degree day and had to keep asking for ice and water. We asked for one more round of drinks and he brought the check and never brought the last round of drinks. Do better! read more

See all

Miss grumps was our server. It was super loud. View is nice. Drinks are ok. Don't serve martinis in martini glasses.

Very disappointing experience at a rooftop location with so much potential. I do want to start by saying that the girl at the ground level was super polite and helpful and separate from the over all rating she gets 5 stars from me. Wife and I finally had a free afternoon and decided to check out this new spot. The rooftop is a perfect spot for drinks and get together with friends unfortunately it falls short on the whole experience. The drinks we ordered were priced accordingly to the area but had no garnish and were filed 3/4 of the way. Just to clarify, I don't expect my drink to be filled to the rim but 7/8 without garnish is a norm. Food selection is absolutely unacceptable. Cheap, quick to make food items are offered at a premium. The part that upsets me the most happened at the end. Our waitress showed up with a portable card terminal and requested payment without presenting a copy of the check to me. Of course, 3% surcharge was on the final bill which is unacceptable and for all of you reading this review not a mandatory fee. ASK THEM TO TAKE THAT OFF. This place has so much potential but it needs serious improvement by a professional restaurant manager and not some club promoter read more

Bar Avec - Rooftop area - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Horrible service. Took them 15 minutes to give me a diet coke. The people in the back were messing around and talking about cutting each others legs off. Horrible place. Don't recommend read more

Came here for the first time with three of my buddies today. Keep in mind, there is a restaurant Avec and a Bar Avec, these are two separate entrances (but are right next to each other). You can't walk in to either one hoping to get access to the other, not a big deal just an FYI. I got a cucumber drink and the G&T, both pretty good. I don't like very sweet drinks, both of these were not that sweet and pretty refreshing for Summer. My buddies got Daisy Cutters, and they enjoyed their beers. Good vibes/views on the rooftop if you're interested in that. Food wise, you have to get the fried chicken. It's basically a big bucket filled with French fries, fried chicken, and peppers. Don't be fooled, most of it is fries unfortunately, but the chicken was really good and I was really wishing there was more of it. Also, TONS of salt on the chicken/fries but luckily a lot of the salt pools at the bottom of the bucket. The soppressata pizza was good per my friends. The tuna burger was decent. But you can't go wrong with the the fried chicken with fries! read more

See all

Who among us doesn't love a rooftop moment? It was a beautiful Thursday night in Chicago and we were looking for some dessert and drinks. Boy did we find them! I was captivated by the amazing views as we were sat right up against the railing on a gorgeous evening. The drinks were delicious and the basque cheesecake? Incredible! Getting into the restaurant felt a little like we were getting into an exclusive club, with the elevators with no buttons and people greeting us at each door to let us in. Our server was incredibly sweet and attentive, making sure we always had water and we were doing well. I didn't try any of the food, but I'll be honest that I think this place is more about the atmosphere than the full dining experience - so perfect for grabbing drinks and dessert. read more

See all

One word: Underrated. Perhaps they've gotten better since the pandemic has ended but what a delightful place to have brunch in the city. The views are great, as is the breeze up on the top level of this building. The whole ambience screams Sunday Morning Brunch. Drinks are delicious - try a Bloody Mary! The food is unique and made to share, so you can try a lot! The raspberry rose donuts were drool worthy (we ended up getting a second). We also enjoyed the maple sausage dish with fingerling potatoes. The roasted bacon dish with the poached eggs was yummy, and the meat just fell apart it was so tender. Fresh toast was served with blueberries, whipped marscapone cheese and macadamia nuts. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Bar Avec is a beautiful spot. Great views. Great ambiance. Great drinks. Good service. read more

Bar Avec - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Come for the views, stay for the views. If you're looking for a beautiful space to get drinks and relax, this is it! If you're really hungry and want something familiar or more of a standard menu, you might want to get something beforehand because bar avec is more for the drinks/ambiance. When I came here to celebrate my friend's birthday, we had a large party and ordered both food and drinks. We were seated at a long picnic table enough to seat 4 or 5 on each side, with added seats at each end. Drink prices were pretty comparable for the neighborhood. Bar Avec is a place to hold a strong drink in hand, surround yourself with your people, and have the epic city of Chicago in the backdrop. Most of the view is east-facing, but you get pretty cotton-candy sunlight reflected off the buildings during golden hour. Food-wise, our table shared: mushrooms, crudo, iberco ham, paella, halibut, cheese plate, olives, and a few others to nibble on. The paella was the most interesting because instead of rice, it was made out of noodles. Instead of a hearty, seafood-rich plate of rice that I am familiar with, it was a modern vegetarian twist; definitely something unique that I hadn't tried before. It was entertaining talking with a friend who tried Bar Avec's "paella" for the first time and processing with him that this was not really a typical paella. Pricy food aside, the place was great for a small gathering, and it was truly beautiful when I went on a breezy Chicago summer night. I think this place was balancing a fine-dining identity (like its sister restaurant Avec) with a more casual rooftop spot with drinks. I would recommend Bar Avec for meeting up with friends for pre- or post-dinner drinks. I'm glad I was able to check it out, I absolutely loved the views. read more

See all

Made reservations, came late by like 15 min, the host got mad that we came late. And just being rude. Seems like he wanted us to cancel are reservations and not go the rooftop. Got up to the rooftop, took a slight longer to be seated. The waiter was so nice and gave us time to pick the food and drinks. Drinks are amazing, the view of the rooftop was splendid. read more

See all

One of my favorite Chicago rooftops! Bar Avec has a great view of the skyline with the added joy of being within it. They do have heater lamps for the colder months. The drinks are great, and I didn't try the food on this visit. When arriving, look for the signs outside to find the entrance. I look forward to going back to try the food! read more

Bar Avec - Ibisco D'Amorita - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Good place to hang out with friends, but overpriced food and drinks. This place is cool and is on river north. The drink I got was tasty, but so overly priced. It had probably a decent amount of alcohol for the size of drink (aka not much alcohol overall). We ordered food, and it's like the food you order at an upscale restaurant: expensive and small portions. So not the biggest fan of this place. The service was great though. The waitress was so friendly and checked in a lot. Overall, this place is cool, but if you're looking for more budget friendly bars, don't recommend this place. read more

See all

Located on Lasalle Street, this rooftop bar and restaurant offers delicious food with lots of flavor. The brunch is normally $20 per dish. I went to the $10 brunch with all you can eat which included sausages, steak with Fava beans, smashed potatoes, eggs in purgatory which wasn't too spicy for me, and biscuits. I normally don't like French toast but it was amazing and full of taste. Desserts included chocolate mousse with caramel and coffee notes, mini lime pie, and my extra favorite mini cream puffs. I would definitely recommend this for special occasions. I hope they offer more discounts in the future or offer happy hour prices. Staff was not wearing masks or checking covid vaccinations. read more

See all