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    Bar David

    4.2 (44 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Bar David Photos

    BAR DAVID ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bar David

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    Ahi Tuna Bowl
    Helene S.

    Stopped at Bar David for solo dining while waiting for my family to drive from Brooklyn to Chicago. Nice that they were able accommodate me for a late dinner after I enjoyed a delightful 90 minute meditation session at the Bond Chapel. Bar David is a very beautiful restaurant located in the David Rubenstein Forum. It offers seasonal Mediterranean inspired cuisine. I opted for an ahi tuna bowl. Tuna, edamame, wakame, cucumber, avocado, red onions and red cabbage served on a bed of rice. A perfect meal to just reflect on the simple pleasures in life after being welcomed into the meditation class. Service was fabulous. The manager, Jason, was so gracious. Imani made me feel like family. So nice chatting with her. She was so kind. Interesting to also read more about David Rubenstein who is a philanthropist, lawyer and businessman. He is one of the initial forty members of the Giving Pledge, a pledge to donate at least half of their immense wealth to philanthropic causes or charities. His focus is on preservation of American history and historic sites. Traveling throughout the country, you can enjoy many museums, sporting teams and universities that have benefited from his generosity. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The National Zoo, the Lincoln Center, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Mulberry Row at Monticello are just a few of the recipients of his philanthropy. The Rubenstein Scholars Program at the University of Chicago provides full-tuition scholarships for about 10 percent of the university's law students. Want to see a privately owned copy of Magna Carta? Rubenstein bought it at auction and lent it to the National Archives in Washington. He purchased a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln, and loaned that as well as a rare copy of the Thirteenth Amendment, also signed by Lincoln, to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. A special thanks to Jason, Imani and Angela for a very memorable dinner at Bar David. I hope to be back again one day to enjoy the wonderful hospitality.

    Wagyu beef burger and fries  Pilsner and porter in background
    Tahir N.

    This is a nice clean modern space with indoor and outdoor seating located along the midway plaisance. What I like about the outdoor seating is you're not going to be in direct sunlight and you're back far enough from the street with ample greenery in between. Although we arrive at around 6:15 PM on Thursday, we were able to be seated immediately The subtext through the restaurant is that it is Mediterranean, but they also have a great Wagyu beef hamburger and fries. It is usually double patty, which is a great value in its own right. This night, however, they were running a beer and burger special so instead of two patties, you got one and a complimentary beer. That night they happened to be sampling pilsner from Moor's Beer (a black owned brewery) that is up-and-coming. Great pairing! They will ask you if you want sparkling or still water, but you can always ask for fine Chicago tap water and they will bring it with a smile. I will be returning !

    Tagine
    Clarissa H.

    Bar David is a go-to spot on UChicago's campus for a work lunch. It's modern and upscale, with a range of shareable Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant is right off 60th near the law school and you can usually find free street parking or easily walk from campus. The restaurant is not very big, so it's worth making a reservation to secure a table in case you happen to go on a busy day. There is also a small patio space but I think the indoor space was cuter. They also have a free coat check! Bar David has a full bar but also has coffee and tea. They have a lot of vegetarian dishes, a couple of vegan dishes, and some gluten free dishes. We ordered the roasted broccoli, tuna crudo, burrata flatbread, and the eggplant and squash tagine. Everything came out quickly and was great. It was filling yet the food still felt light and healthy. The broccoli is surprisingly good and worth a try - it's seasoned so well! The tuna was incredibly tender, and the tagine was warm and full of different textures and flavors. The flatbread might have been the star of the show with the generous heapings of burrata and pesto. The only issue was how small the table was compared to how many dishes we had! But we made it work.

    Trim And Tasty Juice With Avocado Toast
    Steve A.

    Came to this kind of new bar and grill in Hyde Park convenient for anyone to get to if around the University of Chicago. It has a pretty classy yet casual atmosphere, whether it be at breakfast or later. Bar David has healthier options than a typical bar, and it's certainly not a typical one as it's also open at breakfast. Get some juices and toast early. Then go again later and get some cocktails and sandwiches or whatever. Breakfast was what they served the first time I came here. It was a bit before one of the museums opened and we were eating something before going to it. This was a nearby option. Healthy choices abound on the menu. This isn't like a normal bar, but more like a restaurant. Bottled juices are $7 and you can get stuff to go. The Trim And Tasty is apples, carrots, and grapefruit, having a sweetness and tartness. As for the food it has plenty at breakfast. We got the Avocado Toast. It's $11, which is the only bad thing about it. This has nice presentation with cherry tomatoes, herbs, and radish. Good but kind of expensive. It's one of the classier places around here but it still has a pretty casual feel. This is located close to UC buildings so it's kind of hard to find but it's okay for breakfast or lunch though.

    Lights
    Dana B.

    First off I was drawn to Bar David while walking to breakfast. The decor caught my eyes as we walked by. We decided to go in after being out for the day. A little pre-gaming before a concert if you will. The bartender...I don't remember her name...was welcoming, engaging, and knowledgeable. I mentioned I like Manhattans and she made a suggestion that was spot on. The decor was clean and inviting. We had the hummus and pita and I had a DELICIOUS cocktail. All just right to get our evening started. To think the decor is what drew us in but the food and drinks were just as AMAZING!

    Nerissa L.

    I had a lovely dinner here the other night! Bar David is a brand new chic and sophisticated spot in Hyde Park. The decor is absolutely beautiful. Currently, it's open Tues- Fri from 7am to 8pm. There is ample parking on the street if you decide to drive here. For dinner we tried an assortment of items, the whipped cod brandade dip, charcuterie & cheese, and steak frites were delicious. By the time we were done eating we were just too full for dessert but we did look at the dessert menu and the options sounded delightful. I am looking forward to going back there very soon. Check it out if you want a lovely dining experience!

    Laurina Y.

    This is a new place on campus on 60th street in the Rubenstein Forum. The environment is super elegant and nice and the service is really good as well. We ordered the burrata flatbread to start, which was so so so good!!! The mix of tomato, cheese and pesto flavors go so well together. Definitely order this! I ordered the grilled chicken as a main which was alright, the chicken was a little dry and the flavors were okay as well. I would recommend getting the salmon instead, as my friends enjoyed it. We ended with the berry parfait, which was really sweet and the mix of flavors was very interesting.

    Ahi tuna bowl

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    9 months ago

    The food was excellent as were the drinks . The service was a bit uneven. . Excellent location for our event.

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    2 years ago

    Awesome service!! ordered the French onion soup and got a soup presentation. everything was high and very delicious.

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    Ask the Community - Bar David

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    I love a good cocktail bar, and this spot definitely delivers. I am already a fan of Erick Williams…read morerestaurants, so I was excited to check this one out, especially after learning it focuses on tequila and mezcal, which are my favorites. It is also conveniently located on the same block as two of his other spots. I have been twice now and had a great experience each time. I am especially glad they did away with the reservation deposit. It makes planning a visit much easier. Most recently, I stopped by for their all day Sunday happy hour, which was a great vibe. They have expanded the food menu since my first visit, and everything I tried was solid. The empanada was my favorite, the quesabirria was really good, and the chicken torta was delicious. On my first visit, I only had the guacamole, which I also enjoyed. The decor is beautiful and intimate, creating a great atmosphere, and the music is always on point. The staff has been friendly and welcoming every time I have gone. This place is definitely staying in my regular rotation.

    Beautiful atmosphere, great music, every dish was delicious, and wait staff was friendly. I loved…read moreit here. The Barbacoa is a must try! My mocktail was delicious and had a spicy kick. It was the one with lime and jalapeno. However, for small bites, the prices were high in my opinion. Even the drinks - my n/a ginger beer was $10, which is high. Just a tad pricey but over all a lovely place I would revisit.

    Bisous - interior

    Bisous

    (114 reviews)

    Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

    The Chicago food tour commences... First stop, drinks at Bisous! This cocktail bar was listed no…read more 39 on the top 50 bars in North America for 2025. It was no wonder when we arrived that there was a line out the door. We waited around 45 minutes, and the bouncer was a really nice fellow who kept track of the numbers and people at the door. Upon entering, we were immersed in a dimly lit retro-style lounge. It was quite loud inside and packed as we walked to our seats. The server was great at taking our orders and offering suggestions. I opted for the French 75, which featured sparkling wine and mixed gin, brandies, and citrus. The drink was delicious, but STRONG. I don't know what they put in the cocktails in America, but I am always finished after one drink. Needless to say, we were all struggling to finish our own drinks. My favourite touch was the coasters, I ended up keeping all of them so that I can reuse them at my galentines event next year. The 'bisous' with the kiss on the other side is a perfect touch! I think the drinks are fairly priced for USD. I would love to return someday to try other drinks and bar bites, and also try their sister bar, Sparrow.

    My boyfriend and I were visiting Chicago (from Las Vegas) 2 weeks ago, and were very excited to…read morecheck out Bisous, as it looked nice inside and had good reviews. Imagine my shock when we didn't even make it past the bouncer because he was so rude, AS OTHER RECENT REVIEWS HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL! We had dinner nearby and walked to Bisous after, and saw there was a line of 5 or 6 people outside. We expected this as we knew Bisous is a first come, first serve bar. We were curious what the wait time would look like, so we approached the front door to ask a host or employee inside (we assumed there'd be a desk with an employee working it who could give us a wait time). We had no problem waiting, just wanted to see how long they estimated it would be! Before we could even fully open the door, the bouncer swung the door open from the other side and hit me with the door. I stumbled back a few steps and he looked at us and said, and I quote, "What do you want?". I laughed at first because I thought he was joking and putting on a tough guy act. He was not. We quickly explained we just wanted to see what the wait time was, and he said "don't you see there's a line outside?" We said yes, and explained we just wanted to know a rough estimated wait time. He just blankly stared at us while ushering us out. Both my boyfriend and I have worked in customer-service roles for a very, very long time. This encounter was not only extremely rude and unprofessional, but he also hit me hard enough with the door to send me stumbling back, and then said nothing about it and continued to address us in a tone that was nothing less than annoyed and irritated. We didn't end up going inside because that encounter left such a bad taste in our mouths. I don't believe in spending my money at establishments that don't treat their customers with the bare minimum respect they deserve! Bummed we didn't get to experience it, as I'm sure it was lovely inside and I can only hope the rest of the employees were much more kind and accommodating, or at least able to answer a simple question. Fire your "bouncer" (??) and hire someone with some basic customer service and communication skills!!

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    The Cove Lounge

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    $

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    This used to be the go-to local bar to blow off steam after a tough day at work. The clientele is…read morecomprised of a really cool mix of local south- siders (read: White Sox fans!) and UChicago staff/students. There is an epic wall mural that features different aspects of the city, including a huge Barack Obama head. As I said: epic. The bar is separated into two distinct parts, divided by a counter/tables in the center (you have to walk all the way around if you want to switch sides or move at the tables). On one side is the bar and a few TVs to watch the games, giving it a louder sports bar kind of vibe. On the other side there are a bunch of tables--almost like picnic tables. It feels very communal and laid-back. It's a place you can sip on drinks and easily spend time with a group of friends. The Cove is very group-friendly. My favorite part? My friend brings his dog there and it's no problem. Is this bar a dive? Yes. Do I care? No. Do I actually love it? Absolutely. Best bar on the area, hands down.

    Owner Sonnie and DJ/Security Milton brutally beat up a customer outdise of the bar April 23, 2026…read morewhich started with the DJ/Security using excessive force on the customer inside of the bar. The young man was outside talking to associates about the situation and the owner came out and attacked him and the DJ joined in and beat him. Customer left in ambulance and is seeking medical care. The owner and DJ needs to be arrested! There were numerous witnesses to this incident

    The Alderman

    The Alderman

    (54 reviews)

    Pilsen

    The Alderman has been on my list for quite some time now. I am so excited that I finally was able…read moreto snag a reservation and check it out. If you didn't know, it is located inside of Pilsen Yards. It's a nice small intimate setting, but I loved every single detail about it. If you are not able to sit at the booth, there are four seats at the bar where you can still enjoy the experience. The ambience was amazing. It was nice and cozy, dimly lit, candles everywhere kind of gave a romantic feel in a sense. The art on the wall was like no other. Very bold, vibrant, and told a story. The selection of music was great, It was a vibe the entire time. My bartender's name was Scotty. Scotty was everything. He was so knowledgeable about the drinks. He had amazing suggestions and he could even put a twist on it if you allowed him. He's also very passionate about his craft and it shows once you a taste of the drinks that he prepared. I had such an amazing time. Not only did he prepare a great drink, but he was so personable and checked on everybody throughout the night and made sure everyone was doing OK. I loved it there. I cannot wait to go back another day. This is hands-down one of my favorite speakeasies. What a hidden gem.

    Looking for a sexy spot? You found it here! Come in and get some fire drinks that's all you'll find…read morethough but you know what that's all you need. Enjoy the atmosphere the music the people lovely get it in.

    Bar Mar

    Bar Mar

    (627 reviews)

    $$$

    The Loop

    Bar Mar is a solid spot in Downtown Chicago. The interior decor and atmosphere was great for a nice…read moredinner. Most of the food was tremendous. My favorites were the crab cake, Cobb salad, and short rib. The crab cake was very soft and had a nice texture to it. It was one of the best crab cakes I've eaten. The Cobb salad was also very light and shareable. The short rib main course was very tender, and it came with crispy potatoes as well. Some of the other items such as the Philly cheesesteak and Asian tacos were just ok. They were also both very small in quantity relative to their price. The desserts were magnificent as well, especially the deconstructed key lime pie and sticky toffee pudding. Both of them were phenomenal. The service throughout my meal was excellent. My waitress gave us some nice recommendations, and the staff came by often. I would definitely recommend to visit Bar Mar, and I look forward to coming back myself when I am in Chicago.

    Our second time eating at a Jose Andres restaurant in Chicago and again it was disappointing. Last…read moretime we ate at Jaleo and found it underwhelming but put it down to the fact that we had just returned from an amazing culinary trip to San Sebastian. We really admire Jose's philanthropic work and want to love his restaurants but truth be told, if you forget about the glitzy decor, the food is just average. We tried several appetizers; the Hamachi Cone, Caviar Cone, Asian Taco, Neptune's Pillows, Shrimp Cocktail and Iberico Jamon. We also shared a bottle of Cava. Everything was fine but to be frank the Shrimp Cocktail was the best thing we ate, simple and perfectly fresh. The service was pushy, when a server wants to take you order less than 3 minutes after sitting down, it feels like you're on a conveyor belt. We felt the prices were way out of line, with tip I spent almost $500 for a bottle of cava and appetizers for two people, for that, the food should have been more memorable. We spent the same amount for two off us to have the 12 course tasting menu at Atsumeru a couple of weeks ago and Bar Mar's food isn't in the same league. We will continue to financially support Jose's World Kitchen but not his restaurants.

    Bar David - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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