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    Bernard's

    4.3 (87 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Bernard's Photos

    BERNARD'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

    Recommended Reviews - Bernard's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Bar area
    Joee L.

    Top notch experience inside a quaint cozy speakeasy vibe lounge. The service was exceptional and the drinks were fantastic. This lounge is located on the 2nd floor in the Waldorf Astoria which is a beautiful hotel in the Gold Coast. The drinks range from $30 and up for a price point so keep that in mind if choosing to experience Bernard's.

    Some of the whiskeys
    Cassandra B.

    This is my favorite speak easy in Chicago now. The drinks were so delicious and the service was top tier. I just wanted to try everything but knew I couldn't because I would be drunk lol. I ordered a no 9. Inspired by Chanel. A treasure chest and an old Serrano. I recommend all of these!!!! Please give them a try if you're in Chicago

    Brian H.

    As good as it gets when it comes to bars. Excellent atmosphere and service. Drinks are high and above as good as it gets. A++ 5 stars and two thumbs up!

    Tricia G.

    This speakeasy cocktail bar located in the Waldorf Astoria is a special place. Quaint, cool and swanky! There was a tremendous selection of cocktails and spirits. It's a nice deviation for the hustle and bustle of the Chicago streets. Give it a try, would be a great late night spot to finish the evening.

    Inside
    Rahima J.

    One of my new favorite bars. The charm and elegance is impeccable. The intimate vibes are unbeatable. Cannot wait to come back and enjoy the space again

    John P.

    Bernard's is a quaint, upscale hotel bar in the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago. It's a beautiful space that is easy to see the exceptional attention to detail. The design and aesthetic is inspired by the men in Coco Chanel's life. French design was the inspiration behind the latest renovation of the Waldorf and Coco Chanel was positioned as their muse. It's dark and warm steeped in refinement everywhere you look. The staff is well-trained and they treat you like they've been waiting for you all day. The attention and engagement we received from the bartenders made it a memorable experience. They welcomed discussing their craft and made sure you enjoyed any of the creative cocktails in their program or anything you preferred off menu. It is definitely an elevated spot, but not pretentious. Bernard's understand service and I guarantee you will enjoy it. It is one of the hidden gems in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Check them out next time you're in Chicago. Salute

    Bar area
    Lafayette B.

    Nice, quick service. Perfect for a quick nightcap drink and small eats. We were staying at the Waldorf Astoria, so this was a nice laid back place with a speak easy kind of vibe.

    Yvonne I.

    Bernard's is located on the 2nd floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. The atmosphere at this bar is classy and dark. They brought a complimentary light snack to the table while we reviewed the menu. Most of the cocktails are in the $20-$30 range. The Old Serrano cocktail was well-balanced and interesting. This was the perfect cocktail to slowly sip on. All of the staff were really kind. I would visit here again in the future.

    Sara G.

    Bernard's is sophistication, darkness and seduction with an equestrian twist. Stepping into this landmark cocktail lounge, you're immediately part of the history. The Japanese whiskey Old Fashioned stands out as a delightful twist on a classic, highlighting the creativity of the mixologists. Bernard's is more than just a destination for fashion-inspired cocktails. Named after Bernard Heerey, a Chicago philanthropist who left a mark on the city. This spot pays homage to its namesake through its commitment to charitable causes.

    Blake W.

    Seating is strange and the drinks are ok at best. For the price you can find much better. You are for sure paying for convenience being in the hotel. But $50 for 2 ok drinks is crazy. I will pay a premium for a great drink but these were mediocre to say the least. Service is ok but it could've been great but hard to tell since you can barely hear anything due to music and terrible acoustics. I wouldn't go back simply for cost/quality.

    Mayuri A.

    Swung by Bernanrd's to try out their popular 'The Treasure' cocktail. We entered Waldorf Astoria and had to walk around a bit before we could find the entrance for this place. The hostess was welcoming and immediately seated us. The ambience is elegant but definitely dated. The service was fast though. The treasure cocktail came in a small treasure chest. When we opened it, it spewed out smoke to reveal the beautiful cocktail. It was even adorned with a plantain dipped in dark chocolate and covered in gold which was pretty cool. The cocktail was delicious and strong. We also got a side of chips and olives with the cocktails. Loved my experience here and the treasure cocktail is a must try. One thing to note is that the price point is on the higher side but the experience is well worth it.

    Santa's door old fashioned
    Sandeep C.

    Cozy bar tucked away at the Waldorf....never knew this existed! Just happen to find it as we looked for a nearby bar on Yelp. You certainly won't walk by it as it's concealed on the second floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. As the setting would imply...yes it's expensive. Probably best as a stop for a drink or two. It's a square room that probably seats around 40. Very welcoming host and delicious drinks. A nice small menu if you are a bit hungrier. All in all...perfect lounge vibes for good drinks and long conversations.

    Olives on deck
    Corey C.

    My Gold Coast pull up... Came to Bernards while staying at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago after the recommendation from the front desk. Not only was this one great night of cocktails in an elegant environment, the staff and bartender Fati in particular, were phenomenal. Will definitely come back when in Chicago!

    Smokey old fashioned & No. 5

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    11 years ago

    Great bar...great atmosphere...Low key...great place to go if you are looking to impress.

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    16 years ago

    Bernard's Bar will make you feel rich, even if you're not.

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Bernard's

    Review Highlights - Bernard's

    Came to Bernards while staying at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago after the recommendation from the front desk.

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Theory

    Theory

    4.1
    (985 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Went here to watch football playoff games and the experience was amazing. They have TVs everywhere…read moreand during commercial breaks, they pay really good, upbeat music instead of having to listen to commercials. The food and drinks were also incredible. Would highly recommend the skirt steak nachos. All kinds of beer on tap and the service was amazing. Multiple people coming to check on you, including the manager who checks in on guests as well. If you're watching a game or want a cool sports bar to go to, I would highly recommend this place.

    This is the second year we came into Theory to attend the Champions League watch party, and Theory…read morekeeps proving to me why I enjoy coming over to this bar for large games. There were a lot of TVs all around the bar, so you won't be tilting your head back to watch the game from any angle. Our server was new, but she did a great job with taking everyone's orders and also being very upfront about saying she will ask about the drafts on tap so she can give us an accurate drink selection. The food from Theory never disappoints. Last year, I had the Theory Burger and was delighted by how good it was. This year, I tried the Challah French Toast and it was pleasantly delicious. The Mac and Cheese was also a solid choice, and for $8, they provided a good amount of food! And that Chicken Parm Egg Roll...wow they were so good!! I was skeptical from the name, but this was like having a pizza roll but in egg roll form The only reason I am giving this place 4 stars is because Theory has severely up charged for the Champions League. I recall last year a reservation was $5/person, but this year they charged $15/person. For this reason, we came in at 9AM opening time for an 8-person table and were able to get one without having to pay the reservation fee. I really like how organized Theory is though, as a sports bar. Service has always been great and I may come again for another game!

    Photos
    Having a good time!
    Having a good time!
    Theory
    Theory

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    Il Porcellino

    Il Porcellino

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of…read moreItalian restaurants over the years, and this one keeps us coming back again and again. It's one of those places that you find yourself talking about long after the meal is over. The garlic bread alone is worth the visit. They pour what feels like a gallon of garlic butter over it, and somehow it's still never enough. It's rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. We order it every single time and would probably be disappointed if we didn't. The real star of the show, though, is the lasagna. Between the two of us, we've had lasagna at countless restaurants, and nothing has come close to this one. It's hands down the best lasagna we've ever had. Perfect layers, incredible flavor, and the kind of comfort food that makes you want to savor every bite. Their Grey Goose espresso martini is also unmatched. We've tried espresso martinis all over Chicago, and this one is still our favorite. It's smooth, perfectly balanced, and the ideal way to start or end the meal. The atmosphere is another reason we love coming here. The restaurant is gorgeous inside, with a dark, moody vibe that makes it feel special without being stuffy. It's the perfect date night spot whether you're celebrating something or just looking for a great night out together. If you're visiting Chicago and love Italian food, Il Porcellino is a must. Great food, amazing drinks, beautiful ambiance, and a meal you'll be thinking about long after you've left. We make a point to visit every time we're in town, and it never disappoints.

    First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino…read morecertainly did not disappoint! For appetizers, we ordered the While Garlic Loaf Focaccia and the Stuffed mushrooms. I wished I took a video when the focaccia arrived. The waiter, holding a plate with a round and fluffy focaccia and proceeded to pour the garlic et al on top of the bread! Very freshly-made and fabulous! The stuffed mushrooms were also cute delicious! This is a rare time where the stuffing had spinach below the stuffing - excellent! I remember seeing (and enjoying) this while I visited Italy. Delightful! The main courses we ordered were the Gnocchi Bolognese, the Baked Burrata Lasagna and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. The Gnocchi meat sauce was the standout here, being very flavorful, but not as heavy as some other restaurants. The Gnocchi were dense - not fluffy as I had expected. But the sauce flavor was vivid. The Baked Burrata Lasagna was oh, so perfect! Many layers of al dente pasta separates with a tasty meat sauce. Many times I have had lasagna that was either over-baked, or had limp pasta. Here, the lasagna shined! So large of a serving that my wife could not finish it, much to her dismay . . . I had the Barolo Braised Short Rib - oh my living god! - so tender, so complete a dish, with the fork tender meat that melts in your mouth, complimented by a light polenta (I must emphasize the lightness here, as many restaurants serve polenta that is heavy and too rich. This did not compete with the short rib, rather it seamlessly became the foundation on which the richness of the meat was enhanced. I was blown away! But, the most amazing, and probably the most delectable part of the evening was finishing off with a luscious Chocolate Cake! OH, WOW!!! The cake was certainly moist and smooth. Yes, smooth! I could not tell there was cake at all, so smooth it was! And surprisingly (not surprising given the quality of this establishment) it wasn't too sweet, rather just enough to bring out the chocolatey goodness! I only wished that I ordered some hot coffee - the cake would have gone well with a great cup of coffee! Overall, I was very impressed with this restaurant! The old-town decor, the dim lights, the fantastic food (just like of the Italy of old!)- all contributing to a wonderful experience! Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Wall decor
    Wall decor
    Grilled Calamari
    Grilled Calamari
    Burrata Lasagna

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    Burrata Lasagna

    Bernard's - cocktailbars - Updated June 2026

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