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Bernard's

4.2 (89 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

Lobster M&C Croquettes and The Peacock Alley Tea. Both were good.
Tyga M.

I visited on a Friday evening as a party of 1, and was able to be seated about 30 minutes prior to my reservation time. The space is small, gives speakeasy vibes, and is pretty comfortable. The service is good and friendly, and was able to give quality recommendations based on my wishes for a cocktail. I ordered a toddy, The Peacock Alley Tea, and the Lobster M&C Croquettes bites. The tea was nice, borderline lukewarm and strong, and the bites were also good and warm (not hot, which I found odd). Overall, I'm not sure I'll come back just because I found both items, especially the bites, to be a bit unnecessarily pricey; if I do visit again, I'll just order cocktails, as I was impressed with their selection and offerings.

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.

Old serrano
Shikha A.

Classy vibes with thrilling cocktails. I was in Chicago for a few days and grabbed drinks with a friend. Our host, arif, recommended some great cocktails which lined up with yelp assistant's picks. We got the no. 5 and the old serrano and both drinks were beautifully presented. Old serrano was more spirit forward and smoky, while no. 5 was sweeter with a rose flavor. Nice spot for a satisfying cocktail.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Santa's door old fashioned

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15 years ago

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17 years ago

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14 years ago

best place to nightcap (or start....?) a great date.

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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 17 reviews

Read more highlights

The Berkshire Room - Treat yourself to the best cocktail in River North for your nightcap. Strong drinks, top-shelf spirits, amazing vibes.

The Berkshire Room

4.1(477 reviews)
0.5 mi•Near North Side
•$$

The Berkshire Room is one of my favorite speakeasies in Chicago. While they offer a fantastic…read morecocktail menu and a full bar, I almost always order The Dealer's Choice. You simply choose your preferred spirit, flavor profile, and glassware, then let the mixologist create something just for you. It's one of my favorite cocktail experiences in the city, and they've never steered me wrong. What I especially appreciate is how knowledgeable the bartenders are. They're always happy to offer recommendations if you're unsure what to order, but they're equally excited to create something completely unique if you're feeling adventurous. Watching them craft each drink is part of the experience. I've even hosted a birthday gathering here in their private side room, where we enjoyed charcuterie boards alongside our cocktails. If you're just stopping in for drinks, though, I'd recommend grabbing dinner beforehand, as the food offerings are fairly limited. More often than not though, you'll find me sitting right at the bar. I love watching the bartenders showcase their craft and chatting with them about the incredible selection of spirits they have on hand. It's a great spot for anyone who genuinely appreciates well-made cocktails and the artistry behind them. I'm also a member of their loyalty program, which is well worth joining. It can be used at The Berkshire Room as well as several other excellent restaurants, making it an easy way to earn rewards while exploring some great dining spots around the city. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or simply looking for a sophisticated place to unwind, The Berkshire Room consistently delivers. I'll definitely be back for another Dealer's Choice soon! #YelpEliteSquad

I made a reservation at The Berkshire Room during the first week of October for my wife's birthday…read morecelebration on Halloween weekend. We were really looking forward to the evening and had planned part of her birthday around this reservation. Now, just 10 days before our reservation, I receive a generic text message informing me that they have booked a private event and will no longer be honoring our reservation. No phone call, no personal email, no attempt to help find an alternative or make things right. Just a text saying they can't accommodate us and would be happy to reschedule for another date. I completely understand that things change and businesses have opportunities for private events. However, accepting reservations weeks in advance and then canceling them less than two weeks before a major holiday weekend is incredibly poor customer service. What makes this even more frustrating is that it's Halloween weekend in Chicago, and most comparable restaurants and cocktail bars are already fully booked. Finding a replacement this close to the date is nearly impossible. The most disappointing part isn't even the cancellation itself. It's the complete lack of consideration for customers who made plans in good faith and trusted that their reservations would be honored. If you're planning a special occasion around a reservation at The Berkshire Room, I'd strongly recommend having a backup plan. Apparently, a confirmed reservation doesn't mean much if a better opportunity comes along. Very disappointing experience, especially from an establishment that positions itself as an upscale cocktail destination.

Photos
The Berkshire Room - Trust the mixologist - your Dealer's Choice cocktail is in good hands

Trust the mixologist - your Dealer's Choice cocktail is in good hands

The Berkshire Room - Host your next event at this speakeasy cocktail and whiskey bar in River North!

Host your next event at this speakeasy cocktail and whiskey bar in River North!

The Berkshire Room - Bar

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Bar

Il Porcellino - Lasagna and chicken piccata

Il Porcellino

4.4(1.8k reviews)
0.7 mi•Near North Side
•$$

This cute Italian restaurant serves delicious food at reasonable prices! We really enjoyed our…read moredining experience here. The Limoncello Spritz was refreshing and delicious, and the spaghetti with meatballs was one of our favorites. Pro tip: Ask for some chili paste to add to the sauce if you like a little extra kick! Our waitress was wonderful--very attentive, accommodating, and helpful throughout our entire meal. Since we needed vegan and dairy-free options, she took the time to explain the menu and suggest alternatives. It seems that most of the sauces contain dairy, but the frutti di mare (seafood stew), similar to a cioppino, was an option without dairy. She even offered to add a side of pasta to make it more like a seafood pasta dish. We really appreciated her thoughtfulness and willingness to accommodate our dietary needs. To finish off the meal, we enjoyed the delicious pistachio ice cream mixed with cherry. It was a lovely way to end our dinner! Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience, with tasty food, reasonable prices, and excellent service. We highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a charming Italian spot with flavorful food and attentive service!

We absolutely loved the atmosphere here. The low lighting and music created such a great vibe, and…read moreeven though the restaurant was packed, it never felt overly loud. My wife and I really enjoyed this place during our trip to Chicago. The fresh-baked garlic bread was so good, and I loved the meatballs and Gnocchi alla Vodka. My wife really enjoyed her Rigatoni alla Vodka as well. Everything we ordered was delicious! On top of the food, the service was great, the cocktails were excellent, and they had a fantastic wine selection. There's also a beautiful bar that we didn't get a chance to sit at this time, but next time we're in Chicago, we'll definitely be grabbing seats there. Great food, great drinks, great service, and an awesome atmosphere. Definitely a place we'd come back to!

Photos
Il Porcellino - Dining room/Bar

Dining room/Bar

Il Porcellino - Grilled Calamari

Grilled Calamari

Il Porcellino - Burrata Lasagna

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Burrata Lasagna

Bernard's - cocktailbars - Updated November 2026

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