Looking for a lowkey speakeasy style bar to have a few drinks and we were this placed delivered. Had the atmosphere we were looking for. Not pictured was the lychee club I got and it was delicious. Probably one of the best drinks I've had. Light, refreshing, and a hint of sweetness. The egg white foam just elevated it even more adding an almost creamy aspect. First time with the egg white foam on drinks and is now a mainstay. Not sure what the shots were since they were complementary from the bar but they were damn good. Ama ebi had beautiful plating and I ate the head as well, so crispy and juicy. I wish the tuna truffle had a bit more color from the sear but the flavor was fantastic. Just enough truffle so it didn't over powered allowing the tuna flavor to come through as well. Will be the new go to for drinks and I'll definitely have to check our sushi dokku next!! read more

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So "Izakaya" is japanese for informal pub or tapas bar. I guess I have always loved Izakayas this whole time. Booze box is under Sushi Dokku, kinda hidden not really a speakeasy or is it? Its not that big but thats what I like about it. The drinks are really good! The music is on point, and the small plates menu includes couple of maki and apps. You can go to booze box with a date, friends, before dinner, after dinner, it really doesn't matter. I almost want to keep this place a secret, but I am sure soon it be just as hard to get a table down here then upstairs! One of my new fav spots in the city now, will be coming here alot in 2019! read more

Pretty cool speakeasy-style bar, located next to the main restaurant. The drinks are pretty good and the Takoyaki was yummy. It was a nice atmosphere and the entrance to the bar is pretty sick. read more

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Did I suddenly walk into a yakuza club in Kabukicho, Shinjuku? Didn't get that reference? Then it's time to plan your next trip to Tokyo, friends. Booze Box is a fitting name for this izakaya. Like ones in Japan, you enter downstairs behind an actual sushi restaurant (whom I swear pays for the liquor license, since my tab was charged under their name instead of BB) and into a dark, eerie bar. Red everywhere. No, not the blood of your ancestors. It's tinted red for that laid back, sultry ambience. The three of us were seated at a booth where we were able to see all the action happening. From the bartenders pouring our drinks to patrons striking up conversations with workers around the dimly lit countertop. As for the drinks, expect to pay a bit more than your average bar. Drinks run from $8 - $16, given the kind of cocktail you'd enjoy. They offer some standard sake options you'd find at other restaurants, but if you're unfamiliar with the Japanese liquor, ask them for a recommendation! I stuck with my usual nigori sake (chilled) and thoroughly enjoyed sipping on my friend's saketini. The food here wasn't bad either. Note that it's going to be standard Japanese pub food with smaller portions, so don't expect to get full here. We ordered the karaage, and instead of receiving it as nuggets, we got it in the form of spicy wings. Different, but nonetheless tasty. Thanks Booze Box for a chill happy hour out before we took the streets of Boystown! No free parking, so good luck looking for a spot on the streets. がんばれ！ read more

Booze Box - Nihonshu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice spot for sushi and drinks , atmosphere was cool, dim light and good music. I wish I got the bartenders name, he was funny and entertaining. Cool spot to gather with friends or a date read more

Booze Box - Godzilla - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loved everything about this. The ambience, vibe, cocktails, food, service... We Had a wonderful time and will definitely come back next time we are in Chicago! read more

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When it's as hot as the sun outside this is my type of bar. In the basement underneath Sushi Dokku, Booze Box makes you feel a little like you've stepped back into time combining japanese elements with a speakeasy feel. The Drinks: My friend ordered an Old Fashioned and the bartender recommended she go with Japanese Whiskey, great call. He used the Iwai. It was a perfect old fashioned with a quality whisky. I just had a pour of the Iwai on the rocks. Food: I can't recall everything we ordered and since the online menu isn't the same as what was in front of me two days ago, I'm going to have to go off memory. Gyoza: Solid. It was good but nothing stood out. Shrimp Tempura: yes yes yes, they got it right. Most places kill you with the tempura to the point where you can't taste whatever ingredient is inside, not here. A+. Finally there was a dish upon which I'm blanking on the name, but it had cold noodles and some of the most amazing grilled shrimp seasoned with a pepper concoction of some sort. Service: Great. Bartenders were super attentive. Odds and Ends: Booze Box doesn't open until 6pm, so if you're feeling celebratory earlier in the day you'll have to warm up elsewhere. The bar chairs/stools are nailed down into the floor. That means you can't move them so if you're a taller guy or have big feet you might find sitting at the bar a wee bit comfortable as your knees and shoes will be crammed against it. read more

Booze Box - Great cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

With a group of 6, we were escorted to the back corner next to electronic equipment. A staff member angrily shooed us away after about 45 seconds saying "you cannot be in this fucking DJ booth!" The unnecessary level of rudeness was unacceptable. read more

Located downstairs in the basement of Sushi Dokku, Booze Box is a good spot to grab a drink and a sushi roll or two. I have been on a couple of weeknights as well as a Saturday night. Normally good hip hop joints playing in the background and I have seen a DJ on saturday night so the mood is set as a cool, hip space to be in whether you are with friends or on a date. I have mainly been here for cocktails but recently came in for a couple rolls...spicy tuna and dragon tempura maki. Both rolls were very good and hit the spot. They make pretty good old fashioned down here and service is pretty decent. Grab a seat at the bar or grab a table and sit back and enjoy the music, sushi, drinks and cool ass vibe! read more

This is my second time to Booze Box while I am in Chicago and I can not express how much I thoroughly enjoy it both times. From the vibes to the services, and of course the food! Omg seriously. It's just SO good. I have yet ordered anything that I didn't like and surprisingly my favorite this second time back, asides from the tuna truffles and wagyu nigiris, the ramen was delish! What a great spot to bring your date or just somewhere chill to have a few drinks with friends. read more

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After putting my name down to reserve my place at Au Cheval, me and my brothers check this place out. I mean it had a red arrow pointing downwards to an unknown door so of course we follow it. While walking downstairs my buddy asks if it's a place he thinks he should withdraw money for and reserve penicillin for the day after. Coming to an entrance to a hidden bar was a sigh of relief that he didn't need to go to an ATM only to be charged a $20 fee. Whatever this place was, it was lit. Lotta people, beautiful women and mad decent music. The sake flight was dope but the highlight was the Japanese whiskey. Smooth af. We drank so much that we never even made it to our reservation at Au Cheval. We got trashed at this place and never looked to eat food after. We paid the price the day after. But all in all, if it's anything you will learn from reading this. If you are in a seedy looking alley and see signs to go up or down a set of stairs and have no signs whatsoever on what this place is, just remember this, "My mind's tellin' me no but my boooody's tellin' me yes..." and just go with it. Thank me later! read more

Came here on multiple occasions and have always had a great time here! They do change up their menu once in a while which keeps things interesting and fun! The music here is great, the service here is efficient and friendly, the drinks are outstanding, and the food here is tasty. All of these factors lead to a great night! We ordered the Tokyo Summer, Kapparita, and StayCations. All of hear drinks were phenomenal and expertly crafted. The drinks were tasty and did their jobs! As for food, we ordered the Takoyaki and the Okonomiyaki! Upon reviewing the prices, they are more expensive than what you would see on Japanese fare type of restaurants, but it is completely worth it!! The quality of the food is super amazing! The depths of flavor are incredible. The Takoyaki was crispy golden brown on the outside and not overly gooey on the inside and had multiple pieces of octopus inside! The Okonomiyaki was just as flavorful and the crispy bacon on top gave such an amazing juxtaposition of textures! Highly recommend this place! read more

Booze Box - Takoyaki (comes with 4 pieces) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Yes, this is the place to be. I was here on a Thursday night. The staff were friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The music was great and you can still hold a conversation. The food was amazing! I love the many drink options and there were plenty to choose from. Overall I had a good time here. read more

Booze Box - I'm so in love with this place! Love the Chicken Karaage-Spicy&Honey is the real deal. Good service, food & drinks! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love, love, LOVE Booze Box! I'm big on the speakeasy vibe and the entrance to this little gem is as mystical and secretive as it gets! There's a cool red arrow pointing to a door in an alley in the West Loop. When you open it - you're faced with a set of stairs. Descend and you have entered the basement lair that is Booze Box. This is a very sake forward bar. If you are not into sake you may be able to find something else to drink that you'll enjoy, but you probably won't have as good of a time as your sake drinking brethren. They take reservations which is cool - you can also order food from Sushi Dokku upstairs during certain hours (at least you could last time I was there). They have their own menu as well I believe. There is some $8 fat glass of milky sake that I am a fan of. Might be a nigori? I've gotten the sake flight before but I recommend the fat glass over the flight. Haven't been in a while - I need to lasso someone into going with me again soon! read more

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My goto spot when guest come to town. Got the right amount of everything. Diverse, energy, atmospheric, mojo for real celebs to regulars. Any body could be anybody. Also neither here nor there, but it has a futuristic quality to it. Like it could be a cut scene from Blade Runner. Really the place is cool. read more

Even though I may love a place, I tend to not frequent any single place, as the city is ever-growing with new places, and I can't help but want to try every single one. However, Booze Box is the exception as a regular destination and rightfully so. I have been here numerous times now, starting from when they opened and during various times of the day from after work to late night. Each time, I've had great service. Sometimes, it can be a little packed, but other times, it's been comfortably busy. I've been able to snag a booth (w/ and w/o res) and other times, I enjoyed sitting at the bar. I'm not a big gin drinker, but found the 'Southside' drink to be thoroughly enjoyable. I've been on the hunt for the best takoyaki and theirs is definitely up there. Great selection of sake and whiskeys. I've found their pricing to be very reasonable. Overall, I love the ambiance and their offerings and it's always a great time. Also, live DJ who is great and plays fittingly chill but upbeat music. read more

I love a good Izakaya but the one we used to vo to closed and we haven't been to a good one since. Well well well, Booze Box you sweet mutha sucka! This place is dope. Cool people. Cool bar staff. Great music. I remember hearing Marvin Gaye, something alternative followed by reggae. The white dude across knew all the words to Water Bom Bom. Props for that. But yeah, cool joint. Wasnt too crowded at all. read more

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This place completely surprised me. A friend and I made reservations for a Friday night to come here and expected overpriced sushi but I can honestly say this place has the absolutely BEST Tako Yaki I have ever tasted in my entire life. This place is a gem and if I lived in Chicago, I'd be here every weekend. It's worth every penny! We started with drinks naturally - the Lychee cocktail and the chef's choice Saki Sampler. Great choices, although I couldn't finish the Saki. For an appetizer, my friend prefers cooked dishes so we went ahead and ordered the Tako Yaki - this dish blew me away. It came out super hot so the fish flakes were melting on top and appeared to be 'dancing.' Once we got over the spectacle and Snapchatted the dish to our friends (obviously), I dove in for a taste and this is absolutely one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life. Perfectly fried batter with chopped octopus, which was so, so tender. Wishing I had this dish in front of me right now. For our main dishes, my friend ordered the shrimp tempura roll and I ordered the seated salmon & albacore. My dish was spicy since it's made with chili ponzu, but the addition of cilantro was the perfect compliment to the heat. We didn't have room for dessert, but if I could turn back time, I would have ordered another Tako Yaki just because it was so amazing. Whoever made these has hands of gold. I have not stopped raving about this dish since I got back from my trip to Chicago. We visited the Booze Bar downstairs after dinner which was packed and continued our night with Lychee cocktails. Perfect place to end our girls night. Bottom Line: Don't skip this place! Order the Tako Yaki and prepare to be blown away. read more

I went for pre-dinner drinks and appetizers on a Friday night recently and this place hit the spot. The ambiance is where Booze Box shines, and it starts before you even enter. The nondescript entrance in an alleyway, marked only by a red arrow above the door, leads you to believe that you are part of a rarefied group of people who even know this place exists. That feeling of exclusivity continues when you walk down the stairs into this cool underground bar with limited seating. The red lighting gives it an otherworldly vibe, transporting you out of the typical Chicago bar scene. The cocktails are creative and overall above average in quality with average cocktail pricing. We got the vegetable tempura as an appetizer and were pleasantly surprised. As we are mochi fanatics, we couldn't help ourselves and ordered a set of four as a pre-dinner dessert and had absolutely no regrets. Overall I definitely recommend visiting Booze Box for its unique vibe and above average cocktails and food. read more

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Behind Coast, Booze Box has some of my favorite sushi in Chicago. My favorite item on the menu by far though, is the oyster shooter. If you're on the fence, order one--the combination of flavors is out of this world (you'll want another). To drink, I usually order something from the sake menu since they have a nice selection. I also enjoyed the Southside cocktail (a good choice if you're looking for something not too sweet). The vibe here is laid-back but sexy--their music genre of choice is old school hip-hop, and the crowd is varied but usually on the younger side (late 20s to 30s). The red lanterns give the basement interior a cool ambiance; however, the LED lights lining the shelves overhead the bar are harsh and offset the mood a bit. Overall a very cool spot if you're looking for something different on Randolph St. read more

Booze Box - Oyster shooter—outstanding. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cozy basement bar below Sushi Dokku. Hip hop playing loud enough to enjoy, but low enough to have a conversation. Elegant, sexy vibe with red lighting and dark shadows. Friendly bartenders, great food. We had the chicken with herbs and salt and pepper and it was OUT OF CONTROL GOOD. So juicy, crunchy, the spice came on the side so you can control the amount you want. Also had the tuna roll which had just enough heat to it, and two pieces of amberjack nigiri. Delicious. Also tried the lychee cocktail and it was absolutely delicious. Pro tip: they have the FULL Sushi Dokku menu downstairs, so you can get whatever you want!!! We walked in around 7:30 on a Thursday night and sat down at the bar immediately. We'll definitely be back. read more

Moshi Moshi! It's a small cramped bar that smells like tempura and the funk of a thousand heavy handed pours; I'm in love. The entrance to this place is in a dark alley that has a red neon arrow pointing down to some "Hostelesque" looking basement stairs. You walk in and the place opens up to a lively music filled spot. The DJ was spinning from the actual bar and not a DJ booth, which I haven't seen in a while, but I found it oddly comforting. Seating booths line the outer area of the bar so you can sit and eat some small tapas or enjoy the vibes of this part-time sushi restaurant, part time Japanese lounge. Oh yeah did I mention there's a sushi place directly above the Booz Box? It's called, Sushi Dokku. I was only here for about an hour, so I didn't get to try the food, but just for the uniqueness of this place it's worth checking our for a drink or two. read more

This place is a MUST VISIT!!! The super cool semi-hidden back alley entrance sets the mood just right as it offers a completely different atmosphere from the restaurant upstairs. The darker basement atmosphere is cozy, intimate yet energetic. The food speaks for it self as there isn't a single item on their menu that I could throw any criticism towards. Amazing drinks and and food and if you need a recommendation, they genuinely seek out your likes/dislikes and offer the most spot on recommendations. Both the Bartending staff and the waitstaff offer the best service you're going to find on Green Street. For my birthday, had reservations for 6 and we arrived about 10 minutes early. My table was still occupied, so we were invited to sit at the bar and "the box" was buying the first round of drinks and appetizer while we waited. Our wait was only 10 minutes, so we were actually seated at the table before the appetizer arrived. I really wasn't expecting them to do anything special for a short wait, but i was really impressed with their genuine attention to the matter. Needless to say, I abundantly recommend the Booze Box read more

I think this spot is super cool! It's a speakeasy so you'll impress whoever you take there. Drinks are great, recommend the matcha shots!

This spot is located in the basement of sushi dokku. Its kind of hard to find cause you have to go through the back and theres like no signs really pointing you to the entrance, which is in an alleyway. Its kind of speakeasy ish in a way, but also not so much cause there was a live dj. Crowd was pretty lively and its semi crowded just cause its a small space. The music wasnt overbearingly loud tho which I like. Also they let you hang up your coats for free. I aint from chicago so I honestly dont know how many places have free coat check, but this was def a plus for me. Bouncer and staff were also very friendly. Drinks-- They have a lot of kind of unique sake cocktails, and they also have sake on draft. My bushido was $10 and my Fallin sake draft was $13. Overall, this spot isnt a bad spot to check out when bar hopping, but I wouldnt spend my whole night here. read more

A hidden gem! Wow. I went to Booze Box last night for the first time. It's crazy because I frequent the area and I had no idea what I was missing. A friend of mine invited me out to the place. I'm the kind of girl that checks Yelp when my friends recommend. I like to see what I'm getting myself into. Lol. When I saw sushi and good drinks I was on board. Thanks to the other Yelpers I was able to find the place very easily. Anyway on to what I ordered. I kept it pretty simple and order The Dragon Roll & one of their signature cocktails, Kapparita. Let me tell you THEIR DRAGON ROLL WAS THE BOMB.COM OMG!!!!!! I felt like heaven was in my mouth. Seriously! This will now be my go to spot when I'm in the West Loop. Sooo delicious. The tasty drink to wash it all down was the icing on the cake. No complaints over here. I really like this spot. read more

Booze Box - Signature Drink, Kapparita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I found out about Booze Box while looking on Yelp for new places to check out in the West Loop. I think I saw it described as an underground Japanese bar that serves street food inspired appetizers. That sounded like awesomeness, so we decided to check it out on a Friday night. I read that the entrance would be in the alley behind Sushi Dokku, so I was expecting something more like the entrance for Three Dots. But the alley behind just looked like a normal alley with dumpsters around. There was one door though that was semi-decorated with wood or something and two guys were standing near it. We didn't wanna look like total Booze Box rookies, so we just rolled up to the guys without asking them if it was the right place and whipped out our IDs like we knew the whole time. Awww yea...walked in like we were regulars. Ambiance: The space was dark and cozy, and the general atmosphere was real chilled out. There was a DJ spinning some music in the front and there was just a rectangular bar in the center of the room with stools (they aren't moveable btw) all around. Along the walls were semi-enclosed wooden booths, which looked perfect for groups. It was pretty dim but there were red lights glowing all throughout the place. I absolutely loved the vibe of this place. Drinks: They had a huge variety of sake as well as cocktails and various Japanese beers. I tried the Gin Mule, which was good, but I definitely wanna try some of the Japanese whiskeys I saw the next time I come back. They had a lot of drinks that you can't necessarily get any many other bars, so it was a nice change of pace from my usual makers+diet order. Food: We were actually more excited to try the stuff on the bites menu than anything else. Since we already ate dinner, we just ordered a few things. I will definitely come back to try the rest of the food on the menu though. Tako yaki - Deep fried balls filled with octopus and Japanese mayo. Loved the crispy outside and the super creamy texture of the inside. The fish flakes on top were wilting from the heat of the balls, which kinda gave a cool movement effect that made the dish look alive haha. Deviled Eggs - Probably some of the best deviled eggs I've ever had. They captured such a bold essence of Asian flavors that I've never tasted in deviled eggs before. Awesome combination of seaweed and chili oil. Chicken Karaage - I ate the bones?!? Warning: this karaage wasn't boneless like most of the ones I've tried, so don't just dive right in and take a huge bite like I did lol. These were pretty big pieces of fried chicken that were perfectly crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside. Instead of a dipping sauce, it came with a dry salt and pepper mixture. Overall, I was really impressed by Booze Box. I loved the vibe, the variety of Japanese liquor and the awesome Izakaya style small plates. I will definitely be back. read more

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Our last dinner in a Chicago and we found this little gem! There was 4 of us, their kitchen was closing in 15 mins so we ordered everything we could. Felt like we ordered the whole menu. My most FAVORITE was the truffle butter tuna nigiri. It was 2 pieces for $11 I believe. Seems pricey but if you try it you won't regret it. read more

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I went here on a Friday night and it was very busy as to be expected! The entrance is down an alley way and in a basement. I have a weird love of bars down alley ways and basements, they seem mysterious for some reason. Haha! The place is fairly small so be ready to be a little crowded. After standing for a bit we were lucky to get a table. I loved my drink that I got, it was something with gin, I think called Gin Nana. My group got a variety of drinks and everyone loved them! Some of the group got chicken wings as well and they said they were very good and reasonably priced. The cocktails will run you about 14 dollars which I think is the usual for a good cocktail. read more

Booze Box - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great bar! I went here for my friend's birthday. She reserved 2 booths, but when we got there, only 1 of them was available. We sat cozily in the booth, patiently waiting until the group sitting there was finished. Our server was very friendly and apologized about the booth and ended up taking off some items from our bill to compensate for the wait. I started with the Bourbon Basil cocktail (Henry DuYore's bourbon, lemongrass syrup & basil). It was very strong! It's definitely a one and done kind of drink especially if you don't drink a lot. I really liked the ambiance of the bar. I felt like I was in a Japanese izakaya. It was very dark and moody. The music was good too! My friend knew the DJ so that was an added bonus. I ordered the tako yaki (pan-fried round dumpling, diced octopus, Japanese mayo, unagi sauce & bonito flakes) from the bites menu. One order includes four pieces. When our server brought the plate, the bonito flakes moved around looking as though it was alive. I don't know if it was the sauce or the bonito flakes, but I thought it was too salty. My friends tried it and thought the same thing. Next time, I'll order something different. Some of my friends ordered from the Sushi Dokku (restaurant that's upstairs) menu and enjoyed their food. I had a fun time at Booze Box. The atmosphere, drinks and service were all great. I definitely want to come back! read more

Booze Box - Tako Yaki & Bourbon Basil Cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

All of the drinks were excellent. The Something Spicy is no joke. Very hot! The sushi was also excellent as were the mini filet mignons. Amazing service to boot and a great aesthetic. Definitely will be back when we return to Chicago! read more

Did you have any idea that Japanese speak-easys were a thing? Me neither, until I heard about this awesome little gem in West Loop! The alleyway entrance is a bright red arrow, but you can also enter from inside by the bar. The steps lead down to a small, yet trendy, space with booths along the perimeter of the room and the bar in the middle, which leaves for plenty of bar seating. The menu is amazing - I didn't realize that you also get the Dokku menu, so there are so many food options! I highly recommend sampling the specialty cocktails. I tried the momotaro and chill gin mojito. The momotaro was good, very light and sweet, but the chili gin mojito is what I would return for. A refreshing mojito with a kick of chili powder - yum! For food, we ordered both off of the Booze Box bites menu and the Dokku menu. We started with the Tako Yaki (a pan-fried dumpling with bonito flakes) and chicken karaage (japenese fried chicken). From there, we had the crispy maguro maki and the chef's special. Overall, it was a fantastic meal with interesting drinks and great ambience. Weekend tip: if you are planning on eating here on a Friday or Saturday night and want a booth for your group, make a reservation. read more

Booze Box - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered half the menu, so it's hard to recall what exactly we ate! But everything was good and the service was amazing! I DO remember the dessert, which was the Mochi Balls: Sesame, Pistachio, Vanilla Bean and Organe Cream. They were delicious!!!!!! The Japanese Fried Chicken was said to be delicious by the rest of my group, and I really loved the fresh Miso Soup read more

This is one of my new favorite places in the city. The food is so good! I love that you can order anything from Sushi Dokku upstairs. The sushi was great and the takoyaki is my favorite so far in Chicago. The ambiance is nice - great to hang with a group of friends or to go on a romantic date! It's pretty dark but it's spacious and has a whole bar too in addition to other seating. read more

Recommend booking a reservation . This place is totally a great basement bar concept, but space is limited. Food is brought from upstairs restaurant and drinks are on point. Try the oyster shooters. read more

Booze Box - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My friends and I came here for dinner on a Tuesday. We had a reservation, and I'm glad I made one because it was decently crowded. We ordered the chicken karaage, seaweed salad, tako yaki, and a few rolls (including the Godzilla roll). Overall the food was great! The tako yaki is the best I've had in the area, but the chicken karaage was only ok. The rolls were really tasty though! We also got wine and our waitress had good recommendations. We had a fun night out for dinner in a fun and lively atmosphere! read more

This is the rebellious Asian black sheep little brother to Sushi Dokku!!!! This is the Shanghai basement DJ spinning rave party you've been looking for to Kickstart your weekend into high gear with fantastic cocktails and premium grade sushi to fuel you thru the early morning hours of a night out!!! Highly recommend the Snow Maiden unfiltered sake. A must try are the oyster shooters!! And when they say spicy tuna, there is no mistaking it is spicy!! ;-) Welcome to pulp fiction meets the East. Recommended for weekend launch off spot, also a great gem to hide out from the world during the week! read more

Booze Box - Ecuador Maki - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm glad to have stumbled upon Booze Box. Walking up to the unmarked door with a red arrow glaring above it and deciding to go down the dark staircase may seem a bit intimidating, but don't be. This place is not pretentious or judge mental at all. The crowd is a bit older than your average college bar, which is nice. The space is very small, but very comfortable. The bartenders are great and make sure that you are well taken care of. The waitresses and friendly, and the best part is that you can order from the full Sushi Dokku menu (the restaurant above Booze Box) while their kitchen is open. The drinks were great and unique. I've had spicy alcoholic drinks before and they were pretty blah, but these jalapeño drinks were delicious and the ingredients paired nicely. The sushi we ordered (just a spicy tuna roll) was also top notch! If you are strolling around Randolph Street and want a place to chill with friends, this is a great place to go. It does seem to get crowded, but we only had to wait a few minutes for a table. It was worth it. read more

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Small bar. Great drinks. Busy area. A friend and I stopped by on a Friday night and it was reggae night. The music was awesome. The drinks are good. Just strong enough. The bar is located downstairs from Sushi Dokku so it's kind of dark, no windows, etc. Parking is usually difficult to find because the area is busy. On the upside, the busy area makes it easy to barhop. read more

Second time here in the last two months was yesterday 9/18/21. Sushi is very good here especially the Ecuador roll. Absolutely order this roll and you will not be disappointed. My friend wanted the northern California which was still good but not as tasty as the Ecuador! Absolutely avoid the Tuna microgreens...ordered two rolls the first time here and that was a huge mistake. Had to come back just for drinks with two other friends. Cranes landing is made with tequila and definitely can taste the tequila but very refreshing. Pear up was too much mago flavor for me but if you love mango definitely something that you may be interested in! Overall great vibe and will be back with more friends. read more