We got the perfect fall day to enjoy this wine bar! They have a large patio and while it was empty…read morewhen we arrived, it filled up very fast. I loved the tapas and cheese board offerings! We had six people and we ordered chorizo, 2 of the pan de tomate, and a cheese board and it was a good amount of food. I loved their wine selection, especially both of the orange wines, but my favorite was actually the red vermouth. I don't find this often in restaurants so it was a pleasant surprise. This place is definitely a must go in Wicker!

Came here on a Thursday with my family (three of us). We came around 5pm…read more It was pretty empty, and we were able to get a table outside. I got a sparkling wine, and my partner got a tea. We got my child a lemonada soda (although we had to ask again to get it). We also got sparkling water for the table and the server accidentally filled our glasses while walking by with still water. Not too big of a deal but it was gross when they mixed. We got the hummus crudité, it came with 2 largely cut pieces of French bread and a couple radish slices and a 2 cucumber slices. Overall it was fine, nothing special. Service was average.

If you like cute and trendy wine bars, you have to go to Outside Voices. This was my first spot on…read moremy Chicago trip visiting my best friend. We met up here. I walked from the Blue Line and felt extremely safe. It's in such a pretty part of town. There are plenty of seating spaces both inside and outside. When you arrive, you find a table you like and then go up to the counter to order. They have QR codes everywhere so you can see the menu online. If you like natural wines this is the place for you. The people who work here are absolutely incredible. I came straight from the airport so had my suitcase and one of the bartenders offered to take my bag to the back which I adored. My friend also took a really long time to get there from work so I just hung out for a while and they didn't make me feel too weird about it. One of them even gave me a generous pour of the wine I got. I also ordered us a meat and cheese board which was simple, but nice. Do know that the prices are a bit high here. If you want to get a full bottle of wine the average price is about $60 for a bottle. The aesthetics of this bar are A+. It is really loud inside. The name says it all, you will be using outside voices. While we adored this place, the music was a bit loud so it was a little hard to catch up. That being said, we made the most of it. It also was the spot that I asked her to be my bridesmaid so it'll forever have a special place in my heart. If you're looking for a cute and trendy place, with fun music blasting, and a great vibe, this is it. I highly recommend Outside Voices.

Went for happy hour on a Friday and it was very cute! The place was a bit dead when we got there…read moreinitially but soon enough pretty much all tables were taken. They have plenty of board games and a disco diner vibe going on. Would recommend for a girls night out. Fav on the menu - dry rosé cider, fries with garlic aioli

This is easily the coolest speakeasy I've been to in Chicago so far!…read more From the moment we checked in for our reservation, we were treated with amazing service. The walk through the kitchen, being greeted by every employee was so sweet and a nice part of the experience. Once we made it to the actual location, it was a dark and sexy vibe. All of the drinks and food was delicious. A bit pricey, but thankfully my partner paid . This would be an amazing date night spot to surprise someone with. It was dark so I didn't get many photos, but just go, you have to experience it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! A great date night option. You get to go…read morethrough the kitchen for the whimsical entrance (and the back exit is also quite cute). Cocktails are delicious and the ambiance is very cozy and moody. I loved everything we tried (fries, croquettes and burger are not pictured but still really good) and it's a plus to be able to order from the SKY menu. It's truly the best of both worlds. The service was also very friendly and guided us through entrance, ordering and exit. I will definitely return.

Originally back in October 2021, My husband and I came here for the dinner to try their infamous…read moreeggplant parmesan since then we have tried over half of the menu and everything has been delicious! Outside of their dinner service, we have now become regular visitors on Tuesday nights for their wine tasting, each week João and his team curate tasting based on a theme or region and we get to come in and learn while also trying some amazing wine without having to venture outside of Chicago. We've tried Orange wines, something I knew nothing about and we also visited areas where we thought we were familiar with like Napa or France but the team continuous exposes up hidden gems we may have never known about even in those areas Tuesdays at Verve have quickly become our favorite night of the week, and we currently plan to keep coming back for as long as we can.

First time at Verve and went for their Burgers and Burgundy night. Wasn't really sure what to…read moreexpect here. The menu had a few more items than expected so we each got the Ilixr burger and split some Gruyère fries. The burger was decent, but a little pricey for a pretty basic à la carte burger. I also wasn't a huge fan of the sauce and probably should've asked for no pickles. The Gruyère fries were also nothing special. Luckily we got the giardiniera on the side because it was pretty spicy. There were 4-5 wines to choose from and we both really liked the ones we picked! Would go back next time for just the wine and maybe to buy something or go to an event to learn more about wine.

This is one of the best spots in the city. Came here last week on a date and it was basically…read moreperfect -- has a cool ambiance, relaxed vibe, good music and at the right volume, excellent wine and small plate selection, and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I didn't get a chance to go to the patio outside, but I will definitely try it out next time. Special shoutout to the staff who recommended some amazing wines I would have otherwise never heard of.

Stopped into this wine bar on a rainy Sunday right when they opened with five of my friends. They…read morewere able to seat us immediately in the spacious corner booth. The ambiance is really nice without feeling too "stuffy". Bar was gorgeous and service was friendly and helpful, allowing my boyfriend to sample some wines before going in on some bottles. Prices were what you'd expect for a trendy natural wine bar. The complimentary corn nuts in the antique dish were a cute touch. The charcuterie board with mixed meat and cheese was really small though. Only three pieces of cheese for five people... it made it feel like an awkward fight over who'd get to try some. The gluten free crackers were appreciated though. We ended up ordering more food including the "party tray" which I would describe more as charcuterie nachos. We didn't really know what to expect with this one so we got the canned mussels but it really would've tasted better with the prosciutto instead. It included a whipped cheese, olives, and cornichons piled onto potato chips. Less of a tray and more of a nacho-style dish. If we return next time we're in town, I'd skip the food and focus more on the wine. Beyond that, it was a fun time!

Amazing Experience at Penumbra Wine Bar!…read more Penumbra Wine Bar is such a great spot! The atmosphere is romantic, intimate, and perfect for a date night or a special night out. The food, drinks, and overall vibe make the experience feel extra special. If you're looking for a cozy, elevated dining experience in Chicago, this place is definitely worth checking out. Easy street parking as well!

This establishment is amazing. The husbae and I decided on Penumbra for our Sunday date night, and…read morelet me tell you, we were not disappointed. From, the service, to the food, to the ambiance, everything was near perfect. Our reservation was at 6pm but we arrived about 10 minutes early. We were greeted and seated immediately. We were seated in one of their semi-private tables surrounded by sheer curtains. Alex was our server, he greeted us right away, and started us with waters. Alex gave us time to look over the menu before taking our drink orders. We did let him know it was our first time dining at Penumbra and would like anything recommendations he had to offer. He provided his recommendations, which were the jalapeño shrimp, the ribeye, and the salmon. My husband went with the surf and turf (ribeye and lobster), and I went with the salmon. Before our meal they serve you a complimentary sipping soup (potato rosemary bisque). We also ordered drinks. He had a mojito and I had a caipirinha. It took a little time for our meal but not more than 10-15 minutes. Everything was prepared as we ordered it, hot, and delicious. If you're in Chicago and looking for a good meal, nice romantic ambiance, and good food, you will not be disappointed with Penumbra.

Great snacking food. Wonderful ambiance for a date or catching up with friends. Service is…read moreexceptional. Except for Jason- everything is his fault. (Just kidding. He is 10/10). My favorite wine bar in the city.

I really like this place! The vibe is very cozy, especially on a winters day. They have little…read morefireplaces in the back that are nice to sit next to. The wait staff was also incredibly nice. I really enjoyed our charcuterie board, especially the two meats. The cheese we chose was good as well. I look forward to coming back!

I had the most fantastic dinner at figo! The service was incredible, our server Laura was so…read morefriendly, helpful and hospitable. The food is unbelievable! You can really taste the difference between figo and other places, the high quality of the food exceeds my expectations every time I go! My favorite dishes are the tagliatelle and the gnocchi! This place is perfect for a date night, outing with friends or even a lowkey dinner after work! 10/10 would recommend to locals and visitors!

My roommate and I came to Figo to celebrate our first week of work and it did not disappoint! We…read moreordered two glasses of white wine, an order of two types of cheese (hard and soft), the burrata, the meatballs, and the tuna crudo. Our waitress was very sweet and made our experience amazing. Will definitely be back because the atmosphere of the restaurant was perfect for a nice dinner

Chicago Winery is a standout venue that combines an upscale, intimate atmosphere with warm,…read moreprofessional service. It is a fantastic venue for couples who are looking for a modern, stylish space. Located right in the heart of Chicago, the space is beautifully designed--clean, contemporary, and inviting. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and easy to work with from start to finish. They truly made wedding planning a breeze. Chris Nehlsen was our event manager, and he was phenomenal throughout the entire process. He was so attentive, and I cannot imagine what our wedding day would have been without his attention to detail and careful planning. He was the true hero of the day when we had a mishap with the flowers, and he even amazed us the next day when one of our guests left something at the venue! Communication is clear and timely, and the team is organized and accommodating, which makes planning and day-of coordination feel smooth and stress-free. Their experience with weddings really shows in how seamlessly they manage the flow of the event, and think of every detail. The in-house wine adds a unique touch, and we especially enjoyed their fantastic champagne. As huge fans of craft beer, Chris did an amazing job with helping us provide our guests with so many options! Our His & Her cocktails were a big hit as well. For the most part, the food was outstanding, but there were some dishes that were very heavy on the salt. Our favorite was the braised short-rib and the mac-and-cheese was a huge favorite for our guests!

Was gifted the wine tasting and tour for my birthday which was a very fun experience. Great deal to…read morebuy wine after. I preferred the whites and was disappointed by the reds. We had the date package and ate at the restaurant after. I recommend the pork schnitzel and pierogis. We ordered four shareables but weren't blown away by the butternut squash fondue and gougeres. Loved our hostess for the wine tasting, but wish there was more guidance on tasting notes and wine terminology. I'd recommend though to any wine lovers, I still learned a lot!

Bisous is a Parisian-inspired romantic cocktail lounge in Fulton Market, and it delivers on…read moreatmosphere and craft. The cocktail menu mixes clever plays on classics with their own signature creations, and everything we tried was fantastic. It's no surprise they were named one of the 50 Best Bars in North America for 2026. I had what might be the best pink squirrel I've ever had: creamy, balanced, and a perfect take on the classic. We also tried one of their freezer martinis, which was beautifully cold, exactly how a martini should be. I can't wait to get back and work my way through more of the menu. If you're in Chicago and want a date-night spot or just a really well-made drink, put Bisous on your list.

I had a really positive experience at Bisous back in February when I went with my family. The…read morebartender paid attention to us, the cocktails were well made, and we left in a good mood. Because of that, I decided to stop by again on a recent Sunday evening around 7pm. The second visit was completely different. We got there early, knowing it would probably get busier later. Even so, tables near the bar stayed open the entire time we were there. Instead of seating us up front, they put us in the back area by ourselves, where there was no dedicated server. We basically had to wait until the bartender happened to look over and notice us before we could order. He was friendly when he came by, but having to rely on random glances from the bar is not how service should work. The drinks themselves were on the sweet side but acceptable. The bigger issue was the seating and the lack of attention. We were left alone in the back while open seats closer to the bar remained empty the whole night. I don't want to assume the hostess or manager treated us differently because we're Asian, but the decision felt strange and left us without real service. That person should be retrained or let go. Given how good the first visit was, this one was disappointing enough that I won't be coming back or recommending the place.