This was my second time at Dolly's, and my first visit was already great, so I came in with pretty high expectations. Somehow, this time was even better. The food was excellent all around. I got the steak tacos and they were seriously amazing. I also tried a couple of smaller sides like the rice and beans, and everything was really well seasoned. You can tell they put care into the details. The drinks were just as good. I tried one of the agave tequilas they recommended and it was super smooth and definitely top shelf. Service was friendly and attentive without feeling overdone, which I really appreciated. What stood out most this time was the atmosphere. They had live music going, and it really added to the whole experience. It is not something you see everywhere around here, and it made the night feel a little more special. Definitely a place I will be coming back to. read more

I've been to Dolly's a few times now and it's honestly becoming one of my favorite spots in Wheaton. Every visit has been a really good experience and the place just has a great atmosphere to it. Even when it's busy it still feels comfortable and welcoming instead of overcrowded. The decor and overall vibe really stand out. It feels more like a stylish downtown lounge or somewhere you would stumble into on a trip to Europe than a typical suburban bar. The music always fits the mood well and makes it easy to relax and enjoy the night. The cocktails have been consistently excellent and you can tell the bartenders actually care about what they're making. Every small plate I've tried so far has been really good. Last time I got the charcuterie board and the tin fish and honestly enjoyed both a lot. I'll definitely order them again at some point, although I'm still trying to work my way through the rest of the menu. One thing I've appreciated is that the staff and owner have always seemed genuinely involved in making sure people are having a good time without it ever feeling forced or over the top. It gives the place a more personal feel and definitely adds to the overall experience. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to. Really great addition to the Wheaton area. read more

This is another Grand Opening review. In addition to natural wines and cocktails (a page of house and a page of classics), they have a variety of whiskeys, agave, and even sake, in addition to a small nonalcoholic selection in the back of the menu. As the owners run the art and estate jewelry shop next door, I'm assuming all the fabulous art on the walls is absolutely real. There's no big painting of a naked lady above the bar, but there is a large one of several naked ladies and some swans off to the side. I had the Don't Rub Me the Wrong Way (pineapple /rum /rhubarb / sfumato) and a virgin Scarlet Serpent, which features hibiscus and a fancy foam top. Both were delightful and visually striking. There were a couple of other drinks I'll have to try next time. The Catalan tomato focaccia appeared to be essentially thin focaccia someone had squeezed a tomato onto with maybe a little garlic; it was surprisingly successful. They also offer charcuterie boards, or you could even get a burger or a veggie burger if you wanted. Service was friendly; I can't judge efficiency as the opening was very successful and the place was packed, which kept 4 or 5 people behind the bar hopping. The bar features velvet seats and purse hooks (a thoughtful touch), and you must check out the bathroom - fixtures are all black and it too is packed with fabulous art, including at least one Erte'. I'm not much of a wine drinker, but it is nice having a fancy cocktail place in town, particularly with such posh surroundings; I'll certainly be back. read more

Grand Opening Review! Dolly's Lounge has officially opened in Wheaton! They bring an offering of Natural Wines, Cocktails, Beer, Shareable Bites, and Seafood Plates. The inside feels like an European speakeasy with old world artwork, large feature bar, comfortable banquet seating, and some tables near the front windows that open up to the sidewalk. I visited with a larger group and tried a variety of their cocktails. I ordered the Velvet Blossom & Golden Forager. The Velvet Blossom was floral, bright, and had a good lemon curd tasting finish to it. The Golden Forager was sweeter, bright, and I loved the mascarpone cream. My friends also tried the Rub Me the Wrong Way, Crimson Serpent, Dolly's Martinez, and The Walnut & Apple. My favorite of these was the Dolly's Martinez which came with a caviar bite! I'm normally not the biggest gin fan but all drinks were well balanced. The owners were making rounds to all guests to check in how their experience was going, if we liked what we ordered, and gave some backstory behind Dolly's inspiration for them. They were extremely kind and you could see their pride in opening within the Wheaton area. Highly recommend coming out to check out this new spot! read more

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Went last night and had such a wonderful experience. The owners were incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely cordial -- they were present throughout the evening and truly made us feel welcome. The entire staff was excellent: professional, kind, and thoughtful, which really set the tone. They had booked a duo of Spanish guitarists, and the music was loud, passionate, and full of life in the best way. It felt like a special, Chicago‑only kind of experience, and what a gift it is to have that level of talent and energy brought to Wheaton. It added so much charm and made the night feel memorable and intentional. The cocktails were fantastic -- especially the Ziggy cocktail -- and the space felt cozy and beautifully curated. It's clear this place is run with care and heart, and supported by a truly great team. We'll absolutely be back. read more

I had such a fantastic time at Dolly's in Wheaton this past Saturday! The live music created an amazing energy--such a fun and lively atmosphere that made the whole night feel special. The music act was truly something unique. They had two guitarists playing Latin-inspired music, and it completely elevated the experience. The sound was vibrant, rhythmic, and incredibly engaging--honestly the kind of performance you'd expect to stumble upon in a place like Chicago or even New York City. It gave the whole evening a really special, almost transportive vibe. The staff was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, especially when it came to wine. I'd never tried natural wine before, and they introduced me to some truly fantastic options. I started with a flight so I could explore a few different varieties, and every single one was interesting and delicious. I ended up finding a favorite and enjoyed a full glass after--definitely a new appreciation for natural wines! Between the music, the great vibe, and the excellent wine selection, it was an all-around memorable experience. I'll absolutely be back! read more

We went on a Saturday night and it was fairly busy. However, we found two seats right in the middle of the bar. Ten minutes went by before any of the three bartenders even acknowledged us. Then it was difficult to order because the music was so loud it was deafening. Turn down the music!!!! We will not be back. read more

I really liked this place the first time I went. We did experience a very long cocktail wait time despite it not being busy, and we found a hair in the oysters, but I wrote it off as acceptable growing pains because the place is new, they addressed the oysters, and the cocktails were really good and maybe just take time to concoct. The lemon cocktail was awesome as well as one of the olive dishes, and we liked our server. The venue was quaint and cozy at the time, and I left rooting for it and wanting to return and even wanted to leave a positive review... I noticed these two cool tables in the back that I looked forward to revisiting. However, this second time was extraordinarily unforgivable, and I took a few hours to think on it if I wanted to call it out. I stand by the below: I tried to take some friends the second time this evening, and I was really excited to show off what I thought was becoming one of my new favorite spots in Wheaton. But, no. The live music was way too loud and they were pandering to something other than the french cafe vibe I was fond of the first time. I can understand a vibe change on a Saturday night, but this was a bit much for any place. Worse yet, two out of four of the employees seemed intoxicated: I even mistook one of them for an aggressive, intoxicated patron who literally walked two inches from my face with his seemingly glassy eyes and slurred speech and kept saying to me, "I advise you to sit up front. Yeah, you really want to sit up front." I literally thought he was part of this group claiming his territory against my smaller party by the two back tables. mind you someone just told us we could sit at the open table in the back as the only other table was messy and the bar and other tables were taken. He didn't say we couldn't sit there he was just "advising" we sit up front. If he didn't seem so intoxicated and explained that we "can't" sit there instead of just saying he advises we sit up front as well as saying hello or being welcoming or saying he actually works there, maybe I wouldn't be writing this review. To make matters worse, here comes another guy who has glasses, is bald, and wore a skeleton black and white shirt came and he said something similar, and I asked if it was ok if we just stay back here as the other table upfront was still messy and i couldn't hear by the speaker. I asked what's wrong with this table? This guy then went on to lean closer in toward me while I was sitting and yelled, "I don't give a shit where you sit!" and he stormed off. How am I supposed to do business with someone who just did that? A third guy with glasses, closer cropped facial hair, and spiked hair comes up and also asks if we "want" to sit up front. he was nice and said it was no problem if we sit back here when I asked if we could sit at the table we were already sitting at... This place needs more people like him.. calm and friendly and accommodating... Not once did anyone say they worked there, gave off an impression they worked there. Mind you, this all happened in a span of a very chaotic minute or two with way too many interactions from people I have no idea who they are because they didn't extend a welcome , identify themselves or come off as friendly. I only realized they worked there because I saw them bussing dishes after. Then, this lady with wine in her hand who I think is maybe the owner or the manager comes and is trying to scramble to get these very dirty tables cleaned upfront, and it's literally right next to a speaker that is going to make me deaf. I finally looked at my friends and just pointed to the door and demanded we leave. We found a much better, friendlier place. I've never been sworn at in a restaurant before or felt so unwelcome by a staff member anywhere.. I was shocked. I don't think I'll be going back any time soon, if at all. I can understand pressure and being busy in the restaurant business, but swearing at me when I did nothing or said nothing to warrant that is completely unacceptable out of the one guy, and the other "advisor" seemed so drunk and so hostile as well, and the other lady is literally clearing a table while she's sipping wine. I can live with the probable intoxicated "advisor" and the wine sipping manager (maybe owner?), but I hope the person who swore at me gets found out sooner rather later and the business reevaluates their decision on that particular individual. I felt for the guy with the spiked hair and glasses: he seemed to be the only one effective in his role tonight. I still have no idea why half of the staff seemed to be guarding that table with their life. There was another one just like it right in front of us with people sitting and standing. Again, half the staff seemed like they had no problem with us sitting in this nice little table... very disparate treatment. very puzzling. Very chaotic. read more

Decor was great. Party of 6, only 1 drink that rose to 'ok' was the Manhattan. Drinks were very low quality, shot glass in size and expensive. Service/bartenders were slow. Left after 1 round. Disappointing.... read more