good spot but i used my card to pay , they ended up charging me again the next day for no reason…read morehuge hassle use cash , happend twice btw got my money back obviously but huge waste of time and playing with my money

My friend and I decided to grab quick drinks and a snack at ghost donkey. After multiple failed…read moreattempts in the past, we finally reached at the time and day when there was no wait. Overall, the ambience was dive bar ish but very Mexican. They even have a big donkey structure at the entrance. The server was quick to come and take our order. We got some cups and guac, mushroom margarita cocktail and the highland picnic cocktail. The cocktails were great and chips were under slayed but the guac made up for it. Overall, the place wasn't expensive. I will def be back when there is no wait :p

Friendly and lively dive bar (4/5 Green Stars) Waiting for…read moretake-out from nearby Lou Malnati's, we wandered into Rossi's for a quick drink. It's a reasonably-priced busy dive bar in the heart of Chicago. I asked the bartender if she had a beer + shot deal and she said "no, but you can order a beer and shot." And so we did! Noise level is fairly high, thanks to a lively crowd plus a jukebox. They don't normally serve food but I think are fine with customers bringing in your own food, and you can also place an order from a nearby restaurant (I don't recall which one). And yes, it's cash only so bring some money if you don't want to pay ATM fees! 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. I like bars that allow customers to bring (or order) their own food - it allows for all diets! The one thing I'd like to see is more beer on tap - even just one good rotating local beer (e.g., Goose Island). Draft beer has smaller environmental footprints compared to bottled or canned.

Recently stopped by Rossi's Liquors and this place is the definition of a dive bar, in the most…read moreauthentic way possible. After a quick ID check at the door, the bouncer let us know it's cash only (thankfully we came prepared). From the moment we walked in, dim lighting, loud music, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds gave the vibe of a full-on frat party, but not in a bad way. It's chaotic, energetic, and unapologetically no-frills. There's even a self-serve cooler with drink prices clearly listed underneath. I grabbed a Sapporo Premium, brought it to the counter, and our friendly bartender broke our change and offered a chilled glass to pour it into. Simple and efficient. That said, it was loud, so loud that even whispering-distance conversations were a struggle. The space is small, seating is limited, and since we couldn't snag a spot, we ended up leaving shortly after finishing our drinks. This feels like a better weekday hang than a packed weekend night. Still, if you're looking for a classic, gritty, no-frills dive experience, Rossi's delivers exactly that.

Gus's Sip & Dip had me at the mid-century modern interior -- exactly my kind of place. We grabbed…read morespots at the bar around 2pm on a Friday and within 30 minutes it was packed, which tells you everything you need to know. We ordered the Pinky Gonzales, a cosmo, and a sazerac -- all excellent and all $12, which feels almost too good. The Wagyu beef dip was the real standout. I'm thinking about it again at 9am the next morning, so make of that what you will. Would absolutely return!!

Sometimes you just have to show up and say yes…read more A college friend was in town, and whenever he visits Chicago, he's always looking for great bars, unique drinks, and interesting places to explore. He's deeply involved in the beverage scene, and with a partner who is starting a mezcal company, they're always on the hunt for standout cocktail programs. This time, we ended up at Gus' Sip & Dip, located at 51 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654. While we were there, a friend mentioned that Gus' Sip & Dip has been recognized among the top food and drink destinations in the country, and after my visit, I can absolutely see why. The atmosphere is fantastic, think modern speakeasy with a touch of 1940s charm. The space features rich green tones, cozy booths, and an intimate layout that works especially well for small groups. Larger parties can take advantage of some of the bigger tables throughout the space. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. Just be aware that this place is popular, so depending on when you visit, there may be a wait. As for the food and drinks, everything we tried was excellent. I didn't manage to get photos of everything, but a few highlights included the burger, the Italian beef dip, and the chicken pot pie. Every dish was flavorful and well executed. The cocktails were equally impressive, every drink I sampled was thoughtfully crafted and delicious. I would absolutely come back. The only thing worth noting is that it's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're looking for great food, exceptional drinks, and a memorable atmosphere, it's money well spent. If you have the budget and good company, Gus' Sip & Dip is a true gem in downtown Chicago. 5 out of 5 stars.

It was so cold at the Bears game that we decided to find somewhere inside to watch it and Barstool…read morewas a great choice for that. I like it when bars play the game sound instead of music when the game is on. The mozzarella sticks were awesome too.

This place, without a doubt, has the GOAT Buffalo Chicken Dip--it is the best I have ever tasted…read moreand is a mandatory order. The bar delivers on every front: they offer great drinks and generous pours, the atmosphere is fantastic with engaging live music, and the entire staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. If you're looking for the perfect place for a game day or just a great night out, this is it!

Ila's is officially one of my favorite date night spots in Chicago!…read more From the moment we walked in, the vibe was everything--moody, intimate, cozy, and perfect for a night out. Whether you're celebrating something special or just looking for a great dinner, the atmosphere alone makes it worth a visit. The service was phenomenal. Our server checked in frequently without ever feeling intrusive, and we always felt taken care of. That level of attentiveness really elevated the entire experience. The drinks were outstanding. I ordered an Old Fashioned, and it was one of the most unique versions I've ever had. Smoky, strong, flavorful, and incredibly well-balanced. If you're a cocktail lover, don't skip the drinks. We started with the Little Gem salad, which was fresh, tangy, and the perfect way to kick off the meal. Light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. For mains, we tried both the steak sandwich and the chicken sandwich. Both were fantastic--crispy, flavorful, served on great bread, and paired with delicious sides. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either. But the real star of the evening? The Sweet Corn Agnolotti. My. God. This dish completely stole the show. It was one of the most unique pasta dishes I've ever tasted, and I still think about it to this day. The flavor profile was complex, creative, and unlike anything I've had before. Every bite brought something new, and it absolutely blew our minds. Amazing food, incredible cocktails, attentive service, and a beautiful atmosphere. Ila's delivered on every level, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable meal in Chicago.

Loved this place. Came in for dinner and the staff was very friendly. Music wasn't too loud and…read moreeverything we tried was great. I had very strict dietary restrictions and the waiter helped me navigate the menu and provided options within my diet. AMAZING EXPERIENCE. We will 10000000% be back to try the full menu as soon as I am able to! Definitely recommend for a date night or any time. 10/10

Theres no lack of words, but, for what can manifest, it's incredible! Take a friend, take a date,…read moreenjoy the journey. I will say that drinks are heavily dependent on the person and their mood, but Matt is A+. I said "Take me on a journey" and he walked me through clarified toasted coconut, spirit-forward rum quality, to a crunchy shaved melon masterpiece. I'm terrified to come back and not experience the same thing. Great work!

We come here every year for the restaurant show and each time the cocktail are new and exciting…read more The bartender even remembered us from last year. !! We had a great time sitting at the bar. Tried 3 cocktails and the bartender was gracious enough to let me sample a new rum he loved. The clarified cocktails are delish and a def labor of love. The Saturn frappe was so good and their selection is unmatched. It's a great place to have a tropical cocktail and enjoy.

This bar is perfectly located on the lobby floor of the Springhill Suites…read more It doesn't have a lot of food options but what it does offer, is pretty good. We started with a regular and a Strawberry Mint Mule. We also ordered the Chicken Quesadillas. Nice portion, shared by 2. Perfect last stop of the day before heading to our room. The bartenders are Avery polite and attentive. It's a cozy setting with enough sitting space.

I visited Holloway's Bar for happy hour while staying at the Springhill Suites Downtown Chicago. I…read moreopted to sit at the bar. It wasn't packed, which was great, since I was decompressing from work. The happy hour menu a variety of drinks and small bites. I opted for the Love potion for drinks. It was very whimsical, yet good. I was craving something sweet, so I decided to go with the salted caramel brownie. It sounded wayyy better than it actually tasted. The brownie was hard and difficult to bite into. It was really warm, so the ice cream didn't really melt. It was pretty underwhelming. Thankfully the drinks made up for that. The service was decent and the ambiance was nice. I'd recommend this for a drink for sure!

Overall: The novelty of Bunny Slope is amazing, but after it wears off the realizations kick in…read more The good: Really fun and neat concept, especially in the heart of downtown. Sometimes, nothing beats a few (or many) drinks in a hottub. They even provide a nifty shower for cleaning up afterwards. The decor is pretty neat as well. The not-so-good: The space isn't huge, wouldn't comfortably fit more than 10-12 people. They don't have normal drinks here, the beers I tried were disgusting, so I just stuck to good ol' scotch. That said, the other cocktails sounded interesting (they were all mostly fruity). The hottub was way too hot, none of us could stay in it very long. You have to go outside of the room to change, possibly running into other hotel guests or whatever is above grounds.

Really nice places for a group outing. The room was perfect size to move around, drink and dance…read more It was 12 of us in the room. I like that we had our own personal bartender. Drinks were very reasonable price. Tequila and cranberry was 8, 12 for a double. The jacuzzi was perfect temperature. Everything seemed sanitary and clean. I really like that they provide FREE lockers to hold our things in. They also provided a speaker so we could play our own music. Free towels but I'd bring your own sandals. I don't think they serve food. It was in the basement of a hotel but I'd definitely recommend to go.