We love visiting the game room for a fun afternoon with friends! It's a great space for a group to hang out casually. Service can be slow depending on how busy it is, but never too long. They have a great atmosphere and lots of space to hang out and relax. Would recommend if you're look for a chill spot in the loop! read more

I've visited the game room a few times - though this is the first time I've really ever stayed in there for a while. Usually I end back in the lobby for food, but this time I was there for an event, so I stayed a while. It's a nice spot, though unless you're there with friends specifically to play games, I'd say it is hard to really get the most out of the activities. Service was pretty good - though the bartender at one of the bars seemed as if he wasn't sure how to make some of the drinks. He was quick to assist customers, though. The space is dark and cozy and it's not too loud that you can't talk. However, I think the games are spaced so it's hard to talk during events (we had a 50+ person party)... and while we had a number reserved I don't think anyone played anything. Bathrooms are far away... I knew where they were having visited many times - but if you hadn't been there before, the signage isn't great. I'd you're there during the holidays, don't forget to divert into Happy's Christmas bar where the old pool used to be! read more

Enjoyed my very first Chicago dog!!! Seemed like the perfect day for a dog. My husband had wings. Food was great bar food. That hot dog was pretty good! Tasty and fresh ingredients, chilies, relish, mustard, tomatoes..just the essentials! We couldn't finish everything. It was a lot of food. Service was friendly and the game room is where its at. I love the shuffle boards and a cozy vibe. Lunch time wasn't busy as it does get busier during the evening. read more

Game Room - The Chicago dog - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I LOVE this place. From the moment you walk into this entire building and then you walk upstairs to the second floor where the more peaceful section with fireplaces and reading areas are to then proceed to the actual massive Game Room where you can play pool, shuffleboard, etc while ordering from the bar (or receiving table service), this place is a true Chicago gem. It really is a throwback to 1920s Chicago with how beautiful this building is preserved. I don't even feel great about writing this review because I would want to keep it a secret, but I feel like everyone deserves a chance to visit this place. If you're a tourist visiting Chicago, and are looking for a place to grab a drink and experience a classic Chicago vibe without reservations, come here. On a week night (or less busy night), sitting in the darker areas by the fireplace at nighttime is just such a vibe. The best part is that you can bring your drinks from the other room Into that front lobby area if you please. The architecture of this entire building is just beautiful and that's all I need to say further. read more

This is one of my favorite places. Great drinks GREAT pretzel (best in town easy) and cool vibe overall. Will absolutely return

Was enjoying the sunset at Cindy's Rooftop Bar and decided it was time to head out. On my way out, I heard some music playing and wandered my way into the Game Room. This hidden bar completely changed our date night. They had great DJs working some record turntables, and the games were a blast. Would highly recommend for a chill date night or nightcap spot. read more

Great spot. Love the setting and the food was really good. Staff was great also. We will definitely go again.

Historical place with amazing people. Lori greeted us and took us on an incredible tour to f the place and the history behind our t. A great stole your Chicago read more

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I found myself in The Game Room on a Saturday afternoon with a group of friends looking for a drink - when Cindy's had a line, we decided to pivot and give The Game Room a shot and we're all so glad we did! The place gets a little crowded, so if you're not okay with standing and chatting with a drink, try to come during a less busy time, but the ambiance was great, the cocktails were tasty (and $2 cheaper than at Cindy's), and we loved the ability to play shuffleboard and pool. While it doesn't have the same view, it was definitely a great pivot and I'd happily return. read more

Went here on a Friday night about 8 PM. Lots of games with a short wait time incl pool and shuffleboard. recommended for draft beers and burgers. Pros: no wait for a table, Cool vibes, lighting and music. Fast food service, delicious smash burger, yummy garlic aioli. Cons: avoid the fish taco - soggy flour tortilla, too sweet, with five canned mandarins on single $12 taco. Waters were empty for over 20 mins, slow table service. Will come back for drinks, but not bites, unfortunately. read more

Solo-dolo date with myself after a long walk on a random weekday; I was starved and looking to fortify myself with a few cocktails before heading to the Art Institute. This was swank but casual and lived up to it's name perfectly; I lazed around listening to my audiobook, but others were really enjoying the games. I had the Footlong Hotdog, and the Chopped Garden Salad. Both were oversized and absolutely delicious. Cocktails: Fizz 10/10 Collins 8/10 Frappe 8/10 Will definitely bring friends with next time. read more

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Brie is a kick ass bartender at Game Room. Given the choice, sit at the bar and see for yourself. She's awesome. That's all!

This place is like a fancy Dave & Busters! Excellent food and drinks. The service was great. Would go back again and again. 10/10

If lacrosse were a bar, it'd be this place. Friend recommended it, but I should've known better than to trust an Ivy Leaguer. Maybe it was just cuz when we went there were no fewer than 3 different after-work parties going on, but the vibes sucked. The building itself is cool. The drinks are a step above most places, but you pay for the ambiance and "privilege" of being there. Conveniently located by Grant Park though. read more

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What a cool spot! We were in town to produce an event in the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and had a moment to grab lunch in the Game Room! What a cool spot! Awesome decor and games! I love all the wood and the historic look and feel! Everyone knows I love hot dogs! So I had to have the foot long dog. I'm not a fan of a lot of topping so I had them on the side! The hotdog was grilled, and full of flavor! Would love to come back to play games and grab a cocktail! read more

Game Room - Foot long hot dog! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here after dinner on a Friday night and it was fairly quiet as they were closing soon, at 11pm. At the host stand, we grabbed a reservation to play shuffle board and got a drink at the bar while we waited. They don't have domestics here, but we found other things on the menu. The place itself is dark and felt like an old library to me. They had a variety of games including checkers, bocce ball, foosball, and our favorite, shuffleboard. read more

Game Room - people at a bar with a lot of bottles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bar/game room located in the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel on the 2nd floor behind guest reception. Great HH and comfortable feel. It's like you entered someone's personal game room or play room in their home. There's a small bar area if you want to sit at the bar and several communal tables. For HH I got an old fashioned and their pretzel. Pretzel was a good size and filling as a pre-dinner snack. Overall, good, relaxed vibes here. read more

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Home away from home in the Loop. A bit noisy but service is top notch and you can always walk over to the Drawing Room for some quiet. Pleasantly surprised that they used Luxardo maraschino cherries in their Manhattans; in retrospect I shouldn't have been surprised. read more

I came to the Game Room on a Saturday afternoon to celebrate a friend's birthday. I love the open seating and reservable free games (pool, shuffleboard, etc.) concept. I was only here for a couple hours so I didn't have time to play anything. Nonetheless I had a great time with the 50-ish people that came in and out of the birthday party. Everyone had their own tab which was great so we didn't have to feel stiffed like in situations where we'd have to split the bill in a big group. I also liked how the prices were rather reasonable for downtown hotel location and had many non-alcoholic options for people that don't drink. I had a basket of fries and a rootbeer float (which were both decent) and it cost about $13 + tax. The food took a while to come but it was very busy. If I had to plan a group outing with mixed company, I'd pick this place. There's something for everyone here. read more

Game Room - Fries and rootbeer float - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went here because I saw Phil from Somebody Feed Phil go and so glad I did! Such a beautiful and fun place to get a drink, food and play some games. Beer was crisp and refreshing, soft pretzel and polish sausage were so yummy and the environment was very moody and fun. Loved the shuffleboard tables! A must see in Chicago. read more

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We rented the Swing Suites through the Chicago Athletic Association Game room, the technology didn't work in the room, we called for assistance several times with no response, we ended up asking to leave early and close out our tab. No apology, no discount, a complete waste of our time and money. Couldn't be more disappointed with the overall service from the game room staff. read more

Had an enjoyable time at Game Room and Drawing Room on Saturday afternoon. Two stylish bars located in the Chicago Athletic Association providing drinks and fun. Quality: Nothing on the menu at Game Room or Drawing Room is going to pull in guests, it is the atmosphere they are located in. I was happy with my pre-made Old Fashioned, though still in-house I believe, and the Fried Wisconsin Cheese Curds made for a fine snack. However, a good time in the Game Room is about a cold drink and friends hanging out, while a good time in the Drawing Room is a cocktail by the fire. Quantity: Strong cocktails and snacks made to share. Value: $14 for an Old Fashioned. $11 for Fried Wisconsin Cheese Curds. Ambiance: Game Room is one of several bars and restaurants located in the Chicago Athletic Association hotel in downtown Chicago. It is a gorgeous classic hotel and both the Game Room and Drawing Room play up those classical elements. The Game Room is a bit more casual with long tables and plenty of diversions. Yet there are still small alcoves in it to relax on a leather couch and enjoy a drink. The Drawing Room is half library, half cafe and cocktail bar. Large fireplaces on each side, plenty of couches and small tables, and large windows overlooking Millennium Park. Cozy and comfortable with light jazz in the background. Crowd: Both the Game Room and Drawing Room were very busy. Nearly every seat in the Drawing Room was filled and most of the games were occupied next door. Service: They desperately needed more than one person behind the bar. Parking: Garage parking in the area. read more

What a great find and spot to lounge located in the heart of downtown. This is available to everyone and not just hotel guests of the Athletic club. Love the vibe and space. Plenty of seating area and many variety of games to choose from (pool table, bocce ball, shuffleboard, foosball, etc) we came during off peak hours around 2-4PM and it was mostly empty. I'd recommend coming around this time. They also offer some food and drinks. A little more laid back and casual compare to Cindy's roof top. Great place for groups but I can see this getting really packed on weekends and night peak times so beware. They also have TVs that shows some sport games. Good choice for those trying to watch a game and enjoy beer or cocktails. Overall would highly recommend this spot whether your a visitor or a local. There's something for everyone to enjoy! read more

Game Room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing place! Free games including billiards, foosball, and bocceball. Just walk inside and ask for the game room (second floor). Just need to pay for your own drinks but there's no minimum. Very large area, there's even a downstairs area that had a pop up parsons chicken stand with even more games. read more

Game Room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you have not been, GO! This is hands down my favorite bar in Chicago! The Game Room (within the Chicago Athletic Association) is located a stones throw from the popular Millennium Park, home of the famous Cloud Gate (aka The Bean). I am a big proponent of this bar because it combines enjoying a fantastic beverage with activities that get you out of your seat. During my most recent visit I hosted an College Alumni Networking/Happy Hour Event (Approx. 30 people). We opted to not make a reservation because we did not have the funds for it, but were recommended by the staff to show up 30 minutes before when our event started to scout out tables. This worked out fantastically and we sat at the poker table in the back end and the server saw our big group and offered a "Reserved" sign. The Parlor Game Coordinator was super helpful and accommodating for our large group and let us reserve the bocce court at no charge for an hour slot. After that he allowed us to reserve a different game table ever 30 minutes including billiards, foosball, and shuffle board. This was great for our alumni to not only chat over drinks, but give them an activity to get to know each other better. The Game Room is an ideal location for a classy date, networking event, or a semi-casual night out with co-workers or friends. I will most certainly be returning again and again. Thanks for accommodating to our needs/requests and being great hosts! read more

Game Room - The Game Room is a great place to host groups! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recently went for my cousins birthday. It was a busy Saturday night in the city, with the Christ Kindl Market in full swing. There's available parking about a block away, I'd suggest using SpotHero, or you can use the valet which is on East Madison. I'm glad I had the opportunity to check it out. It has an old school lounge feel to it, with low lighting. There are plenty of games to play, but after a certain time (I believe 6:30) it's first come first serve. So be sure to stay close to which ever game you want to play. As a bocce fanatic, I personally loved the courts. Solid distance and width, with some variations in the court to make it challenging. They are surprisingly quick, which I like. The service was good, didn't have to wait long for someone to weight on me and they checked in with our group frequently. The signature drinks were decent, I ordered an old fashion hoping for proper etiquette but it seemed to be a premix. The food was decent at best, something easy to hold your self over if you get hungry. Overall the experience was enjoyable and I will be back with friends. The location is around a lot of attractions in the city and can be one of many fun stops. read more

Game Room - Bocce Courts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'll be brief: Came here for an event following a work conference and I am so glad they chose this location. We were immediately given a fact sheet with so much history on it I had to take some "me time" just to read through it. The feel throughout the whole place is old and historic but it has so much charm. The food provided was small plate but generously prepared. Maybe I'm just overly intoxicated but my experience was tip top. I look forward to revisiting this spot in the future(also a Hotel) If you are looking for some good adult fun. I highly recommend this little historic jewel and it's bar and game room. Recommended. read more

Ambience, history, and feel is a 5/5. Price is expected to be expensive. Games at the GAME ROOM are extremely un-level. If you're interested in pool/billiards, go somewhere else. I've never played on such a terrible setup. Awful table, awful cues, awful balls, everything sloped to one corner. read more

Loved the atmosphere of the game room - the bonfires and Christmas decorations made for a very cozy experience. The cocktails were delicious - I got the Collins which was a refreshing mix of vodka, tequila, gin and soda and my friend got the Old Fashioned - he says it is one of his favorites in the city. The food was good, although not mind blowing - the fries were nice and crispy, the plant burger well seasoned, the chicken pita came open faced and I think could have used a little garlic sauce but overall still delicious. I'd come for cocktails and the location again at the very least! Didnt actually get to try the games but I've heard they have some you can rent. Fun place to hang out in a very beautiful hotel. read more

There is a private event nearly every night and my $12 lite beer came in a plastic cup. Shame, this used to be a primo spot.

How is it possible that there are so many light fixtures but the place is still so dim? This place makes it possible. Once you get past The Drawing Room, you're greeted with a fairly large room that has a bar, bocce ball, two shuffleboard tables, two pool tables, and one foosball table among scattered tables and chairs. There can be a wait for the games, but the wait isn't horrendous. I've played everything here except bocce ball. The best part is that they're all free! As for drinks, I've had a glass of red wine and rosé bubbles that were both served in a regular glass cup. What happened to wine glasses? :( Doesn't seem too suiting given the classy ambiance. Also, you might have to guard your drink. When I still had 1/4 left of the rosé bubbles in my cup, the server took it away! However, another server rectified the situation by giving a new glass of rosé bubbles. It can be busy on the weeknight and weekend evenings, but it dies down around 9pm - 9:30pm on the weeknight. If you're looking for inexpensive fun, this is it. read more

Game Room - Rosé bubbles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very beautiful place. Amazing view, space with games, delicious food and great atmosphere.

Place is HUMONGOUS. So many activities, but a lot were pre-reserved for a certain time frame which was a bummer. I think they could improve that system, but whatever. The staff was attentive to even customers standing around so that was good. We ordered totachos here too and it was fully loaded with all the good stuff -- meat, green onions, sour cream, etc. It looked like a great place for company off-sites. Great place to come check out and do some activities while drinking, but I guess how their system works, best if you make reservations for the table. read more

Needed a family friendly spots for afternoon snacks and a couple drinks. Great find with decent food + variety of games. Think the service was likely a bit slow as they were closing for a private event, so tough to know what it is really like. Would go back if we are ever in the area again. read more

This place has the perfect ambience. Warm lighting in a dark setting. Check in to get on the list for the next available game table. We played pool and foosball while enjoying some drinks from the bar. It was the perfect setting, and we had a lot of fun. read more

I've been here a few times now and overall I really enjoy the atmosphere, although it can get extremely loud. People take shuffleboard way too seriously! I usually get the frozen drink which changes every season or so because their signature cocktails are all pretty average. The food here is alright, focusing more on appetizers and hand helds. Not a super huge fan of their fried pickle but liked their falafel pita-wich. It's a cool place to hang out at and is my favorite at the CAA but can get pricey pretty quickly. This place definitely focuses more on socializing than the food or drinks but it's still a cool place to hang out at. The main reason why this place gets a 3 rather than a 4 is because service always seems to be spotty here. I think it's one of those places that is just always busy and that the servers have a hard time keeping track of people. read more

Went around 7:30-8:00pm on a Saturday and it was super crowded. Waited 30 minutes and no server came up to take our order so we left. The place overall looked nice, but can't comment about the food or drinks available. read more

I'm not sure I would go back here for the food--very three-star, decidedly average, the fries, fish tacos and popcorn were all just OK and even the warm iron skillet chocolate chip cookie (a staple in these parts) isn't anything to write home about. But drinking at the parlor/poker-style table just to the right of the bar, to spend the whole night people watching? Ahh...now I get it. Depending on the week night, CAA's Game Room is either busy or completely jammed. Either way, you are always getting cream-of-the-crop people watching thanks to a mix of locals who like CAA, tourists who want to try the place out, or hipsters that are drinking here before going out somewhere in the West Loop. So, as a see-and-by-seen establishment, it's hard to beat this bar area. And the comfy seating in the lobby on the second floor is also a nice place to meet a friend before going into the Game Room. But the food is just OK. Now, I'm told that the food at Cindy's and the Cherry Circle Room is really good, but that wasn't on display with the meal I had. To be fair--these prices are great, so at least the damage was limited. read more

Meredith is the five star super woman here. I've been to the GR a couple times at different occupancy levels and it seems managed well. Yesterday was exceptional because Meredith was pouring behind the bar and just being awesome. GR is great for big groups, but there are a dozen or so stools at the bar for pairs and such. Don't skip one of the snacks like falafel or fried pickles. Also don't try to drink a negroni with said pickles... read more

Game Room - Sidecar and negroni - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a really funny place. The room is HUGE. I don't know how those servers do it. I'm surprised so many of these reviews mention a hipster attitude. To me, it seemed to be a mixture of tourists and corporate frat boys. That being said, we sat at the bar and had a great time - despite plenty of said frat boys pushing their way in from behind to order rounds of shots. Any bartender willing to hand out individually salted shot glasses for chilled tequila shots is honestly a saint. Pretty sure we witnessed about 6 people from separate groups get cut off by bartenders. The food menu is simple but pretty awesome. We tried the big soft pretzel, served with a decent mustard and cheese situation, topped with Schlitz beer foam. The fries were good and the tater tot nachos were everything I'd hoped. If you like free games and indoor bocce, I'd say it's worth the trip downtown! read more

Game Room - pretzel, fries, & "totchos" - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois