Visited a few times for happy hour during my stay the…read moreambience is fantastic especially on the deck the fire pits are warm and cozy, food average bar food with the exception of the shrimp- big juicy and delicious from the hostess to the servers everyone was plant and accommodating if your are looking for a good happy hour experience on a beautiful day - make it a stop

Here's a revised version with the view included:…read more I've visited VU Rooftop several times and it's always a great experience overall. The ambience is one of my favorite things about this place -- the atmosphere, the music, and the beautiful view from the 22nd floor always make it feel like a special night out in the city. The service during my most recent visit was great. Sarah, our server, was amazing -- attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. Unfortunately, this was the first time I didn't enjoy my food. I ordered the grilled chicken skewer appetizer, and while it looked good, something about the flavor just didn't sit well with my taste buds. It may simply come down to personal preference, but it wasn't something I particularly enjoyed. One thing I do appreciate about VU Rooftop is that their menu changes seasonally, which always allows for a new experience each time I patronize. Even though the food didn't quite hit the mark for me this time, it won't stop me from returning. The ambience, service, and those 22nd-floor views of the city are always worth the visit. I'll definitely be back -- I'll just probably skip the grilled chicken skewer appetizer next time.

Buttercup in the South Loop is an absolute gem, especially if you're even remotely into amaro. The…read moreselection is unreal, like the kind of list that makes you pause and realize you're about to learn something whether you wanted to or not. It's curated in a way that feels intentional, not just "we stocked a bunch of bottles." You can tell whoever built it actually cares. And shoutout to Axel behind the bar, because she is amazing. Friendly, dialed in, and genuinely knowledgeable without doing the annoying bartender thing where they make you feel dumb for asking questions. You can tell she really enjoys working here. She makes a fantastic Negroni. Great vibe, great drinks, and the kind of place you immediately want to make "your spot."

I love finding cute neighborhood spots, and this one had been on my list for a while. I knew they…read moreoffered everything from coffee in the morning to wine and cocktails for lunch and dinner. I was in the area visiting Casa Tulum and decided to walk over to Buttercup. I thought it would be a hidden gem, but as soon as I walked in, it was packed. The atmosphere is quaint, cozy, and has a very chill vibe. I stepped outside my comfort zone and ordered a drink that was just okay, but the half salad was amazing. I loved the unique twist on it and would definitely order it again. The service was okay. It seemed like the waiter was juggling a lot and could have used some additional support. There is street parking available, one restroom, and the music was kept at a comfortable volume, which I appreciated. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and will definitely be back to try more items on the menu.

Spent the other night at this place with a close friend…read more It's a great place to stop, enjoy the drinks and have a meaningful conversation. Greatly appreciate the hosts we had by the bar, as they served us the most delicious margaritas and spirit free cocktails! Saved and hope to be back soon!

We swung by best bar for a few drinks before heading to radius. It was kinda crowded in a. Friday…read morenight but we eventually got some place to sit at the bar. The service was a bit slow since there were only 2 bartenders we ordered a thyme cocktail and some espresso martinis. The drinks were decent. The prices were reasonable too. It was not too loud but the atmosphere was lively since it was a Friday night. The bar was a bit smelly though, especially cz they were about to close. Not sure if I will be back but overall, did have a decent experience.

Best night out we have had! Great staff and service! We will be booking here again -Great ambiance…read moreand venue!

I love that the space is multiple rooms, levels and various bars. I have only been here for an…read moreevent so cannot base the service or DJs since that is the promoters choices. Didn't order food but the drinks were strong. I would only come depending on the event. Cash is preferred for that event. Security was there.

Great service, food, and ambiance. The library bar is amazing! Definitely recommend the vodka…read morerigatoni.

Gilt Bar has been a Chicago favorite since 2010, and after my first visit I understand why…read more The space is dark, energetic, and packed with personality. This is not the place for a quiet conversation. It may be one of the loudest restaurants I've visited in quite some time, and a nearby birthday celebration only added to the energy. That said, the atmosphere is part of the appeal. If you're looking for a fun, celebratory evening with friends or family, Gilt Bar delivers. I can't imagine choosing it for a business dinner. We started with the Tenderloin Steak Tartare and onion rings. Both were excellent. My daughter was craving the Bolognese, while I ordered the vodka rigatoni. The portions were generous, and both dishes were flavorful and satisfying. The truffle mafaldine appears to be the menu's most celebrated pasta and receives plenty of attention on Yelp, but we were very happy with our selections. Service was spot on throughout the evening. Food arrived with good pacing, drinks were refreshed promptly, and our server struck the right balance between attentive and intrusive. For dessert, we shared the gooey skillet cookie. Be warned: this thing arrives at the table with nuclear-level heat. The vanilla ice cream isn't just there for flavor, it's there for protection. One unusual observation: the floors seemed surprisingly slippery throughout the restaurant, something we noticed more than once. Our bill came to $159 before tip, which felt reasonable given the quality of the food, service, and overall experience. Between the lively atmosphere, strong food, excellent service, and vibrant bar scene, it's easy to understand why Gilt Bar has remained popular for more than 15 years

Stumbled across this neighborhood bar while burning time waiting for my bestie who had an…read moreappointment a few doors down the block. It's a bar that serves both coffee and cocktails, so they have you covered on all fronts. I ordered a (couple!) "Hold My Mule" drinks from their cocktail menu which were fantastic! Never had or ordered a mule but the ingredients sounded good and Peggy hooked it up. The place was pretty busy for a Friday afternoon but she was holding her own, slight wait due to working solo but once she got to my order it was very fast. They allow dogs and I saw some cute pups inside. A couple people were working on laptops and there are outlets aplenty, plus a couple large screen TVs were on for those w/o company or their own entertainment. My drinks came in at under $30 (w/o tip) and I had no complaints in service. Wish I lived near, I'd definitely be a regular.

This is a quaint, diverse neighborhood bar - what you see is what you get. They specialize in…read morebartending--and they do it well. Their old-fashioned might be the best in town--strong and perfectly balanced (no watered-down, sweet mess here). The staff is super friendly, and so are the neighbors. You see everyone from business professionals to students studying. It's BYOB if you want to bring food in. This place feels safe and familiar, and I love that.

My friends and I stumbled on this place by accident and we will definitely be back soon. At fist…read morewe were hesitant because how busy it was but when you get in the grove it's like the the whole place was in sync. It's was a little frustrating that we didn't have seats and I think the manager noticed that so when a table opened up he immediately had us sat which was awesome. I think his name was Joel I'm not sure it's was a bit loud with everyone singing. My only regret is that when didn't get there earlier to sign up for a song but I guarantee we won't make that mistake again. 5 stars if you like Karaoke and a good crowd participation then Brando's is the spot to be.

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

I arrived around 21:00 for dessert/nightcap on a Monday evening before heading back to my hotel…read morenear convention center. I had been enjoying the city after a day of shopping and dinner at Joe's. A friend recommended this lovely bar/lounge. We are not from these parts of the U.S. and love to explore. This lounge is on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association building. Part of the Hyatt chain. I was warmly greeted by host and placed next to an old fireplace in front of the bar area. I was seated facing the entire lobby. I was enjoying the Gothic architecture. It was dark and a soothing atmosphere. I appreciated the appropriate music playing as well. It was a perfect way to end my day. I had a glass of champagne and my server recommended the Basque cheesecake. Which was perfect cause I recently visited San Sebastian, Spain. The Basque region makes a great cheesecake. The burned caramelized top complimented my champagne well. There is a room/bar in the back room of where I was. A great bar with games and TVs for sports. After enjoying my nightcap, I walked downstairs and was able to order a ride-share and wait in the warm entry of the building. This hotel is directly across the famous Bean which is in the beautiful Millennium Park. During the day, I highly recommend checking that park out.

When my friend and I recently stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association, we made three…read morereservations for the Drawing Room (using Open Table), two for breakfast and one for dinner. The Drawing Room is in the lobby of the hotel. The first day at the hotel, my friend and I had a breakfast reservation (which we're thankful we did, as it was quite busy) and we sat at a table where the chairs were comfortable but it was too low to comfortably eat at the table. I felt like I was almost stretching and standing when eating. We requested a different type of table the next day when we can back for breakfast. We both ordered the Classic Breakfast consisting of two eggs, Nueske's bacon, breakfast sausage, breakfast potatoes, and sourdough toast. There were options available for gluten free toast and egg white though we didn't opt for that. I did ask for all bacon. The next day, I ordered a Breakfast Sandwich, regularly including chicken breakfast sausage, fluffy eggs, American cheese, house-made english muffin, and green salad (with gluten free toast option). I chose bacon instead of sausage and cheddar instead of American cheese. Both breakfasts were rather good. Unfortunately the dinner wasn't as delightful as a meal as the breakfasts. The chairs were fine and the place wasn't too busy (and we had a reservation) though when we sat down, it was as if we were forgotten as no one came to our table for quite some time. We then realized we weren't too excited about the menu, so we instead when to the nearby Game Room for a bite while watching a basketball game on TV. We were given welcome beverage certificates good for free bubbly at the Game Room though those were also honored at the Game Room. The Drawing Room lobby spaces are open 24 hours daily though guests can order breakfast daily from 7 AM to 11 AM, Monday through Thursday for lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 12 Midnight (though the kitchen closes at 11 PM), and Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM. You can visit the Drawing Room website at https://www.drawingroomchicago.com, where you can find menus, private event information, reservations, social media links, and more. You can also sign up for restaurant updates at the bottom of the page. While I wouldn't discourage anyone to go to the Drawing Room, it wasn't among our favorite restaurants at the Chicago Athletic Association or nearby the hotel.