I stopped by the Gilt Bar on a Sunday night, hoping to get into The Library (their speakeasy)…read moredownstairs. There was a bit of a wait, but I sat at the main bar, and decided to stick it out. Overall great experience. I loved the aesthetics of the bar, and the people working behind it helped make my visit exceptional. I felt like everyone went above and beyond for me- which is honestly rare nowadays. The drinks were well mixed, and the general vibes were positive. I would recommend Gilt Bar/The Library to anyone in Chicago wanting a positive, upscale evening out. I didn't order any food, so I can't speak to that, but it smelled delicious! Special mention to both the female bartender upstairs (didn't catch her name), who went above and beyond for me, and Cruz downstairs, who was a master multitasker, and still managed to make me feel welcome.

It's been years since I've been to Gilt Bar. Family style is the way to go way - order a variety…read moreand share! We had a mix of apps and entrees. The carbonara was good, not great. I look forward to trying more of the menu next time. The chocolate silk cream pie is a solid choice for dessert. Service was solid and I definitely will come back - but not wait years to do so!

My group and I were walking randomly and saw a bouncer outside in the alley…read more He let us in. Greeted by the catacombs of those who got raptured for not paying. Immediately sat. I got the Mai Thai because my entire group all got the same thing like NPCs.

Great vibes with dim lighting! We sat in the booths, which felt pretty intimate 8/10. There were…read morequite a few flashes from people taking photos and videos, so keep that in mind if you're looking for a more low-key atmosphere. The Sippopotamus was sweet, easy to drink, and had a nice pineapple flavor. The presentation was pretty too 9/10. Such a great spot to hang out with a group. Service was great, and our server checked in on us frequently. I'd definitely come back to try more drinks and food!

Let me start by saying that the views were 5 star and the place has a cool vibe - although the…read morehouse music they were playing was a bit loud for the small number of people eating when I was up there. That said, this place just completely disappointed. The food was just not good. I had the burger sliders and for $9 a piece you expect them to be something special. They were not. Overcooked with a little sauce and two pickles slapped on the bun with a tiny little dab of fake cheese - it was like a bad and way more expensive version of McDonald's. The onion rings were the frozen crumbly kind not the fresh beer battered kind and so that's a big "no!" for me. The dipping sauce was okay. Service was friendly and I think the guy was new but it wasn't good enough for a place like that at the top of the building. There were two servers so I'm guessing one was training maybe. They didn't make it to my table to check to see if everything was okay while I was eating and it even took them a while to notice that I was done eating. It's was slow so I don't think they were stressing with too many tables. That kind of place should knock your socks off - but it was on the low end of mediocre. I wouldn't go there again for food. Maybe it's a decent place to go to the bar but since I don't drink I can't help much on that end.

Great food, drinks, and view. We came on a Sunday and ordered some drinks to start, as well as…read moreBrussels sprouts. There were a small portion but delicious. Not too crispy but still tasty. We also shared the half chicken and Ceasar salad with shrimp. There were only 3 pieces of shrimp for the extra money we spent; but otherwise the food was delicious. Definitely on the pricier side because of the rooftop and area.

The happy hour here is one of the best in the city. Martini and DELICIOUS waffle fries for $10…read moreduring the week 5-7 pm. Very dimly lit but much quieter for HH and can almost always get a table. Service is always very nice!

Super cute for a night out, not super busy inside but the lighting makes it really fun! Since photo…read morebooths have become popular again, this is a perfect spot for that! The bar is slightly hidden around the corner, but easy to find and the service is fast. Def recommend for a night out stop

One of my favorite spots for cocktails in Chicago! The drinks are NEXT LEVEL, the mixology is…read moreseriously insane. They also have live music, and it's always such a vibe. I've never not had a great time here. Shoutout to Guillermo because he's so good at his job and also so fun to talk to! Definitely one of my go-to cocktail spots.

Such a fun moody speakeasy for cocktails located in lower level of The Hoxton! They have such an…read moreincredible range of cocktails it's truly impressive. There's a decent amount of seating and space in the bar but we went on a Monday evening and it was quite busy so I can only imagine how crowded it gets on a weekend. It also is quite dark in this space, something to keep in mind if you struggle with that! We helped one of the bar staff clean a broken glass from the floor and they brought us some extra drinks which was extremely sweet of them! Would definitely come back the next time I'm in the area.

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.

The Berkshire Room is one of my favorite speakeasies in Chicago. While they offer a fantastic…read morecocktail menu and a full bar, I almost always order The Dealer's Choice. You simply choose your preferred spirit, flavor profile, and glassware, then let the mixologist create something just for you. It's one of my favorite cocktail experiences in the city, and they've never steered me wrong. What I especially appreciate is how knowledgeable the bartenders are. They're always happy to offer recommendations if you're unsure what to order, but they're equally excited to create something completely unique if you're feeling adventurous. Watching them craft each drink is part of the experience. I've even hosted a birthday gathering here in their private side room, where we enjoyed charcuterie boards alongside our cocktails. If you're just stopping in for drinks, though, I'd recommend grabbing dinner beforehand, as the food offerings are fairly limited. More often than not though, you'll find me sitting right at the bar. I love watching the bartenders showcase their craft and chatting with them about the incredible selection of spirits they have on hand. It's a great spot for anyone who genuinely appreciates well-made cocktails and the artistry behind them. I'm also a member of their loyalty program, which is well worth joining. It can be used at The Berkshire Room as well as several other excellent restaurants, making it an easy way to earn rewards while exploring some great dining spots around the city. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or simply looking for a sophisticated place to unwind, The Berkshire Room consistently delivers. I'll definitely be back for another Dealer's Choice soon! #YelpEliteSquad

I made a reservation at The Berkshire Room during the first week of October for my wife's birthday…read morecelebration on Halloween weekend. We were really looking forward to the evening and had planned part of her birthday around this reservation. Now, just 10 days before our reservation, I receive a generic text message informing me that they have booked a private event and will no longer be honoring our reservation. No phone call, no personal email, no attempt to help find an alternative or make things right. Just a text saying they can't accommodate us and would be happy to reschedule for another date. I completely understand that things change and businesses have opportunities for private events. However, accepting reservations weeks in advance and then canceling them less than two weeks before a major holiday weekend is incredibly poor customer service. What makes this even more frustrating is that it's Halloween weekend in Chicago, and most comparable restaurants and cocktail bars are already fully booked. Finding a replacement this close to the date is nearly impossible. The most disappointing part isn't even the cancellation itself. It's the complete lack of consideration for customers who made plans in good faith and trusted that their reservations would be honored. If you're planning a special occasion around a reservation at The Berkshire Room, I'd strongly recommend having a backup plan. Apparently, a confirmed reservation doesn't mean much if a better opportunity comes along. Very disappointing experience, especially from an establishment that positions itself as an upscale cocktail destination.

100/10. Highly recommend! Had my first experience at The…read morePearl Club about a week ago and they did not disappoint. From the moment you walk in it gives speakeasy and sultry. Very dark ambiance so bring your flash light and reading glasses but the music is perfect - not too loud that you can't hear your own thoughts. My friend and I ordered the Clarified Ube Colada, triple crown sliders and shoestring fries with aioli. When I tell you that Ube colada is the best drink I've ever tasted in my life! I thoroughly enjoy my dark beverages. But this..!!!! Tuh! It's a must try - slow to sip and a great balance of alcohol and sweet. The food was really tasty - no recommendations or substitutes needed. I will return.

I went to the Pearl Club this evening for the Fantasy Bay Burlesque night. the vibes in there are…read moreimmaculate & such a cool history with this building that has existed since 1890! The decor was elegant and swanky, the espresso martinis were delicious, the seating was very comfortable for me as a plus size and disabled person, and despite not advertising it there is an ADA bathroom on the main level in addition to the bathroom down the stairs. All the staff were super kind and friendly and the performers were so immensely skilled at their craft-- shout out to the burlesque artists Sugar Cane Jane, Honey Bee Rose, Nami Flare, Sassy Squire, and Chi Faguette an amazing night that I will never forget. I can't wait to come back !

The skinny: Buckle up for a wild experience. It's not just a cocktail bar or restaurant - its truly…read morea show. Think wild presentation, decently yummy drinks/food, a bit pricey. First off the drinks and food are all good. Just taste wise I wasn't completely blown away which is why it fell short of 5 stars for me. However, if you are looking for a show and something special this is definitely it. The presentation was all over the top, fun, and unique. Drinks: All the drinks are basically $30+. There is however a cocktail progression that gives you 3 drinks for $75 which helps with the high price tag. We were able to get 2 of those and get 6 drinks that we shared with the 3 of us. The menu has a graphic that shows how over the top the presentation is for each drink - which is how we picked what we wanted. Some standouts we had were the drink in the circle thing which is the iconic cocktail at Aviary and is absolutely gorgeous. Its an infused bottle that fills about 3 glasses. So each time you drink you get a different flavor profile as the flavors infuse for longer. The second standout was the 'you've got mail'. It came in a little cute mailbox and was our favorite cocktail taste-wise. Something I'd order again. There were a lot of other drinks that centered on smoke and smells that were over the top but fun. The food: Just like the drinks - presentation was over the top here. We got the giant onion ring which was actually quite giant and delicious - and beautifully presented. The surprise favorite was the chip and dip which was more like the consistency of a shrimp chip and made to be gigantic and a few feet standing up. We also got the taco (which was delicious but was quite pricey), the crab rangoon which was deconstructed and not our fave, and the caviar with nuggets - which how can you go wrong. The most over the top item was the balloon dessert which was a helium infused taffy. It tasted pretty good but overall was just a fun dessert. Our first one even accidentally broke off and flew to the ceiling which was an experience in itself. Value/price: Overall expect everything to be tapas share style/sizing (except for the giant onion ring). Things were pretty expensive but not overally insane for the presentation and the uniqueness. Its a great special occasion fun spot where you'll get tons of fun pics.

We went to The Aviary with sky-high expectations. As a self-proclaimed cocktail nerd, this place is…read morenear the top of my bucket list, so I was ready to be blown away by next-level molecular mixology. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the buzz. We did the 3-course cocktail progression, where each of us picked 3 drinks from a menu of 14. The drinks were well made and creative, but nothing wowed me. Everything felt a little overhyped and underwhelming for what this place is known for. The highlight of the night was actually dessert: the green apple balloon, originally created for their sister restaurant, Alinea. That was the one moment that delivered the "wow" I came for. The cost also made it harder to forgive the letdown. Six cocktails ran us over $200. For that price, I wanted at least one drink that I'd still be thinking about the next day. Overall, I'm glad we checked it off the list, but I wouldn't rush back. Three stars for solid execution and a great dessert, but it didn't earn the hype.

Coolest hotel I've ever been in. Feels like I'm transported to Europe. This hotel is built for the…read moreyoungins and the social. They always have something going on at night and if you wanted to have a chill no frills but nice evening you can just go downstairs and enjoy the bar. The food from the taco spot is also really good. Oleg from the concierge service is one hell of a cool dude. Gave us all the good spots to visit in Chicago, all the tips we needed to know to get around, and even really took care of us. I asked for a way to enjoy some special beers that we brought with us as Chicago tourists and he offered to bring over a whole mini fridge to the room. Super awesome guy! The room was also interesting as it's so nice even if it was very small. Everything about this hotel was great.

I really enjoyed this hotel. The lobby is a vibe. I love the industrial feel it gives in the room…read more The big floor to ceiling windows are great when waking up in the morning to get a view of the city and at night to see the skyline. Pac-Man in the lobby is a classic. Lucky we stayed therr and were able to use the machine. No wait.