Le Bar: not very original but self-explanatory. Straight to the point. Much like a lot of the clientele that was in the room with me.......you couldn't have any doubt on the who-why-what for. (that's what an overnight stay at the Sofitel does to me. It reactivates the meany Frenchie in me) So - except for the fact that I was feeling a little bit, umm, out of place I really liked the space. Warm and inviting, a working fireplace (even though it was May 24th it was not totally superfluous), a nice collection of art books, luxurious color palette and an impressive drink menu. I sat my covered butt (out of place as well) on a comfortable couch and indulged in - drum roll s'il vous plait - a Backyard Blackberry Margarita. Oui messieurs-dames. Apparently pretty fancy-schmancy itself for a cocktail because the menu announced that it was "featured in Bon Appetit; magazine". Damn. The magic: hand pressed blackberries, fresh thyme, El Tesoro Platinum Tequila, and fresh citrus lengthened with champagne. Yes, that was. Good - that is. Will definitely be back but not a weekend night.....too many 'predators'. : ) read more

Took my mom for a little bite and a few drinks for myself. What a fabulous experience. Tameka the hostess made us feel so comfortable. She definitely made our experience wonderful. Le Bar has a spectacular hostess. "Tameka" Thank you for a night my mother will cherish forever! read more

My experience with Le Bar was not very favorable. Starting off, I was supposed to meet someone here and I found myself first going to the Café des Architects and sitting for a couple minutes before finding my way to Le Bar. I finally had to ask the coat-check person if I was in the right spot for Le Bar. An honest mistake, in my book, especially as it looked like there were a couple of employees standing around, but no one genuinely willing to help. I finally made my way to Le Bar and found it a confusing mash-up of dark/hipster bar and modern Euro boite, complete with stark furniture--think, angles and metal everywhere. My advice to those in charge of the decor would be to pick a theme and stick with it. Though the drink menu seemed encyclopedic, I stuck with my classic--a dirty Grey Goose martini. This was ok, but I will say that I've sampled better even in business class on British Airways. Once my drinking companion (aka date) arrived, I found out to my chagrin that the table was wobbly, so that when he scooted in my drink was jostled out of its glass. The coaster situation was also nil, leading to a damp mess on the table. Fortunately, the bartender came over with his rag, but it seemed like there was a short supply of napkins/coasters throughout the experience. The little trio of nibbles (cheese straw type things, olives, and popcorn) was inventive but again, there should have been more napkins, not to mention serving implements so that the experience doesn't devolve into a food scattering/germ filled free-for-all. Needless to say, by that time I'd pretty much checked out of this venue--and the date itself--so I was not in a mood to bother any of the servers. I got the sense that customers were minor annoyances, ancillary to the business of flirting with their co-workers and staring vacantly ahead. Start to finish, I spent about an hour here and, once I left, was relieved to be on to greener pastures. With so many great hotel bars (and watering holes, period) in Chicago, I would not recommend venturing here. read more

I've wanted to go out for some interesting cocktails for quite some time, so a few weeks back, my boyfriend and I decided to check out Le Bar at The Sofitel. I always forget that hotel bars are great for whipping up unique cocktails, so I'm glad we stopped in. Le Bar is a lovely space, sleek and modern with dark woods throughout. The atmosphere is pretty chill, so it's a perfect setting for some conversation over some well crafted drinks. I was thrilled to find that one of the bartenders created a fantastic cocktail using my favorite spirit, St Germain (a French liqueur made from handpicked elder flowers - amazing). Although this cocktail contained gin and I'm not much of a gin drinker, it was perfection. 1 oz St Germain, 1/2 oz Plymouth Gin (or an ounce and 1/2, need to double check!), 1/2 oz simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and a sprig of rosemary. read more

Sat inside the architecturally stunning Sofitel, Le Bar is a great place to grab a few cocktails, post work, should the urge hit you. Very comfy and laid back atmosphere, great martini's, extensive wine list. Complimentary and quite tasty sharp cheddar & parm biscuits as well as fresh assorted Calamata and Greek Olives to munch on while kicking back w. friends or co-workers. Love it. read more

What a great NYE deal!!!!! I should give credit to my friend Semi, for suggesting this spot for the most important party of the year. For just $20 I had a great night at Sofitel, house DJ, cool crowd, glass of champagne and personal coat check. I loved the party so much that I felt sorry for other Chicagoans who had to dish out couple hundred of bucks just to rub in boring and familiar scenes of Chicago night clubs. The service was great. Not a hint of snobbishness and not at all boring. Very funky and nice ambiance topped with merry drunken crowd. Absolutely loved the joint, service, and the deal. Next year, definitely will look into more party deals. read more

Ok I have to start off by saying the restroom was the most gorgeous place I have ever p'd in. I know that's an odd remark but seriously I couldn't wait to let people know how pretty it was! This was the first stop on the 'Sip Happens' tour. Totally wonderful! Comfy chairs, an amazing atmosphere, and wonderful Pinot Noir. Can't wait to return!! read more

Pricey, obviously, and I've yet to try the food. Very comfortable atmosphere. And while the beer list is a bit short, the selection is well thought out. The bathrooms are inconveniently located upstairs and around the corner, but the Sofitel spared no expense. Best toilet paper I've ever wiped my, uh, nose with. Excellent service. Stop in. read more

When I'm feeling like a quick trip to Paris without the jet lag I head over to this sexy little boite in the Sofitel on Chestnut and Rush. Very modern and contemporary design, chic appointments and very little if any resemblence to your standard hotel bar. Very knowledgeable and professional staff and relatively decent menu that isn't crazy expensive (for a hotel bar that is). Awesome place to meet for a girls night out or a romantic cocktail-a-deux. Or even to go with your dentist and the guy who makes the veneers for him during a dental convention. read more

I like drinking beer in dive bars while watching ballgames quite a bit. But when I'm in the mood to put on a nice shirt and overpay for alcohol, hotel bars are always my destination of choice. Le Bar at Sofitel is one of my favorite. Sure, you do get some of that "tourist from St. Louis" type that you see at any hotel bar, but if you're looking to spot some foreign, euro-trashy dude entertaining his statuesque, blonde, female friend, while sporting clothing and personal effects that may cost as much as your car, Sofitel and NoMi are probably your two best options. And it's one of the only bars I know that has a guy greeting you as you come in, and taking your seating needs seriously. Normally, he'll tell you how long he thinks you might wait for a table, and he'll tell you which one to hover over. The last time I was there, he had a couple of people actually carry another table in for us to sit at. As with any hotel bar, the drinks are pricey. But, whereas you used to be dropping fat cash on crappy drinks, they're good now. They must have hired a "mixologist" or something, because now you can get tasty, in vogue cocktails. So that's a bonus... go for the people-watching, stay for the drinks (and because you're out of money and can't afford a cab ride). read more

After a looooong day of shopping my fiancé and I were starting to feel parched. We had left the mag mile and were wandering around trying to figure out what to do for dinner. It was FREEZING out! We were on the eve of the ole Arctic Vortex of 2014. The streets were totally deserted and the city felt and sounded like a real ghost town. My face was literally frozen. I felt like Audrey in Christmas Vacation when Clark Griswold took the family out to find the perfect family Christmas tree. When the fiancé and I walked by this place I observed that it was actually not deserted and looked warm inside. So inside we went. It's a nice ambiance. First thing you see when you walk in is a lovely warm fireplace with 2 leather couches flanking it. Sadly someone was already cozied up in front of the fire. So we sat at the bar. Turns out the bar is the place to be. I LOVED that we got all kinds of yummy snack food- that we did NOT have to share with other people. Our own little crackers, popcorn and olives. I think I ate 200 servings! Bad wedding calories, but tasty! I also LOVED the food we ordered. We got the truffle fries which I believe came with a garlic aioli. DELISH. We also got a salad with a really yummy dressing- it had some kick!! And finally we got a fab tuna tartar. The food was really fantastic- we were impressed. But what we REALLY loved was the staff. Joseph the manager and Kevin the bartender made us want to return. They both get a gold star- maybe 2 gold stars. Customer Service- Check Getting to know customers and befriending us- Check Taking care of their customers- Check Friendly- Check Hard working- Check Nice- Check Accommodating- Check These guys are fabulous. The manager Joseph came over to us to make sure we were happy and being taken care of- which we were. He stayed to chat. He congratulated us on our upcoming wedding and pampered us because of our wedding! He was just the nicest, most engaged person I've probably met in any restaurant or bar. He was a real pleasure to meet! Then there is Kevin. He is behind the bar and he does a wonderful job. He too came over to make sure we were happy. He took the time to talk with us, get to know us, etc. He really made us want to return. Kevin is nice and funny and sort of looks like Jimmy Fallon. Or, maybe that's after a few glasses of wine. But I thought he looked like Fallon- AND he was funny! We had such a WONDERFUL time at Le Bar and will absolutely return. Though the wine was fab and the food delish, we will return for the people! And that's saying a lot. We are locals living in Wicker Park with a zillion great Chicago bars to hit up. But few bartenders, waiters, or even managers care enough to swing by and even say hi let alone carry on a conversation or really take an interest in their patrons or even get to know ya. How many times have you been at a bar or restaurant and couldn't even find a waiter or waitress or bartender to ask for another drink or to order a burger or request some ketchup? We've all been there. It won't happen here. Promise. These guys are professionals and they take it seriously. And it shows! We are VERY impressed! THANK YOU KEVIN AND JOSEPH!!!! read more

Last Friday, I swung by here with my gal pal for the beginning of her birthday fun. The wine list was appealing and the prices okay. We enjoyed some sort of "Christmas peppermint" cocktail. It was alright, but a bit chalky. I enjoyed the space...super easy to sink into the comfy chairs and get stuck there longer then intended. Not so bad for being a hotel bar! read more

For a casual cocktail, Le Bar is perfectly adequate. But this is the Sofitel Water Tower--a stunning architectural marvel carved from granite and blue ice. I was expecting to be whisked away on a cascade of golden champagne and elderflower liqueur. Instead, I felt the service was mixed and the clientele distasteful. As a general rule, the Sofitel staff is discreet and officious. They maintain a respectful distance from their customers and uphold European standards of quality. But when you're stuck in a bar after an exhausting flight and a stuffy convention, a little warmth goes a long way. Let's see how they did. I spent a few evenings here and the results were unpredictable. On the first, I had an incredible bartender who honored my Sofitel A-Club vouchers with deep glasses of Laurent Perrier. I even met two gorgeous finance girls and lured them into an impromptu dance party. Sweet. Two nights later, there was a drunken couple at the bar, weaving and laying hands on my person. I suppose there's no bouncer at the Sofitel. These bartenders were prickly and coldly cut off the bar without warning around 1AM. Weak. Hence the three stars. I don't know if Chicago is really the best city for Parisian standards of discretion. I could have used a kinder staff with a firmer control of the bar. Keep it warm, keep it wooden, keep it civilized. read more

Pros: + Fabulous lemondrops + Super chic atmosphere, come here if you want to feel like you're a rich professional who drives a sleek car. + Nice bartender + Good crabcakes + It's fun to say Le Bar. Cons: - Older clientele. While it was a super chic atmosphere, it also had a vibe that made me wonder how many of the 50 year old execs there were there with their 30 year old mistresses. Not really a place for a college student to make friends. read more

Had a blast last night at this upscale hotel bar. Hadn't been there in years but it hasn't changed a bit.....still sheek, trendy, very excellent service, and expensive. The clientele is a nice mix of locals, tourists, and hookers..... Just the way I like to party. Valet was something like $22 and I somehow ended up paying the tab for everyone so the cc bill is a bit much to contend with on a hung over Sunday morning (stupid shots). I love this place and would recommend it to anyone who can dress up and spend cash. Also, good date place because the hotel is an architects wet dream and your date will think you actually have style. P.s. the shot glasses suck, meaning the shape of the jigger is not designed in a way that the hooch can free flow into your degenerate alcoholic mouth. I almost lost it shooting some bourbon because it flows slow and you choke a bit. read more

Customer service is excellent. Fair selection of hard liquors and cocktails. Selection of beers is subpar, great ambience. Will come back for sure. read more

Le Bar - Le Bar - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this bar. A personal staple I have been going here for over 3 years since I moved to the area. I chose Saturdays Sundays or Tuesdays to go sit with Kevin at the bar and have wine flights. The wine list could be expanded and have more creativity besides basics like Louis jadot not hopefully with time. Always the epitome of customer service. The decor is lovely, The menu is light and delightful there is something for everybody. Complimentary snacks at the bar make it delightful to have drinks. Great people always lining the bar it's a great place to have a few drinks and mingle with the locals and travelers. read more

This place carries an amazing feel for a hotel bar. In fact, once inside, you no longer feel as though you are in a hotel with the street side entrance. The prices and choice of beverages, drinks and martinis are great. The ambiance is dim and welcoming with a chic appeal to the neighborhood. A great place to meet up with friends on a Friday and Saturday night to an alternative to going to a loud crowded pick up bar. read more

I originally came here because I remembered the somewhat outdated Eyewitness Top 10 book mention this as a nice bar to go to. Honestly, everything was pretty nice. I had pleasurable conversation with the bartender while sipping on the Rattlesnake cocktail. The photos of the bar make a much better impression than what it actually is. The atmosphere is somewhat confusing. There's a really nice loungy couch next to some magazines and then there's a TV that's showing football matches (something that you would expect from a pub). The music choice is also varying not going along a single theme. My verdict is that this place is an A-OK place for casual drinks. However, Le Bar will have to work a bit harder to make itself truly stand out as a unique classy drinking experience. read more

I had a wonderful time here! This was stop #2 on my Christmas hotel bar-hopping extravaganza. Definitely better than our first stop (The Peninsula). It was again, quite pricy, but the atmosphere was hipper and the people (including the waitress) was much nicer. This bar serves delicious olives (yes, they were absolutely amazing and room-temperature) to snack on while drinking or waiting on food/drinks. The waitress even gave me a to-go cup of them to snack on after I left. How awesome ;-) My only complaint was finding the bathroom in this place. It was on the second floor and all signs pointed towards it...but I kept running in to mirrors...LITERALLY. I finally found it. But I eventually came to the conclusion that it was my state-of-mind that had me running in to mirrors because my friend didn't have any issues finding it (I fully blame the alcohol). I definitely will be returning to this bar at the Sofitel. read more

This review is primarily for the outdoor lounge (yes, I'm tardy in posting this review). I'm a fan of the outdoor lounge during the warm weather months, I read several books here while enjoying a Grapefruit Rickey. Good bar snacks! The drinks are good, the service is responsive, and it's a nice spot to enjoy the Gold Coast. read more

Bar right under my buddies place. Great Pre-game place. Service: Knocking them a star for the service. When we arrived my buddy promptly asked for popcorn or snacks as he frequents this place. He not only asked once but twice over a twenty minute span. Once we got them they were very tasty. The wait: Drinks were flowing on the spot. No complaints here. Food: We only had finger food, so I can't really judge. Overall: When I think of classic hotel bars, this place will for sure come to mind. I'll be back next week for another round! read more

I love this hotel in general so a chance to suggest a place for a drink with a friend in the area suggested this bar on the Yelp app, and I jumped on it. Enjoying a glass of wine, we watched as the place went from just a few people to hordes of business dress folks---probably from a meeting in the hotel. Such is the risk from a hotel bar. Service was non-intrusive but attentive, there were many drinks to think about trying again in the future. Cozy atmosphere, love the giant clock behind the bar. read more

Refreshing grapefruit rickety drink. Depending on which bartender you get, your bar snacks range from cheese crackers to olives to popcorn. Ambiance is a mix of swanky furniture with dim lights yet combined with loud football games. read more

I have been here twice and sat outside once and inside once. I prefer inside. It is small but nice. The service was average but the drinks were stellar. They also give everyone a little tray of snacks, which I thought was an excellent addition. My friend had one of their winter cranberry cocktails and it was tasty but the standout was certainly the spicy cocktail I got. I asked the bartender if he had anything spicy and he said he had something with arbol syrup. I said absolutely. I don't think it was on the menu but it was literally one of the most balanced drinks I've ever had. It was tequila and lime juice as well. You might have to explain that to get the drink but I would say it is worth it! I got the sparkling flight after and needless to say a spot known for cocktails didn't have the best sparkling. I would stick to cocktails here. read more

Very comfortable hotel bar on the first floor of The Sofitel. The chairs are plush and the the seating is conducive to having a nice talk with someone over some drinks. They carry some decent beers. I had the Matilda and the Alpha King (both pale ales); my friend had a Sidecar. The drinks were good, and they didn't hurt the wallet too bad. Great in my opinion. My favorite part about hotel bars is the signature drink menu (I know -- cheesy, right?), so I was a bit disappointed that their's was relatively lacking compared to some other hotel bars (i.e., Peninsula). Overall, though, I enjoyed my drinks here. I'd definitely come back if I'm around the area. read more

A very nice, comfortable hotel bar. If you are looking for a place to relax or get some work done or just people watch this would be a great choice. I had the house cabernet and found it better than averagae and reasonably priced. The little tray of snacky things was a welcome touch. The chairs were really comfortable as was the ambience. read more

Totally decent hotel bar - just not somewhere I would come on the regular. Drinks were delicious, service was A-okay, and the seating was comfortable. Probably the most memorable part of the experience was the ceiling, which twinkles like stars. I wouldn't mind coming here to grab a drink with someone staying at the hotel, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to make it back here. read more

for a casual couple of drinks to start the night with, sure. this place will do. Le service is nice. Le crowd is a bit older because of the hotel's demographic. Le music is really random. Don't expect some party popping dance music with le bass down low. Their music shuffles between french ambient music and le coldplay and le fleetwood mac. You can't take le bar seriously. But it'll do the job for a couple small drinks. read more

"Where are you going?" "Le Bar!" "Ok ... which one?" "No, it's called Le Bar!" I went here with a group of friends the other night. We had no problem finding a seat for our huge party - although it did start to get a bit crowded later in the evening. This is a place to go to for to sit down, drink and catch up with friends. The crowd is a bit older though - I imagine it's patrons of the hotel who felt like coming down to the lobby for a few drinks (but I could be wrong). The drinks were delicious, but quite expensive. I think my specialty drink was somewhere around $13, but man was it tasty! Although I liked the place, it was really just another hotel bar to me. I also felt it was way too bright in there and could've used some dimmed lighting. I'd probably go back if some friends wanted to meet there, but not on my own accord. read more

This bar is so nice and drinks are great. Ruby is a lovely member of the staff and always takes excellent care of my friends and I. The fire place is very inviting. Great place for cocktail and a photo op. Haven't tried the food yet but always looks good passing by. read more

When you're in the mood for fancy cocktails and excellent people watching, head to Le Bar at the Sofitel. The space is sleek and modern, and the atmosphere is relaxed, making for easy conversation (and between the interesting drink list and the interesting clientele, we had plenty to discuss). I ordered a pisco sour without knowing much about it. And it was delicious, made with egg white and bitters so a little bit more old-fashioned. After my date and I were discussing our limited knowledge of the drink, the bartender, DJ, must have overheard and came over to tell us a little more about pisco, the liquor and give us a little whif of the bitters (kind of smell like vanilla on their own). A very knowledgeable and welcoming staff plus well-crafted drinks - yep, I was impressed. read more

One of the best bars I've been to in the last year. Perhaps I'm a little biased because I love the Sofitel, with the wonderful Cafe des Architectes, beautifully lit interior and painstakingly friendly staff. Or maybe it's because they always have that artfully arranged flower wall right when you come in. Whatever it is, I can't believe it took me this long to discover Le Bar. It's situated right behind the staircase, and looks out into Chestnut Street. I came here at 8:30 pm on a Friday night, and the place had the perfect amount of people in it -- you know, everyone gets a seat, but there are few empty tables. The lighting was dim but hip. In particular, the ceiling was dotted with tiny LED lights that made it look like a starry night. The wait staff was incredibly attentive. As soon as we were seated, they came with menus and a small tray of bar snacks... crackers, pretzels and olives. I was never in want of a drink. Between me and my friend, we got the Mango Bella, Blackberry Margarita, Caipirinha and Bellini. The Mango Bella was probably my favorite; the Caiprinha was a tad salty for my taste. The crowd is a bit older -- mostly tourists and businesspeople -- but it was a perfect place to escape some of the pretentiousness of other top cocktail places (I'm looking at you, Violet Hour). Am looking forward to coming back again! read more

7 of us came here to enjoy some drinks, appetizers and cheer here. Lov the hotel and lov the bar Easy parking right in front, on a slow Monday, but we enjoyed every minute. Easy to talk, great service, yummy appetizers and great blended drinks. We ordered: Garlic French Fries, Combo Assortment Appetizer plate (spicy ahi tuna tartar miniature tacos, popcorn shrimp, crab cakes, truffled popcorn, and beef skewers. Yes the yummy olives, cheddar cheese crackers, etc were a fun : ) bar munching treat :) : ) Enjoyed having drinks here before we got to eat a bit more at Sunda. Drinks: Mango Bella, Blackberry Margarita, Buenos Dias, Caipirhna and I think the Bellini. Well blended and strong drinks : ) that sure did the trick to relax our group and have a good time! : ) Def back here again on a livelier nite! read more

I love this atmosphere, fabulous drinks and the lovely snacks they bring to your table. The marinate olives and bring these cheese crackers that this description just cannot do it justice. I have never been disappointed there and have been going for years. Great vibe, wonderful drinks and you forget your steps from viagra triangle . More than a hotel bar. read more

Five stars, simply for the exceptional service provided by Eric. The drinks were great and Eric kept our bar snacks continuously filled, he even looked up our special shot recipe request. If you're in the Gold Coast, it's surely worth a stop in for a drink and Eric's world class hospitality. read more

Le Bar - Stella & blackberry marg - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Swanky little hotel bar with your usual suspects of expensive martinis and teeny tiny food. The atmosphere is actually quite nice, music just loud enough so there are no awkward silences but low enough so that conversation can be had. I was there two friday's ago with my girlfriends grabbing some post-work drinks and it really hit the spot. Not too crowded, most of the patrons were either the after-work crowd or mildly tacky out-of-towners. Three stars because the wine list is beyond overpriced and the waitstaff and seriously confused. read more

Been coming here for years and have always enjoyed it as it's a nice reprieve from all the other more upscale (and sometimes stuffy) hotel bars in the area. Not sure, however, if I'm a fan of the designated ladies/men's sides of the drink menus - I mean, I actually found myself wondering whether it was appropriate for me to order a drink located on the gent's side! Needless to say, I finally got over the hang up and ordered what I wanted - and with no penalty at that :) Staff is always courteous; decent mix of people on weeknights and weekends... But, as far as food goes, it needs work - nice selection; average execution. read more

My friends and I were looking for a nice place to go for drinks and stumbled upon Le Bar in our search. Little did we know that the bar is located in a hotel, which may explain why the place is so small. There were little to no seating and no appropriate standing room, unless you wanted to hover over someone else's table. The waitress was awful and obviously had more interest in serving the male customers than the female customers. The atmosphere was very typical-lounge setting with candle lighting and dark color palette. The crowd ranged from late-20s young professionals to mid-40s business men. It was a nice spot to sit, have a drink and chat with friends. The drinks were very delicious. The Sidecar had a perfect balance of cointreau and lemon. I'm not a fan of tequila in a martini so I passed on the Blackberry Margarita, although it has received excellent reviews. I did go with the chocolate martini, actually two, because it was just plain delicious. It wasn't overly sweet or too creamy, which I'm always afraid of in a drink of that nature. So if you are like me and sometimes want to dress up and grab a drink without being bothered, I recommend Le Bar, but be willing to shell out some dough for some really good drinks. read more

Le Bar is definitely one of my favorite hotel bars in Chicago. Very laid back atmosphere, comfy outside lounge area, and not to mention the restrooms. They are absolutely stylish!! My cousin and I had a French martini which is my FAVORITE here; it is made perfectly! Love it! read more

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