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    Nutcracker Pop Up Christmas Bar

    3.9 (18 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Nutcracker Pop Up Christmas Bar Photos

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    Jonquil B.

    I won't lie, I am not a Christmas person but this xmas popup was really nice. Places to sit, beautiful decorations on both floors. I appreciate the details that means every inch of a space. The bartenders were in costume and of course, great photo opportunities. I do think that this pop-up was more laid-back & very aesthetically pleasing. I think I will come to this one to pregame. Great location and they do have security. The drinks were good but the first floor drinks were a little stronger *wink*. There is no food so you may need to eat before or after but most pop-ups I like that. Check it out.

    Ciara W.

    This was such a cute pop-up! Much bigger than expected but completely decked out and full of the holiday spirit. They really maximized the space. The custom drink menu was a nice touch. The ticket gets you one drink, and I thought the experience was well worth the price. They were playing early 2000s music, which was both nostalgic and wonderful. It was a fun vibe, and people were definitely dancing. One of my favorite Christmas pop-ups in Chicago thus far, and I've been to almost all of them!

    Menu
    Bailey T.

    So festive!! The moment you walk in, it is such a fun, cheery, festive vibe. It was fully decked out and such a blast! The drink menu was pretty simple. If you purchase your ticket with a drink ticket, you have a choice of their 3 "signature" cocktails. The signature cocktails are premixed batch cocktails and they were just okay. I also had one of their reserve cocktails and it was better but still not great. Overall, you're here for the experience, not the drinks. I do think they need more seating. It wasn't over crowded or busy but there still was no seating available. There was a ton of space, it just lacked seating. They had several bars without stools, which would've added a lot of seating had they added barstools. There was also quite a bit of open space where tables could be added. We waited around for a while before we got a table. Had we not gotten one, we probably would've headed out after finishing our first drink. Which would've been disappointing after paying $25 each to get in. Once we got a table and grabbed a few more drinks, it was fun! I would say it's worth experiencing if you've never been to a Christmas pop up bar, I just wouldn't plan to hang out too long.

    Lounge room
    Nicole J.

    For pictures it was a great backdrop. But that's about it. The free drink was meh. And there were not enough seats for the amount of people they let in. But that aside, and if you get a seat, it is a cute place to gather with friends and take in the festivity of the season.

    Jumbo Pretzel

    1 bar downstairs, 2 more bars in second floor, the Jumbo pretzel is great. Service is so friendly and joyful. Definitely recommend!

    Cocktail Christmas flights
    Demi A.

    Very cool find in downtown Chicago. The pop-up bars and the holiday spirit in this city is unmatched. This place was absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous. I felt as if I were in a Home Alone movie :) We did not order any of the food on their menu (they only offered charcuterie boards and we had just dined) but we did cave in and ordered the cocktail holiday flight. From left to right: Eggnog, Expresso Martini, The Grinch (apple martini), and The Rudolph (strawberry margarita). This was priced at $40. Which is a bit overpriced but we definitely considered all that is thought of/put into the ambiance and the creativity behind the bar - also...you're in downtown Chicago. While every drink was delicious, the alcohol in each drink was highly questionable. This is the only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars, b/c after 4 drinks with different alcohol in each... we did not feel the slightest buzz. This prevented us from ordering any more drinks and staying longer. We took our pictures and really enjoyed the place - it was beautiful but it may not be for more than just that. However, the experience and the company made it worth wild.

    Gorgeous entrance
    Mistey W.

    The food left much to be desired. The turkey Flatbread was downright unappetizing. The smell of it wasn't pleasant, and it just lacked flavor. There were sliders. I believe they were prime rib. They were ok. There was also some type of lobster fritter. It was the best of all four appetizers. We also had the ham Flatbread, which is not pictured, but it was just ok. It may have been better if it hadn't been burnt. The Cranberry Spritzer was decent. The floor was beautifully decorated. There were lots of photo opportunities. I went early; around 4:30pm and it was a nice crowd, plenty of room to get comfortable and have conversation without it getting too loud. I'm glad I experienced it. Hopefully, they will work on the food for next year.

    Kathleen W.

    Showed up late (11pm ish) at night on a Tuesday evening. Drinks were okay. The best part was the place was pretty empty. We were able to visit each room and take a bunch of pictures. If the place was packed, I would not want to be there. It's definitely overpriced but it was a fun experience!

    Eggnog vodka

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    Review Highlights - Nutcracker Pop Up Christmas Bar

    Much bigger than expected but completely decked out and full of the holiday spirit.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Geja's Cafe

    Geja's Cafe

    3.9
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    Step off the streets of Chicago into a beautifully dimly lit fondue experience is so cozy inside…read morewith the music of a live Spanish guitar that really create a private magical experience. All the premier dinners come with salad, cheese, fondue, and the chocolate fondue - You are just choosing what protein you would like. The Prince Geja combination has a little bit of everything. However, we most liked the seafood which includes lobster and the scallops were to die for! Also the beef also cooks well. Favorite dipping sauce included the pimento mayo, chimichurri, and garlic butter. The cheese fondue is quite rich and the bread is quite filling so maybe get as much cheese as you can on each piece of bread. The chocolate fondue, I think is actually the best course as the Belgium chocolate melts so well and has a decadent but not overly sweet flavor. It pairs well with all that is provided for dipping, which includes poundcake, rice Krispies, strawberries. They also have some liquor that they light on fire at first so you can roast the marshmallows. It is such a well thought out experience. Service flows very well from two waiters who take your order set up your fondue pots for each course, but be prepared to spend at least 2 hours on this experience. Check out the Groupon but also I read a review that they just tack on the extra $50 so it's not really too much of a savings. Not sure if this is true.

    Had a fantastic evening at this classic spot!…read more Food was super tasty and fresh! The seafood was probably my favorite! The full dinner with chocolate and cheese was perfect! Also appreciated that they were accommodating for the vegetarian in our party. Everything except the cheese course can be made vegan friendly as well. The service was top notch! Appreciated that they called me ahead of time to confirm our reservation and ask about food allergies. All the staff was incredibly helpful and attentive. They were quick to refill items and answer any questions we had. The location is classic fondue restaurant, cozy and romantic. However, also perfect for catching up with a friend. I love the history in this place and really enjoyed the mood lighting. Pricing was fantastic for the quality of service, food, and drinks! Look forward to many happy returns!

    Photos
    Geja's Cafe
    Geja's Cafe
    Geja's Cafe

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    Gemini

    Gemini

    4.0
    (770 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    As a Gemini celebrating my birthday season with other Geminis, it only felt right to celebrate at…read moreGemini! When we arrived, I was a bit concerned because we hadn't received our menus. And that's because the menus were being printed with a personalized birthday message! Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and struck the perfect balance of checking in without being overbearing. The mussels (provençal-style) were delicious and enough to share among three people. The truffle-parmesan fries: We couldn't tell if they were too salty or just salty enough, but somehow we couldn't stop eating them! I ordered the baby wedge salad with chicken, and while the chicken looked small at first, it ended up being a large enough portion to last the salad. We were also surprised with complimentary desserts: the Chocolate Chunk Cookie Skillet and Buck Russell's Cake. Though I'm not a sweet person, my dining companions thoroughly enjoyed them.

    **4.5 Stars** Hard…read moreto believe this was our first visit to Gemini, but definitely won't be the last. We were glad to get a seat out on the patio on a lovely Tuesday evening after having spent time at the Zoo just a short walk away. The patio is lovely, two servers handling the large space extremely well. There were some things we had that were standouts, and others that were just fine. The half chicken was excellent, cooked perfectly and rubbed with delicious warming spices, the potatoes and pickled veggies the perfect counterbalance. Similar idea to the dish at Armitage Alehouse, but better seasoned and a lot lighter. The steamed mussels rivaled those of Armitage as well at a fraction of the cost. Very different broth, but the mussels themselves were excellent. We were also really impressed with the tuna tartare, an excellent blend of flavors and textures we could have had seconds on. The crispy shrimp rolls were a slight miss, largely because the shrimp were finely chopped, rather than sliced chunks. You ended up getting more the essence of shrimp than shrimp itself. We also felt the skillet cookie was just fun, no better or worse than we've had at places like Crosby Kitchen. Overall, a really good meal that scrapes being really great at times, and does it at affordable prices with friendly, attentive service.

    Photos
    Nice view inside restaurant
    Nice view inside restaurant
    Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club
    Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club
    Burrata crostini

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    Burrata crostini
    Esme

    Esme

    4.0
    (154 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Private events

    My rating of a 3 is specifically for the Restaurant Week menu though I'll say it definitely didn't…read moreinspire me to come back. I really wanted to like it; this was a nine-year anniversary dinner. Service was really attentive and friendly and I did appreciate that they brought out specific utensils for me as a left-handed person, never saw that before! The restaurant felt a bit bare and sterile, I think I was maybe expecting a little more decor on the table for a Michelin star restaurant. To echo several of the reviews below, the salad was awkward to share and scanty, the soup was good but the bread served with it felt like an afterthought, the sturgeon wasn't anything special though the sauce was quite good, and we are pretty sure the cut of beef was not wagyu or if it was it was not cooked the right way. The beef was the most disappointing part, I couldn't even chew through all of it. The add-ons were the best part - pasta was great and our dessert was delicious. But the rest of the meal was unfortunately mediocre. Hoping that others have a different experience with the regular menu!

    This review is for Restaurant Week!…read more I really like Esmes vibe overall. It's chic and minimalist. I love that the tables are widely spaced out so you don't feel like you're on top of another party. I loved the bowls everything was served in, and the silverware was unique. And the service was great. I appreciate when they left everyone finish before they clear the table. While I thought all the food was good, I think it overwhelming fell flat flavor wise. I don't think anything blew me away like I was expecting which was disappointing. We had the caviar supplement, which they accidentally gave us two of (amazing), which was good but also didn't blow me away. I wasn't the biggest fan of the flavors of the soup but that's probably a personal problem. The sturgeon and wagyu were alright. I wish I left being amazed but I left thinking I wouldn't come back, not even for RW again. I think my favorite bite of the night was the sticky date cake. I think it was the most flavorful but it wasn't the best dessert I've ever had. It lacked SOMETHING but I couldn't tell you what.

    Photos
    Esme
    Esme
    Esme

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    Willow Room

    Willow Room

    4.2
    (431 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Loved everything. Delicious really great foods. Group of four, zero complaints. The service was on…read morepoint. Nice wine pour. Bright fun atmosphere. I thought for the quality and portions and fair prices this is a really great choice. Looking forward to returning.

    Chicago Restaurant week. I reviewed various dining options in search of a good place for dinner…read more Reddit gave me some ideas. I'd never been to Willow Room and liked that they had a four course dinner menu, with items I liked. I was able to make a reservation for a Saturday night at 8:15pm. PARKING Parking on Halsted on a Saturday night can be a nightmare, and it did take a minute to find street parking. North of the 1800 block is busier because there are several restaurants within a two block radius. Side streets are permit parking after 6pm. Meters on Halsted are $2.50/hr. ATMOSPHERE Willow Room was pretty packed. We had a reservation for 8:15pm and my party of two was seated right away. The restaurant features a full bar, dim lighting and is nice and roomy. They have banquette seating around the perimeter, in addition to tables in the middle. SERVICE Our server, who was very nice and accommodating during our dining experience, came by and gave us our menu's. I had already decided on the RW menu and after review, my friend was interested in the Beef Wellington (not on RW menu). Our server informed us that normally the whole table had to order off of the RW menu if one person does, but said she would check with the kitchen since this was the last day of RW. Luckily, we were able to proceed with ordering from different menu's. FOOD I ordered a raspberry Cosmopolitan. I'm a Riesling/Moscato girlie, but I tasted the Riesling and didn't like it. RW dinner was priced at $60. I ordered: First Course: Caesar Salad (Typical salad, was good) Second Course: Mussels (Tasted fine, came with a baguette) Third Course: Short Rib (Could've been slightly more tender and better seasoned. I've definitely had better. Wouldn't order again.) Fourth Course: Orange Ricotta Donuts (Donuts were very good. Three were served, a few more would have been more filling.) My friend ordered a glass of Pinot Noir and: Truffle Fries (Fries were very tasty. I would order again if I went back.) Beef Wellington (The breading was buttery and very good. The beef could've been more seasoned. I wouldn't order.) Key Lime Pie (Was not sweet and had no taste. When our server came back and saw it was uneaten, she offered to take it off the bill. It should be removed from the menu altogether.) The busboys and server were very attentive. Our water glasses were always filled. OVERALL The atmosphere was nice, our server was great. Of all the food we ordered, I would order the truffle fries and Cosmopolitan again. I did leave full and did take my leftover Short Rib to go. Main dishes needed more seasoning. I would dine here again and try a different menu (brunch/lunch), or Happy Hour if they offer it.

    Photos
    Willow Room
    Willow Room
    Willow Room

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    Dearly Beloved

    Dearly Beloved

    4.3
    (132 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    Genesis was our server and she was absolutely amazing and attentive. She offered great suggestions…read morewhich we adhered to. Smash burger was . Caesar salad+ shrimp was a hit too. Fried chicken was crunchy and good. A touch sweet for my liking but very good. Truffle fries were a big hit. Also had warm crab dip wish had quite a few shells/cartilage but flavor was good. The drinks were all very good too. Music was nice. You good hear it a vibe to it but it was too loud. We didn't have to yell or talk loudly. We were were celebrating all 4 of our upcoming June/July birthdays and she treats us like rock stars. Great job Genesis

    I'm not quite sure why this place has pretty good reviews. Overall, it's pretty average. We came…read morefor happy hour and sat outside. While the table was on the sidewalk it was slightly set off and not on a busy street, so that was nice. While I only went inside to use the restroom, the vibes are interesting... I had their aperol spritz and it was okay. It was strong which was good. Then a pornstar martini. I thought the pornstar martini was really good and the best item of the evening. We shared oysters, the crab dip, and tuna tartare. The oysters were alright. The crab dip was funky. It was a bit fishy and maybe too heavy on the dill? I'm not sure but something was a bit off. The tuna tartare tasted fresh and was a good combination of flavors. It would be the only food item I'd reorder from the happy hour menu.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Bubbles
    Bubbles
    Life of the party

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    Life of the party

    Nutcracker Pop Up Christmas Bar - popuprestaurants - Updated August 2026

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