I love a good cocktail bar, and this spot definitely delivers. I am already a fan of Erick Williams…read morerestaurants, so I was excited to check this one out, especially after learning it focuses on tequila and mezcal, which are my favorites. It is also conveniently located on the same block as two of his other spots. I have been twice now and had a great experience each time. I am especially glad they did away with the reservation deposit. It makes planning a visit much easier. Most recently, I stopped by for their all day Sunday happy hour, which was a great vibe. They have expanded the food menu since my first visit, and everything I tried was solid. The empanada was my favorite, the quesabirria was really good, and the chicken torta was delicious. On my first visit, I only had the guacamole, which I also enjoyed. The decor is beautiful and intimate, creating a great atmosphere, and the music is always on point. The staff has been friendly and welcoming every time I have gone. This place is definitely staying in my regular rotation.

I was excited to check out this new cocktail bar in Hyde Park. The ambiance and decor is elevated…read moreand warm. I liked their extensive lists of drinks and made sure to try one with mezcal. We tried the Jushu which I loved the glass it came in and the drink was great but definitely not mango-y. My friend ordered the tamale and I tried just a bite to see. We think it's not very spicy and wish the tomatillo came through more. For me as a vegetarian, I think this is a great place to get drinks but I wouldn't come here expecting a full dinner. Which, I think is the point with their small menu! Everything came out super fast, everyone was very attentive. It was early on a Saturday so it was very quiet but they had good music playing. Definitely a cute addition to the neighborhood!

The Chicago food tour commences... First stop, drinks at Bisous! This cocktail bar was listed no…read more 39 on the top 50 bars in North America for 2025. It was no wonder when we arrived that there was a line out the door. We waited around 45 minutes, and the bouncer was a really nice fellow who kept track of the numbers and people at the door. Upon entering, we were immersed in a dimly lit retro-style lounge. It was quite loud inside and packed as we walked to our seats. The server was great at taking our orders and offering suggestions. I opted for the French 75, which featured sparkling wine and mixed gin, brandies, and citrus. The drink was delicious, but STRONG. I don't know what they put in the cocktails in America, but I am always finished after one drink. Needless to say, we were all struggling to finish our own drinks. My favourite touch was the coasters, I ended up keeping all of them so that I can reuse them at my galentines event next year. The 'bisous' with the kiss on the other side is a perfect touch! I think the drinks are fairly priced for USD. I would love to return someday to try other drinks and bar bites, and also try their sister bar, Sparrow.

My boyfriend and I were visiting Chicago (from Las Vegas) 2 weeks ago, and were very excited to…read morecheck out Bisous, as it looked nice inside and had good reviews. Imagine my shock when we didn't even make it past the bouncer because he was so rude, AS OTHER RECENT REVIEWS HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL! We had dinner nearby and walked to Bisous after, and saw there was a line of 5 or 6 people outside. We expected this as we knew Bisous is a first come, first serve bar. We were curious what the wait time would look like, so we approached the front door to ask a host or employee inside (we assumed there'd be a desk with an employee working it who could give us a wait time). We had no problem waiting, just wanted to see how long they estimated it would be! Before we could even fully open the door, the bouncer swung the door open from the other side and hit me with the door. I stumbled back a few steps and he looked at us and said, and I quote, "What do you want?". I laughed at first because I thought he was joking and putting on a tough guy act. He was not. We quickly explained we just wanted to see what the wait time was, and he said "don't you see there's a line outside?" We said yes, and explained we just wanted to know a rough estimated wait time. He just blankly stared at us while ushering us out. Both my boyfriend and I have worked in customer-service roles for a very, very long time. This encounter was not only extremely rude and unprofessional, but he also hit me hard enough with the door to send me stumbling back, and then said nothing about it and continued to address us in a tone that was nothing less than annoyed and irritated. We didn't end up going inside because that encounter left such a bad taste in our mouths. I don't believe in spending my money at establishments that don't treat their customers with the bare minimum respect they deserve! Bummed we didn't get to experience it, as I'm sure it was lovely inside and I can only hope the rest of the employees were much more kind and accommodating, or at least able to answer a simple question. Fire your "bouncer" (??) and hire someone with some basic customer service and communication skills!!

This used to be the go-to local bar to blow off steam after a tough day at work. The clientele is…read morecomprised of a really cool mix of local south- siders (read: White Sox fans!) and UChicago staff/students. There is an epic wall mural that features different aspects of the city, including a huge Barack Obama head. As I said: epic. The bar is separated into two distinct parts, divided by a counter/tables in the center (you have to walk all the way around if you want to switch sides or move at the tables). On one side is the bar and a few TVs to watch the games, giving it a louder sports bar kind of vibe. On the other side there are a bunch of tables--almost like picnic tables. It feels very communal and laid-back. It's a place you can sip on drinks and easily spend time with a group of friends. The Cove is very group-friendly. My favorite part? My friend brings his dog there and it's no problem. Is this bar a dive? Yes. Do I care? No. Do I actually love it? Absolutely. Best bar on the area, hands down.

Shockingly unkind people working here to be frank. I do want to maybe give it another go at some…read morepoint to get a better sense of the vibes and if it just was an off night but for now wowzers

My waitress Andrea at Truth Be Told is so welcoming and makes me feel right at home. In restaurants…read moreI believe it's the people that make the experience a good one and Andrea excels at this. Highly recommend ! Becky from NY

We celebrated our friend's 60th birthday with Sunday brunch at Truth Be Told, located on the…read moreUniversity of Chicago campus and connected to The Study at University of Chicago. The restaurant has a warm tavern-style aesthetic--inviting, comfortable, and perfect for a relaxed celebration. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, and genuinely personable, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The brunch menu blends English and American influences, offering something for everyone. We tried the Scotch pancakes, which were quite good, and overall everyone at the table enjoyed their meals. The atmosphere was pleasant and unhurried--we never felt rushed, allowing us to truly enjoy the food, conversation, and celebration. A great spot for brunch gatherings .

Inkwell is my favorite cocktail bar in the Fulton Market area for having intimate conversations!…read moreThe vibe is so inviting, with perfectly dimmed lights and music which wasn't too loud but also not too quiet. There was chatter in the air from other patrons that had the feel of a lively cafe. I love that they have a selection of craft cocktails but also a $3 miller high life pony as a "frugal" or "light drinker" option for the low ABV enjoyers. I was impressed with the service as the doorman seemed to work as both the server and the bartender. There were some cocktails on the menu that had run out of stock for some reason but that wasn't a big deal since the ambiance made up for it. Definitely would recommend Inkwell as a perfect spot to catch up with friends!

Well priced bar with good prices, quality cocktails, and a strong identity in West Loop…read more Out of the options you have in West Loop, this one works perfectly for something slightly more lowkey. This is a great place to go for friendly ambiance to not break the bank.

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 really enjoyed my time at Dearly Beloved! I had the burger and blackout cake. The cake was the…read morestar of the show, for me. The service was great! There was a group of 9 and she did an excellent job accommodating and serving our party. I really enjoyed the decor and the music. It was lively and unique! Overall, we had a great time celebrating with friends. If I'm ever in Chicago again, I will definitely go back for the cake and drinks!

The Alderman has been on my list for quite some time now. I am so excited that I finally was able…read moreto snag a reservation and check it out. If you didn't know, it is located inside of Pilsen Yards. It's a nice small intimate setting, but I loved every single detail about it. If you are not able to sit at the booth, there are four seats at the bar where you can still enjoy the experience. The ambience was amazing. It was nice and cozy, dimly lit, candles everywhere kind of gave a romantic feel in a sense. The art on the wall was like no other. Very bold, vibrant, and told a story. The selection of music was great, It was a vibe the entire time. My bartender's name was Scotty. Scotty was everything. He was so knowledgeable about the drinks. He had amazing suggestions and he could even put a twist on it if you allowed him. He's also very passionate about his craft and it shows once you a taste of the drinks that he prepared. I had such an amazing time. Not only did he prepare a great drink, but he was so personable and checked on everybody throughout the night and made sure everyone was doing OK. I loved it there. I cannot wait to go back another day. This is hands-down one of my favorite speakeasies. What a hidden gem.

Beautiful intimate speakeasy with amazing cocktails it's hard to pick which one to start with! The…read moreservice was wonderful and we really enjoyed our time. I ordered the petal pusher cocktail which was delicious!

This place is magical, first when you walk in there is a beautiful wall display of flowers then you…read morewalk in and see romantic candles on tables with dim light. The ambiance is perfect if you are celebrating your anniversary or birthday. Now let's talk about the music, LIVE MUSIC!!! When I was there it sounded like jazz, besides the house of blues, where in Chicago can you go and hear live music? (I'll wait) The service was exceptional, very kind and personable staff, very attentive and easy to talk to. The food was utterly delicious, I've never had a steak so good in my entire life, & I've had steak at RPM & STK Overall an amazing experience, I will definitely be coming back and telling everyone about it. Thank you so much for an amazing experience.

From the moment you walk into Chemistry until the second you leave, the experience is immaculate…read more The hostesses are dressed to impress--absolutely stunning--and set the tone right away. We were seated promptly and greeted by our lovely host, who truly brought the "chemistry" to our table and woke up our entire vibe! Everything from the drink presentation to the final dessert was phenomenal. We tried the Patron flight, which I highly recommend. I ordered the stuffed salmon, perfectly seasoned, with rice and spinach that was incredibly flavorful. My sister had the lamb chops with garlic mashed potatoes speechless. And our birthday girl went with the jerk salmon and asparagus. She loved it so much she cleaned her plate and couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was. Overall, we had an unforgettable experience. The music, the food, the energy--everything was a 20/10. If you're in Chicago, this place is a must-visit. I made it there within 48 hours, so no excuses!

Great food, a clean and welcoming atmosphere, and beautiful decor. The service was absolutely…read moreamazing from start to finish, and the staff made us feel very well taken care of. This is a wonderful spot for a date night or a special evening out. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to coming back.

Our second time eating at a Jose Andres restaurant in Chicago and again it was disappointing. Last…read moretime we ate at Jaleo and found it underwhelming but put it down to the fact that we had just returned from an amazing culinary trip to San Sebastian. We really admire Jose's philanthropic work and want to love his restaurants but truth be told, if you forget about the glitzy decor, the food is just average. We tried several appetizers; the Hamachi Cone, Caviar Cone, Asian Taco, Neptune's Pillows, Shrimp Cocktail and Iberico Jamon. We also shared a bottle of Cava. Everything was fine but to be frank the Shrimp Cocktail was the best thing we ate, simple and perfectly fresh. The service was pushy, when a server wants to take you order less than 3 minutes after sitting down, it feels like you're on a conveyor belt. We felt the prices were way out of line, with tip I spent almost $500 for a bottle of cava and appetizers for two people, for that, the food should have been more memorable. We spent the same amount for two off us to have the 12 course tasting menu at Atsumeru a couple of weeks ago and Bar Mar's food isn't in the same league. We will continue to financially support Jose's World Kitchen but not his restaurants.

I went twice - evening & sunday afternoon. Good food with options for vegans & pescatarians. Nice…read moreatmosphere for conversation on a sunday afternoon. The evening session with Jazz was nice a little loud for group conversation (we had a middle table) but sounded good.

Everything was astonishing! I had a reservation, and I was sat on time! The DJ was playing very…read morenice cool R n B and jazz music which made the vibe outstanding. Let's talk about the good: I had a Cesar salad and the Beef Ribs , so good! I definitely will be back.