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.

Beautiful atmosphere, great music, every dish was delicious, and wait staff was friendly. I loved…read moreit here. The Barbacoa is a must try! My mocktail was delicious and had a spicy kick. It was the one with lime and jalapeno. However, for small bites, the prices were high in my opinion. Even the drinks - my n/a ginger beer was $10, which is high. Just a tad pricey but over all a lovely place I would revisit.

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.

Owner Sonnie and DJ/Security Milton brutally beat up a customer outdise of the bar April 23, 2026…read morewhich started with the DJ/Security using excessive force on the customer inside of the bar. The young man was outside talking to associates about the situation and the owner came out and attacked him and the DJ joined in and beat him. Customer left in ambulance and is seeking medical care. The owner and DJ needs to be arrested! There were numerous witnesses to this incident

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 .

We stumbled upon this place because there happened to be an open parking spot on the street…read more Located on UIC's campus and near the Museum of Science and Industry. British themed menu so chips does equal fries. I had a delicious grilled cheese that had an egg on top it. I enjoyed it but it was definitely quite messy. My boyfriend got the chicken salad sandwich. It does have curry in it so wasn't his favorite but he didn't hate it. I wouldn't hurry back but if you're in the area, I would recommend checking this place out.

Love the decor and overall beauty of this place. This was another cocktail bar that was on my list…read moreof places to try and I got a chance to do just that. The service was great and again I just thought the overall ambience was well suited they have a really beautiful bar area that are stocked with all the spirits and premium spirits that you could imagine. The drinks were good, I specifically ordered the "kick push "which contained Hennessy and rum with bitters. As you can imagine, it was a pretty strong drink, but it was well made, and one that I would get again. This is a nice date night spot. You can take someone there as you wait for your dinner reservation, or you can seal the night here.

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.

Both the waitress and the bar tender were amazing , I came with my daughter and we were…read morecelebrating her 21st birthday, they made the experience very special , both very attentive and friendly 10/10 , will come back next time I'm in Chicago I'm from Los Angeles, CA

As soon as you walk in, this place is breathtaking, absolutely gorgeous. They really went all out…read morewith the decor . The employees are very friendly too. I've been here for two events, the Daiquiri Fest and the Martini Fest, and both were a great time. The drinks were delicious and the space is very spacious so it never felt crowded. The chips and dips were good. I tried the fried chicken but it wasn't really for me. I'll personally stick to the drink events. Parking is street parking. I can't wait to attend another event!

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.

Looking for a sexy spot? You found it here! Come in and get some fire drinks that's all you'll find…read morethough but you know what that's all you need. Enjoy the atmosphere the music the people lovely get it in.

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!

We went for restaurant week and had a good dinner. I got the Caesar Salad, Stuffed Chicken, and…read moreBananas Foster with a glass of Chardonnay. The food was good. We had good service and the ambiance is great. On Tuesdays they have live music and we got to sit on stage. I want to come back and try brunch sometime!

Bar Mar is a solid spot in Downtown Chicago. The interior decor and atmosphere was great for a nice…read moredinner. Most of the food was tremendous. My favorites were the crab cake, Cobb salad, and short rib. The crab cake was very soft and had a nice texture to it. It was one of the best crab cakes I've eaten. The Cobb salad was also very light and shareable. The short rib main course was very tender, and it came with crispy potatoes as well. Some of the other items such as the Philly cheesesteak and Asian tacos were just ok. They were also both very small in quantity relative to their price. The desserts were magnificent as well, especially the deconstructed key lime pie and sticky toffee pudding. Both of them were phenomenal. The service throughout my meal was excellent. My waitress gave us some nice recommendations, and the staff came by often. I would definitely recommend to visit Bar Mar, and I look forward to coming back myself when I am in Chicago.

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 was wondering why service was so crappy. They have an automatic 20% service charge even for 1…read moreperson. There was no way I was going to give that server 20%. More like 10%. I won't be back.

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.