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.

My wife and I were wandering around the River North area and happened upon this place. A hidden…read moregem. Wonderful cocktails, food and atmosphere. Colin and Alan were fantastic, knowledgeable, entertaining and wonderfully accommodating to two unknowns. They and the place made a great end to our day! Highly recommended for both cocktail "geeks" and foodies or those looking for an intimate place. Often reminded by my wife that "you can never go home again" but happy to stop by here in the future.

Good drinks, good food. Nice atmosphere -- dark & cozy. Service was good. Nothing was bad about it,…read morebut for the price, it didn't blow me away. A couple of other reviews mention that it's quiet, which was shocking for me to read because my only complaint is that it was SO loud! Maybe it depends on the night (We were there on a Friday.), but we struggled to have a conversation because it was incredibly loud.

This is a convenient spot for a quick lunch, especially if you're already in the area. Just note…read moreyou do have to go through the hotel to get to the dining space, which can feel a bit confusing at first. Food was overall decent. The taco had very tender beef, though slightly oily. French fries were okay, but a bit too thick-cut for my preference. The salad came with more dressing than needed, but the chicken itself was tender and well-cooked. Service was good and efficient. Overall, a solid option if you need something quick nearby, but not somewhere I'd go out of my way for.

CBR has a great cocktail menu and I appreciate the lighter food options for Sunday brunch…read more The yogurt fruit parfait had really fresh fruit and sweet Greek style vanilla yogurt. The cream cheese that accompanied my plain toasted bagel tasted like it was just whipped up fresh. The bar area is nice with all the natural light coming in. Prices are what you would expect in the city for a hotel bar/restaurant.

Really enjoyed our dinner at The Franklin Room! The downstairs setting gives the restaurant such a…read morecozy, intimate atmosphere, and I loved how the menu pulls inspiration from different cuisines. The lamb chops and chicken roulade with masala butter sauce were standouts for me, and the Summer Wanderer cocktail completely surprised me......I wasn't sure how I felt about carrot in a cocktail, but it was delicious! The whiskey bottle keep is also such a cool touch. Service was great throughout the evening, and we finished with the mango and coconut tart. Definitely a unique River North dinner spot that's easy to walk right past if you don't know it's there.

We had such a great dinner at The Franklin Room! The space has a cozy, moody atmosphere that makes…read moreit perfect for a date night or dinner and drinks in River North. We started with the Healthy Habit and Lychee Martini, and for food we tried the Wagyu burger, coconut-marinated steak, and charred broccolini. Everything was delicious, but the burger was definitely one of our favorites. We finished with the Opera Cake for dessert, which was the perfect way to end the meal. Such a great spot if you're looking for somewhere that feels a little tucked away from the busier parts of River North. We'd definitely come back!

Rebel & Rye is your standard run of the mill neighborhood bar, which isn't a compliant considering…read morethe area. Sometimes you're in the mood for a cold beer while watching the game. Some of the friendliest bartenders I met in the city. I haven't been here on the weekend, but I imagine it gets packed especially with the patio. Also, who can say no to free popcorn?

The food came from the restaurant next door and after you order it when you need a to go tray the…read moreservers and waiters think it is a joke to say we don't have to go tray yet they serve food. The rudiest bunch of people who don't deserve a visit. As a person who enjoys visiting new spots. Which this spot has been 5 different places since my initial visit and partying scene. Ambiance is half cute but low key mildew is growing in the background while acting bougie. I will never return because the concent and care was absent.....horrible service consideration especially since you order off a QR code. I'm never going back after one encounter. Security was nice.

Celtic Crossing is a great Irish bar to stop by and grab a pint. Properly poured Guinness, crisps,…read moreand other Irish beers. It's also a full bar; what more do you need? The vibe is welcoming and unpretentious. Grab a pint, settle in, and suddenly you've been there longer than planned. The bartenders are welcoming, and the atmosphere feels like a real neighborhood pub, not a place trying too hard to be Irish. If you're a local or visiting in Chicago and craving a proper pint with some character, this place is worth a stop.

No food, just good brews, proper pours, good fun, great service and music. Sometimes simple is…read morebest. BTW, you may be able to bring your own food? A true Irish pub.

I've decided that this will officially be a staple lunch spot for me!…read more I was on a break from class when I stumbled across this little gem. Think of the quintessential restaurant scene in a movie where a business executive grabs a quick power lunch, surrounded by other professionals, before heading back to the office for that BIG meeting. It was exactly that! Meanwhile, I walked in wearing my school clothes, just looking for a good lunch. The atmosphere was great, the Wi-Fi was a plus, the food was delicious, and the cocktail menu was intriguing! I ordered the Dearborn Burger based on my waiter's recommendation, and it did not disappoint! It was cooked exactly to my liking and was SO juicy. The fries were perfectly crisp, just how I like them. And the MAN-LET'S-GO! cocktail? Exactly what I needed! It satisfied my mango craving and gave me that little boost I needed to get through the rest of my day. Between the atmosphere, the food, and the service, I can already tell this is going to become one of my regular spots. I will definitely be back frequently!

The service was wonderful. Our waiter was such a treat. The truffle fries are some of the best in…read morethe city. The ceviche was wonderful - very limey. The other food we ordered did not impress me. We ordered the hot honey pepperoni, the fried chicken starter, the burrata. Those were not my favorites - not bad just not special or stand out. The vibes are elevated corporate.

We had our Friday-night wedding welcome party at Concept (upstairs of Theory) and I am so happy we…read moredid! From start to finish, Joel and his team were so great to work with. I really wanted to play a slideshow on the screens and my own playlist and they went above and beyond helping me get it all set up! The food was also delicious - a lot of guests were pleasantly surprised since you never know with bars but Theory crushed it! Such a great event space, would highly recommend for others.

Kari's Rating 8.5/10…read more TLDR: -Sports themed bar with many TVs -Interesting variety of appetizers -Bathrooms look like a prison Came in for drinks about 6:30pm on a Wednesday and it wasn't too crowded since it was a bit early. I think there were some kind of corporate happy hour happening in the back, but a friend and myself just came in for quick drinks. I usually don't drink on the weekdays, so I ended up just getting an iced tea and him a tequila soda, but because I don't drink, we decided to get an appetizer and we browsed the menu for a minute and ended up splitting the Parmesan chicken egg rolls. Truthfully, I really just wanted to see what that would entail because it seemed a little disgusting or maybe even some kind of high-food, but to my surprise, it was actually a really crispy skinned pizza roll. I'm pretty sure it had been previously frozen, but in that moment- served with a side of marinara, I didn't really care. It was full of gooey melted mozzarella cheese and almost like a breaded chicken nugget center. Pretty decent as far as bar food goes. They also had crab rangoon to which I thought, "hmm are they doing a little too much?!" I'm sure drunk me would have gotten them years ago so what can ya do. Overall, quite a positive experience. The bartender was really sweet and everything wasn't super expensive. I've been in the neighborhood for such a long time, but I've actually never been here and I'm glad I came on a night that it wasn't chaotic.

Mac n cheese "side" was a meal in and of itself! Wife's…read moreburger was good. Friends chicken nachos came loaded down with chicken! Price is reasonable. Vibe is great.

Such a fun casual, country bar in the heart of River North. Seating is rather limited to keep the…read morecenter dance floor open for bands and dancing. They have Christmas lights and decorations over the dance floor always which is hilarious. They have two large bars on each side of the inside to help disperse crowds. My friend and I stopped in on live band karaoke night which was SO entertaining! They make their own cinnamon whiskey which I ordered. It was super tasty and well priced! We didn't try any food this visit but have heard good things. This spot certainly has a fun vibe and check their events calendar for weekend live entertainment.

This cute Italian restaurant serves delicious food at reasonable prices! We really enjoyed our…read moredining experience here. The Limoncello Spritz was refreshing and delicious, and the spaghetti with meatballs was one of our favorites. Pro tip: Ask for some chili paste to add to the sauce if you like a little extra kick! Our waitress was wonderful--very attentive, accommodating, and helpful throughout our entire meal. Since we needed vegan and dairy-free options, she took the time to explain the menu and suggest alternatives. It seems that most of the sauces contain dairy, but the frutti di mare (seafood stew), similar to a cioppino, was an option without dairy. She even offered to add a side of pasta to make it more like a seafood pasta dish. We really appreciated her thoughtfulness and willingness to accommodate our dietary needs. To finish off the meal, we enjoyed the delicious pistachio ice cream mixed with cherry. It was a lovely way to end our dinner! Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience, with tasty food, reasonable prices, and excellent service. We highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a charming Italian spot with flavorful food and attentive service!

We absolutely loved the atmosphere here. The low lighting and music created such a great vibe, and…read moreeven though the restaurant was packed, it never felt overly loud. My wife and I really enjoyed this place during our trip to Chicago. The fresh-baked garlic bread was so good, and I loved the meatballs and Gnocchi alla Vodka. My wife really enjoyed her Rigatoni alla Vodka as well. Everything we ordered was delicious! On top of the food, the service was great, the cocktails were excellent, and they had a fantastic wine selection. There's also a beautiful bar that we didn't get a chance to sit at this time, but next time we're in Chicago, we'll definitely be grabbing seats there. Great food, great drinks, great service, and an awesome atmosphere. Definitely a place we'd come back to!