The Berkshire Room is one of my favorite speakeasies in Chicago. While they offer a fantastic cocktail 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 read more

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I made a reservation at The Berkshire Room during the first week of October for my wife's birthday celebration 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. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A small group of us came in on a weeknight for after dinner cocktails... The venue is interesting, somewhat dim and vibrant at the same time. Definitely has a cool, fun vibe. Cocktails are ok... I say that because we ordered something that wasn't too off the wall which involved ginger simple syrup and they couldn't make it - odd for a truly craft cocktail joint. So, they're more mainstream with their cocktails. Service was just ok as well, not the best, but somewhat friendly. Overall - it's worth checking out, even if only for the venue. read more

I added a photo and was surprised to see I've never reviewed this popular cocktail spot. I've been a handful of times over the years, as it's a solid standby in River North. Tucked away in the Acme hotel, the vibe is loungey with plenty of different types of seating. We came around midnight on a Friday and it was packed but we managed to find a cozy corner. For drinks, I've always enjoyed their "Dealer's Choice", which is a fun novelty. However, on my latest visit I decided to try the Frijolito ($18), which was basically a spin on an espresso martini but with mezcal. Wow! Perfectly balanced, unique, and delicious. For food, they offer some "bites" but I've not tried them. Our server was fine, nothing special. I can't remember ever having bad service here. read more

The Berkshire Room - Hotel Zanzibar - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Berkshire room is the Acme hotel's speak easy, but man, the drinks were rough! My Hermosa was honestly one of the worst drinks I've ever had! It tasted like a 5 year old got into their parents' liquor cabinet and just randomly poured whatever cheap liquor was in there, and mixed it with water! The ambiance was nice. Lightly lit, and easy on the eyes, but our server was inattentive and unfriendly, which made the drink that much more unappealing! Hopefully you have better luck than me here! read more

The Berkshire Room - Hermosa! - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I mentioned that I wanted tequila as a base and fruity. I forgot to say straight up but it was. It was an amazing cocktail. It had different flavors like rhubarb, Grapefruit, lime, Burlesque bitters and house-made raspberry puree. Wow! Great ambiance. Low lighting. John the bartender was great. Highly recommend. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came here in 2023 and remember constantly remembering how good the cocktails were so decided to stop back in and they were just as good as I remember! I came the night I got engaged so we decided to go on our anniversary as like a cute little celebration after dinner. The service is always amazing and the interior is very chill, great music. They can make anything you ask for but their cocktail list is extensive and has so much to choose from! Highly recommend. read more

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This was a great little find. A true cocktail lounge perfect for a date night, a guy's night, or even a solo drink. The atmosphere is moody, but not too dim. The music adds energy, but doesn't drown out the conversations. And in addition to the full bar and knowledgeable mixologists, they serve small bites that are perfect to cleanse the palette between drinks. Speaking of drinks... our bartender (I think his name was John), was spot-on with his recommendations. He made me a unique but familiar old fashioned with Old Forester and just the right amount of everything else. We weren't too hungry, so we just had a charcuterie board with our drinks, but if we added the cheese board it probably would have been a perfect light meal for two. The drinks were top shelf, and the service was nothing less. Highly recommend for a nice night out. read more

The Berkshire Room - Old Forester - old fashioned - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Was in downtown Chicago and wanted a cool cocktail bar and decided on The Berkshire Room based on the Yelp reviews. BANG! It was awesome. Super quaint space in the middle of the hustle and bustle of River North. Danny the bartender was amazing, the drink selection was super cool and OMG the selection of spirits was over the top. If you are looking to try impossible to find bourbon- THIS IS THE PLACE. I won't get into the details, but they had most of the BT bourbons. If you like tequila, they also had Fortaleza (all kinds). If you have not had Fortaleza, you must try it. It is the GOAT of tequila and is super hard to find. Highly recommend read more

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Had a nice experience here celebrating a night on the town. Absolutely loved the dealers choice, which is where you make specifications on what you'd like in a drink and the bartender then makes something based on that. Very glad our server was patient with us as we may have stayed longer than others. read more

The Berkshire Room - Bar - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have been to The Berkshire Room a few times with my lovely bride, and we enjoyed another wonderful visit to this cocktail lounge over the weekend. I actually made an online reservation a few days prior to our date, and amazingly our hostess noticed the online note that I had scribbled in regard to our milestone moment that we were celebrating. To our delight and amazement, we were rewarded with a cozy seating area where we enjoyed our libations even more than we had anticipated. Drinks we enjoyed included the not-that-spicy Sichuan Don and the strongly sippable Berkshire Manhattan. While I have been to The Berkshire Room over the years for some very fun work events, this venue offers a cool romanticism that feels just right for my love and me. read more

I've visited The Berkshire Room a couple times and have yet to try a bad cocktail. Everything ranges from good to excellent, and they have a wide variety to suit all tastes and moods. Cool location and ambiance, too. Perfect for a sexy date night. Service is friendly and relatively quick for a cocktail bar of this style. Definitely will be back. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Out of all the bars we went to this was the worst. We came in town from Texas, my husband and I, a party of 2. And you could tell the server, Chelsea, cared more about the parties of 4+ which was great for her, but sucked for us... she very rarely looked at us, hardly spoke to us, and we had to make her look our way.... It was sad that she was the only server for the whole floor, but it would've been nice to be payed attention to. If you're a party of 4+ this is the place, if your a party of 2, find another location. We had to call her name and flag her down to get her attention, but for her she got more tips from larger parties, that was clear! Fund another bar. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in after dinner for a drink here. The interior was really fun: little private seating areas scattered on multiple levels with dim lighting made it feel intimate but not overly formal. The music was a tad loud but I'm old so that's what happens. Loved the drinks. I had an old fashioned and my wife had a sazerac. They were both made well and the service was excellent. However, on this particular night the bartender got sick so they had to close the bar abruptly. They allowed us to finish our drinks and didn't rush us out which was nice. We'd definitely go back - cool atmosphere and good drinks!! read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this place, love the vibe, love the concept. We made a reservation online and got seated pretty quickly. The place is small, but the seats are comfy. What drew us here was the "dealers choice" option where you get to pick a liquor, a flavor, and a cup. I opted for vodka and sweet. Boy was that vodka and boy was it sweet! It wasn't bad but it wasn't my favorite. Nonetheless I enjoyed it! read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place was our night cap/bring in the new year spot. We were greeted by a wonderful hostess and host. They were full of energy and set the best vibe for the new year. Our server was wonderful (I hate that I'm forgetting names!). We all did the dealers choice and were extremely pleased with our drinks. It was lovely. Definitely recommend stopping in. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Couldn't find parking-- valet was $40 !! Drove back home disappointed-- I don't want to commit to $40, for my first try.

I come here for the dealer's choice. Danny is phenomenal and is such a cool bartender. You can pick your alcohol and how you like your drink. It's something very unique and you get something new every time. read more

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I was SO disappointed with my experience here. Service was terrible. It took me an hour to get my cocktail. A literal hour. It wasn't very busy but the server working was frequently no where to be found. My drink was good. I did their dealers choice concept - you select an alcohol, a flavor profile, and a glass type and the bartender will mix you something of their choice. However, they served my husband a drink that wasn't what he ordered - so that was disappointing. We ordered whipped feta as an appetizer. It wasn't good and was just thick and lacked flavor. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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There isn't any food at the Berkshire room, but who needs it when you are going to enjoy drinks and conversation? The vibe of this place is set for the classy woman and old school fellas. The decor and room setup reminds me of a 1960s movie scene. Upon walking in, the hostess will escort you to your seating area and make sure you are settle in well. The bar service does not disappoint! The bar tender is skilled in his craft and can make anything upon request! I will be going back for a ladies night out! read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a super cute bar inside a hotel. I had researched a few places close to our hotel for nightcaps and we liked this place so much, we came back another night. The first night it was loud with lots of bigger groups. The second night was quiet. We had a good time both nights. Service is good, drinks yummy and the menu is neat. They have a thing where you just give them your choice of spirit, flavor profile and glass, and they will create something for you. Good place for a date or even a big outing. Would definitely go back when I am back in town. read more

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The vibe is really laid back and the atmosphere is almost like a speakeasy. Possibly because they look at you like you are crazy for trying to get in (even with plenty of open space)! Unfortunately, it was so laid back that the drinks took a really long time to get, and in the 1.5 hours we were there, they never asked us if we even wanted a second round. The cocktails were priced about standard ($15-20) per, although none of them really stood out as stellar. They do serve a Negroni, so hey, that was pretty cool :) read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I like this place the dealers choice was a cool touch I love when places do that. It allows you to try something you would never normally try outside of standard drinks and adds a little fun to the night. It's a little dark in here so keep that in mind if you're with a group and can be tough to interact with everyone just based on how the layout of the place is. Overall I think it's a great date spot and would easily come here again! read more

Lovely ambiance, chill music in the bg, not too loud, comfortable talking volume, nice seating, warm lighting, aesthetic arches and high ceilings....all together lovely But don't order the nonalcoholic Crazy pineapple drink. It sounds interesting and complex but arrives as though it's just straight pineapple juice for $16 read more

Has a really nice relaxing vibe, the play good music and the cocktails were also quite good. Service was a little slow but it's a lounge so what can you really expect. Overall, a nice chill spot to grab a nightcap. read more

Very cool lounge. I definitely recommend a reservation or arriving early as it gets really busy. Service was a little slow but again they were really busy. Drinks were good and they have interesting ones to try. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Let me just say, I'm not a huge cocktail drinker because oftentimes I feel that I get a drink that is two parts rubbing alcohol and one part pure high fructose corn sugar syrup. This place? I could have had three cocktails in quick succession because these cocktails are perfectly balanced and smooth and created with such expertise that each sip is heaven. The dealers choice was what my husband went with, and the surprise drink was exceptional. I had their take on the aviation and it was one of the best cocktails I've ever had, hands down, and introduced me to black gin. I love most gins but lt had never had black gin and now I'm pretty sure my gin drinks for the next few months will have to have it in there. The service was professional and superb; not too pushy but not too distant to ensure we were having a good time. I loved the small, dark, cozy ambience; it felt more like a classy house party than a bar, and while it was a little loud (Friday night 2000) that couldn't be helped and no one was wild, it was just a lot of voices in a small space. I'll be back here and I'll be telling all my friends with a nose for good well balanced drinks and a penchant for chill classy spots to head this way! read more

The Berkshire Room - Scapegrace Aviation and Dealers Choice - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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One of the best cocktail lounges in River North!! The bartenders are so friendly and the ambiance in here is impeccable. They have a Dealers Choice option on the menu where you can pick your flavor notes, type of glass, and type of liquor and the bartender will make you something based on those! It's so much fun to see when you'll get and it's usually something a little different every time. Amazing date night spot or night out with girl friends - Just try to get a res or seat at the bar! read more

The Berkshire Room - Amazing cocktails! - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We made a reservation for drinks at the Berkshire Room between an architectural tour of Chicago and our dinner reservation. We were there at 6, and it wasn't too busy. We really enjoyed hanging out here, and our drinks were delicious - mine especially! Their seasonal cocktails sounded really good, but I decided to go for the Dealer's House, which allows you to "discover off menu items created by their bartenders. Choose a spirit, flavor profile, & glassware for $16." I went with tequila, sweet, and a Collins glass, and I was so impressed with my first drink that I went for round two! Both of my drinks were delicious. My husband ordered an old fashioned and a pour of whiskey neat. He enjoyed both of his, as well, but mentioned how good my drinks were for the rest of our trip! The staff working were also so nice. I will absolutely be back next time we are visiting Chicago! read more

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I mean, I literally just got one drink here with a friend after walking in asking for a table and I really enjoyed the vibes in here. The dim lighting makes it a great spot for ambiance, and it's small and intimate.. especially if you get to sit in one of the sides with the lounge-type seating. I think we got lucky that we were able to grab a spot on a Friday night given that it was a little bit earlier and that we had no sort of reservation or anything. We both actually ordered the same drink since we were feeling Mezcal, and it was very good! Expect to pay typical to slightly above average cocktail prices. Will be back! read more

I made a reservation for two and was so glad I did. We got the most perfect seats at the bar for two. We were able to see all the action at the bar while seated comfortably on single couch seats. I love that you are able to choose your spirit of choice, flavor profile and glassware, then the bartender surprises you with something unique based on your choices. It was fun to play around with the flavor profiles and glassware. I love when bars either have this "dealer's choice" or don't have a menu at all and simply ask what I like to drink. This is a fun bar to meet up with friends and catch up at. I'd highly recommend! read more

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We're from out of town and we're expecting a semi luxury hotel bar vibe. What a shock! It was Saturday night at 6:15 and the bar was empty. We had already been dropped off by black car, so we kind of had to stay. My husband and I brought a friend. There was no ambiance and the lighting wasn't nicely, dimly lit, but instead it was depressing. Even at 8:00 no one was there except 2 people up at the bar and one sounded drunk. We loved the Palmer House bar! read more

My sister, good friend, and I were in town for a long girls weekend and thanks to some good 'ol Midwest connections, we made reservations to sit at the bar here after it was suggested by a friend. We were entirely sure what to expect but I can say right off the bat, it surpassed our expectations. We entered through the ACME hotel doors and made our way back to the host. He was excellent and even helped us ditch a group of random guys that were trying to follow us in. We were seated right away and once comfortable, I was immediately taken aback by the decor and overall atmosphere. Very chill vibes but with a hint of elegance. The lighting was very moody and the music fit the scene entirely. Our bartender for the evening was Nigal and he was fantastic from start to finish. I can't remember the names of the drinks we had but I can say that there wasn't anything that I didn't like. And we each had a few, tasting each other's cocktails round after round. I know Nigal made a few special creations for us too. I always love when you can tell a bartender what you like and they use their magical powers to create an elixir just for you. And let me just say, these drinks are good and we were all quite tipsy as we ended our time there. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the area and looking for a cool experience... or locals looking for a romantic date night. read more

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Staying at Acme hotel, they said it was open until 2a but turned us away at 1.30a. Don't say or advertise it's open until 2p unless you really are! read more

I came here for drinks with a group of friends, and we had a good time. I wanted a non-alcoholic drink and they made me a delicious citrus-mint mocktail. There is also a small snacks menu. The lounge is very dim, making it difficult to read the menu...or I'm just getting old and my eyesight is failing. read more

The Berkshire Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing place to hang with friends or going on a date here too. The drinks are amazing. Especially the dealer choice. Can't go wrong with that or the cocktail list. The waiter are amazing and you got question they are amazing to help out. Please do make a reservation. It does save you time when getting this. read more

The Berkshire Room - Cheeses plater - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's a really fabulous classy bar. I felt like a princess dining there. Only $14 for my plate of foie grad roulette. It was yum and I really enjoy the atmosphere at, the Berkshire room. my minor complaint is when I asked for a doggie bag, it never came. So I felt forced to eat it all before I left the bar. read more

The Berkshire Room - Foie gras plate - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am loathe to write a review, because I don't want this place to get too popular and then I can't find a seat when I want. But this is a hit on all levels. Bartenders who know their stuff, a chill atmosphere, and juuuuust off the beaten path. Definitely a spot I'd go to whenever I could. read more

This is my favorite cocktail bar in Chicago, hands down! I love the Dealer's choice cocktails wherein you can choose your spirit, glass and flavor profile and the bartender makes something magical for you. I love the anticipation of not knowing how your drink will be like and how the bartender would achieve something great from the weird combination you selected from the menu. The bartenders have always delivered on the cocktails even when I had selected the most uncanny combination of spirit, flavor and glassware. The bites are perfect alongside the great cocktails! My favorite are the spiced nuts and the cheeses. The ambience is very chic and sophisticated. Truly a great hidden gem! read more

The Berkshire Room - Dealer's choice cocktails, spiced nuts and mini cakes - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Berkshire Room is located in the Acme Hotel straight ahead right when you walk in. The bar is sectioned into three parts, with small tables and bar seating in the middle and longer lounge seating on the sides. The side couches are communal so there's a chance you'll have to share the area with other parties. My first drink was the eden hall ($15) which was on their seasonal menu. I ordered mine with gin but you could also choose mezcal and cachaça. The drink contained aloe liqueur which was very unique to me and I had never had a drink with that ingredient before. I could taste the botanicals from the gin, the tartness from the lime, and the minty refreshing flavor from the lemongrass. It was a very balanced and solid drink. My second drink was the dealer's choice ($16) which involved choosing from a list of spirits, flavor profiles, and glassware. I went with the single malt peaty scotch, strong and stirred, and rocks glass. The resulting cocktail was one with peaty scotch, amaro nonino, apple brandy, and another ingredient I forgot. Whatever it was, the cocktail was fantastic! It was so easy to drink and went down super easy. It didn't taste as spirit forward as I knew there to be in that drink which made it so dangerous to drink. Our server was great and the vibes were relaxing and intimate. If only I could go back and ask for that recipe... read more

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