Arrived 10 minutes early and received a warm greeting and promptly seated. Our server, Timi, arrived and we knew we would have a great evening as they took care of us during our last visit. Timi made sure we had a wonderful dinner and were very well taken care of. The meal was delicious and just as perfect as last time. Oysters were fresh and well prepared. The Burger and fries were top tier. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. The pro move this time was ordering the side dish of mushrooms to accompany the burger. I could write a separate review on the cocktails. We had 4 different ones this evening and all were amazing. Be adventurous and you'll be rewarded. No room for dessert, so Timi made sure we had an amazing chocolate chip cookie for later. Again, wonderful service for the whole evening. Ambiance is perfect for an evening out. Low lighting, and comfortable tables/chairs. Music at a good level to not interfere with conversations. We did have two tables of ladies next to us that felt the need to scream talk at each other for the first 15 minutes we were there. Ear piercing to the point we almost asked to move and we watched one group ask their dad when they were set by them if he would be able to handle it. Once they wrapped up and left the entire restaurant was quieted down and all could again enjoy their meal and time with who they went with...the look of glee on other people's faces as they left made it a laughable experience instead of negative so I had to share. ;) Looking forward to a return visit in the near future. Cheers. read more

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Cool laid back bar with original interest ting drinks. Love the brick walls and dark cozy atmosphere. We sat at the bar and had a Loyalist Old Fashioned and my wife had the Chai on the River. Loved their simple menu but the atmosphere is so conducive to relaxation and great Chicago spot. read more

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The service here is very polite and accommodating, but the food takes a very long time to come out. The food menu items are nothing memorable or to come back to at all. We ordered an array of appetizers, main dishes, of course, the infamous burger, and a couple sides. I personally think all the items on the menu do not accompany each other well. The progress is also the most overrated burger I've ever had in my life. Definitely not worth the wait. Overall, the ambience is cozy and inviting. I don't think I will be coming back. We will just stick to the upstairs at Smyth. read more

Went to The Loyalist for the first time last night for dinner with coworkers, including my boss who was visiting Chicago for the first time. I picked it because I wanted somewhere intimate, consistently well reviewed, and with enough hype to feel like a fun Chicago pick without being too much of a scene. Overall, I liked it! The ambiance is probably my favorite part. It's dark, intimate, very clean, and cold, which was refreshing. I can also see it being a really cozy spot in the winter. Service was wonderful, and the food was good across the board. I tried the smash burger rather than the famous OG Loyalist cheeseburger because I personally prefer smash burgers. It had a lot going on flavor-wise. Some umami was enjoyable. That said, I was expecting to be a little more blown away by it given the reputation. If I'm being completely honest, I'd personally choose the burgers at Leavitt Inn, Mott St, NADC, Armitage Alehouse, or Izakaya over The Loyalist. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what was missing for me. Even the bun felt like a lot compared to the rest of the burger. That said, I do recommend The Loyalist. It's a good atmosphere, the service is excellent, and it's an easy crowd-pleaser for a nice dinner. I just think the burger fell slightly short of the hype for me. read more

The Loyalist - Smashburger - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a gem! This place is tucked downstairs and the space is cozy with dim lighting and a mix of bar/table seating. The service was very friendly and the staff made some great suggestions for food. The cocktails were crafted nicely and were delicious as well. The anchovy toast and deviled eggs are a must get for starters and you cannot go wrong with their classic burger. The cabbage side dish was incredible and paired with the meal perfectly. This is a great spot for a lovely dinner. I went with my dad and it was a really nice time with delicious bites! read more

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First time here and the drinks and food were worth a trip back! Live in the suburbs so a little bit of a destination but worth it. Started off with the tete de cochon, absolute hit!! Escargot after the first bite I knew I wasnt sharing the second! The French Smash was unique for a burger with a creamy cheese sauce to dip or pour over. Drinks were out of this world. I tried 3 different ones and everyone more intriguing then the previous. The only interesting things, when making the reservations they asked if we were celebrating anything and if so who. I wrote my mom in for her bday. Half way thru our meal they dropped off a card. Cute, but it felt a little odd, im not expecting a dessert or anything special, just not necessary. Presentation in the middle was disruptive and wasted. read more

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The vibes were like a lively neighborhood bar with dim lighting. It was super loud, but still a fun atmosphere. 6.5/10. Service was good. Nothing standout, but I appreciated that our server removed the drink I didn't like from the bill. 8/10. The Peach-stacio (8.7/10) was my favorite drink. Sweet with nice pistachio foam, and strong without tasting overly boozy. The Vander Mill Totally Toasted Cider (8.5/10) was also easy to drink. Something Not Too Sweet (4/10) had way too much alcohol flavor, and Peat in Paradise (0/10) was honestly undrinkable. It tasted medicinal and spicy, but thankfully they took it off the bill. The French Onion Soup (7/10) had rich onion flavor, lots of cheese, and a fun pâte à choux topping. Comforting. The Loyalist OG Cheeseburger (8/10) was a really solid classic burger. The homemade pickles and grilled onions were great, and the patty was juicy. The sauce wasn't overpowering and lighter in flavor. I can see why it's one of Chicago's most popular burgers. The Corn Carbonara (7.5/10) was creamy with great crunch from the corn and hazelnuts, though I wish the pasta had a little more chewiness. The Dry Aged Duck Breast (6/10) was tender, but the skin wasn't crispy. The sweet corn and orange sauce were the best parts of the dish. The Pavlova (5/10) wasn't for me. The pineapple sauce was too sweet, and i didn't like the vegetable flavor. Overall, a little disappointed in the cocktail program but maybe I just ordered wrong. It's worth coming for the burger though. read more

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Delicious spot, great vibes, and wonderful service! It was bustling and full, so make sure you get a reservation. My brother/gf were celebrating an anniversary, and they gave us a handwritten card alongside free wine. The food highlights were the beef tartare and the OG burger! read more

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The Loyalist completely lived up to the hype and exceeded our expectations. Exactly what we expected! We did not have a reservation and were hoping to grab seats at the bar. While we waited, the host invited us to relax and enjoy a cocktail in an area right next to bar area. It was a great touch that set the tone for us the rest of the night. Why not have a cocktail while waiting?! Jacob (?) took great care of us from the start of our experience. All cocktails were balances and creative and their wine list is good as well. The food was just as memorable! Their menu items give a 10/10, 100%. The genre of food is a gastropub vibe that is thoughtfully executed and prepared. Every dish was amazing. The vibe of the atmosphere is very approachable and elegant with a mix of cozy. There is not an uppity, upscale vibe to it, just genuine. The Loyalist can be for any occasion, such as date night, girls night out, casual dinner with coworkers or friends. We left extremely happy and our tummies were full of happiness! The Loyalist is the place to go if you are looking for an amazing cocktail, great service and exceptional food in Chicago. Worth it! read more

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Came here mainly for the burger and it definitely delivered. Service was friendly and efficient; we were seated right away, but reservations are available if needed. Nice bonus that it wasn't too crowded during the middle of the week. The vibe was fun too. Loved the throwback movies playing in the background which added a nostalgic touch without being distracting. Ordered the French and the Loyalist OG burger. Both were great, but my favorite part was the cheese. I loved the concept of dipping the burger into the cheese;such a simple twist but made the burger feel extra indulgent. Rich, flavorful, and worth the hype. Would absolutely come back when the burger craving hits. read more

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Came here with a friend and we had a very pleasant experience! We came here to celebrate getting a huge bonus at work and they gave us a card and complimentary champagne to congratulate us. It was such a thoughtful touch to our dinner, it made our night. The food was also exceptional, we've been here before and we have always enjoyed their burgers, particularly the Loyalist OG Cheeseburger, it was cooked perfectly and the pickled and charred onion gave it so much flavor and I always love the aioli that comes with it. It was the perfect atmosphere too, I always really enjoy the vibe when we come here, it made celebrating our bonus a great time! read more

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WOW WOW WOW! One of the most amazing restaurants I've ever been to. Love the atmosphere. Can be casual or a little dressed up. We got a handwritten note celebrating our anniversary and a freen class of the most delicious processco. We ordered the hamachi and anchovy toast. The anchovy toast was really STAND OUT. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. I want to recreate it now at home. We had the burger and the fish. Burger was 10/10 one of the best burgers we've had. Our drinks were amazing too. I will be thinking about this place for awhile. Our waiter was also SOOO nice. He was super accommodating and let us know about spots to hit up during our trip. read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Last night we finally made it to The Loyalist in Chicago with fellow foodies Pete and Leslie Smith! The OG Cheeseburger, created by acclaimed Chef John Shields has earned its reputation as one of Chicago's iconic burgers. A blend of short rib, chuck, and bacon, topped with American cheese, pickled and charred onions, and served on a sesame seed bun with crispy fries. The atmosphere was lively, the food was thoughtfully prepared, and it was a great night out with friends. If you're a burger fan and find yourself in Chicago, The Loyalist belongs on your list. #MarksBiteReviews #TheLoyalist #ChicagoEats #BurgerLovers #ChicagoFood read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Well, the staff was great from the get go and only got better. We 3 very much enjoyed burgers, frites, mussels; we found the French onion soup tasty but oversalted and politely pointed this out to our waiter intending only constructive feedback; next thing we know, manager David appears with apology, takes it off our bill and brings out profiteroles (delicious!) for all! You can be sure we will be back. read more

When my parents saw The Loyalist mentioned on Food Network, they really wanted to try this place. I have been here before for drinks, but never to take on the famous cheeseburger. Let me say up front that all of the food is outstanding. The missing star had to do with service and price! This is a relatively small place with not a lot of seating, especially for those in wheelchairs. In other words, high tops and booths. Still, there are some areas with chairs and closer to the ground, but thank goodness they take reservations. Probably the biggest fail was that our server came to our table to say "hi" and then disappeared for 20 minutes. You got that right. 20. We did go to the front to find him and what it appears happened was that whomever was in charge gave him half of the tables in the restaurant. He was apologetic and gave us a free cookie in turn, but for a place that is connected to the top restaurant in Chicago, this service cannot stand. Still, I am still sore about the bad service I got at Smyth four years ago so maybe they don't value the guest experience as much as others in the city. With all that negativity out of the way, the food here is spectacular which is why its so popular. I started with the Tomato Tomahto cocktail which was really good and really weird. I tried the French Onion Soup which was one of the best I have ever had. Of course, I got the famous cheeseburger which came with a HEALTHY portion of fries. All of it juicy and delicious. I kind of wished for more sauce because when I cut my burger, it appears that most of the sauce was on one side so the burger went from ok to outstanding. For dessert, we went with the tart and the (free) cookie. Both solid choices and the end of a perfect meal. As for the price, this place is very overpriced, but its also giving a little luxury. If you have some money, but don't want to blow it all on Smyth, this is the place to be! I will be back because the food is outstanding, but don't expect the ultimate customer service for the money you are paying. read more

Came here for the burger and everything else was also great! We started with the beef tartare and potato gnudi and both were delicious. Then I had the OG Loyalist cheeseburger and it was a solid dish with perfectly cooked fries to accompany it. Service was amazing and I loved our server's energy! Ambiance inside was also nice and I'd recommend anybody give this spot a try when they're in Chicago. read more

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I'm surprised I haven't written a review for the Loyalist yet!! I've been here twice, first for my birthday last year, and again with friends a couple months ago. Each time I leave so impressed! Some other items I've had here include the Simple Salad, Anchovy Toast, Deviled Egg, the French Smash, and the Chocolate Chip Cookie. The burger: non-negotiable. There is a reason it is on almost every list of best burgers in Chicago. The flavors are incredible, the patty super tender and juicy, just an all around great burger. More recently I tried the French Smash burger, and OMG. I didn't think anything could compete with the OG burger, but this one clearly held it's own. The smash patty gives a little texture/crunch to the burger that the OG doesn't have, and also the mornay sauce makes it soo delectable! If you can, I recommend getting both burgers to split with someone. I've tried the chocolate chip cookie now and it is super disappointing! Hard as a rock, so I need to try a different dessert next time :). But overall don't come for the cookies.. come for the burger!! read more

The Loyalist - OG The Loyalist Original Burger - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service was excellent!! We saw the top 10 cheeseburgers on the Food Network and this was one of the top and they were so right!!!! It was excellent and I cannot wait to come back again. We ate at the bar and it was just excellent service! read more

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You can't come and NOT try their signature burger with the sesame bun. I really enjoyed the meal and the house made sauces. The servers are so friendly and responsive. The chocolate chip cookie was also a great way to end the meal. They made sure to always come check on us. The vibes of the gastropub are lovely and it's a great place to take people from out of town. read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have mixed feelings because the first time I went was a phenomenal experience but the second time was quite a letdown. First time we had the tete de cochon, half chicken, mussels, and the burger and every single item blew me away (The burger was fine but not as great as some rankings have it hyped up to be). The tete de cochon was such an interesting rich bite, rich, crunchy, tart/sweet, I still think about it often. The mussels were super generous and the broth was great for dipping the toasty bread into. The chicken was the highlight and we were already stuffed by then but it was so filling and also such an interesting blend of flavors. Now onto my recent visit, the crudo and burger were nothing special, and they had a duck breast special that was actually insultingly small for the price and we had to order more just to be full. The tete de cochon also didn't hit as much as the first time, I think there were less apples than the first time we got it so the balance wasn't there this time. Service was also strange as they KEPT trying to clear our plates/drinks while we were still working on them. Overall, I would still visit again but it will probably be a while since I was so thrown by my recent experience. read more

We started with a couple of their drinks which were unique and well made. Definitely try their drinks. We went to the clams. Small but wonderfully flavorful. Then ended with the loyalist burger. Very rich and wonderful taste. The place has the richness of French food with the choices of American. Worth a visit. read more

Such great burgers!! We sat at the bar and had a blast. We got both burgers, beef tartar, and French onion soup. The Loyalist never disappoints. We saw that they were on the top 100 list for burgers in the world and had to come back to try it again. (I liked the French smash better than the OG, but that's just my opinion) read more

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I read the reviews and they were spot on. The food is good (not amazing) but the service is not ideal and it's definitely overpriced. We split the two burgers. They were both good but nothing to write home about. Same with the mussels. I really liked my cocktail, the peachstachio, which was a fun fruity sour situation. Thankfully another server noticed that ours hadn't stopped by in a long time and recommended the peachstachio and took our drink order. If you end up here, I'd opt for the cocktails over the food any day. read more

The Loyalist has a laid back ambiance, though the entrance can be a little tricky to find at first. Once I made my way in, I was set on trying the burger. It delivered and ended up being one of my favorite bites in Chicago. The service was quick, friendly, and welcoming from the start. I stopped by during brunch hours and left impressed. I would absolutely return the next time I am in Chicago. read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best burgers in the city according to my friends. They do not have any vegetarian burgers and overall just 2 items for vegetarian. The service was excellent. The loyalist is by same chef as the Smyth - the 3 Michelin restaurant and located directly below it. The rustic-chic gastropub has a sense of calmness and is beautiful. Street parking is available and but hard to find over the weekends. So I would uber/lyft next time. read more

The Loyalist - Cocktail - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Back at Loyalist with some old coworkers and everybody had to get the OG cheeseburger, but then I saw this London smash they have or something. Of course we ate that too. Pretty good, with the muscles and rice pilaf. Crushed some fries and cocktails. I think my favorite thing was this cucumber, pepper, gin cocktail. You'll see it on the menu, but it was awesome! Loyalist always comes through. Good spot in West loop. Thanks read more

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This was just an ok experience. The restaurant is nice, the server was decent, food was more expensive than what I think it's worth. I ordered a burger, but would have preferred a burger from Portillo's. The vibe is really nice with great energy. I probably won't return, but it's worth trying out. read more

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The tete de cochon was great. The French smash was very flavorful. The service was attentive. I highly recommend making a reservation far in advance. read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Unfortunately, we pitted The Loyalist and Au Cheval against each other as our two burger meals during our weekend in Chicago and it was disappointing to realize that The Loyalist wasn't even in the same stratosphere as Au Cheval. Or even Small Cheval. Bummer. Would've just went to Au Cheval twice. read more

The Loyalist - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food and drinks were all so good! This restaurant is tucked downstairs and is a casual spot. I really loved the deviled eggs, especially how they topped it with fish roe. And the burger was absolutely amazing - it was no ordinary one, perfectly executed and top with some amazing sauce. I will be dreaming of this burger. read more

In a word: decadent. I felt like I took a trip to flavortown, because my goodness, every bite was packed with nuance and flavor. The service was incredible. The outdoor patio was great (a little train noise) inside its a bit dark and moody. Overall great spot, highly recommend going for a visit to maybe not flavortown, but delciousvile. read more

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I haven't been back since precovid, but loyalist was my favorite burger at the time and the idea of it stuck with me for a while. I was able to do a last minute patio reservation day before, but even when we ate no one else was sat there. The inside was packed though. Service was still great even though we were the only table outside. We even had a friend pop by to just say hi and talk and they pulled a chair for him and did not mind him not ordering. Oysters: not the biggest fan of raw oyster but the table wanted it. tasted like oysters - nothing fishy about them. 7.5/10 Pate: bread was good! I don't know why i expected the pate to be soft but the consistency was like butter . Taste wise it was a little salty for my taste. 6.7/10 Asparagus: just asparagus. Didn't really taste the seasoning so was a bit disappointing since I had a friend hyping it up. 5/10 OG burger: the reason I came back. burger came out kinda cold so that killed the whole experience for me. it still tasted fine, but for $30 I can't see myself coming back here. Aioli wasn't as good as I remember as well. 6.2/10 read more

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This place is known for their burgers and I can see why. That was a fabulous burger. The bun was losing its integrity by the end, but who even cares? I love the fries. They were crispy and the best size. I loved my mocktail (Velvet something). The space had great ambiance and the staff were friendly, especially letting us in a bit before opening since it was cold. read more

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I finally made it to The Loyalist after hearing rave reviews about their burger, and it absolutely lived up to the hype and then some. We arrived right on time for our reservation but had to wait about 30 minutes for our table. Thankfully, it wasn't too crowded, and we grabbed seats at the bar while we waited. I ordered an espresso martini to start, and it was perfectly crafted, smooth, rich, and balanced. Once seated, we ordered a few appetizers. I went for the deviled eggs (delicious) and split the beef tartare with a friend. Let me say this clearly: it was the best tartare I've ever had, and I've had it in France. The quality, the flavor, the texture, it was all spot on. And the garlic bread served alongside? Genius. Then came the burger and wow, it didn't just meet expectations, it demolished them. Juicy, flavorful, perfectly cooked, and accompanied by a little container of pickle brine you pour on top for that extra kick. I devoured it in under five minutes. It's officially at the top of my Chicago burger rankings. No question. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the vibe of the place is just right for a fun night out whether it's date night or dinner with friends. If you're in Chicago, The Loyalist is a must. Go for the tartare. Go for the burger. Just go. You won't regret it. read more

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My daughter said The Loyalist was getting hyped as the best burger in the city, so of course we had to check it out. It's a beautiful restaurant, and our party of three had a lovely experience. We started with a bottle of Pinot noir. As starters, we shared a salad and the French onion soup. The soup got rave reviews. For dinner, we each chose the OG Burger. It was excellent, don't get me wrong, but not sure it met the hype we'd heard. We finished with the mini ice cream sandwich dessert, covered in chocolate syrup. Service was very good. Only complaint is that staff were trying to constantly remove plates from our table before we were done. It happened several times - with the soup, with salad, and then with our dessert when we were all still using the chocolate syrup. It became annoying by the end of our meal. read more

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Loyalist has been on our list for a while now and it did not disappoint. We had the "OG" Burger since it was #2 burger in the country and we know why. Fabulous! The sauces on the side were perfection. Jorge was our server who was excellent. Explained everything in the menu, why it's the best burger and how the side sauces complement the burger experience. Well done. We even had a birthday cookie which was delicious for my husband's bday celebration. We will go back and ask for Jorge! read more

Went to The Loyalist with a group of eight and had a really good time. The space is cozy but still works well for larger groups -- the ambiance is relaxed and stylish, and the service was steady throughout the night. Never felt rushed, and everything came out in good time. We started with a few appetizers to share: anchovy toast, two orders of mussels, and two escargot tarts. The escargot was my personal favorite -- rich, flavorful, and flaky. The mussels were a close second. Anchovy toast was solid bite, recommended if you like a salty treat. For mains, we went big on burgers -- five OG burgers (3 medium well, 2 medium rare) and three French smashes. The OG burger was the clear winner at the table -- juicy, flavorful, and lived up to the hype. The French smash was good too, just didn't hit the same high notes for most of us. Overall, a great spot for a casual-but-nice dinner with a group. Would definitely come back, the drinks were also a good deal as well for a beer and a shot combo. read more

Wow, wow, wow!!! This place literally knocked my socks off. The Loyalist is absolutely cute as you have to walk down a small flight of stairs and it's almost like stepping into a parlor. We decided to sit at the bar and the bartenders were so nice it provided us with great service. We ordered the tartar, 2 French burgers, and tried a few Mezcal cocktails. Let's start with the burger, it was delicious I mean actually it was something better than delicious and so full of flavor, the sauces were so freaking good! The tartare was hands down in the top 5 best I've ever had and that's saying a lot cause im tartare girlie! Whoever is the head mixologist is definitely doing their thing because baby those cocktails were so good! All in all, I look forward to going back and I would definitely recommend this place! read more

The Loyalist - French Burger - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The ambiance is fantastic- dark, casual, but fancy at the same time? It's underground which gives it a very intimate vibe. The service was good, not amazing. We ordered the special, salmon tartare and they gave us one piece of bread, we asked for more and it never came out. However, what we are here for... the OG cheeseburger. I've heard countless reviews about how unreal this burger is and i was... a bit underwhelmed. It was mostly the pickles, holy vinegar! I love a pickle but this was crazy. The fries were magical though and came with malt vinegar and garlic aioli. Good overall though! And would come back read more

The Loyalist - The Loyalist Original Burger - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came for the burger and it was trash. REALLY salty. Also, the bar was so hot that my fiancé was sweating through his shirt. Cute space though and nice service. read more