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    The Matchbox

    4.1 (327 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American
    Closed 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Matchbox Photos

    THE MATCHBOX ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Matchbox

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    The lighting inside the patio! Great vibe!
    John A.

    Love the vibe at this place and will enjoy it again soon. But not having the food option and having to go around d the block to get the food that IS offered brings this place down for inconvenience. BUT (and it's a big but) everything else about this place is incredible. It's small, cozy, and has great vibes with the lighting, music, closeness and all that goes along with being a mom n pop, hole in the wall in the middle of Chicago! And the food, even though around the corner, was amazing as well. Review of that place coming....

    Lisa S.

    The Matchbox is unique and that is its appeal. As the smallest bar in Chicago, it can be nearly impossible to grab a seat (the indoor bar has only a couple seats) but it's worth it if you do! Service here is spectacular and their cocktail menu is awesome. Prices are steep but you're paying for the quality of the drinks and the atmosphere. This isn't a place you'd come to watch sports (there's only one tiny TV) and it has an upscale feel to it despite being located at the busiest intersection in west town.

    Joan N.

    Such a festive vibe in December and love the recently opened Good Neighbors bar inside the train car. Fun music and holiday pop up.

    Margarita
    Rue N.

    Ducked in here on a drizzly Thursday afternoon while waiting to meet a friend. I opted for a simple margarita that was made well, and the excess pour was kept in a cute little glass for me in the side of my main. I loved it! Felt like a neighborhood bar, and the bartenders weren't overly friendly but they mixed a mean drink which is all I ask. Will definitely return on my next trip to the neighborhood, seems like an easy place to while away an afternoon.

    Allie P.

    Everything about this place fills my old dead soul with joy. It's quintessential Chicago. Charming no nonsense and comfortable. Love it love it love it.

    Gimlet
    Marlene S.

    My friend and I came here for some after work drinks. The place was empty so we had all the seating options in the world lol. We sat outside in the covered area. This bar is very small and narrow and can see it getting filled quickly on a busy day. I started off with the gimlet which was absolutely delicious. Might become my go to drink (or maybe just when I come here) I then had 2 espresso martini this. They were so delicious and the best I've had so far. Will definitely return and make sure to bring all my friends here.

    Marissa M.

    I've been walking past this place for weeks and have been dying to check it out. My friends and I came on a beautiful Tuesday night, sitting around the Adirondack chairs enjoying a variety of drinks and pizza from across the street. The drinks were solid. Service was adequate. And I wish I could tell you about prices, but my friend stole the check and refused to let anyone else pay. I'll be back!

    Andrew P.

    On a Thursday night, this place gave off a great vibe... I love the patio area with the red lighting all around this place. The way it is laid out is very interesting, but it still felt inviting to me. Our bartender was really friendly, and this was a great way to end our drunken shenanigans after getting too lit at bowling, lol! I hear this place is awesome to come to during Christmas time with all of the decor. Will definitely need to come back for that!

    Cosmopolitan & Lemon Drop

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    17 years ago

    Great Cherry Brandy Manhattans. Silver Palm is better for a drink, but the food kinda sucks.

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    11 years ago

    Always a great time, mellow or rowdy, expert bartenders, awesome drinks, can't beat this cute tiny and fun place!!

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    11 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    19 years ago

    one of my favorite bars. hands down the best mojito i've ever had the pleasure of tasting.

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    17 years ago

    the original, small/tight bar is the best - but, once they extended, not as good - got to stick to the original, tiny space.

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    17 years ago

    Appropriately named, surprisingly amazing ginger martinis, unsurprisingly personal.

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    Page 8 of 9

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    Au Cheval

    Au Cheval

    4.4(9.5k reviews)
    0.8 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    so glad we tried this place! we actually only waited about 15 mins to get seated at the bar on a…read morewednesday night around 7pm. we came here for my boyfriends birthday and we were so happy we chose to celebrate here. the two people that helped us was antonio and issa and they made the experience 10x better. they were very attentive and friendly and just easy to talk to. gave us good recommendations and good vibes. we both really liked our drinks and were happy with the spread the food came out. we got to eat the bone marrow first which also came with this really good sauce it was almost like a meat jam but was so good on the bread and then put some of the bone marrow on for the perfect bite. now the burger, you just have to try it because it really is that good. the sauce in it was so good and it just had a really good flavor. it was just an elevated burger. we got fries as well and we shared the burger so it we were really full after. the server brought out ice cream with a candle and some sort of chocolate sauce too which just made the overall experience. we were really happy with the service and food and it just made my bfs bday that much more special and memorable.

    Despite all the hype, it's really an average smash burger. This is a place that has capitalized on…read moresocial media hype and people wanting to say they've been here and thus are cool and trendy. But it is seriously just a greasy smash burger. Their fries are good, and actually stand out more than the burger. Everything is overpriced. I don't know why people complain about the wait; do some research like a responsible adult. I never just walk into a place and expect to be immediately seated, I call first - like anyone who has some sense. If they tell you the wait is 2 hours and you have 2 hours to kill, there are a bunch of bars in the area where you can have some drinks and an appetizer (and not feel like you're stiffing Au Cheval; they're the ones with the 2 hour wait, what do they expect people to do?) Not much to say about the decor or ambience; it's a typically loud West Loop bar with mostly 20 - 30 somethings all trying to one-up each other with their trendiness that instead makes them all basically clones of each other. It is crowded, and you're a moron if you think any place like this is suitable for your 5 year old. That's not the restaurant's fault - it's not Chuck E Cheese. Often I wish Yelp offered a 1/2 star option, because there are places that are a 4.5 or a 3.5. Not in this case. 3 stars is spot-on.

    Photos
    Au Cheval - The cooks were very attentive!

    The cooks were very attentive!

    Au Cheval - Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Au Cheval - Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

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    Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

    Bar Siena - mini tavern burgers. april 2026.

    Bar Siena

    4.2(2.4k reviews)
    0.8 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    Last night, after a genuinely frustrating experience elsewhere, I walked into Bar Siena not…read moreexpecting much (if anything), just hoping for a reset. When I asked about the wait time, the host joked that it was two hours. Under normal circumstances, I would have laughed and played along. Given what had just happened minutes earlier, it did not quite land... but to their credit, the moment I explained the situation, everything shifted. They sat me promptly and turned what could have been a lingering bad night into a completely different experience. Julio, my server, set the tone immediately. Julio was professional, attentive, and generous. He brought out meatballs on the house, which were excellent. I ordered calamari, rigatoni alla vodka with shrimp, and what I believe was a chocolate torte for dessert (also on the house, which I was not expecting). Everything was spot on. The rigatoni in particular stood out. It was made in house and had the kind of texture and quality you notice right away. The Manager (Lance) also stopped by, having been present when I explained what had happened earlier. That kind of awareness and follow-through matters more than people realize. It what separates a place that serves food from a place that understands hospitality. By the time I was finishing dessert, I found myself watching pizzas go out to nearby tables and immediately reconsidering my menu choices for the evening. That's usually a good sign. The host who initially joked about the wait time also came by at the end of my meal. She was polite, thoughtful, and clearly intentional about making sure the experience landed well. I appreciated this gesture. When the bill came, I asked what the total would have been without the discounts and complimentary items. Once I had that number, I tipped Julio the difference. It felt like the only appropriate way to reflect the level of service and generosity I received. I'll be back (for the pizza). Overall: Food (yes) Service (yes) Ambiance (yes)

    (Kari's Rating 8/10)…read more TLDR: -Attentive Staff -Smaller portion sizes -Dark atmosphere Came here on a weekday with a friend and had a reservation for Monday at 7:30pm. We had to wait a little bit for a table so we sat at the bar because my friend and I aren't drinkers. We just had glasses of water while we waited for our table. Once we got seated, our server took our order relatively quickly and we ordered the House made for Kasha with a goat cheese and honey topping, the grilled octopus appetizer, and because we were enjoying our conversation so much we ended up just skipping Wright to dessert and ordering the gooey butter cake. For a light meal, this was relatively satisfactory. Our server said they come to the octopus because we waited so long, so it was nice that the staff was acknowledging that we waited a little bit for our table and we're willing to compensate us. As someone who lives in the river north area, I have actually been here, probably a dozen times, and it's always a good little spot but a little bit pricey for what you're getting. I would still probably come back with some friends, but I wouldn't go on my way to come here if I was bringing people off from out of town.

    Photos
    Bar Siena - Industrial bar

    Industrial bar

    Bar Siena - Parmesan Potato Skins appetizer

    Parmesan Potato Skins appetizer

    Bar Siena - This  N 24 was so delicious! I love mezcal so much  and it was the perfect birthday drink

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    This N 24 was so delicious! I love mezcal so much and it was the perfect birthday drink

    The Dearborn

    The Dearborn

    4.4(2.8k reviews)
    1.5 miThe Loop
    $$

    New favorite! Came downtown from the 'burbs for a show - my sweetie called ahead and we got a GREAT…read moretable just inside the door, perfect for people watching. Tasty drinks - the grapefruit pilsner was a perfect choice for a warm spring evening, and our server was funny and sweet. Sticky ribs appetizer was spot on, with just enough heat to keep it interesting. We shared the fish and chips - perfectly cooked, crunch and sweet, great fries! House made slaw and tartar sauce was out of this world! Gotta make one comment on something we didn't have. The next table over, two middle aged women order cheeseburgers. When they came out I almost regretted ordering the fish. They were huge, juicy, and looked incredible. This two ladies, drinking their Chardonnays polished them off, that's how good they were. Next time... Dessert? Why not? Sticky toffee cake please. Perfect with a cup of black coffee. Out the door and on our way - we'll be back! Thanks!

    We dined at the Dearborn on a Saturday afternoon with my family. Our reservation was strategic we…read morearrived hours before we assumed it would become very crowded. The seating was tight. Overall I was having a good experience. The food was OK. The menu was limited. Oh btw, the special that day was a $70 wag goo burger. That interaction between me and the server reminded me of a car salesman trying to sale me undercoating for the car i just purchased. REALLY I can't make it up. The experience dropped to a single star as our dining experience was nearing an end. The manager of the front of the house. Made a conscious effort to make it clear that the table we were dining was needed by waiting customers. I've never ever experienced this before in any restaurant in the Loop. I can't and will not recommend dining here. This is why I'm giving 1 star. I my opinion The Dearborn maybe they need to be in a different location. Maybe located far west of the Loop. I would suggest instead of Dearborn maybe Halsted St. and probably change their name to The Halsted. Im not going back. OH btw good luck in your new location.

    Photos
    The Dearborn - $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

    $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

    The Dearborn - New Spring Menu

    New Spring Menu

    The Dearborn - Spring desserts

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    Spring desserts

    HIDE+SEEK

    HIDE+SEEK

    4.0(378 reviews)
    0.8 miWest Loop, Near West Side

    The Fam and I are always looking for new places to indulge one of our favorite food groups, which…read moreis brunch with bottomless mimosas. After doing a search on Yelp, I decided we should check out HIDE+SEEK. Ding ding ding! We have a winner folks. We decided to go with the Brunch Party. First let me start off saying that Brunch Party is one plate, one side, and endless mimosas. The entire table participation is required and there is a strict 1.5 hour time limit. That said, Angelique (was our server) was on point during that time period. Our glasses never got pass the half-way mark and a good time was had by all! HIDE+SEEK has a pretty chilled vibe and the décor was cool, a very nice bar area, booths on the east side of the restaurant and tables in the front. I think there was a back area, but can't for sure as I didn't explore as we were seated immediately in our booth. Angelique was very cool. She welcomed us and asked if it was our first time there (it was) and began to explain the menu, focusing on Brunch Party and that everyone at the table had to participate, which we did. For my entrée I got the Short Rib Hash (Sunny side up egg, piquillo pepper, red wine jus, rosemary mornay) and my side was Eggs Your Way (over easy). I got an order of the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes (honey-whipped ricotta, blueberry compote, maple syrup) for the table. Both dishes were very nice. I am a sucker for anything with short rib meat in it and this hit well with me. The pancakes were good, nice and fluffy, and the compote was very good. They weren't as lemony as I have had at other restaurants. The flavor was there, but in a subtle way, almost like an afterthought, but still nice. The pancakes themselves were nice and fluffy, just they way I like them. The Doctor got the cheeseburger and fries, which looked nice. He cleaned his plate so I have to assume it was good. The Queen got the Steak and Eggs. I had a bite of the steak and it was tender and had a nice flavor to it. Overall we had a great time and while it was only an hour and a half, it seemed longer. I will totally come back here again for brunch, but want to check out their happy hour and dinner as well. The menus looks interesting.

    I would come back here, but it isn't high on my list. The food was overall good, and the menu is…read morevery creative and diverse! Even so, it wasn't enough to necessitate the price tag, which all of my friends and I were surprised by when we paid at the end. The cocktails were outstanding - we all enjoyed our choices. For some of us, they were enjoyable enough where we got the same one more than once 0:) Our server was not very friendly - she does not need to act like our BFF or anything like that, but she was cold and seemed annoyed by our questions and such. She also had no idea about the wine, so my friend just rolled the dice on what she wanted without knowing much about it. She wound up liking it - but more clarity would've been helpful (or even seeking out someone else working there for more info!). Minor environment note: The largest artwork there is a triptych of photographs - three famous women: Princess Diana, Sharon Tate (I think?), and Marilyn Monroe. There is a horizontal band going across where their eyes all line up, and the band replaces their eyes with cartoon eyes, likely of Disney princesses. It is supposed to be quirky but I found it creepy, especially since it featured three famous women who met untimely ends.

    Photos
    HIDE+SEEK
    HIDE+SEEK
    HIDE+SEEK - The Dutchess

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    The Dutchess

    The Matchbox - bars - Updated May 2026

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