If you're looking for an elegant and spacious cocktail bar, I highly recommend!! We were lucky and were able to score seats at the bar with no reservation pretty quickly, but I would definitely recommend a reservation for a table. Bartender was super friendly to chat, open to customizing based on preferences and we felt really comfortable. A gem in wicker!! read more

Intimate speakeasy with excellent service and delicious cocktails! There were so many options to choose from it was hard to pick which cocktail to start with! Definitely make a reservation or try to walk in right when it opens as they tend to have a line and get filled up pretty fast! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a true speak easy experience! The door is within a mural, so if you're admiring the mural you might miss the door handle! This is a prohibition bar - this means you're sure to find unique drinks you can't find elsewhere. The menu is set up from least to most adventurous! Pro tip! Ask your server about the bar and for recommendations. They know it best and you can't go wrong read more

Super cool & elegant cocktail bar hidden in wicker park! I had heard of the violet hour but definitely wouldn't have found the door if I wasn't with someone who had been before. It's super hidden and easy to miss! And the inside feels like a whole other world! Service was top tier. Both the manager and our server took the time to explain the intricacies of the menu and how to navigate it. Each cocktail has so many unique flavors and the menu ranges in boldness and complexity. We all got something different so it was so fun to try them all! I got the "All Yolks Aside" since I tend to love the texture of egg whites in cocktails. It was delicious! My favorite one was probably the "Matthew Bacconaugey" (the description is scary but it was so good!!). We also got the fries and olives to share. The olives were quite oily, the fries were yummy and kind of reminded me of five guys in the best way. A fun spot to try fancy drinks! Would definitely come back. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place really cares about its cocktails. It's awesome how much they dedicate to making delicious fun cocktails. I also love their push to conversation and phone free times. Makes everything better! Fantastic with friends as well as a great date, read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Peeked in this speakeasy on a late Wednesday evening. Heard some good things from others and thought to give it a go. While reservations are highly recommended, my friends and I came at just the right time. We were able to slide in before the place really got packed. I chose to order the mustache delight as it's their take on a root beer whiskey sour. I love whiskey and root beer - why not? Definitely strong but the flavor blend together seamlessly. Two of these and you'll be feeling just right. Cute dark sensual ambiance. It's quiet and the vibes are adult classy and respectful. Excellent customer service. Will be returning. read more

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Very discrete and hidden entrance. If you didn't know that it was there you would easily walk by without even realizing it was a business. Very dim lit and moody inside which was awesome! The seating was unique with very large chairs so even though the tables are relatively close it feels very intimate at your own table. The cocktails were both very delicious and very spirit heavy which I personally enjoy! We decided to snack on a little dessert and got a cookie which was a nice little treat! I can't wait go back and try some more cocktails in the future! read more

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One of the great things about reading on food/drink is when you are traveling and have the opportunity to visit the places you read about, and The Violet Hour was one of those places given from what I read in the Bartender's Manifesto which is a book of appreciation on the art form and experimentation of mixology. TVH does not look like anything but a mural from the outside as it was a former speakeasy. You can only tell to get in by the person standing outside the mural under a violet light. The ambiance is also really cool: dark, moody, and focused on socialization. If you are one to scroll on your phone, you risk being kicked out as one of their rules is no phone unless for pictures or looking at the menu... I loved the concept! The drinks were very experimental, and extremely tasty. Each of us in my party went for two different drinks which allowed us to share and taste a total of eight. I am a big whiskey/scotch guy, and my shout-out drink goes to their season "Wait, I'm a Star!". I have never experienced scotch in such a tropical infused way which blew my mind. If you are into drinks and experimentation, TVH is a must if you are visiting Chicago, and I will most definitely be back! read more

The Violet Hour - Me waiting like a fanboy (because I am) - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was brought to the restaurant on a date and went a few times afterwards because I love it so much! - The wait time is typically longer than I would entertain, but once the curtain is pulled back, you feel like Alice in Wonderland. - The cocktails and vibe are well worth the weight and the location is discreetly located in a fabulous neighborhood. read more

I had a bit of trouble finding Violet Hour as there are no signs. There's a door under the small lamp on the brick mural wall. The inside is beautiful. They have a happy hour from 5 to 7PM, but there are a limited number of drink options for $13. I ordered the el Diablo, which was sweet and refreshing. We also ordered the chorizo stuffed mejdool dates and warm crab dip. I will say that their drinks are much better than their food. The chorizo dates were decent, but the crab dip was very disappointing. Highly recommend just grabbing drinks here. read more

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Love. Love. Love. We had a hard time finding it so that means it's an excellent speak easy! When I called they were so helpful and even stepped outside to find us. Greeted and seated in the bar with no reservations, we got lucky. Drinks amazing. Bartender very nice and friendly. read more

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Very nice elegant speakeasy capture prohibition time with low lightning and privacy. A must for excellent cocktails and a pleaser for dates. read more

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I appreciated my time at the violet hour. My group and I had a bit of trouble finding this spot because it is incognito. We had to ask around to find the entrance. The entrance blends in with the wall. There wasn't much of a wait. The host was able to seat us pretty quickly. The inside is dark to create an intimate space. They have chairs that have a long back to create some privacy between you and the person/people you decide to have dinner with here. It's a place where you should definitely keep your voice down as not to disturb others. Our water was prompt and always came around to ask if we needed anything or to fill our waters. My mom ordered a chicken sandwich while my aunt and I ordered the smash burger with a side of truffle fries. We all enjoyed our meals We were really impressed by the drink menu. We started off with the White Linen, Paloma, and Run it Back. All of our drinks were yummy. My mom got a second Paloma. And my aunt got the BBAWTDHY. I found the name so funny because it's so true. We were excited to give this drink a try because of the nilla wafer included in this drink. We got curious and asked how this drink is made and how do the nilla wafers come into the equation. Our waiter was able to give us a full length answer and it was cool to find out the method of making this drink. We all took sips of it because it's definitely strong. You only need one of these. Overall I had a great experience at the Violet Hour. read more

We started our visit to Chicago visiting this speakeasy! It wasn't labeled on the outside, but in true hidden bar fashion had a purple, violet, light above the door. The inside was understated elegance. The drinks were great, the nibbles were fun. Would recommend. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love me a good, sexy, dimmed lighting, speakeasy! This is one of my Top favorites! Perfect for date night, ladies night and celebrations! Loved the staff who supported us and helped us surprise my sissy on her birthday! Group of six and not one problem! Loved every drink ...and shot we took! Our waitress was thee best! Such a Gem! Top tier experience! read more

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Dark, quiet (because they do not cater to the "hold my cosmo" crowd, and elevates experience Perfectly crafted and created cocktails! That is an under statement. The concoctions at developer the molecular level to be a sensation for all your senses. David provided an excellent introduction to the philosophy and the menu. The service, as delivered from Amanda was best in class to match the drinks. . read more

As far as places go to have a cocktail or a drink go, this place was good, however the place left is with a bad experience making it a place we don't want to go to again. We went there at 510 as we had a show to go to and wanted to leave by 615, so just a quick drink and a small bite before the show. When we got there we were asked if we had a reservation, which according to our friends who had been there years ago, it didn't use to take reservations there, so they told us for a party of 4 they had a table that they needed at 630, so we said, that's fine, we have to be out by 615 as we have to go to a show. We sat down and ordered 4 drinks and a few small things to eat. At 550 we asked to order a couple more drinks and we were told we couldn't cause they needed the table at 630 and also would see the manager looking at us the whole time waiting for us to leave. This honestly left is with a bad impression and the feeling that we never want to go to this place ever again. If you can't manage your tables right and test your patrons properly, I don't think you are a good place. Before the experience, I thought maybe we would go back, but now.. read more

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Beautiful place. Dim lights for relaxing ambience. Cozy seats and booths. Nice and pretty bar. Drinks were fun and creatively designed and tasted good. But the food was a bit disappointing. So this is definitely a place to enjoy drinks but not the food. The cauliflower w gochujang was thickly battered and the nuts were a bit overpriced. Outside of the snacks the drinks were fun! Nice staff. Bathrooms were super clean and well lit. read more

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This is my favorite cocktail bar in the city. Great date night spot for the dim lighting and atmosphere. Drinks are strong and priced well. I love how they change up the menu too! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I used to frequent this place since it opened in 2007. Always amazing. The service, the drinks, and the ambiance added to a phenomenal experience. Today, not the case. The service was poor. Not an ounce of friendliness , no attentiveness, and I was talked to like a 6 year old. We ordered nuts $12. Nut quality was poor. Our server did not bother using a tray to deliver 3 drinks, but instead tried to balance between fingers. Used empty glassware left on the table each time she passed. Had to ask for her return in order to get our second round. BTW there were only 8 tables occupied. I highly recommend this placed based on the cocktails and ambiance. I hope you will have better service. read more

What a literal hidden gem! With true speakeasy vibes. The perfect date night. Be sure to check out their house rules in the restroom. When I visited, the featured bartender was Amanda Figueroa, showcasing drinks that are reminiscent of her cultural background and hometown. The drink were phenomenal! I also ordered fries, which were the perfect snack for the occasion. read more

The Violet Hour - Bartender featured: Amanda Figueroa Susmaryosep - clarified halo halo milk punch non dairy Kanak Attack - Spam Musubi Old Fashioned - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This swanky speakeasy definitely lived up to the hype, as I was looking to get a couple cocktails with my family member from out of town. It's a bit pricey, but the ingredients are very fresh, and the alchemy is spot on. Some of the most unique fusion of flavors have ever encountered in the city of Chicago, and it's a place I look forward to returning too soon. The service was very informative and hospitable, and one day I'd like to meet the bartenders and the creators of these wonderful concoctions. read more

We came for the first time a week ago and my husband has been talking about it every day since. I booked the fireside experience as a gift for my husband who has recently been very into cocktails and it was a phenomenal experience. All of the drinks were different but tailored to his tastes and we loved the private experience with explanations from our server. I'm pregnant and couldn't enjoy the cocktails, but they were kind enough to make me accompanying mocktails. I didn't even miss the alcohol! They were unique and delicious. We also ordered the truffle fries and they were fabulous. We loved the atmosphere, the service was great, and we can't wait to come back! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My friends and I came here after hitting a Happy Hour that was fairly close. My crew always hits more than 1 spot so when I saw this location was nearby we had to go! My friend also said she heard about this place from another friend, so at that point it was meant for us to check it out. The atmosphere is so classy, quiet yet you're able to have your conversation with light music in the background, dark with an intimate touch. We unfortunately missed HH which they had about 4-5 different options for around $11. Their other drinks ranged from $15+. They are a bit on the pricey side, but I will say that they do mix them very well. read more

Met up with the guys as the violet hour. The Uber dropped me off in front of a mural and I spend like 10 minutes looking for the door. If I would have examined a little bit more closely I would have seen the door hidden right in front of my face. The vibe in here was date night chic. The low lighting and cozy casual seating makes it the perfect place for a date or small group of friends to catch up over really tasty cocktails. The menu was really extensive and the drinks got more complex and daring as you got further down. In addition to the regular menu they had a seasonal menu. The description of each drink is eerily accurate and blows your mind when you think about how they make it work. We ordered some fries which were amazing and a cookie which was cool. I would just stick to the cocktails though. If you have a date coming up, make reservations for violet hour. There is plenty of seating and the severs are all super knowledgeable to help you pick the right drink for you. read more

The Violet Hour - Menu - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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No one can deny Violet Hour as the OG speakeasy of Chicago. I love the fact that the murals at the entrance keep changing to keep you on your toes. For a newbie, it's very difficult figure out the entrance which makes it a true speakeasy experience. The decor is inspired by the prohibition era, with really high chairs and secluded seating. The menu is ever changing, very rarely you can get the same cocktail again. The menu is extensive, and the cocktails are a true delight. The snacks complement the cocktails well. The gochujang cauliflower and the fries are our favorite, followed closely by the mixed nuts. The happy hour menu is a good bang of the buck. $13 for those amazing cocktails is a total steal. The service is pretty fast. The place is dimly lit, but that add to the speakeasy experience. I need to definitely mention the absinthe experience. You can choose from a selection of absinthes and they give you multiple glasses with a sample of different absinthes. They then provide you with a huge water dispenser. Each absinthe glass comes with a sieve and a sugar cube. You need to drain the water from the dispenser into the glass by dripping the water over the sugar cube to make the drink more palatable. Such a fun experience! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Violet Hour is surely one of my favorite speakeasies in Chicago! We recently visited this place during Happy Hour to kick-start celebrating a friend's birthday. I know very few places that extend Happy Hours till Friday timings 5-7 pm! We all ordered drinks from The Golden Hour section, and it's really difficult to pick favorites as everything was really good! We tried the White Linen, Water Lily, Paloma, Boulevardier and Hotel Nacional! All the drinks were fairly priced at 13 dollars which is a good steal for the quality cocktail drinks they have to offer! We also ordered some truffle fries and sweet and sour cauliflower to share with the drinks. We absolutely devoured the cauliflower bites, very appetising! The Violet Hour, just like many speakeasies is inspired by the pre-prohibition style libation and does a really good job of maintaining its essence and aesthetics. Their entry is not easily noticeable and once checked in, the seating is secluded and lets you enjoy a private experience! They keep introducing new cocktails and I'm definitely coming back to try more! I did not try their absinthe experience during this visit, however, it is worth mentioning as it's pretty unique and a fun experience! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Highly enjoyed my visit here. The ambience is classy and initiate. The staff are welcoming and knowledgeable. I love the back room with the tall chairs and fireplace. The drinks are pricey but if you are going with the "treat yourself" mindset, the drinks are really enjoyable. We loved the black tea cocktail. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Violet hour is a high end cocktail bar in Wicker Park. We had a reservation today and were greeted nicely there. The whole ambiance is upscale. It's a must place if you would like to try different cocktails. We ordered one from the stirred section and other one from the punch. Both the drinks were nice and strong. Truffle frites were amazing and burrata was good as well. Overall I would recommend Violet hour and would go there again to try other cocktails. read more

The Violet Hour - Across the blackened vine - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Another one of those bars that I couldn't leave Chicago without visiting was The Violet Hour. They are a James Beard award winner for best bar program and also recently came out with a book called The Bartender's Manifesto. To get here, take the Blue Line and get off at the Damen stop. Walk a couple minutes south and you'll eventually come across a graffiti art wall. It might be tough to find but there's a door at the right side of the wall. When you walk inside it immediately gives off a speakeasy vibe. It's very intimate and very dimly lit. There are some lounge seats and tables that hold 2-4 people and also some bar counter seats. I'd recommend making reservations online beforehand since spots are limited and it's not a huge bar. Note that if you make a reservation online you will have to pay a deposit per person. My first drink was the jack of all trades ($17) which was a really good and balanced drink. I also liked that they had a sidecar too which was basically more of the drink that you can pour yourself. It's almost like a free drink! My second drink was the fake spring ($17) which was sweet and slightly bitter from the cocchi rosa. It was a spirit forward drink but definitely not overpowering. My last drink was the monkey business ($17) which was more scotch forward than the previous drink but also slightly sweet. It was funky from the smith and cross and had a nice body to it too. They also have happy hour from 5pm-7pm daily which includes $13 classic cocktails from daiquiris to margaritas to negronis. They also have non-alcoholic drinks available which were very appreciated. For food we ordered the truffled frites ($6) which were a delicious snack and we loved the lemon aioli and the parmesan flavors. If you're a cocktail enthusiast who wants to experience a top-notch bar, The Violet Hour is a must-try in Chicago. read more

Nice calm atmosphere with low music so you don't have to raise your voice to talk to eachother. The drinks are spectacular if you know and like crafted cocktails. The drinks are well thought out and from the scent all the way to the taste, every bit of the description on the menu pours onto your palet. Excellent and very knowledgeable staff can answer every question you have without consulting anyone. The food is oddly reasonable for being downtown, and delicious! Don't fret if you have to wait a bit for your cocktails, they're all hand mixed and have a rather complex makeup. Definitely worth waiting for. If you're going in the weekend, make a reservation. And please don't dress like a slob, it ruins the atmosphere. If you need to wear a ball cap, please get yourself at the old style shack around the corner. read more

Spent New Year's Eve at the Violet Hour and enjoyed every minute of it. The drinks were creative and lovely and the ambiance was sophisticated and classy. The bartenders provided exceptional service and were easygoing and attentive. There's a reason why this bar won a James Beard award - the drinks are inventive, nuanced, and balanced. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cute and intimate cozy space that is great for a quiet night with friends or 1-1 date time. Great cocktails and the servers are very out of your way. Makes for a really nice vibe. read more

The Violet Hour is what every bar and cocktail lounge used to be, and should be now. The atmosphere is incredible - sort of speakeasy-esque, minus the pretentiousness. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There is a strong emphasis on facilitating an environment for stimulating conversation, which I love. A bar where you can actually hear the person next to you - who would have thought? The seating is plenty spacious, and there's absolutely no rush to get you to leave. There's not an explicit dress code, but I did appreciate that everyone was presentable in the establishment. The in-house crafted drinks are all great, and the staff will help you find something you'll like (and will make you something else if you end up not liking it). My wife isn't a huge cocktail person, but she talked with the bartender and got an absinthe lemonade which she loved. The bartenders are also fully knowledgeable on mixology, so you can order off-menu if you want. We went without reservations during peak dinner hour on a holiday weekend Saturday. We waited in line for about 45 minutes total, but got in without an issue. Absolutely would go again. read more

It was one of the bars I really enjoyed in Chicago. We had a seat at the bar and were able to see the bartenders in action. Our bartender was Carly, and she was great! She was very knowledgeable about the cocktails and spirits. One of the cocktails I enjoyed was the Hush Money, a very refreshing cocktail. I also had some great bourbons, which I am thankful for. read more

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I've been wanting to come here for a long time and finally made it! It's very much speakeasy vibes. I saw people leaving and decided to see if this was really it lol. It is cozy and intimate inside and definitely a great date spot if you wanna get to know someone. Our server, D, was absolutely amazing and made this visit an amazing experience. He was super attentive and picked the perfect drinks without asking much. I truly enjoyed my time here and would return to try more cocktails. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good cocktails- not the best first impression upon arrival. Host acknowledged no one, just myself and my partner standing in a cramped cold entrance wondering what was going on. walk ins were seated before guests with reservations. Intimate seating which was nice, great cocktails- hands down lovely. I found the food to be subpar but the food is not what I was here for. Ordered the wings and not much flavor. "Daywalker" and "I burns for you" cocktails were phenomenal - would come back for these. read more

The Violet Hour - 10 gallon-hattan & daywalker - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Unique speakeasy with a dim lit ambiance located in Wicker Park area. They have a huge list of crafty cocktails and a few appetizers. Our server was nice and answered questions about the cocktails. I ordered Square Pants, which was too strong and bitter for me. My husband ordered TVH Old Fashioned from the House Classics list and he loved his drink. We also ordered mix nuts that we couldn't stop eating! We did walk-in around 6 pm on a Friday and we were able to get a table. We were told that to reserve a table, they charge $10 per person and this amount is deducted from the order total. Had a nice experience overall! read more

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Simple yet intimate! Great tasting cocktails! Hush money is a good cocktail to start if you like something light and slightly sweet. Water Lily is another great cocktail super light and refreshing. Love that they have small bites! The truffle fries helped with the cocktails read more

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Did a walk-in here around 5pm when it opened. My partner and I were especially excited since we saw this place on Google. Service - 1/5 - Although we got seated with no reservations, the bartender off the bat was not personable. I tried pulling up the menu with the scan code, however it was so incredibly dark that my phone was unable to pick it up. I tried a few times and kindly asked the bartender if they had a hard menu. The bartender responded with "This is 2023, I don't have a hard menu." I was not expecting a snarky response and instead had to look on my partners phone. I was not impressed. Ambiance - 3/5 - Too dark. The place itself was cute but I could not see much of the decor or ambiance. Entering seems a bit hazardous because it was pitch black. Drinks - 3/5 - Got the Rhymes with Orange and Modern Renaissance. Overall, drinks were slightly on the sweeter end and mediocre. Overall, just an okay experience for me. Hoping the staff can be a little more friendly for future customers. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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