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    VU Rooftop

    3.3 (387 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 10:00 AM, 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    VU Rooftop Photos

    Business Info

    VU ROOFTOP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    DJ
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - VU Rooftop

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    Danish pancake
    Markie'Sha J.

    This is my first time having a Danish pancake. What was cool about this one is the peaches that were used to top it. It was served warm and was flavorful, but not overbearing. The pancake was pretty airy, but not thick like a traditional pancake, almost like a crêpe. The service was great and the view of the city made everything about this breakfast great. I will say I wasn't that impressed by the quality of the bacon. But other than that, everything was great.

    Sherita B.

    I've always have a spectacular time at the VU! This year I had my Golden 50th Birthday here at the club. We were provide with an amazing seating area, City View. Our service was top notch! My specialty drink was superb! The DJ was on point! Danced all night and got in a few photo shoots with friends and family!

    Ken L.

    The view from the VU is fantastic! This is my new go to for a mid-week drink. I went on a Wednesday so it wasn't packed so I have no frame of reference for a more popular time like the weekend. I like that the bartenders free pour, big bonus!

    Ann-Marie H.

    Summertime Chi is here, so you know the rooftop lounges are always a win. An organization I'm part of had happy hour here from 5 to 8 PM, and this is the perfect location for a Memorial Day celebration. There was also a Sky game happening across the street, and if people showed their tickets to the game, they got discounts on their food, which was amazing. The food and drinks are a bit on the pricey side, but they do automatically include gratuity and other service charges, which is understandable in this economy. Be prepared to spend some money even on small bar items. This venue is very chic, and I didn't have to wait long for my food to be delivered at all. I floated between the inside and outside because it was rather chilly, and since there were so many people at the bar, it would get hot inside. Whenever I needed a breather, I would go outside and take in the amazing views.

    Corn fritters
    Deedrah B.

    I came here with coworkers for a happy hour on Thursday. We were in town for a conference and wanted to explore the city as much as possible afterwards. This was a neat rooftop spot (I honestly perferred it to Cindy's- although I haven't been there in years so may need to revisit again) with some great food and drink options. We had a few appetizers - truffle fries, spicy soppressata flatbread, chicken thighs, and corn fritters - and a couple cocktails/wine. I really liked the flatbread, it had some great, flavorful heat and my boss lady drink was delicious, refreshing, and packed just the right punch. The chicken thighs were also pretty tasty too. Waitstaff was attentive, refilling waters and checking in on us periodically. All in all, I enjoyed this spot and would definitely come back.

    Chilaquiles
    Khadijah H.

    Came here for a birthday brunch Saturday morning for a party of 8. So of course you know bottomless mimosas were flowing around during the duration of the event. I'll start by saying customer service needs to be improved drastically. As much as The Top flight security team downstairs is TSA checking you to get in the building and up the elevator, you would think service on the rooftop would be top tier and it wasn't. Our server, Lorena, did not do her best job to ensure we were well taken care. At times I felt we had to chase her down to get additional things during our time there. The food: my boyfriend and I ordered the breakfast sandwich and chilaquiles with a coffee and side of comeback sauce. The breakfast sandwich was amazing. Flavorable and seasoned. It was filling and the textures were on point. The comeback sauce shouldn't have been charged as extra but whatever. The potatoes were amazing. Best thing on the menu besides the sandwich. The chilaquiles were horrible. The tortilla shells were to crispy. You couldn't cut through them; heck couldn't even bite through it. The beans were thick and water simultaneously yet no flavor. The chicken was given in abundance but dry. I didn't know you could over charge a dish yet mess up chilaquiles but apparently you can. I would only be inclined to return to get a cocktail and catch up with a friend. Maybe sneak a photo on the rooftop in but that's it. The prices and service don't give space enough to warrant a visit let alone a return.

    Corn Fritters
    Teira R.

    I visited here for my friend's birthday and we were well taken care of. I am very critical of food's seasoning and everything I had here was extremely good. We shared apps and they were filling and delicious. My favorites were the fried chicken thighs and the flatbread pizza. Staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. My only downside was how burnt the outside of the corn fritters were, although the inside filling was delicious.

    Chef Will G.

    Invited to VIP event for Procore Conference. The rooftop is 22 stories high and has a beautiful view of the city. Plush seating, fire pit tables. Service Excellent. Staff was walking around with appetizers, sliders were so tasty. Open bar, cocktails spirit forward. Food Chicken thighs, pasta, sautéed green beans, roasted potatoes, salad. It was all good but the chicken thighs were the best I have tasted in recent memory, topped with red bell pepper. The entrance to restroom is like a house of mirrors optical illusion. To reiterate, the view was stunning and memorable. Upscale establishment for sure.

    Hush puppies were burnt not good at all.
    Azzadi C.

    Been two times and each time was amazing! Every single employee is so professional and friendly. Had a great time. If you like good music, good food, and good drinks, go! Not to mention the beautiful view from the 22nd floor. Ok let's get into the food. The shrimp were my favorite! They came with a really good dipping sauce. The flat bread pizza was definitely my second favorite. The hot honey sauce on top was perfect! The chicken thighs dish was one of my favorites very well seasoned and delicious. The shrimp pasta my friend got was very bland. The hush puppies were burnt and not good at all. The honey cake I got for my birthday was the best desert I've ever had!!! Managers please try to get more music on the rooftop portion! You can barely hear any music out there. That's really my only complaint. I love it here!

    Trippy bathroom!
    Claire T.

    I'd say the best part of VU is the view. The rest is less than impressive. There was a group of women that came in, took pictures, and then left. This seems like probably the best way to experience VU. Before going upstairs to the rooftop, we had to be scanned down and have our bags checked like we were at the airport or Disneyland. Odd. Upstairs, we had a reservation, but our table outside was just a couch and coffee table. This was ok, since they had pillows, just not what we were expecting. Everything was pretty pricy, which is normal for rooftop bars, but in this case probably not warranted. First we got parmesan fries which were hard and cold. The flavor was there, but for what we were paying, we would have wanted fresh fries. The popcorn shrimp appetizer we got was good. The rosé we got was also good, actually probably the best rosé I've had. That was a redeeming factor. Other reviews mention bad service. For us, it wasn't terrible, so maybe they have changed since the last reviews were written. Altogether, not a horrible experience, but we probably won't come back.

    Bathroom of mirrors!
    Nisha B.

    Friend brought me here. BEAUTIFUL Views!! We only had a drink and watched some of the basketball game. Bartender was nice! The Bathroom is a funhouse of mirrors! lol all Mirrors, I was so confused then had a ball playing around in the mirrors by myself in there lol We paid for valet

    Rooftop view

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    Ask the Community - VU Rooftop

    Do you have to be 21 or older to eat here?

    Yes of course. MUST be 21 and over to eat there.

    If I have a reservation to celebrate a birthday, will VU allow me to bring a cake and cupcakes? If so, is there a fee? Can we drop it off for refrigerated storage a few hours before the reservation?

    IDK that one.

    Hello Vu! Do we need reservations on a Saturday afternoon at 2pm if we just want to come in and have cocktails/apps on the rooftop?

    Do you need a reservation if you're just coming in for drinks after dinner?

    Thanks for reaching out! We don't require reservations, but we do encourage them so we can guarantee a table for your party.

    There's any cover to get in?

    No.

    Is reservation seating during Covid inside or outside?

    Hi Kurt, thanks for reaching out! We have both indoor and outdoor dining and we are taking COVID safety measures very seriously. Employees will wear masks and gloves at all times with very frequent washing of hands, seating will be arranged at least… Read more

    Do you play music on Saturday nights?If yes, what genre? Is there a cover?

    We play our venue music every day. It is a lively, lounge-style type. And we never charge a cover to enjoy the VU!

    Can someone under 21 go in?

    As we are primarily a lounge bar, the minimum age of entry is 21.

    Do you take reservations?

    Yes

    How much is valet parking on Sundays? Is there on street parking nearby?

    The hotel valet parking is like 40$!! I know street parking is available just make sure if you park north of 22nd you look for signs of permit parking.

    How is parking?

    There’s a lot around the corner and some street parking

    Is there a dress code for women? Is there a specific type of shoe that is not allowed for women?

    They have refused to let people in based on wearing sandals, although other times they let in people wearing sandals. This is a quote from the owner when asked for clarification on the dress code:… Read more

    Are shorts allowed during summer?

    There have been individuals who have worn shorts however the dress is more upscale.

    Are there bottomless mimosas for brunch?

    The venue does not open until 4pm - not sure brunch is an option.

    Happy hour specials?

    Yes! They've officially started with Happy Hour.. 4-6pm.. Mon-Thurs. $5 bites and $8 wine/cocktails :)

    View All 20 Questions

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    I arrived around 21:00 for dessert/nightcap on a Monday evening before heading back to my hotel…read morenear convention center. I had been enjoying the city after a day of shopping and dinner at Joe's. A friend recommended this lovely bar/lounge. We are not from these parts of the U.S. and love to explore. This lounge is on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association building. Part of the Hyatt chain. I was warmly greeted by host and placed next to an old fireplace in front of the bar area. I was seated facing the entire lobby. I was enjoying the Gothic architecture. It was dark and a soothing atmosphere. I appreciated the appropriate music playing as well. It was a perfect way to end my day. I had a glass of champagne and my server recommended the Basque cheesecake. Which was perfect cause I recently visited San Sebastian, Spain. The Basque region makes a great cheesecake. The burned caramelized top complimented my champagne well. There is a room/bar in the back room of where I was. A great bar with games and TVs for sports. After enjoying my nightcap, I walked downstairs and was able to order a ride-share and wait in the warm entry of the building. This hotel is directly across the famous Bean which is in the beautiful Millennium Park. During the day, I highly recommend checking that park out.

    VU Rooftop - lounges - Updated May 2026

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