Please don't find Watershed; really, there's nary a sign nor storefront to attract your attentions. Please don't come to Watershed, were you to somehow become aware of it; really, Pops is right there, and *all* those stairs in the corner, down to some dimly-lit spaces below, seem sort of imposing. I mean, it could be a ghoulish sex-dungeon or some shit--do you really want to risk that? And please don't tell anyone else, were you to gamble on that stairwell and find yourself gliding into the best general bar--generally speaking--in downtown Chicago. Really, I need this place, and I need to be able to waltz right in and over to a table and enjoy the cocoon-like seclusion, and the soft light playing off the paneled bar and the plush upholstery and the framed depth-relief map of the Great Lakes, and the gentle rumbling of the red-line passing nearby: reminding me that I'm sweetly and securely underground. I need the very fair price-points, *especially* for someplace downtown. I need the regularly rotating, carefully curated cocktail program, that rates up there with Violet Hour or Whistler without trying to replicate what either of those places does. I need this way-station between the north and south sides. So, really, just stay away. See if Purple Pig's not too busy. I've heard good things about Berkshire Room. Or, hey: there's always Pops. read more

Well, our experience last night left me feeling a bit sour. Let me preface this review by saying that we have been to Watershed numerous times previously, and pretty much enjoyed ourselves with good friends, interesting food, and unique cocktails. Last night was a different story however, which now makes me hesitant to go back. We had planned on meeting at Watershed for a birthday dinner celebration with friends. My husband and I show up first, and the bar was relatively empty (it was a chilly Saturday night, and it was early being 7PM). I was unsure how many were in our party, so I said if we could find a table or place for 8-10 people that would be great. The host was nice, said there was a table for 8 that we could grab, and informed us that we could add 2 more chairs if needed. Sounded great. Well, as more people trickled in to be a part of the merry birthday celebration, we ended up quickly becoming a party of 11. There were 2 extra open tables adjacent to us, so we asked our waitress whether we could add on 1 of the tables. Another table was added without any issues, and the festivities continued. I made sure to let the waitress know that we were appreciative of her being accommodating, she said of course. Then 5 minutes later, 2 more of our friends showed up, so we scrambled to try and add them into our group. There was still 1 table unoccupied adjacent to us, so we asked whether we could add that as well. The waitress at this point said basically: "No, absolutely not. You guys initially said you had a party of 8, and now its 13. We are not adding on another table for you." Wowza. Now, I understand there are logistics when it comes to table seating at restaurants, and that's fine. If we couldn't add on the other table because of restaurant table protocol, that's cool. There's no need for a snarky comment about how I had initially asked for a table of 8, and now we were a larger party of 13. I was annoyed because A) It's not like the place was packed. It was quiet, there was an extra empty table, and we merely inquired whether we could've used it. B) She could've just politely explained that they couldn't give us that table because of logistics, instead of making a rude comment about how we were now a larger party than initially expected. I didn't realize that we were at some fancy restaurant that had rules and regulations on how many tables you could move together? My previous impression of Watershed was that it was this cool, low-key bar/lounge in the basement, that's relatively non-pretentious. I'm not sure I feel the same way now. Needles to say, it's still a cool place to check out. Just don't go with a large party. read more

If you're looking for a place in River North, that isn't your typical d-bag central - then this is the place to go. Despite the fact that I'm not really a POPS for Champagne fan, I am a Watershed fan. Walking through POPS it's kind of hard to tell what it'll be like once you get down to Watershed, but to my surprise it was just the perfect setting. Don't think you have to be dressed the same way you have to be dressed when you're upstairs because it's quite cozy. It reminds me of a lobby at a ski lodge where you have a big huge fire place, cozy couches with coffee tables and people huddled over good drinks. The moment my friend and I walked in, we knew we were going to enjoy this place. It had such a great vibe and the crowd is so different from any of it's neighboring bars like District. This place is definitely one where I could see myself actually coming in jeans and an oversized sweater with knee high boots. The drink menu is very dedicated to local breweries and wineries. Expect a lot of Michigan and Wisconsin brews, but whatever you get, expect it to be good. My friend and I were quite comfortable in our booth and it was the perfect place to catch up. The music is just the right volume level and the lighting is not too dark, but not too bright either. If you're in the hood looking for an after dinner drink or a night cap, definitely check out Watershed - you'll be pleasantly surprised. read more

Watershed was the perfect spot to host my 30th birthday party. Sure, I could have gone somewhere that had all-you-can-drink wristband packages, but I didn't want to have a party with terrible food surrounded by bros. This place has a fantastic ambience- we were seated against the back wall with a long lounge-style banquette and ottomans for 16 people. The beer list went over well and I really enjoyed making my friends stray from their usual Amaretto Sour/Captain Morgan and diet coke routine. Everyone loved the cocktails and the mismatched glasses. The food was delicious, and many people commented that the chicken was some of the best they ever had: "How could chicken taste so damn good?!?" was one comment I heard. Frasier was a great server... the wait for some items was a little long, but the place got crowded after 9 p.m. and custom cocktails take a while to mix. He checked in with us consistently, so I didn't mind a little wait. Great place to dress-up or dress-down with a great beer and cocktail list. Thanks for a great birthday, Watershed! read more

It is downstairs from pop champagne. Just walk to the back and down the stairs. They have a great selection of beers and bourbons. They do try to source locally in be neighboring states. You can try whiskies which you will rarely find anywhere else. Good place to wet for pre dinner drinks to just to start night. read more

Speakeasy found hidden below Pops for Champagne (http://www.yelp.com/biz/pops-for-champagne-chicago) in the heart of River North. Probably one of the best places to stop in for a drink before dinner. As you walk into Pops for Champagne, walk to your right under the lit "W". Follow the stairs just before the restrooms that are for both Pops for Champagne and Watershed will be the entrance to the speakeasy. Serving only local Midwest breweries like Metropolitan, Two Brothers, Off Color, Three Floyds, Founders, Bell's, Central Waters, O'so, Great Lakes, Lakefront, Penrose, Half Acre, and many more. There are also spirits that are also mostly Midwest local as well like gin, vodka, and rum. The whiskey is as local as they could get as some are from TN and KY. Cannot forget the wine which is hard to be all Midwest. There are food available ranging from small bites to cheese and charcuterie. There is plenty to nosh however do not expect a dinner unless you are the starter dinner type. The space is small that will hold about 50 people and they do not allow any standing room. During busy weekends and winter nights, there could be a line to enter. I would avoid after 9pm as I quickly saw a wait forming from the after dinner crowd. I would also avoid bringing groups more than 4 as the space will be tough to accommodate more. The space has a causal feel from the walls, chairs, and bar that is not too pretentious. The service is great. I would always ask for suggestions and they know their menu well. They would make sure your glass stays filled. This is a place to bring a date for sure. For how hidden this place is, I am sure most people do not know this place exist. Also it is always impressive to bring folks past the always loud and busy Pops for Champagne downstairs to the causal and laid back Watershed. It is also a plus for being a password-less speakeasy so there are no crazy acts or words to get in. Watershed is a speakeasy where you can avoid the hipsters, jocks, and preppy so you can enjoy your local Midwest created liberations causally. Food / Drink - 5 Décor - 5 Service - 5 read more

Watershed - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm writing this review with great hesitation, for Watershed is truly a local gem that you don't want too many people to know about. The pros: + Great location: located in the basement of Pops. This means you can have 2 very different types of meetup (or dates :wink:) without leaving the building. + Easy vibe: less password-only-speakeasy-level snobbery. More like a friend's living room where good conversations are made of. + Consistently delicious cocktails: Like A Businessman (old fashioned), You're The Worst (gin + avocado) are among personal favorites + Great specials: $8 whiskey flight on Tuesdays is a steal. I also enjoy the rotating collection of local craft beers. The cons - The risk that reliable waterholes like these get the recognition they deserve and become more crowded. Oh well. read more

When a friend first brought me to Watershed, I immediately groaned, having mistook this delightful establishment for the rather horrid-looking Pops for Champagne directly above it. I was quite pleased as I was led down a flight of stairs into a dimly-lit, much more intimate establishment. I absolutely love the casual, laid back atmosphere of Watershed. They have a pretty extensive selection of craft beers available (I chose a double IPA, and loved every drop of it), and a large cocktail menu. From the food menu, my friends and I also shared some of the best cheese curds I've ever had before. I hadn't yet found a place in Chicago that serves cheese curds, so I was really happy about that. Because for srs. Cheese curds are the best. Can't wait to come back! read more

This is what I call a hidden gem but right in your face! It's located on Grand and State, but because it's a basement you won't go find it unless you are specifically looking for it. I LIKE The concept: only food, beer and sprits from the Great Lakes (hence the name). The ambiance: you have all the seating style available; booths, sofas, stools, tables, etc... in on basement! The service: very attentive and approachable. I DIDN'T LIKE: Just a bit pricey. read more

Great whiskey selection including good choices from the Midwest, Watershed was a very pleasant surprise. It's a little hard to find, as it's downstairs of Pops, but once you find it, be prepared for some great cocktails at great prices. Old Overholt rye for $5? Done. Need a bourbon from Illinois? Take your pick. Had a perfect old fashioned with Few rye whiskey and also tried a 20 year old whiskey from Hirsch. They also have some great local beers on draft as well as some very rare and unusual beers as well, whose prices rival a bottle of wine. It gets pretty packed here, so I would try for a slower night and take some time to try their extensive selection. read more

Watershed is definitely the coziest bar in Chicago. Someone described this to me as a lounge with a midwestern theme, which was an unflattering yet accurate description. As others have said, a better way to put it might be that Watershed has a "speakeasy vibe." No loud music, and the crowd is usually pretty chill. Picture the absolute opposite vibe of the upstairs Pops for Champagne without any divey-ness - that's Watershed. The drink menu features local brews and spirits, including some of my Illinois favorites that are oddly missing from many Chicago bars like Northshore Aquavit and Tailwinds Taildragger Rum. Another reason that this is a great place to chill is the food menu (available late!), which is surprisingly substantial. The oft-rotating dessert selections are definitely my favorite, though - the blueberry-bourbon bread pudding is to die for. The waitstaff and bartenders...okay, yeah, they're kinda hipsters, I'll admit it. But in the best way possible! Super friendly, knowledgable, and down-to-earth. read more

Amazing, reasonably-priced drinks and friendly staff in a unique, cozy, and unpretentious atmosphere? Yes, please! I came to Watershed with a group of friends on a rainy Thursday night. What I loved about this place immediately is the assortment of comfy couches and plush bar chairs all within a warmly, dim lit setting. It makes this place feel so intimate (Wonderful date spot!). My sweet tooth was bugging me, so I ordered the Chocolate Caramel Ganache for dessert and tried some of my friend's Moscow Mule. The dessert was essentially an elevated and refined smore and was so so delicious. I love a dessert that can balance sweet with savory, and this confection did exactly that. The slight bitterness of the pink peppercorn marshmallow, the crunchy bits of the toffee, and the buttery cookie matched the richness of the chocolate ganache perfectly. The Moscow Mule was the best one I've ever had...and this is coming from somebody who has a strong aversion to vodka (Undergrad. Enough said.). The cocktail was so refreshing~It had a bright, fresh taste of cucumber countered with the spiciness of ginger. To top it all off, there was live music! Two guitar players softly strummed tunes in the background. Watershed is definitely one of my new favorite drink spots in the city. I don't know if I would recommend it for bigger groups. I think my group of 8 got seated so quickly because it was pouring outside. Otherwise, it's a perfect little oasis for drinks and good eats! read more

Came here over Labor Day weekend while the city was abuzz and sweltering hot at 10 pm. Watershed was a fantastic respite from both the crowds and the heat. We scored a perfect table for 2 near the turntables. There was 1 server working that night and one hostess. They definitely needed another set of hands to man the full room, but they did a great job of checking on us and keeping the food and drink flowing. Great service! The ambiance here is interesting...its bright for an underground secret type speakeasy...but still cool. It has a "Regal Beagle" vibe. Old school...70's shab with a little bit of chic. Drinks and apps are interesting...food was great, even at 11:30 pm. The navy bean dip with panzanella was delish and the lamb gyro sliders were noteworthy too. I had the twigs and berries drink and sent it back because it was a bit to herbal for my taste, but the server suggested I give the Moscow Mule a whirl, and that was a perfect refreshing cocktail for the warm evening. Overall a great, low key, casual spot that's still full of GORGEOUS people. I hope to return. read more

Watershed - Moscow Mule & Twigs and Berries - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had some friends in town and they were staying across the street. We thought we would hit up Pops for Champagne, but after trying for 10 minutes to get a bartender to acknowledge us, and once they did were incredibly rude, we said thanks but no thanks and headed toward the door at the back of Pops with the big "W" on it and hightailed it downstairs to a MUCH better experience at Watershed. Watershed reminds me of one of those old boys clubs where men would gather to smoke cigars and discuss economics. It's missing a fireplace, which would complete the scene. Then someone fun got a hold of it and kept its character but transformed it into a cozy basement bar with a few tables, couches, benches, comfy chairs and other comfortable seating arrangements. I was digging the vibe. The drinks are killer! There is a true mixologist creating these drinks. The drinks are pretty involved so we asked our waiter for recs. She was most helpful and we ended up with some fantastic cocktails. It's a place where you just want to kick back with some friends and know you're going to get great drinks and attentive service. I hereby deem this spot "an approved date spot." My rec is to run past the snobs at Pops and head downstairs where you can relax and not worry about trying to impress some dude who thinks not washing his hair is chic. It's not dude. Watershed was cool and I can see taking a hot date there, or hanging with out-of-town visitors. I want to go there on a snowy winter night and get a good cognac and chill with my peeps. read more

A bar in the basement of a skyscraper. Chicago is so cool I can barely handle it. My last night here. Sadness. Great craft cocktails, artisan spirits, reasonably priced. If you're looking for an intimate place for drinks then this is a place! Go into Pops for champagne and walk straight ahead. You will come to a staircase, walk downstairs and you will be in the Watershed. They've got delicious food, its fun and they sometimes have live music. The last time I was there someone was on either a banjo or a mandolin. read more

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Debating between 3 stars or 4 stars, but ended up with 4 stars because they had great food, great hours, and the drinks are delicious! A really small, retro cute place. Great to just hang out with friends and chill, but on certain days, the crowd is a bit weird.... A couple of guys kept staring at us. MY girl and I even though we ignored them when they tried to talk to us. One guy keeps going to every girl in the bar and talking to them. Finally, he sat down next to these girls...but kept staring at us. IT was the weirdest thing and no offense, but he was not attractive nor charming...more like freaky and creepy. They should kick people out when they are disturbing other customers. read more

Was visiting Chicago and have had a new fascination with speakeasy type bars since my first one in Hong Kong. Waiting 30 mins to get in and it was nice. I really felt like they were pushing food on to us, but we only wanted a drink. It's not our fault we were assigned a table. Heck, we even had a pizza take out box with us. It kinda felt uncomfortable. Maybe I just misread their attitude. The drinks we had were really good and the atmosphere was pleasant. Overall, I would come back, but hopefully I would feel a bit more comfortable with the service next time. read more

Watershed is a great bar to camp out in a booth and catch up with old friends. I used a Groupon on a weeknight, and loved it. I'll definitely return. When we first wandered through Pops, I was a little concerned that the swank-level was a tad higher than the casual beverage and snack night I was looking forward to. Don't be fooled by the nice banquettes and beautiful stone walls, Watershed place is all about friendly fun. We started with a gin gimlet and an old fashioned, both of which were delicious. I'd highly recommend a gimlet with Death's Door gin, a deliciously tart, refreshing beverage. We continued with a few amazing beers, complimented well by cheddar/goat cheese, spaetzle, and beet servings. The small plates are $3 apiece and a perfectly-sized treat. Combined with the $5 cheese course, we barely needed the Cornish game hen that we ordered to share as a main course. But I am so glad we got it anyway. The bird was impossibly tender, with just the right amount of crunchy fried skin. Awesomely rich. The service and atmosphere really bring the place together. Bar staff is extremely friendly and approachable, and happy to customize drink orders and make recommendations based on your personal tastes. The music is great (we each opened Shazam apps more than once during the meal) and the tall booths and stone walls lend the illusion of privacy and seclusion. read more

This new spot makes you forget you're in downtown Chicago (which I mean as a compliment). Tucked away in this basement lounge, I could almost be tricked into thinking I'm in a Northern Michigan ski lodge. The place does a great job of balancing cozy with classy with lower ceilings, no televisions, chunky rock walls and dim lighting. Gotta love a place that focuses on the Great Lakes, with a expansive beer menu offering bottles from local breweries in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. The only bummer is that they only have two draft handles; everything else is bottled. Most bottles are in the $5-8 range, with a few fancy-pants beers also available. If that's not your thing, they've got a nice selection of cocktails for $10 and wines by the glass/bottle. BONUS points for having a drink menu with prices printed on it!!! Much appreciated. Service was great - prompt and friendly but not obtrusive. Bottled beers were poured by the server in the glass table-side, which I understand is "proper", but if I'm trying a new beer from some local microbrewery, I really like to see the bottle, check out the label, read the back for tasting notes, etc. So don't be shy to ask to hang on to your bottle for a hot second, our server was happy enough to oblige. Limited food was available, including some small plates (and I'm talking just a few bites worth) for $3. You'd have to order a lot of them to fill you up, but at least there was a sizable selection (including many vegetarian options). BOTTOM LINE: An unpretentious new spot. Quiet and cozy, yet classy, makes this a good spot to catch up with friends... or a cute date spot that's tucked away from the hustle and bustle! read more

Watershed exemplifies new Midwestern cuisine. You've had Bells, Great Lakes, and Two Brothers. But Watershed puts these beers on a pedestal. Featuring only local (as in Midwest Great Lakes region) craft brews, exclusively Michigan wines (with one sparkling Illinois exception) and a wide representation of locally distilled hard alcohol (Koval and more) Watershed exudes Midwestern pride. The menu of small plates, cheeses, and charcuterie is no different. What do we do best in the Midwest? Beef, pork, whitefish, cheese. Exactly. All well-represented along with a few exotic items to mix it up...mussels, softly marinated Greek olives. The mouth-watering bone marrow small plate will set you back $6 and offers share-worthy scoops of rich, flavorful, marrowy meat. Watershed is located in the basement of Pops for Champagne. And really the two venues could not be more different. While State street tourists might stride into Pops, Watershed is for the local, laid-back beer aficionados. Actually, this is the perfect place to take an out-of-town beer or wine-loving guest. But thankfully, even with its swanky River North address, Watershed is blissfully tucked away, a windowless alcove devoted to Lake Michigan culinary creativity, where one doesn't need to worry about loony Michigan Ave. shoppers overtaking this peaceful salon. read more

Underneath Pops for Champagne, there is a small, cozy bar where my husband and I like to hang when we're in the city. The cocktails are made by knowledgeable bartenders. My favorites are made with specially cut ice that gives it an "icee" texture. Also, during past visits we've had the cheese curds, the truffle fries, and the romaine salad, and all of them were delicious. It's getting harder to order because we fall in love with everything we try. It's best to go on a week-day for happy hour, but we haven't had to wait very long on weekends either. read more

On a recent trip to Chicago, we headed to Watershed for some after diner cocktails because it is my boyfriend's favorite bar in Chicago. It is kind of a hidden gem in the downstairs of Pops. We have been coming here for years and were excited to be back. We stopped in on Tuesday night over the holidays, and there weren't any tables available, so we were seated in the center area to wait. The bartender who seated us, was kind of rude, and after just having been at Eataly, I wasn't really up for dealing with it. Thankfully the rudeness dissipated after we were seated at a table that opened up. One of my favorite winter drink to order at Watershed is the Hot Toddy, so, so good! I also really enjoy the Italian greyhound. Pretty much every cocktail I've had here as been good. Everyone else pretty much stuck to beer, which they also have a great selection of. The atmosphere is great, and the drinks are delicious. You definitely should check out Watershed. read more

This is just a review for the atmosphere and decor. I see where they were trying to go with it, but major fail. Kind of reminds me of a bar that the cast of 'that 70s show' would go to, except half assed. We each had half of our drink and left. There are a million other nicer, cooler bars in Chicago. We wouldn't go back. read more

As my time machine doesn't appear to be coming along well, the closest I'll get to visiting speakeasies will be visiting places like Watershed. I think this place is pretty slick as the cool kids would say. I came here on a Friday night and it was busy but we were still seated right away. The drink selection is pretty outstanding. For craft brew lovers there are a ton of beers by the bottle and for cocktail lovers there's a great selection as well. I suggest the House Manhattan No 6. The drinks are served in these old-style glasses that your grandparents would have and the furniture appears to come from the same place, but it all works. The food is also very good. The rabbit is amazing. I wish I could order a glass of the broth that it is served with. The risotto is also outstanding. The sweet pears pair perfectly with the powerful white cheddar. The frites are good. They have a nice parmesean flavor to them but I felt were too small. Avoid the chorizo tater tots as they're quite bland. An awesome place that I can see coming to for after work drinks or taking someone staying at a hotel in the area. Check this place out. read more

They used to have live jazz when this was still called Pops For Champagne. Now it's Watershed. Well. It's REALLY LOUD. Best for small groups for drinks. Don't bring like 10 people down here, like the table next to us. so obnoxiously loud omg. Hats to the bartender and server. They have their shit together and can give good recommendations. Might come back if I'm in the area. Maybe earlier in the evening when it's not so crowded and loud. read more

I came here just for drinking last night with a bunch of friends. My experience started off somewhat shadily with goofy bartab-related shenanigans, which in my experience usually heralds an egregious overcharge. However, to my pleasant surprise, my bill actually only included my two drinks when I signed it. I'd say crisis averted, but there was no crisis to begin with, and it wound up being a non-issue. Apart from this apparent SNAFU, my experience at Watershed was highly pleasant. The old fashioned with Rittenhouse Rye (just $7!) is one of the best I've had; not sweetened to death, it basically just tastes like more easily potable straight whiskey. Draft beer list is excellent and changes frequently; the New Holland porter I sampled ($6) is a predictably interesting, spicy dark beer. Also, there's live music, which incurs no cover charge. My lone gripe is that this portion of the evening was spent sitting on an ottoman. A very minor point, but part of the allure when going to a swanky establishment is comfortable seating, which this doesn't have in abundance. All in all, Watershed is an oasis in the desert of douchiness that is River North: reasonably priced, amazing cocktails and beers served in a swanky yet unpretentious setting. I will be back very frequently! read more

Great bar! Themed to showcase the Great Lakes Watershed, brings in really cool regional beer choices. Do not skip the French fries- they are out of this world! read more

Been here a few times. Good service and drinks. Had the flatbread which was tasty. Has a speakeasy feel would love if it was more traditional secret entrance style! But maybe that's just me! Eclectic furniture is interesting I like the couches and booties for seating. read more

An incomplete list of reasons to go to Watershed: - Great bartenders and servers, including a gentleman named Fraiser; - Couches and spacious booths with goldilocks lighting (not too bright, not too dark); - Fabulous music -- I heard Wilco, Dwight Yoakam, the Supersuckers country album in one night; - Solid happy hour spot -- it rarely gets jammed, unlike upstairs in Pops; and - Manhattan No. 1 on the cocktail menu. Watershed's fancy cocktails are $10 per, but they're boozy and worth it. I get my Manhattan on the rocks to help me pace myself. :-) There's a nice, small menu of nibblies and things to nosh on, too. There isn't much on there for a vegan like me, but I've tried one dish -- the lentils -- and that was pretty boss. Oh, and there's a sick beer selection for you beer drinkers out there. read more

A sleepy bar that styles itself as "secret", though reads more like Pop's Champagne stockroom with chairs and a record player. After the waiter let us know that he was feeling only "okay", with the meek conceit of a Shakespearean tragedy, we were let know that there were no hot cocktails (the seasonal speciality) and no tequila. The drinks we did receive took about 15 minutes and were solid, if a bit overpriced. Not a bad place. In fact, it looks like it almost may just be a good one. Until, that is, it pulls back its leather mask to reveal the plainest of faces. read more

Loved how cozy and small the place was. Decent selection of pretty good bourbon whisky. Great for small parties. Had some delicious straight rye whisky and cocktails. Great service and atmosphere overall. I would definitely come back again. read more

I left Watershed happy, full, and with a good buzz, having spent a perfectly reasonable amount of money for two people - $80 for food and four cocktails in the city?? What sorcery is this. Cozy and dim in that annoyingly ubiquitous way that I think we've gotten used to by now, Watershed is Pops for Champagne's way less pretentious, spirits-focused sibling, which you'll find by walking into Pops, turning to your right, and heading toward the "W" above an archway. The bf and I sidled up to the bar in chairs so comfortable that I can imagine someone dozing off in them after one drink too many. There weren't nearly as many hipsters in attendance as I had expected, although 'staches and beards did comprise a good amount of the staff. Male staff, to clarify. One sip into my Girl Scout on Valentine's Day, a concoction of rye from Michigan-based Journeyman Distillery, Green Chartreuse, Carpano Antica, and Angostura and lemon bitters, I knocked the tiny goblet over. As a busboy promptly cleaned up my mess, the bartender proceeded to fashion me another drink, gratis, saying, "It happens to the best of us. If you were some drunken douche, things would be different." Why, thank you, kind sir. My gratitude will be shown in my gratuity. As we waited for our food, I polished off my Girl Scout and asked for a classic Sazerac with Bulleit Rye, which was so perfect that I was almost embarrassed, cos I make a damn good Sazerac ... but his was just a teense better. We then tucked into French fries that were blistering hot, crunchy, fluffy, full of real potato flavor, and dressed in a heady, garlicky, truffled brown butter and served with parmesan mayo; brat hash with a soft-boiled egg and house-made giardiniera; and incredible sliders that featured slices of smoked duck breast topped with white cheddar and an endive-kimchi aioli that sang with flavor. Sadly, the rabbit and chicken liver pâté was a huge disappointment, especially cos I LOVE pâté. A Lilliputian portion of grainy, stone-cold spread was accompanied by stale baguette toasts, uninspired pickled apples, and a violet mustard that overtook the near-flavorless pâté. Despite that major misstep, I really enjoyed my visit to Watershed and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants well-made, reasonably priced cocktails (only $10 each) in a relaxed atmosphere. read more

Don't usually reviews bars/clubs/lounges but felt the need for this place, especially as we also ate here. They don't take reservations which is fine. Our group arrives Saturday evening and the lady told us she'll come find us upstairs once our table was ready. Awhile later, our friend goes down to check, and the lady said she came up and couldn't find us. Lame excuse, as our party was like 10 people and occupied most of Pops. Anyways, awhile later, she comes back for us and leads us to our table. Our waiter comes by to our table, but doesn't really address everyone, only coming by to certain people. I had to ask him if the kitchen was still open and after he said 'for 30 more minutes' (which would have been nice if he informed us himself in the first place), I ordered the frites, duck jerky, and deviled eggs. They were all very good. My bf asked him to make a drink for him and his friend, describing what he wanted (similar to a dead Nazi). The server assured him that he understood and 'got him.' He comes back with the most fufu/girly drink ever, reminiscent of a lemon drop, which is complete opposite of what he asked for, albeit he did leave it up to the waiter/bartender to concoct. Certainly, this was not expected for a place that prides itself on its drinks. Here's where things get even worse. A couple of our friends leave, but maybe around five more show up. The lady (from the beginning) tells us that only two can be seated, as two left but everyone else has to go. I asked if they could stand, but no. I'm not even bothered at this point, as I understand the 'speakeasy' type of deal. However, I've also been to Barrelhouse Flat and a number of other places with the same policies, and they were no where near as rude and snarky. We were seated by the entrance anyway and our friends literally came by to greet and were literally on the way back out which was like five feet away from the entrance, and the lady raising her tone just goes, "I'm going to have to start cutting you guys off." Who says that? After she made her initial comments about everyone else having to go, we agreed and it wasn't an issue, but she continued to be extra rude. The rest of our actual service was lacking. The guy didn't really come by to check on us or see if we wanted more drinks. Too bad, I've actually enjoyed my experience upstairs at Pops before, but definitely not coming back to Watershed, but since they pretty much are from the same establishment, I may not be coming back to Pops either. NOPE. read more

Compared to my so-so experience at Pops for Champagne, I was much more pleased with my experience at Watershed, which is located in the basement of Pops. This is a great bar for Craft Beer Lovers - very reasonable beer prices for being downtown!. This is a casual lounge - it's great for anything from casual outings to bachlorette bar hopping. What makes this place special is its collection of Microwbrews from all over the Great Lakes Region. I definitely want to take my out-of-town guests to this place to experience drinks unique to the Midwest. My husband and I went on Friday night at 8p.m. for a late night dinner. it's VERY LOUD at this time. By the time we left, a line was forming but it didn't look too long, however, this is a really small lounge with limited seating. BEER: We are dark beer lovers so naturally we loved the Boffa Brown Ale - had a really flavorful kick! Very large beer selection though limited on tap. Hopefully they'll expand that area. FOOD: -While the dishes are low priced, so are the portions. Don't expect to get a full meal unless you dish out a buncha cash. -I liked the pickled beets. It was tasty, though not as good as the beets at the Purple Pig Wine Bar down the street. -The Pork belly my favorite - so juicy and tender. Small but came with tasty beans. -The bone marrow was ok - can't get much of a meal out of this - the grilled garlic garnish was yummy. read more

Maybe Chicago's hardest-to-find craft-beer venue, Watershed is hidden away below the Pops champagne bar in the basement of the historic Tree Studios building. A comfortable, dimly lit room, with lounge-like furniture: armchairs, sofas, and what may be the four most comfortable barstools in Chicago. Full bar service, but my particular interest was the forty or so bottled microbrews, almost all from the Great Lakes region. Friendly service on my three visits; but then, on two of them, I was the only customer in the room for all or part of my stay. Located just north of the Loop, at State and Ohio, one block from the Grand Avenue Red Line station. Within easy pub-crawl distance of Rock Bottom, Public House, Harry Caray;s, and Stout Barrel House, read more

This place has a good vibe and beer list, severely lacking on the wines (understood because of whats upstairs)... but a few more options might be nice. I would go there on a week day probably next time. The weekend crowd in a smaller downstairs space makes it feel slightly cramped and very loud. read more

I was REALLY looking forward to trying some craft cocktails here, especially a Chicago Fizz (oddly ridiculously hard to find in the city), but when I showed up at 1:30am, it was already past last call, even though the bar was supposed to close at 2am. The bartender had already cleaned up the bar and closed it. I was really disappointed how bars actually close so much earlier than their listed closing times! I have never experienced this before. The bartender was unable to accommodate me, but he did offer a free shooter for the inconvenience which I thought was a nice gesture. If I'm ever back in town I'll give this place another try... much earlier this time. read more

Watershed - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great bar in the basement of Pops. It has a relaxed, homey atmosphere, with huge, comfortable bar chairs and stone walls. It's a small place, so it feels intimate and never overcrowded. If you get there later on weekends, you may have to wait awhile to be seated, but it is well worth it. The drink menu is extensive. I tried two cocktails, both of which were nice and boozy. The bartenders and servers are extremely knowledgable and quick to recommend cocktails based on your drink preferences. Watershed is a great, cool place for a relaxed hangout. read more

We were looking for a cozy, laidback lounge to drink and talk. Watershed fit the bill perfectly. This place has a speakeasy feel to it. To get there, you need to pass through a rowdy champagne bar and walk down a flight of stairs in the back. Look for the W. The decor is swanky and there several sofas in addition to the normal tables. Although the atmosphere was on point, I was expecting more beer taps. There are only two beers on tap that rotate daily. I did however like their large selection of local bottled brews. I had a vivant brewery tripel and a two brothers bare tree barley wine. The bare tree was very enjoyable. It had the herbal flavors of barley wine but the drinkability of a belgian strong ale at the same time. read more

One of the cool, "you have to know to look for it" bars in the area. dress code is a bit more casual than the bar that is above it at ground level. if you've never been here, read through the other reviews for directions. read more