When I first stepped into this place I was extremely excited and knew I was in for a treat. The place is decorated beautifully with a mixture of table, couches and chairs arranged in intimate settings. The ambiance is amazing, and although I went with a friend I would definitely recommend this place as a date night spot. But, get here early so you can be selective about where you sit, as the place fills up really fast. When first looking at the cocktail menu I was very overwhelmed because there was a huge selection to choose from and they all sounded amazing. I ended up going with the "Roger, Roger" which I thought was very good, but nothing mind blowing. I was a huge fan of the presentation though and love the glassware that they use for the cocktails. My only complaint about my visit was that the service wasn't very good, with the drinks taking a long time and the bartender forgetting to give us water when we arrived. I'll definitely be back though to try more of their intriguing cocktails! read more

Watershed - "Badlands"...essentially a bourbon slushie - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Neat place. Located beneath a champagne bar. Feels subdued and unpretentious relative to a lot of the more boisterous options in the neighborhood. Perfect if you're staying at one of the zillions of the hotels in the area and want a quiet place for a good cocktail. They cater mainly to whiskey lovers (I had a pretty nice drink involving whiskey, apple brandy, and rosemary...maybe a bit too sweet, but tasty) but they have other options as well. Beers are mostly (if not all) in cans, not on draft. Had the cheese curds, too. They were fine as a bar snack, but this is not a place you go for a meal. read more

I went here with my friend for a drink and we had the best time! We stayed for almost 3 hours, the atmosphere was so amazing. The energy was so positive and fun! The bartender, servers and the host where super friendly and down to earth. The cocktails were unique and absolutely delicious. the location of the bar/restaurant made us feel like we were in a trendy speakeasy! I would 100% recommend this place if you're looking for a fun, artistic atmosphere, craft cocktails and beer and just a good time! read more

The pizza cocktail was a lifetime memory, the conversation was riveting, and the sparkles were on point. If I had to give a rating out of 10, I would have to give it a 12. Hands down, an evening worth spending. read more

Watershed is a pretty cool 'secret' bar. I have never actually ended up at Pops for Champagne itself, but have gone to Watershed a number of times. The decor is rather seafaring to me. That is to say that it's wood paneled and there's a giant map on the wall and it's got an interesting maritime thing going on. I don't think I've necessarily had a memorable cocktail here, but the ambiance is good enough that it cancels it out for me. There's a $5 short beer and shot special that you can ask about (I assume they still do this). In regards to food I have only ever eaten their chicken wings. I do think though that when it gets crowded the waiting area gets kind of blah because it's a basement and the bathroom is nearby and things get sloppy. read more

Slightly hidden bar underneath Pops - show your ID at the door and the hostess will point you to the entrance. Dark cellar bar with a private club sort of vibe - benches, booths and sofas abound. Great cocktail selection, heavy on the local Koval distillery. Decent bottled beer list with a handful on rotating draft. Good background music - loud but not too loud, familiar but not too familiar. I had a really great old fashioned using Koval toasted oat whiskey - one of the best I've had in ages, with neither too much sweetness nor bitters. Only annoying thing was a slice of dried orange that got in the way of drinking! A friend's Moscow mule was also excellent, although unusually came in a glass rather than a copper mug. The bar was also happy to make an apperol spritz off the menu. Prices par for the course. We'll be back! read more

Watershed - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This bar is one of the best for cocktails, and ambience that I have ever been to! Great service and vibe!

Logan was such a charming & authentic host. it seemed his wealth of knowledge was infinite. we learned so much!! Michael was the perfect level of nerdy: about beverages & about television and about life. We loved his banter. The cocktails are amazing riffs. With unique narratives. Try this spot! read more

Very rude bartender that seemed like he didn't want our business. Cocktails were fine but this place is not worth your time unless you're looking for bad service. read more

Watershed is an interesting, comfortable and relaxing spot for a good cocktail or beer. I have yet to eat here, but we enjoy the inviting ambiance and delicious drinks. Watershed is almost a speakeasy. To reach it, enter Pops for Champagne, head to the right and enter the door with the large "W" over it. Down the stairs, you'll find the cozy Watershed bar. The volume is low, the walls are wood and stone, and the lighting is subdued, making it a great spot for a quiet drink with friends or a date. The cocktail menu is interesting. I can't recall the name of our favorite (and it doesn't seem to be on their online menu) but it has whiskey, egg white, and cinnamon, which results in a smooth, creamy and spicy drink. We've also enjoyed Watershed's Moscow Mule, Manhattan No. 6 and Old Fashioned. Watershed is a comfortable and unpretentious spot for a drink in River North. read more

Great drink menu, good seating options to be able to have conversations, service was average.

Love this place!!! The cocktails are incredible, the service is fantastic, the music is *chefs kiss*. I'd go back just for the fried pickles alone. Mike and Logan were incredibly attentive to our party. 10/10 experience!!! read more

We went to the watershed on Saturday night. The Service was awesome and the staff was very personable and cool. They made us feel at home and we will definitely go back! read more

It's great when a location can be equally good for a romantic date or a hangout with friends. The wall coverings, the vinyl on the record player, the delicious drinks, and the dim lighting. The wine and beer list is short, but serviceable when there are so many good cocktails to choose from. I'm always on the lookout for a speakeasy style bar or cocktail lounge and I've probably been to 20-25 in various parts of the country. Watershed was solidly in my top three of all time. read more

We stumbled upon this place on accident however it was really nice. In terms of a speakeasy, eh, I have had better ones. Yes, it was dimly lit and focused on hand crafted cocktails. It is a very different environment than their upstairs neighbors. I believe our bartender was Allen and he was a great guide to the menu. They sell local spirits. The old fashion is not a traditional one with muddled oranges so beware it is a bit stronger but still good. Also, the "businessman" was a GREAT drink with absinthe. read more

Thought Watershed would be a good place to grab a quiet post-3-hour-Opera drink and nosh. It's not awful, bit also not good enough to make it "our spot". Pros: small room, no screens, comfortable furniture. Liquor is all local. Menu has good comfort food(but uninspired). Waitstaff are fantastic and the best part of the whole place! Cons: atmosphere is busy and loud, disproportionately so considering the small space and oversized furniture begging you to settle in. Drinks were expensive, uncreative and watery. My gin martini was over shaken and weak. The whiskey cocktail my date had was syrupy and sweet despite the description of smokiness, and the whiskey got lost in there somewhere. All the whiskey cocktails seemed to be remixed Manhattan's... I wanted this place to be cozy and cool, a late night hideaway. Instead it had a confused vibe of inexperienced college drinkers doing shots along side couples trying to have quiet dates. It's too confusing to enjoy the environment, noisy and difficult to make good use of the space and drink list. We left after one round. read more

I only had time to visit one speakeasy while visiting Chicago. I am glad we chose this one. Located below Pops Champagne (down a hidden stairwell in the corner) you find yourself in another world once you descend. Moonshine water bottles and a list of craft cocktails and local beers that wont disappoint. The service was friendly, and we were made to feel like there was no rush even though we had plenty of questions or suggestions. I tried the Cardi Party, and the Cosmic Dancer. I also enjoyed a Great Lakes Dortsmunder that was good. For a small bite we had the fried cheese curds, which were great! One of my favorite things were the pickle brine chasers with a shot of whiskey. Sounded gross, but its something I will try from now on. It was awesome. read more

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When visiting Chicago in the throes of bone-chilling winter, I want to experience the romance associated with the holidays - a blanket of still pristine snow, the festive lights illuminating an enchanting version of Michigan Avenue, and an endless parade of warmed cocktails. This is Chicago at its unequivocal best. I'm so happy that I found Watershed after searching for 'mulled wine' on the Yelp app. This cozy and intimate subterranean bar provided the adult beverages we were seeking - hot buttered rum and mulled wine - along with an ambiance made for catching up with a close friend or better yet, a former flame. Though the beer list is really impressive (all are sourced from the Great Lakes region), you absolutely have to order the mulled cherry wine. It's one of the most delicious interpretations of mulled wine I've ever savored, and it was difficult to stop at only two glasses. I'd return to Chicago just for that hot cherry wine! It's an unbelievably incredible concoction of warm, fuzzy love in a glass. A+++! read more

'Up on the waaatershed, standin' at the fork in tha roo-oad.... You can stand there and agonize, 'til your agony's your heaviest looooad.You'll never fly as the cro-ow flies, get used to a country mile... when you're learnin' to face the path at your pace, every choice is worth your while.' Any song that evokes the lyrics and memories that arise from one of my favorite Indigo Girls songs can't be a bad spot. And, I'm pleased to note that Watershed is worthy of the IG song connection. I'm a fan of a bar located beneath one of my worthiest adversaries. Who knew? Aurore L knew, that's who. She sent me a smoke signal and let me know that this place was up my alley. She also let me know exactly what to order -- but I did it the right way. Sorry, AL. The wild cherry wine (again, another band to shake a booty or two too) lured me in with a coquettish smile and that's all it took. A wine this frisky, seasonal and local needs to be hot. And, that's just how I took it. Served up goblet-style, the treat was seasonal Michigan for the senses. The blood-red color intrigued the eyes. The spice and fruit notes delighted the nose. The warmth from the liquid sated the fingers and the taste... oh, the taste... well, I had three. So, you can bet my tongue was happy. (Shut UP, Ralph C. You need help!) As Calgon took me away, I briefly opened my eyes to look at where i was leaving (as you know, Calgon whisks you away to your happy place -- quiet, Ralph -- and you don't return until you're ready) and, again, I was confused that I was in the belly of the beast that challenged me many moons ago. Watershed looks and feels nothing like Pops. It's a basement bar full of wood, sofas and dudes (ahhh! RALPH!!!). The fancy trappings and female sensibilities of upstairs are nowhere to be seen. This isn't to say that ladies aren't welcomed in Watershed. It's just that the bar feels more like a lodge on Lake Michigan rather than a hotel suite off Lake Michigan. Between up/down stairs, you can probably hear the refrains of Green Acres (fresh air/Times Square and all that). Choose your setting and settle in. Funny thing that... I'm probably much more Eva (I give up) than Eddie but I would take Watershed over the [above bar] any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Baffling, right? A new, favored bar directly beneath that which almost defeated me. "...but endin' up where I started again makes me wanna stand still..." read more

Forget the water. Hurry up to the shed to get your share of "wild cherry wine". $8 a pop, it's an orchard in your glass and even though it's listed as a hot drink - if you are polite and cute enough you can ask for the cold version of it and *may* get it. (which I did, being quite reticent to drink my wine - any wine - hot. You want hot? Get coffee and let my beloved grapes, fruits and nuts be at room temperature). But if Michigan is your arch enemy, if cherry leaves a bad taste in your mouth or if you don't like wine either hot or cold, W(s) has more for you. Starting with a lovely, cozy, lounge-y atmosphere. A bit underground but adds to the charm. No frills, straight to the point. It's a Midwest mecca. Makes sense. The drink menu is extensive, exciting and mostly local (a few spirits from Oregon and Vermont, tequilas from Mexico (duh) and rum from the Antilles). And our great region provides basically everything to your heart content, including organic liquors (jasmine, chrysanthemum honey, rosehip, ginger and coffee), aquavit and absinthe. As for the cocktail list......let's just say that next time I want to try the ironic version of the hangover cure, "Gimme My Breakfast". Whippersnapper whiskey, Black Star farms maple apple wine and lemon. Me thinks they should add egg white to the mix to perfect the illusion. But it would probably end up being pretty gross. So never mind. $3 bites to munch on as well as bigger plates (foie gras, rillettes, mussels, bone marrow), cheeses and charcuterie. Laid back yet appetizing and totally satisfying. They are closed on Sunday but open every other day until 2am. Go and ask for Christine. She is the cutie pie with the black glasses. read more

Watershed is definitely my kind of place. Actually, Watershed and I might be related.* Competitive sisters, maybe? Watershed: Laid back and cozy, unpretentious with an air of nonchalant seductiveness. Me: Well, yes. I'd love for you to come over and brush knees with me on my expensive but not designer couch, drink wine, and we'll see where this leads us... Watershed: A loveletter to the city and surrounding region, serving only a menu of Chicagoland and Midwestern beer, liquors, and wine. Me: Chicago born, Midwestern bred, baby! Watershed: You enter Pops for Champagne, and you've had a little too much overpriced bubbly, so you head down the stairs to the bathroom. And on your way, you notice an inviting place that's not bumping with music or packed butt-to-butt with people. It's calm, cool, and collected. With booze. Me: You notice my hot, scene-stealing friend first, but once you start talking to me, you realize that she is wayyy crazy and I am straightforward, goodlooking, and sane...with booze. Watershed, quit stealing my thunder! Or else, we might morph into one entity...though that might not be a bad thing. *You might ask if Watershed and I are related, why I would only give myself 4 out of 5 stars. Well, I give myself a 4.5...so I win. read more

Pssssst...hey guys. I'm about to let you in on a little secret. Watershed is the place to be. While I'm a gal that loves her bubbles and has gotten quite giddy on the good stuff at Pops, that's not always the scene I'm craving. Watershed is the kind of comforting lounge that will erase the traces of a bad day. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of State Street, its comfy loungey benches and little booths provide the perfect setting for a low key night of drinks. Music is quiet, lighting is dimmed, it's great for catching up with the ladies, or perhaps sealing the deal with a third date...I mean. If you're interested in that sort of thing. No judgment. (But seriously. Seal it.) On a Wednesday night, it was the perfect level of clientele. Not insanely busy, but there were definitely people enjoying themselves. I dabbled in the Moscow Mule, one of my favorite drinks, which wasn't quite a traditional version (cucumber???), but still turned out to be a tasty drink. At $10 a pop, these drinks are well-made and presented, (raise your hand if you like cute little glasses..."I DO!!!") and worth the price tag. Think Violet Hour-esque minus a few bucks. If cocktails aren't your scene, check out the wines offered both by the glass and by the bottle. There's a nice assortment of local offerings, enough to whet even a picky whistle. Beers too. All local. All toast worthy. There is a limited menu of drink-worthy noshes (think spreads and the like) if you are so inclined. Our group didn't delve into that menu, but it did look promising. So now that I opened my big mouth, the secret is out. You know where to assemble the girls for drinks or to have a night-cap (proper groundwork on the third date is essential, boys). Just save me a little room on your comfy bench. I like night-caps too. read more

I'm tempted to not tell the interwebs how great Watershed is. It's a fine line between keeping a place I like in business and keeping it a secret, and I'm torn. My first few trips to Watershed it wasn't too busy, it was perfect. Last time I went there was a 15 minute wait for a table. I fear the cat is out of the bag. Watershed is one of my favorite date spots. It's cozy, warm, intimate, comfortable, and usually not too loud. This is one of those rare places where everything comes together to make your date better, not a place that will outshine your date. While I love the availability of champagne by the glass and flights, the rest of the drinks don't wow me. They're good, but small. The food is always great though. Of course I much prefer enjoying Watershed with someone I'm taking home with me it's my go to when I'm out for drinks in the area no matter who I'm with. Watershed is a great ladies night out spot too. Well, now I'm torn again; this time on whether to suggest Watershed as a good spot for ladies night. While yes it would be a good place to relax and chat with a friend or two, I really don't want a herd of "ladies" showing up here and ruining the ambiance for the rest of us like some do**. If you're looking for a comfortable place where your date will be the only thing overwhelming your senses; check out Watershed. **If you're offended by that statement; you've most likely been part of one of those herds and have no clue read more

Watershed is located at the basement of Pops. When you walk in, look for the big W on the right side and walk down the stairs. The atmosphere at Watershed was a full 180 from Pops. It has an old log cabin bar vibe going on. Feels like Christmas. $5 for a shot of Old Overholt and a shorty bottle of Rhinelander. What a steal! They have 2 beers on tap that rotate frequently but a very good selection of bottle beers and spirits. Everything is price fairly. read more

It's with such a heavy heart that I write this review. Up until now, Watershed was my favorite bar in the city. I've been a loyal patron for four years and never had one complaint. Tonight I took a friend there because I wanted to introduce her to what I called "the best bar in the city." Unfortunately we were treated horribly by our waitress and in the end, the manager (or I guess who I assumed was the manager). We ran into a few friends there who asked if they could join us. Even though there were 5 of us (one extra chair) and I scooted in so I wasn't blocking the walking areas they told us twice we couldn't sit 5 to a table. As a former waitress, I totally respect the rules and had we been blocking the path at all I would have understood , but hand to God we were not. It was just like 4 people were sitting there vs. 5. And they were incredibly rude in the way that they told us we couldn't sit there. "No no no no, you can't do this. Somebody needs to get up." So, one of my friends said, "It's OK, I'll go" and she left. It took quite a while for her to get her check because the waitress complained that she couldn't split the check. Yet they were forcing us to do that because they wouldn't let us sit one extra person to a table (in the corner by the way). So in the end, there were four of us. When the waitress wasn't ignoring us, she was rolling her eyes because I guess she felt like we took too long to get our order in. We had to beg to get more water. It took forever to get our check and then she never came by to get it. Finally, I had had enough. I walked up to her and gave her the bill. Even though she was rude to us, we still tipped her 15% although normally we would have tipped 20%. I told her "I've been coming here regularly for four years and you are the rudest waitress I have ever had." She shrugged her shoulders and walked away. I put on my coat and walked downstairs. The manager came running after me and said, "Hey, you want to be rude to our waitresses? Don't ever come back here!" I told him, "I wasn't rude to her at all. I simply told her I felt she was rude to us." Instead of asking me what happened (he was nowhere near us so he had no idea of what she or I had said) he responded, "Don't ever come back here again." I'm a very nice person, Again, I also used to work in the food service industry so I have a healthy respect for the staff that serve people day in and day out. For those reasons and more, it saddens me that my favorite bar in the city, the one that I have brought dozens of friends to, a place where I've dropped hundreds of dollars over the past four years, a bar I've given two previously good Yelp reviews to, decided to treat us horribly and then tell me to never come back after doing so. Watershed... I'm so disappointed :-( read more

I wouldn't exactly call Watershed the hidden speakeasy that it's made out to be. It's kind of cute that it's in the basement of Pops, but its location is no secret. It also gives off major living room vibes instead of the dark, sultry bar that I was expecting. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed and casual, and the volume/lighting is good for conversation with friends without feeling like you have to talk loudly. There are plenty of tables/booths so we didn't have to wait long to be seated on a Saturday night. Our waiter was super friendly and gave good recommendations. I was shocked to see an Old Style beer + shot of bourbon for $6 on the menu--that's gotta be one of the best drink deals I've seen in Chicago! I'd definitely be down to come back based on that alone, but probably just for laid back chatting with friends rather than for an exciting weekend night. read more

Great bar. Great cocktails. Great ambiance. Kind of awkward waiting area. But great times once you are in. This bar is on "secret" bar lists in Chicago which is how we find it and we are very glad that we did! This place is under the Pops Champagne bar, so you have to enter Pops and then find the W on the wall above a staircase that then shows you the way to the very small waiting and check in area for the Watershed. What I love is the Watershed has such unique takes on cocktails and drinks including one drink that actually has avocado in the cocktail! How insane and awesome and wonderful is that? The food also is pretty good as little snacks to have with your drinks, and you can tell that the servers and bar tenders truly love working here too. The tables and seating areas can be a bit cramped for larger groups, so I would advice groups of 4 or so to make your life more comfortable and to make your wait not as long either. What is nice is while you wait, you can actually pre order a drink to have while in the awkward space outside of the main bar. So that is great marketing in getting you to stick out the wait times! And the decor is pretty cool too--dimly lit, cool warm colors, old vintage couches and chairs, small inviting bar area...Style wise there is a lot going on and lots of good people watching too. And yet it is set up in a way that you feel like you each have your own little cocktail world. Watershed, I like you. read more

I would say that this is the place to go for a laid-back drink. It's modern, lodge-style decor in the cellar of Pops for Champagne strikes a good balance between casual and mature. Music was weird: rock, jazz, and country. The employees are dressed casually in jeans and t-shirts with suit jackets and are great at treating guests with respect and courtesy. We were helped by at least three employees who were all extremely professional. I loved that they didn't rush us to leave after we paid the bill (we continued to relax for a good 15-20 min). Drinks are divided into wine, beer, and spirits. I only looked at the two pages of cocktails, which were twists on old favorites. I got a tantalizing White Dog Old Fashioned, but I was eying the Manhattans too. Their isn't much in the way of food, but I've heard that their cheese and meat plates are the best. Although this definitely isn't a mix'n'mingle place, the other guests were pretty diverse. There were all sorts of ages and races. I liked that. I think this place is solid. It's not the best, by any means, but there isn't anything to complain about. I liked it, but my heart is flirting with other places. I want to be friends with Watershed, not lovers. read more

Ron Swanson would love this place if it didn't have all the people. Watershed is pretty neat: underground, stone walls, and comfy furniture. The bar area looks like something you might find in your grandma's basement, at a time when having your own bar, complete with tiki-themed glasses, was hip and groovy. They offer a huge variety of cocktails and spirits. I recommend asking the bartender for a recommendation before ordering. I made the mistake of not doing that and I ended up with a drink that tasted like kool-aid. This was not my jam. That being said, the other drinks I had were really good! I really like this place. I don't want to recommend that anyone else go there for the selfish reason of not wanting to wait to be seated the next time I return. It isn't very big and can't fit many people! I will definitely be back. read more

Spiffy place! They have 1/2 priced beers one day a week from a particular brewery. This place is all about beer. Yep, my husband loves it here. Go figure...it's in a basement and screams drink beer! For noshing, this is a grazers paradise! Tons of finger food options to enjoy with your brew. If you like cured meats, stinky cheeses and olives you will love this place. I recommend the tempura cheese curds and deviled eggs. They have salads too if you are a girlie girl. Cool vibe that will make you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in. We like this place a lot! read more

Some places just make it easy to give them a 5 star review. Yes, you have to brave Pops to get here, but it makes the sweet space feel that much smoother. Lots of seating with a definite speak-easy vibe, and doorman that's trying to get you in and get you comfy...there's no holding a line or throwing false pretenses. I braced myself for yeat another place piping in retro-soul music (worst trend ever), so hearing Modest Mouse and Built to Spill was really refershing. Even more surprising: the lack of flat-screen TVs. It drove the table of guys behind us back above ground. You should consider that a good thing. For a small beer list, there were a lot of offerengs you don't normally see. Beer prices were all over the place. Some of the nicer ones felt like a steal, and some definitely didn't. The have two food menus, but we only tried the small plates that you coldn't get at Pops. They were great with a beer (especially the eggplant spread) and a little bigger than we expected for the cheap prices. More than anything, the owners seem to have a built a place where they'd like to hang out. The bring in some elements you wouldn't normally see together, and they all work. read more

Pops for Champagne has changed their downstairs jazz club to Watershed, a casual hangout focused on beverages from the Great Lakes region. Full disclosure--I was fortunate to be invited to their industry party, and am friends with some of the staff. Haven't yet had a chance to try it again, but that may change tonight. :) I had 2 of the cocktails they were featuring that night. The names are really fun, but kind of hard to remember since they have nothing to do with what's in the drinks. :) The first one was called Fixing the Pumps, I think. It's based on Death's Door gin, and it has a terrific, intense strawberry flavor. I am not normally a gin drinker, but when it's in a balanced cocktail, it can be very nice. I really enjoyed that. The next one I tried was based on yellow chartreuse. Chartreuse, I'm learning, is not my favorite. I think some folks would like the drink, but it's not for me--a little sweet for my taste. The drinks are small, which is just right for me. I don't like to get to the point where I'm tired of my cocktail. It's nice to be left wanting more! We got to sample the majority of their small plates, which were all delicious. The portions are tiny, but the intent is to order a bunch to share so that everyone gets a bite or 2 of each. I think my favorite of the nice was the smoked eggplant caponata with pine nuts, which was positively addictive. I love smoked cheese, veggies, fish...anything! My husband said the duck fat potatoes were really good, but I don't eat duck so those were all for him. They were such cute little ball-shaped pieces of potato. The cabbage salad with capers was delicious...I just wish there had been more of it! Husband said the steak tartare was really tasty too. All in all, I love the relaxed vibe and reasonable prices. The servers are all really nice and attentive. I'll definitely be back! read more

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I've been coming here for about three years now. Last night was the rudest and worst service I've ever gotten, anywhere. First, the waitress wouldn't let me sit down with my friends bc they wouldn't let us add more people to the table. She physically stopped my friend from moving an unused chair from another table. Then I asked her where their wine list was, looked at it, then back up to order, and she had already walked away. It took awhile for her to come back, so when I eventually got my drink I tried to give her my credit card to pay, but she would not let me pay separately. She deliberately walked away every time we had a question. And was rude about it. My friend had to chase her down to give her the actual bill and payment. When we left one of the other guys working ran after my friend and told her not to come back. All in all this was the worst experience I've ever had here, and nothing like I've seen before. Whoever that waitress is, she needs to be fired. I've also never experienced this new no standing rule, or no adding chairs rule. Let me just say there are a lot of bars in this city, and there's no reason to go to one that treats customers like shit. read more

This bar can be summed in one word: perfection. It has quickly become my absolute, hands-down favorite bar in Chicago, and I'm almost hesitant to write a review, as I think it may be a well-hidden diamond in the rough that is known as River North. I'm not a huge fan of pops (that constant runway is always distracting, and I've encountered one-too-many a rude bartender, not to mention the aloof crowd), but upon my first visit to W in summer of 2010, I was sold. I have yet to try their food, but I can hardly see it being a letdown. Plus, who could really eat all that much when there is a perfect American Smash sitting in front of you? The space is limited, (think 30 seated comfortably) the decor is semi-nautical (think low-sitting upholstered chairs at the bar, stained, heavy wood, dim lighting, and a randomly- contributed brick wall) and the staff is incredible. If you need help choosing a beer from their collection of midwest suds, or selecting a liquor from only local distilleries, ask your bartender. Their regular is a liquor/beer/alcohol guru, and gave me a beautifully spun history lesson in bitters. Not only can he recommend, but he can more importantly create: he made me a Red Hook that was out of this world. I fully intend on proposing next time. The staff in general seems like a congenial family, and are always willing to chat and visit- can't say enough about this place, but you'll have to see for yourself. Just stay out of my favorite chair. read more

What a cool speakeasy beneath a bar very unlike the watershed. I loved the atmosphere and the comfy seating arrangements. All local liquors too and mainly whiskey drinks. I got their Moscow mule, which was slightly different from the usual cocktail but delicious. read more

Given the choice between hyped up, overpriced, "hot spot" and a neighborhood dive bar, you'd be smart to bet on me choosing the dive bar. But something about Watershed makes me feel like "hot spot" and "dive bar" had a few too many cocktails and made one freaking awesome baby. It's sophisticated but not snooty. It's relaxed but not unpolished. It's creative but not overwhelming. The staff is friendly and helpful, the selection of booze is regional and delicious, and you will absolutely be glad that you stopped in to quench that parched throat of yours. Seriously, it's hot out. Go now. read more

Watershed is a bar inside a bar. Confused? Don't be, just walk into Pops and go towards the back on the righthand side and use to door to go downstairs to Watershed. The speakeasy-ness is charming and the decor is fun. There's a masculine, lounge-y feel and there are really huge seats at the bar...not bar seats. It had a nice drink menu that consisted of a good bottled beers selection and a nice assortment of house cocktails. This is definitely a cool spot to take people in River North. My only complaint is minor, but when I went after work with a buddy, the employees did not match the bar, specifically in regards to what they were wearing. This place exude classiness and hipness, and especially at happy hours on a weekday it was filled with patrons in business attire. It was a bit jarring to be in this really cool, classy space and have bartenders in t-shirts and jeans. By no means do you need to wear vests, or sport waxed mustaches, but the bartenders should have been dressed up more. Again a minor issue and I'm sure it was just the time I happened to be there, but it stuck out. Overall, I would recommend this place as a cool place to grab a drink in River North. read more

A cool little "speakeasy" lounge under Pops for Champagne. Laid back, and a bit trendy. The beer listings, vodka, and whiskey are all from the midwest. It is always a nice place to go to before or after Pops read more

Located in the basement of Pops Champagne bar. This is a great place for cocktails and craft beer at a reasonable price, ESPECIALLY for River North! Went here with a group of 6 on a Friday night and was able to snag an open booth. It's not a very big space and is really meant for groups of 4 or smaller. Thankfully the smaller people were on my side of the booth. I tried the "I'm a Businessman" and the "Gator Boots". The former is a whiskey/brandy/absinthe combo that packs a punch. The later was a super refreshing gin based cocktail. Would recommend both depending upon your tastes. Overall my group was really impressed with the quality of drinks and service. The bartenders/servers know their stuff up and down and gave great suggestions. Two thumbs up for Watershed! read more

After having been served terrible drinks at the Signature Room, Watershed was far removed from the poor drink craftsmanship we had experienced just shortly before our visit. The vibe was relaxed and calm, compared to some of the other bars in the area. Which means it's a space where you can have a normal conversation without being drowned out by any loud sounds and music. Then the vintage decor, sort of 70's themed creates a cool laid back ambience. The drinks are not typical of those you'll find at some dive bar. They're cocktail program is pretty strong, and it's made up of beers and spirits from local regions. We ordered a Manhattan and the Roger Roger from the menu, which turned out very good. The Roger Roger was especially good because of the tanginess from the beet and apple cider vinegar. Fermented drinks are my favorite, and here they made a cocktail using just that. It was like having a kombucha with rye, so tasty. Watershed is a good cocktail bar, surely better than Pops upstairs. It is less expensive and way more casual. On top of that, the staff was more amicable. Check this one out if you want some good drinks and friendly service. read more

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