Chicago's Best Hotel Bar

This spot’s luxurious lines seduce fashionistas, travelers and singles.

Reviews:

• “Good vibe”
• “Could be a Chiacgo Classic”

Tips: An intimate, even mature, conversation can be carried out here on a slower night. The weekend nights scene is becoming legendary, so expect standing room only.

WHISKEY BLUE or email WHISKEY BLUE

Hotel Sax’s lobby lounge nails a neo-Victorian look.

Reviews:

• “great customer service”
• “always a DJ”
• “beautiful place but gave it 3 chances - blew everytime”
• “AWESOME design and music”

Tips: Nooks, both large and small, line the perimeter. Semi-private rooms are great for bigger groups, but if it’s intimacy you need, they have that, too.

Crimson Lounge

Travel the world in one sitting at the Fairmont Hotel’s unexpectedly contemporary dining room.

Reviews:

• “Very underwhelming experience. Poor service and weak entrees.”
• “Good food, but not if you have anywhere to go afterwards!”
• “Good & Bad”
• “I THINK I FELL IN LOVE!!!!”
• “Beautiful, great atmosphere, excellent service – Delish!”

Tips: Try the Metrosexual, a classic martini served on a tray with sample-sized skin-care products and a certificate for a free manicure. Or sample a flight of “tiny ’tinis,” five different martinis served with two small bites.

Aria

Distinguished locals and visitors share swanky after-work sips at this Prohibition-era bar in the Drake Hotel.

Reviews:

• “BEST Martini in town”
• “Excellent Martini”
• “Good Times”
• “Best Late Night Dining”
• “Great service”

Tips: The bar is available for small parties (20 to 30 people).

Coq d’Or

This bar brings needed nightlife to the burgeoning theater district.

Reviews:

• “This is my new favorite spot!”
• “ENCORE; the place to be”
• “nice”
• “Simply the coolest”
• “Colossal Lunches”

Tips: Upper-level private booths are sectioned off with velvet curtains—a hot commodity on busy nights.

Encore Lunch Club and Liquid Lounge

Hyatt Regency Chicago bar that operates on the premise that size does matter.

Reviews:

• “Avoid the Food, Drinks are great”
• “Yuppie”
• “Big view at the Big Bar”

Tips: Like many hotel bars, especially in prime downtown spots, this one charges a pretty penny for drinks—but don’t forget that the beverages and views are big, adding extra bang for your buck.

Big Bar

Top-floor, top-shelf lounge at W Hotel Lakeshore.

Reviews:

• “Not worth the trip”
• “DEFINITELY not worth the trip to the 33rd floor”
• “Small but cozy”
• “One of the Best Bars in Chicago”
• “whiskey sky fly by”

Whiskey Sky

Tiny, nautical-themed lounge adjoining the Cass Hotel.

Reviews:

• “Seriously…”
• “Oh yes…”
• “fun and reasonable”

Tips: A rickety dart board makes for simple entertainment when there’s no game on.

Sea of Happiness

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