Chicago's Best Martini

Texas nightspot import teaches River North what “big” is all about, starting with almost 40 suggested cocktails.

Reviews:

• “River North is the best”
• “My FAVORITE new find! Superb atmosphere and great people”
• “don’t bother”
• “Martini Park and Chicago people rock! "
• “Fun fun fun "

Tips: Valet is a good investment in this busy part of town, although it might make sense to circle the block—searching the side streets—first.

Martini Park or email Martini Park

River North’s splashiest lounge-restaurant hybrid aims for sophistication, from the menu to events.

Reviews:

• “Classy”
• “Unsafe night club”
• “Nice place "
• “An Easy New Favorite”
• “Quelle surprise!”

Tips: Most Fridays are closed to the public for private events. Make sure you call in advance, or rustle up a member’s invitation.

La Pomme Rouge

Check any notion of personal space at the door—this West Town watering hole is Chicago’s most intimate bar.

Reviews:

• “To the last reviewer!!!!!”
• “Demeaning and stuckup service”
• “Best Drinks in the City”
• “Not an ordinary martini”
• “Too small, too smoky.”

Tips: The place is always packed—literally—so anytime is prime (if you like crowds). Some stick to visiting only in spring and summer, when outdoor seating is available.

Matchbox

Upscale French-Vietnamese fusion fare in lush, luxurious Gold Coast surroundings.

Reviews:

• “Great for something different”
• “Sensational dining experience”
• “The Best Vietnamese restaurant – not only in Chicago – but that I have ever had!”
• “For people who don’t know s*it about s*it – which includes the chef, apparently”
• “GREAT FOOD! Great for large group!”

Tips: Skip the quiet downstairs dining room and scoot to the upstairs lounge, one of the sexiest bars in town. You can order from the full menu and exotic specialty cocktail list, and smoking is allowed.

Le Colonial or email Le Colonial

Good, comfortable food and atmosphere make for cozy Bucktown dining.

Reviews:

• “Great comfort food for a bar "
• “BAD FOOD, LIKE YOUR LAZY MOM WOULD MAKE / HORRIBLE SERVERS / NO MANAGEMENT”
• “great brunch”
• “ok at best”
• “Great Place – Great Food”

Tips: Hung over? When you can’t bear to do it yourself, Saturday and Sunday brunch offers griddle favorites, biscuits and gravy, and several egg variations.

Silver Cloud Bar & Grill or email Silver Cloud Bar & Grill

This intimate two-room Wrigleyville lounge boasts minimalist-chic decor, good beer and martini selections, and a clientele of single 20-somethings.

Reviews:

• “A must when out in Wrigleyville!!!!!”
• “Best lounge in Wrigley!!!”
• “Tryst is by no definition high scale”
• “Cool-Chic, the place to be on a weekend night”
• “Best bar near Wrigley!!”

Tips: Friday and Saturday nights are packed, a good scene if you’re hoping to hook up. Weeknights, especially in the eary evening, are quieter and better for leisurely dinners and drinks.

Tryst… an upscale lounge or email Tryst… an upscale lounge

This loungy bar offers a mature alternative to the Division Street meat market.

Reviews:

• “Horrible service, rude bouncers”
• “Not a good place for tourists”
• “Worst party experience EVER”
• “Hottest Hussies Around on Wed”
• “Best bar in area”

Tips: Leg Room features some of the best music around, with live classic rock performances every Wednesday at 9pm and DJs spinning hip-hop and R&B into the wee hours Wednesday through Sunday.

The Leg Room

Loungy late-night restaurant glimmers brightly on the Halsted strip.

Reviews:

• “Impress your date ….”
• “great atmosphere”
• “The tango Maureen…..”
• “good treatment”
• “Want a hot dining spot in Lakeview- it’s not Firefly…”

Tips: Firefly’s wine list is small, global and reasonably priced, with a couple dozen bottles ($26-$40) and more than a dozen selections by the glass ($6-$10).

Firefly

This River North spot draws a Merchandise Mart crowd for salads, sandwiches, steaks and after-work cocktails.

Reviews:

• “ATTENTION ALL CARNIVORES… STEAK ALERT …..STEAK ALERT…..”
• “This is a Steak House????”
• “Just Another Steak House”
• “Our New Favorite Place!”
• “Totally Average!!!”

Tips: Party rooms and customized menus are available for large groups, as well as office catering. Call the event coordinator (312) 543-4405 to set something up.

Kinzie Chophouse or email Kinzie Chophouse

Popular Old Town watering hole shoots for contemporary style over funky neighborhood hang.

Reviews:

• “Best Party Room Ever!!”
• “Great Party Room”
• “Bad staff!!!”
• “Fun, Trendy atmosphere: Friendly staff & stiff drinks!! "
• “Had a blast!!!”

Tips: For a neighborhood nightspot, the club is on the dressier side; too casual gear is frowned upon, and tennis shoes and sports attire are outright banned. Jeans with something black is the uniform.

Spoon or email Spoon

Lincoln Park lounge flies high with more than 130 types of vodka and an icy, jetliner interior.

Reviews:

• “DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!!!”
• “Jet’s Hot!”
• “Disagree”
• “Bring Singles to Tip the Strippers”
• “Have a Plan B”

Tips: Most of the seating is for VIPs so call ahead to reserve a table or go to the club’s website.

Jet Vodka Lounge