Your favorite upscale lounges (not clubs) in River North? (Chicago: hotel, neighborhood)

[ChiTownYoungProfessional]

For those of you who enjoy the upscale lounge type of establishment, not clubs like Spy Bar or Sound Bar, what are your favorites to frequent in River North?

In cruising a good number of Yelp reviews it sounds like the one on top of the Dana hotel offers incredible views.. albeit very expensive cocktails. Any thoughts? I want to check this one out soon.

How about places like Mercadito and Gilt Bar.... thoughts?

I'm looking for trendy lounges that are bound to be expensive... Whether on a rooftop like the one the tops the Dana, or otherwise.

I've already read a good bit on Yelp, but I always enjoy and appreciate the insightful input offered on the CD forums. Thanks guys!

[jonnynonos]

What are you aiming to do? Take a girl out? Go out with friends? It really depends.

[marothisu]

True lounges? None of them that you listed I would think are true lounges. They basically turn into nice bars. I'd say maybe Gilt Bar is the best of the ones you listed in River North alone. Vertigo at the Dana Hotel is more or less a club. Maybe Sable Bar/Restaurant too?

The only true lounges IMO downtown are right next to each other and are both in the Gold Coast north of River North. The upstairs of Le Colonial and Drawing Room (at least last time I went there) next door to it.

There's also Drumbar that just opened on a rooftop in the Gold Coast, but I haven't been there yet. Untitled as well, but again, haven't been there yet. Then outside of downtown of course Violet Hour in Wicker Park.

[emathias]

Like others have said, it really depends on what you're looking for.

The roof at Zed 451 can be nice.

Mercadito is more restaurant than lounge, but it's nice.

Sushi Samba Rio has some lounge-y aspects and sections.

If you're just looking for a bar area with nice food, Naha's bar/lounge area has access to their full menu. It's not really all that lounge-like, though.

[ChiTownYoungProfessional]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

What are you aiming to do? Take a girl out? Go out with friends? It really depends.

I guess learning of great places for both situations would be ideal! Either a place to bring the gf, or a place to go with some bros for a night out. Whether a true lounge or just an upscale bar, as I guess the two can be differentiated from one another... I'm looking to learn about a bunch of good ones that you all like.

Any specific info about individual establishments... Or info about certain areas within River North that are densely populated with these minds of places, would be excellent.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ChiTownYoungProfessional

I guess learning of great places for both situations would be ideal! Either a place to bring the gf, or a place to go with some bros for a night out. Whether a true lounge or just an upscale bar, as I guess the two can be differentiated from one another... I'm looking to learn about a bunch of good ones that you all like.

Any specific info about individual establishments... Or info about certain areas within River North that are densely populated with these minds of places, would be excellent.

See above. You also shouldn't limit yourself only to River North. I pointed out three places in Gold Coast that's a 10 minute walk from River North.. go outside of the realm.

[jonnynonos]

Well, I think it would be hard to dispute that Trump has the nicest deck. It is an astoundingly beautiful view. That being said, you are talking NYC-London prices--so you better like her!

I'm not a club guy, but as far as those things go, the one time I was there I thought Cuvee was actually pretty fun.

Underground is a nightclub that I begrudgingly admit can, under the right circumstances, be fun. (Be prepared to wait in line and all that nonsense.)

The lounge under Mercadito is pretty fun and cool.

Drumbar indeed is supposed to be a lot of fun; the top of the Roof at the Wit must be the most popular roof in Chicago.

For food or having a few beers with your friends, Rockit is pretty fun, and I think the food is good.

Sub 51 is a super popular new lounge/club.

Similarly Paris Club's Studio Paris is very trendy.

The roof at Epic is pretty nice.

A lot of the "clubs" you are seeing when you yelp "club" lounge in River North (spy bar, sound bar, about a half dozen other fly by night places) are not attended by people who live or work in the neighborhood. I don't know who goes there. People from the suburbs maybe. Occassionally someone gets shot.

[ChiTownYoungProfessional]

Originally Posted by marothisu

See above. You also shouldn't limit yourself only to River North. I pointed out three places in Gold Coast that's a 10 minute walk from River North.. go outside of the realm.

I actually bookmarked each of the places you mentioned in your previous post on Yelp -- will definitely check them out. Any other cool establishments you might recommend in GC?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ChiTownYoungProfessional

I actually bookmarked each of the places you mentioned in your previous post on Yelp -- will definitely check them out. Any other cool establishments you might recommend in GC?

I used to go to Le Colonial a bit. The upstairs is chill and introduced me to a new type of music entirely. Upstairs is basically candlelit. There's a dark wood bar and couches with tropical SE asian "trees" all around. You will find celebs in the place (both upstairs and the main level) sometimes, but many are there to get away from people. if you are a celeb in there, people will leave you alone. This is where I've met Tyra Banks amongst others. Great place to bring a date/girlfriend you are romantically involved with.

Trying to think of some other cool hangout places in the Gold Coast. I don't consider anywhere in the viagra triangle "cool" for the bar scene. The best place is probably Whiskey, but even then I wouldn't call it great, but it's a nice dark bar with some comfortable seating in the front area. The back area isn't as nice.

There's Bernard's Bar which is on the 2nd floor in the Waldorf Astoria on State & Walton/Rush & Walton. Very upscale, definitely a quiet place. Depends on who's in there, but higher class because it's the Waldorf Astoria, formerly Elysian. Inside is really, really nice, very old feel. I have seen Roger Waters of Pink Floyd in there before, and Paul McCartney's security detail stepped in last summer. If not for a huge wedding party making their way in there, I could have drank with that guy. F that party. Very small place. Most people have no idea it even exists.

There's also Le Bar which is in the floor level of the Sofitel Hotel on Wabash & Chestnut. There's a cool outdoor space out there when the weather is good too.


My favorite LOUNGE places in the city though are without a doubt Le Colonial and Violet Hour in Wicker Park.

[ChiNaan]

People are asking about upscale lounges but talking about some of them being too expensive. Does "upscale" mean something other than "expensive"? I thought the former was a pretentious word for the latter.