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    After lounge

    4.3 (111 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    After lounge Photos

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    AFTER LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - After lounge

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    Kari O.

    (Kari's Rating 9.5/10) TLDR: -Dark Speakeasy -Craft Cocktails -Retro Vibes One of my friends had her birthday cocktail hour here and we were escorted into a dark back room, where we were able to order cocktails, and various appetizers. The old-fashioned came in a delicate high glass with a dried flower. The fries were crispy and came with a mayo sauce. The CVC with cranberry foam was a delightful refreshing and very light. Would come back with a larger group but it's a bit dark if you're on a first date. This back room rent out was so nice!

    Bell pepper daiquiri
    Esther C.

    After has always been on my wishlist of places to go and I'm glad I finally found the occasion. Unfortunately, I only stayed for one round of drinks but would've loved to have try some of the food here. I was quite surprised how full the venue was despite it being quite frosty outside. West loop is definitely where it's at. Our server Ian was very helpful in giving us recommendations. After definitely gives me "The Menu" vibes if you get what I mean. Overall a nice experience!

    Cocktail manu
    Christina L.

    This was a perfect post-dinner drink after an experience at EVER. After is a social scene with a creative cocktail menu, full bar and engaged staff.

    Chicken steam buns and fries
    Andre W.

    Was taken aback finding out this summer that this hidden gem was literally a 5 min walk from me for a couple of years now. Located in the not so popular/ non traffic heavy portion of West Loop/Fulton Mkt, this joint definitely stands out. Building is kinda dark so you could accidentally walk past as its so conspicuous. Very sexy vibe and scene inside with black and white photos on the walls. Dim lit and the bar itself has sex appeal. The one issue I have is the rock music doesnt go too well with the vibe and they have the music too loud at times. I've had to ask them to turn it down as me and my friends were shouting at each other over the music. They have a happy hour menu from 5-7pm which is good to take advantage of...I've been a couple times and its well worth it. I end up staying beyond 7pm everytime. The Duck Wing is pretty good. The Chicken steam buns are ok and Im not the biggest fan of the fries as the batter can be a bit too much. They make magnificent cocktails though! Muchroom Penicillin, Smoked Melon, Hop'd Negroni, Peachy Collins and A5 Vesper (gin/vodka cocktail comes with caviar) are all very nice and my go-tos here.A5 Vesper can be a bit pricey but if you come during HH, its less expensive. Good joint!

    Nikhita T.

    My friends and I recently went to this place to celebrate a friend's birthday, and I had no idea it even existed. It's the perfect spot for an intimate date night. The interior is all black, and the entrance is a bit hidden -- just a plain black door, which adds to the vibe. We got a table in a private area and ordered during happy hour. We had Bubbles, Dirty Martini, and 24K Espresso Martini. Since we were celebrating, our server was kind enough to bring us shots of Bell Pepper Daiquiri and a non-alcoholic shot of Mushroom Penicillin. I regret not ordering the Bell Pepper Daiquiri, it was my abbbbsolute favorite! I was unsure about it at first, but the flavors were so smooth and balanced. I definitely recommend trying it. We didn't get any food this time, but I'm definitely going back with close friends to try the full menu.

    Rui L.

    My friend and I stopped by for a drink before dinner. The bar was fairly empty when we visited at 5pm on a Saturday. They happened to have happy hour promotion so we were able to take advantage of their most expensive drink I otherwise wouldn't have ordered. I'm not sure if I liked my drink, but my friend also ordered the mushroom drink which was very nice. Overall, After did not disappoint and wish I could go back and check out more other drinks next time!

    Chestnut Cappelletti
    Reshma A.

    Went to After for Restaurant Week and had a phenomenal experience. The service was impeccable from the waiter to the manager to the hostess. We were a little late and they were still able to accommodate us, which I really appreciated. The food was just as impressive. The portions are on the smaller side since it leans more cocktail lounge, but the flavors really stood out. The hamachi crudo in the coconut curry was such a highlight and literally melts in your mouth.

    Padma A.

    Great venue for a party ... attended a 50th bday . They keep the space really dark ... all the women dressed to the nines couldn't see each others couture outfits haha ! They also don't have a proper signage outside their business for guests to locate the space . Drinks were good, food was fine ... overall vibe was cool

    Parsnip risotto
    Erin C.

    I fully enjoyed my restaurant week experience at after the staff is very welcoming and accommodating. We even got to tour Canvas as well as a private room with records. The food for the restaurant we looked limited at first, but the selections and cocktail pairings were amazing. Truly amazing. I had the Hamachi Crudo the parsnip risotto and grilled pork belly. Nicely done. The only thing I would say was I wanted a larger serving of the pork belly but still nicely done. The cocktail pairings I can't even remember all the names, but I've posted the menu here. The restrooms were nice and clean. The parking was ample definitely will be back.

    Mushroom penicillin
    Christine H.

    Drinks are superb here. The Bell Pepper Daiquiri has the perfect amount of spice and sweetness to it. The presentation of the drink is elegant and cute. The After Hardshake was flavorful and the foam is half of the glass. The Peach-y Collins tasted like juice which is dangerous bc the alcohol hits you afterwards. The Mushroom Penicillin (booze free) was interesting. It smelled like mushroom but when you drink it, it tastes more like ginger. It reminded me of an herbal drink. The ambience has a cool factor and the lighting is very dim. The service is great here and our waiter was really nice. If it's your birthday, they give you a shot glass with a lit candle. I would def come back here again to try their other drinks!

    Lamb ribs
    Pavnit K.

    After was by far one of the best cocktail bars I have been in the city. The amazing experience starts when you walk into the bar and experience the breath-taking decor. We absolutely loved the musician theme. The drinks were the stars of the show. If I had to say one thing, it's that they mastered flavor and balance. Nothing was too sweet, too sour, too alcohol forward. Everything was perfect. To start off on a fresh note, their classic bell pepper daiquiri doesn't disappoint. I would also wager to say this was one of the best espresso martinis I have had in the city. I could drink them all night. The food was also very delicious. The lamb ribs literally fell off the bone. They are quite small though and are charged as per piece. The fried chicken bun was also tasty, with the fried chicken being both crunchy and juicy. We also had the Reve burger, which is a solid option amongst the great burgers that exist in Chicago. I think my only slight complaint is that it is a ketchup- based sauce, which is not personally a favorite for me. All in all, we will be back!

    Strawberry kisses
    Carly M.

    My husband and I stopped in for a drink and a bite before our restaurant reservation down the street. This is the second time we've been to after lounge and we love it because they change their food menu and their drink menu up all the time based on what is seasonally available we had a few of their new cocktails and they were very good along with a crab cake, cupcake Which would blow your mind. It's a very quaint space that is very dimly lit and it feels very intimate. You don't feel like you are packed next to people so you don't have to listen to their conversations. It would be a great date night spot. Overall, the food and the drinks are always exceptional, and we will continue to keep coming to this place .

    Divya V.

    I recently visited "After Lounge" on a weekday to celebrate a friend's birthday. My friend picked this place to celebrate pre-drinks before his birthday dinner, we already had a reservation so getting seated for a large group wasn't an issue. They have HH from 5-7 pm for drinks (limited menu) but so good! We ordered almost all the drinks on the HH menu, and everything was very innovative. I personally loved the Two Left Dirty Martini. It is served with an olive on the side which has blue cheese in it, complimented perfectly with the drink. We also ordered quick bites for the table - Koji grilled baby corn and steamed maitake buns. Very appetizing and delicious! We also ordered an 24K espresso martini, triple coconut old fashioned. The 24K espresso martini hands down was my favorite! Since we were celebrating a birthday, the server got us a couple of non-alcoholic and alcoholic shots - bell pepper daiquiris and mushroom pencillin (without alcohol) These shots were amazing and I know what I'm getting next time I visit this place. I want to call this place as the Violet Hour of the West Loop as it has a perfect setting giving cozy speakeasy vibes. Definitely check out this place, you will not be disappointed!

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    Geja's Cafe

    Geja's Cafe

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    2.5 miLincoln Park
    $$$

    Step off the streets of Chicago into a beautifully dimly lit fondue experience is so cozy inside…read morewith the music of a live Spanish guitar that really create a private magical experience. All the premier dinners come with salad, cheese, fondue, and the chocolate fondue - You are just choosing what protein you would like. The Prince Geja combination has a little bit of everything. However, we most liked the seafood which includes lobster and the scallops were to die for! Also the beef also cooks well. Favorite dipping sauce included the pimento mayo, chimichurri, and garlic butter. The cheese fondue is quite rich and the bread is quite filling so maybe get as much cheese as you can on each piece of bread. The chocolate fondue, I think is actually the best course as the Belgium chocolate melts so well and has a decadent but not overly sweet flavor. It pairs well with all that is provided for dipping, which includes poundcake, rice Krispies, strawberries. They also have some liquor that they light on fire at first so you can roast the marshmallows. It is such a well thought out experience. Service flows very well from two waiters who take your order set up your fondue pots for each course, but be prepared to spend at least 2 hours on this experience. Check out the Groupon but also I read a review that they just tack on the extra $50 so it's not really too much of a savings. Not sure if this is true.

    Had a fantastic evening at this classic spot!…read more Food was super tasty and fresh! The seafood was probably my favorite! The full dinner with chocolate and cheese was perfect! Also appreciated that they were accommodating for the vegetarian in our party. Everything except the cheese course can be made vegan friendly as well. The service was top notch! Appreciated that they called me ahead of time to confirm our reservation and ask about food allergies. All the staff was incredibly helpful and attentive. They were quick to refill items and answer any questions we had. The location is classic fondue restaurant, cozy and romantic. However, also perfect for catching up with a friend. I love the history in this place and really enjoyed the mood lighting. Pricing was fantastic for the quality of service, food, and drinks! Look forward to many happy returns!

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    Geja's Cafe
    Geja's Cafe
    Geja's Cafe

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    Gemini - Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls

    Gemini

    4.0(771 reviews)
    2.5 miLincoln Park
    $$

    As a Gemini celebrating my birthday season with other Geminis, it only felt right to celebrate at…read moreGemini! When we arrived, I was a bit concerned because we hadn't received our menus. And that's because the menus were being printed with a personalized birthday message! Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and struck the perfect balance of checking in without being overbearing. The mussels (provençal-style) were delicious and enough to share among three people. The truffle-parmesan fries: We couldn't tell if they were too salty or just salty enough, but somehow we couldn't stop eating them! I ordered the baby wedge salad with chicken, and while the chicken looked small at first, it ended up being a large enough portion to last the salad. We were also surprised with complimentary desserts: the Chocolate Chunk Cookie Skillet and Buck Russell's Cake. Though I'm not a sweet person, my dining companions thoroughly enjoyed them.

    Over all this place was okay, and when I say okay it was mediocre…read more How ever I would like to point out that the staff and I repeat the staff was very friendly not to mention very welcoming. I came here with three others and we all ordered different things from the brunch menu along with a few drinks. The atmosphere here is open, modern, and pretty eye catching, we all heard a few negative comments about brunch here and rather than just taking words of advice we came anyways. To be honest we should've went elsewhere, the only thing about the food that actually seemed to have any flavor was the fries and even they were a little salty like my wallet when we left LOL The Jumbo (not so much) Lump Crab Benedict at $25 was honestly boring lacking any flavor also it didn't even come with potatoes I ended up sharing my Lincoln Park Turkey Club that was good but even it was pretty basic at $21, the Burger at $21 literally looked like something off the kids menu the bun was bigger than the patty LOL and the Blackened Chicken Caesar at $19 was more like an appetizer size and the chicken at least it was juicy not dry. Other reviews about brunch here seem to be about the same and honestly I think it's funny they don't even try to elevate their food when so many say about the same things. I think the only reason why people come to this place is 1. It's located in Lincoln Park and 2. that makes it a trendy spot to eat. So why bother fixing anything when it's just trendy and flavorless Their brunch is mediocre but apparently dinner is where it's at. However after the experience with brunch I'm not even sure I would even go back. Come here for the staff eat at your own expense maybe your food will have flavor or not but honestly do what you want and keep it trendy

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    Gemini - Nice view inside restaurant

    Nice view inside restaurant

    Gemini - Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

    Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

    Gemini - Burrata crostini

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    Burrata crostini

    Esme

    Esme

    4.0(154 reviews)
    2.7 miLincoln Park
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Private events

    My rating of a 3 is specifically for the Restaurant Week menu though I'll say it definitely didn't…read moreinspire me to come back. I really wanted to like it; this was a nine-year anniversary dinner. Service was really attentive and friendly and I did appreciate that they brought out specific utensils for me as a left-handed person, never saw that before! The restaurant felt a bit bare and sterile, I think I was maybe expecting a little more decor on the table for a Michelin star restaurant. To echo several of the reviews below, the salad was awkward to share and scanty, the soup was good but the bread served with it felt like an afterthought, the sturgeon wasn't anything special though the sauce was quite good, and we are pretty sure the cut of beef was not wagyu or if it was it was not cooked the right way. The beef was the most disappointing part, I couldn't even chew through all of it. The add-ons were the best part - pasta was great and our dessert was delicious. But the rest of the meal was unfortunately mediocre. Hoping that others have a different experience with the regular menu!

    This review is for Restaurant Week!…read more I really like Esmes vibe overall. It's chic and minimalist. I love that the tables are widely spaced out so you don't feel like you're on top of another party. I loved the bowls everything was served in, and the silverware was unique. And the service was great. I appreciate when they left everyone finish before they clear the table. While I thought all the food was good, I think it overwhelming fell flat flavor wise. I don't think anything blew me away like I was expecting which was disappointing. We had the caviar supplement, which they accidentally gave us two of (amazing), which was good but also didn't blow me away. I wasn't the biggest fan of the flavors of the soup but that's probably a personal problem. The sturgeon and wagyu were alright. I wish I left being amazed but I left thinking I wouldn't come back, not even for RW again. I think my favorite bite of the night was the sticky date cake. I think it was the most flavorful but it wasn't the best dessert I've ever had. It lacked SOMETHING but I couldn't tell you what.

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    Esme
    Esme
    Esme

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    Dearly Beloved - A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING - the miracle berry pixi stick transforms sour into sweet.

    Dearly Beloved

    4.3(133 reviews)
    1.5 miNear North Side
    $$$

    Genesis was our server and she was absolutely amazing and attentive. She offered great suggestions…read morewhich we adhered to. Smash burger was . Caesar salad+ shrimp was a hit too. Fried chicken was crunchy and good. A touch sweet for my liking but very good. Truffle fries were a big hit. Also had warm crab dip wish had quite a few shells/cartilage but flavor was good. The drinks were all very good too. Music was nice. You good hear it a vibe to it but it was too loud. We didn't have to yell or talk loudly. We were were celebrating all 4 of our upcoming June/July birthdays and she treats us like rock stars. Great job Genesis

    I'm not quite sure why this place has pretty good reviews. Overall, it's pretty average. We came…read morefor happy hour and sat outside. While the table was on the sidewalk it was slightly set off and not on a busy street, so that was nice. While I only went inside to use the restroom, the vibes are interesting... I had their aperol spritz and it was okay. It was strong which was good. Then a pornstar martini. I thought the pornstar martini was really good and the best item of the evening. We shared oysters, the crab dip, and tuna tartare. The oysters were alright. The crab dip was funky. It was a bit fishy and maybe too heavy on the dill? I'm not sure but something was a bit off. The tuna tartare tasted fresh and was a good combination of flavors. It would be the only food item I'd reorder from the happy hour menu.

    Photos
    Dearly Beloved - Interior

    Interior

    Dearly Beloved - Bubbles

    Bubbles

    Dearly Beloved - Life of the party

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    Life of the party

    After lounge - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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