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    Bar David

    4.1 (48 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Bar David Photos

    BAR DAVID ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bar David

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    Salmon tartare
    Andre W.

    Came here a few weeks ago for restaurant week as I had heard of Bar David but didnt know anyone who had been. Located in the David Rubenstein Forum on the UofC campus in Hyde Park, I feel this is a universal untapped gem for those of us outside of the Hyde Park & Woodlawn community. Came by mid week so it wasnt crowded. We were lucky enough to get the very cool Omar as our server...nice guy and very helpful. Love the decor of the place as it makes for a nice date night with the fireplace in the back and the semi-intimate lighting. Started out with the very smooth old fashioned...so good, I had 2 of them. 1st course was the Salmon Tartare which was a nice intro. 2nd course was the Arctic Char which I selected on Omar's recommendation and it was delicious. A really nice piece of fish in harissa tomato broth. 3rd course was the Butterscotch Pudding...the poached pear and gingersnap cookie crumble definitely set that joint off...yum!!! Had a nice wine paring to go with the meal. They have jazz on certain nights in which i would like to return for. Will be back soon. Very much slept on joint here!

    Ahi Tuna Bowl
    Helene S.

    Stopped at Bar David for solo dining while waiting for my family to drive from Brooklyn to Chicago. Nice that they were able accommodate me for a late dinner after I enjoyed a delightful 90 minute meditation session at the Bond Chapel. Bar David is a very beautiful restaurant located in the David Rubenstein Forum. It offers seasonal Mediterranean inspired cuisine. I opted for an ahi tuna bowl. Tuna, edamame, wakame, cucumber, avocado, red onions and red cabbage served on a bed of rice. A perfect meal to just reflect on the simple pleasures in life after being welcomed into the meditation class. Service was fabulous. The manager, Jason, was so gracious. Imani made me feel like family. So nice chatting with her. She was so kind. Interesting to also read more about David Rubenstein who is a philanthropist, lawyer and businessman. He is one of the initial forty members of the Giving Pledge, a pledge to donate at least half of their immense wealth to philanthropic causes or charities. His focus is on preservation of American history and historic sites. Traveling throughout the country, you can enjoy many museums, sporting teams and universities that have benefited from his generosity. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The National Zoo, the Lincoln Center, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Mulberry Row at Monticello are just a few of the recipients of his philanthropy. The Rubenstein Scholars Program at the University of Chicago provides full-tuition scholarships for about 10 percent of the university's law students. Want to see a privately owned copy of Magna Carta? Rubenstein bought it at auction and lent it to the National Archives in Washington. He purchased a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln, and loaned that as well as a rare copy of the Thirteenth Amendment, also signed by Lincoln, to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. A special thanks to Jason, Imani and Angela for a very memorable dinner at Bar David. I hope to be back again one day to enjoy the wonderful hospitality.

    Wagyu beef burger and fries  Pilsner and porter in background
    Tahir N.

    This is a nice clean modern space with indoor and outdoor seating located along the midway plaisance. What I like about the outdoor seating is you're not going to be in direct sunlight and you're back far enough from the street with ample greenery in between. Although we arrive at around 6:15 PM on Thursday, we were able to be seated immediately The subtext through the restaurant is that it is Mediterranean, but they also have a great Wagyu beef hamburger and fries. It is usually double patty, which is a great value in its own right. This night, however, they were running a beer and burger special so instead of two patties, you got one and a complimentary beer. That night they happened to be sampling pilsner from Moor's Beer (a black owned brewery) that is up-and-coming. Great pairing! They will ask you if you want sparkling or still water, but you can always ask for fine Chicago tap water and they will bring it with a smile. I will be returning !

    Tagine
    Clarissa H.

    Bar David is a go-to spot on UChicago's campus for a work lunch. It's modern and upscale, with a range of shareable Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant is right off 60th near the law school and you can usually find free street parking or easily walk from campus. The restaurant is not very big, so it's worth making a reservation to secure a table in case you happen to go on a busy day. There is also a small patio space but I think the indoor space was cuter. They also have a free coat check! Bar David has a full bar but also has coffee and tea. They have a lot of vegetarian dishes, a couple of vegan dishes, and some gluten free dishes. We ordered the roasted broccoli, tuna crudo, burrata flatbread, and the eggplant and squash tagine. Everything came out quickly and was great. It was filling yet the food still felt light and healthy. The broccoli is surprisingly good and worth a try - it's seasoned so well! The tuna was incredibly tender, and the tagine was warm and full of different textures and flavors. The flatbread might have been the star of the show with the generous heapings of burrata and pesto. The only issue was how small the table was compared to how many dishes we had! But we made it work.

    Trim And Tasty Juice With Avocado Toast
    Steve A.

    Came to this kind of new bar and grill in Hyde Park convenient for anyone to get to if around the University of Chicago. It has a pretty classy yet casual atmosphere, whether it be at breakfast or later. Bar David has healthier options than a typical bar, and it's certainly not a typical one as it's also open at breakfast. Get some juices and toast early. Then go again later and get some cocktails and sandwiches or whatever. Breakfast was what they served the first time I came here. It was a bit before one of the museums opened and we were eating something before going to it. This was a nearby option. Healthy choices abound on the menu. This isn't like a normal bar, but more like a restaurant. Bottled juices are $7 and you can get stuff to go. The Trim And Tasty is apples, carrots, and grapefruit, having a sweetness and tartness. As for the food it has plenty at breakfast. We got the Avocado Toast. It's $11, which is the only bad thing about it. This has nice presentation with cherry tomatoes, herbs, and radish. Good but kind of expensive. It's one of the classier places around here but it still has a pretty casual feel. This is located close to UC buildings so it's kind of hard to find but it's okay for breakfast or lunch though.

    Lights
    Dana B.

    First off I was drawn to Bar David while walking to breakfast. The decor caught my eyes as we walked by. We decided to go in after being out for the day. A little pre-gaming before a concert if you will. The bartender...I don't remember her name...was welcoming, engaging, and knowledgeable. I mentioned I like Manhattans and she made a suggestion that was spot on. The decor was clean and inviting. We had the hummus and pita and I had a DELICIOUS cocktail. All just right to get our evening started. To think the decor is what drew us in but the food and drinks were just as AMAZING!

    Nerissa L.

    I had a lovely dinner here the other night! Bar David is a brand new chic and sophisticated spot in Hyde Park. The decor is absolutely beautiful. Currently, it's open Tues- Fri from 7am to 8pm. There is ample parking on the street if you decide to drive here. For dinner we tried an assortment of items, the whipped cod brandade dip, charcuterie & cheese, and steak frites were delicious. By the time we were done eating we were just too full for dessert but we did look at the dessert menu and the options sounded delightful. I am looking forward to going back there very soon. Check it out if you want a lovely dining experience!

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    The food was excellent as were the drinks . The service was a bit uneven. . Excellent location for our event.

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    Awesome service!! ordered the French onion soup and got a soup presentation. everything was high and very delicious.

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    Ask the Community - Bar David

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    Cantina Rosa - Empanadas with red mole' sauce

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    4.4(53 reviews)
    1.1 miHyde Park

    I love a good cocktail bar, and this spot definitely delivers. I am already a fan of Erick Williams…read morerestaurants, so I was excited to check this one out, especially after learning it focuses on tequila and mezcal, which are my favorites. It is also conveniently located on the same block as two of his other spots. I have been twice now and had a great experience each time. I am especially glad they did away with the reservation deposit. It makes planning a visit much easier. Most recently, I stopped by for their all day Sunday happy hour, which was a great vibe. They have expanded the food menu since my first visit, and everything I tried was solid. The empanada was my favorite, the quesabirria was really good, and the chicken torta was delicious. On my first visit, I only had the guacamole, which I also enjoyed. The decor is beautiful and intimate, creating a great atmosphere, and the music is always on point. The staff has been friendly and welcoming every time I have gone. This place is definitely staying in my regular rotation.

    Went with my friends to start our evening. Cocktail bar it is, indeed! There's an extensive…read moreselection of wine, beer, tequila and mezcal on their menu! The decor is gorgeous and I love the bar set up the most. I had the quesobirria with lamb was delightful. Along with the tamales, chips and guacamole... so good! The service was excellent. They were so warm and provided great drink recommendations. When I'm in town, I will certainly come back.

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    Bisous - interior

    Bisous

    4.4(123 reviews)
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    One of my favorite cocktail bars in the city, I just learned a secret-- visit on Sunday afternoon…read morewhen there isn't a line out the door and it isn't slammed inside. Really creative cocktails, unusual wines, great snack list (and the complimentary olives and cheese made us able to stay longer add have another round!). If you sit at the bar, one of the very talented, friendly mixologists will guide you to your perfect drink progression-- that's right-- you're not just have one thing. Too hard to choose so why should you? There are low and no ABV options as well to balance out the martinis and other spirit forward offerings. I love the decor and overall vibe--classy, French-y, fun not stuffy. Great on your own, with a date, a small group. Special shout out to Hannah but everyone we interacted with was great.

    Of course when in Chicago, I had to check out Bisous, ranked #30 on North America's 50 Best Bars…read more2026, climbing from #39 in 2025. With an intimate ambiance, in Chicago's Fulton Market, Bisous brings the vibe of a 1960s Parisian cocktail lounge. Since they don't take reservations, I had a short wait at the door. Somehow, they knew exactly what I wanted, which was a seat at the bar. My favorite place to sip, exhaole, and chat with the bartenders. The cocktails were delicious, and the service was warm, attentive, and welcoming. My tongue-clicking sips for the evening: PASTRY WAR Pistachio Cream, Agricole & Jamaican Rums, Grappa, Almond, Egg White, Lemon, Nutmeg BAIT & SWITCH Blueberry Cordial, Mezcal, Blanche Armagnac, Baking Spices COUNTERPOINT Fig Leaf, Armagnac Duffau Napoléon, Yellow Chartreuse, Oscar.697 Rosso Vermouth Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers! Enjoy!

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    Interior bar

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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)
    8.1 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.

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    Dearly Beloved - Interior

    Interior

    Dearly Beloved - Bubbles

    Bubbles

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    Life of the party

    The Alderman

    The Alderman

    4.6(55 reviews)
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    The Alderman has been on my list for quite some time now. I am so excited that I finally was able…read moreto snag a reservation and check it out. If you didn't know, it is located inside of Pilsen Yards. It's a nice small intimate setting, but I loved every single detail about it. If you are not able to sit at the booth, there are four seats at the bar where you can still enjoy the experience. The ambience was amazing. It was nice and cozy, dimly lit, candles everywhere kind of gave a romantic feel in a sense. The art on the wall was like no other. Very bold, vibrant, and told a story. The selection of music was great, It was a vibe the entire time. My bartender's name was Scotty. Scotty was everything. He was so knowledgeable about the drinks. He had amazing suggestions and he could even put a twist on it if you allowed him. He's also very passionate about his craft and it shows once you a taste of the drinks that he prepared. I had such an amazing time. Not only did he prepare a great drink, but he was so personable and checked on everybody throughout the night and made sure everyone was doing OK. I loved it there. I cannot wait to go back another day. This is hands-down one of my favorite speakeasies. What a hidden gem.

    Beautiful intimate speakeasy with amazing cocktails it's hard to pick which one to start with! The…read moreservice was wonderful and we really enjoyed our time. I ordered the petal pusher cocktail which was delicious!

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    The Alderman - Old fashions

    Old fashions

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    Chemistry - Lamb Chops

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    3.4(259 reviews)
    1.2 miHyde Park

    This place is magical, first when you walk in there is a beautiful wall display of flowers then you…read morewalk in and see romantic candles on tables with dim light. The ambiance is perfect if you are celebrating your anniversary or birthday. Now let's talk about the music, LIVE MUSIC!!! When I was there it sounded like jazz, besides the house of blues, where in Chicago can you go and hear live music? (I'll wait) The service was exceptional, very kind and personable staff, very attentive and easy to talk to. The food was utterly delicious, I've never had a steak so good in my entire life, & I've had steak at RPM & STK Overall an amazing experience, I will definitely be coming back and telling everyone about it. Thank you so much for an amazing experience.

    No coffee!! Aw man that was a disappointment but they say it is coming soon…read more It's a good vibe but highly over rated. The ambiance is cute and great photo ops. The Brunch is buffet style. Please check the menu to note the prices of water and mimosas. I don't think I got my moneys worth as I only had one glass of mimosa. The food is decent. The fried chicken wings were the best. I don't like scrambled eggs so I wish there was another option for eggs. The salmon grits were decent. They bring the lamb chops To your table. I've had way better lamp Chops. I found this place very over priced and the vibes were just ok. I didn't leave feeling Like I needed to return the next Time I'm in town.

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    Chemistry - Inside

    Inside

    Chemistry
    Chemistry - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Bar David - mediterranean - Updated August 2026

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