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    Brando's - Lincoln Park

    4.2 (42 reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Brando's - Lincoln Park Photos

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    BRANDO'S - LINCOLN PARK ATMOSPHERE

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    Andre A.

    This is a nice , cozy place with many different drinks to taste (as seen in the pictures) . Our server was great and attentive. Would definitely return to this establishment.

    Bar
    Megh L.

    First time checking it out. Happy hour makes it worth it. VERY limited drink menu. No food. Service was fine. We were only people in there. Ambiance is cool.

    Happy hour espresso martinis
    Leland L.

    Cool happy hour spot and karaoke bar! The first time I came here was for karaoke on a Saturday night and it was quite fun. It's a newer location for Brando's but there was still quite a crowd. Not as hard to get a song on the list as other karaoke bars in Chicago which was nice. The full price espresso martini was amazing. A little steeply priced but really good! I saw how good their happy hour is so I was excited to try it; the hours are quite long but I did realize that happy hour espresso martini is about half the size of the normal one. Still good yes, but it definitely makes more sense with the $5 price tag. The happy hour marg was good too. The happy hour drinks are all draft cocktails so I can see it being a good spot when you are planning to get multiple drinks on a budget, but maybe not a place for one really good special drink. Also so funny to watch people screaming karaoke at 7pm. Definitely a cool spot to check out!

    NaywriChi W.

    Ahh! This used to be Kelsey's, remember that? This is the second location. The original is downtown. The drinks average around $14 which is a little high considering it's by DePaul. Plus the drinks weren't that strong anyway. Also, students don't want to pay that much. They have a Happy Hour where the items are cheaper. Never Have I Ever (see my review on that) opened a couple doors down and their drinks are also a little high. This is the only place nearby that has karaoke and it's Brando's so it'll probably last. PS. Soft Opening for the next couple weekends until the grand opening.

    Frozen Margarita

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    3 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    6 months ago

    We were overcharged for drafts. $11 when the menu says $8. We showed the bartender and he would not adjust.

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Karaoke is so fun here, they make a good martini too!! Ish at the door is also hot and nice (:

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    1 year ago

    Really like their seasonal cocktails but it's super loud with karaoke so just keep that in mind.

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Bradley was great with his service! Was a packed bar but he knew how to hold it down plus he have recommendations!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Brandon V.

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    3 years ago

    Great karaoke spot! They were so nice to us and accommodated our song request. Will be back!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Love this place! Ish is the best bouncer with the best customer service. 10/10 would come back. (Get the expresso martini)

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    3 years ago

    This place has immaculate vibes and the owner is so nice! Some of the best hospitality we've ever had, the bartenders have such good banter

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    This place is awesome! Best car in Chicago!! They have good drinks and great service!!!!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Bouncer was great and very patient with my slow boyfriend finding his id. Loved the karaoke and vibes and drinks were fantastic.

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    3 years ago

    Love this place 10/10. Great atmosphere and fun karaoke!!! The drinks are strong and good

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    3 years ago

    Nothing but great vibes! Everyone is having fun singing and enjoying drinks . This place is a lot bigger than the one in the Loop.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Loved the environment! Such good music and fun fall drinks, would definitely come back!!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Appreciate the affordable seltzers and fun atmosphere. A great addition to the neighborhood.

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    Review Highlights - Brando's - Lincoln Park

    “Came here on a Wednesday and Bradley gave us the best service!!”

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Geja's Cafe

    Geja's Cafe

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    0.5 mi•Lincoln 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!

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

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    Gemini - Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls

    Gemini

    4.0(776 reviews)
    0.3 mi•Lincoln Park
    •$$

    Back Again - Gemini Pt 2, but this time for brunch!…read more I enjoyed my first dinner experience here so much last week that we had to come right back to try their weekend brunch. From the start, the hostesses were inviting and lovely. The restaurant is very pretty, warmly blending a modern style with a touch of classic French bistro elegance. I'm mostly so impressed with how versatile the restaurant actually can be, shifting seamlessly from an elegant, upscale dinner setting with its beautiful U-shaped marble bar to a bright, whimsical, and enchantingly airy brunch setting. The fully opened bifold windows are adjacent to the pergola-topped patio, letting a glorious, cascading breeze drift through the space to create a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow and a lively weekend energy. Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered: Super Green Vegetable Salad: The kale, broccoli, avocado, asparagus, and peas were crisp and fresh. We loved this so much during our first dinner visit last week that we had to order it again for brunch! Spectacular! Nova Lox Platter: The wild salmon topped with diced red onion, capers, and hard-boiled egg crumble, served with an everything bagel and a side of chive cream cheese, was excellent. French Onion Frittata: The rich gruyère and caramelized onions were wonderful. If you're a French onion soup lover like me, this is a can't-miss!! Definitely will be reordered and often. Fantastic! Daily Omelette: Ordered from the special menu, featuring black truffle salsa, mascarpone, and Calabrian chile honey. It was absolutely phenomenal, perfectly cooked, and the flavor combination was incredible. Our server, Sarah, was excellent and made the experience even better - we even share the same name! The management team was also incredibly warm and attentive, stopping by our table to welcome us back. Returning twice in one week says it all. This restaurant has made it into my regular rotation and is hands down one of my new favorites!

    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

    Photos
    Gemini - Yesterday's specials board at Gemini.

    Yesterday's specials board at Gemini.

    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)
    0.4 mi•Lincoln 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.

    Photos
    Esme
    Esme
    Esme

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    Sparrow - Bar area Hotel Nacional

    Sparrow

    4.3(348 reviews)
    1.6 mi•Near North Side
    •$$

    Right before starting writing this one, I wrote a review for Kibbitznest, another phenomenal…read moreChicago bar with a totally different theme and vibe. That is to say: I am not throwing words of praise like "one of a kind" and "phenomenal" around lightly. Both are different and still amazing. Sparrow has a vibe straight out of the 1920s. The decor, signage, use of color, and absence of screens or TV's all contribute to the theme. The music is also appropriate and plays at the perfect volume to be pleasant without forcing one to raise their voice. I tried the Green Daisy and a House Old Fashioned. The Green Daisy was boozy and had some herbaceous notes. A little tartness and a little sweetness helped balance the drink out and make for a phenomenal sipper. I loved the creativity with this one! The House Old Fashioned was also well done, assembled with quality ingredients in balance with one another. Nothing wrong with a well-executed classic. The prices are more or less reasonable considering the location and overall market, with bevies costing around $16. The bar staff is excellent! Very friendly and welcoming! Final verdict: A spot where I can say come for the drinks and stay for the vibe. It's the kind of place where walking in you are transported a century into the past. Everything about the experience, including the atmosphere, drinks, service, and prices, is calling me to return and bring some people with me.

    This might be my favorite rum bar in the country. If you want intimate spaces, moody lighting,…read moreextensive rum selections, and drink specials come here. Monday nights are my favorite because they offer a different specialty rum in special. It's a great way to try different kinds. They also serve beer, wine, and every other spirit you can imagine. Cocktails are on point. Seating options are varied: bar seats, small tables in back, bench seating with tiny tables up front. Quiet and comfortable.

    Photos
    Sparrow - Entry

    Entry

    Sparrow - Menu

    Menu

    Sparrow - Perfect Perfect

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    Perfect Perfect

    Brando's - Lincoln Park - karaoke - Updated September 2026

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