The Berkshire Room is one of my favorite speakeasies in Chicago. While they offer a fantastic…read morecocktail menu and a full bar, I almost always order The Dealer's Choice. You simply choose your preferred spirit, flavor profile, and glassware, then let the mixologist create something just for you. It's one of my favorite cocktail experiences in the city, and they've never steered me wrong. What I especially appreciate is how knowledgeable the bartenders are. They're always happy to offer recommendations if you're unsure what to order, but they're equally excited to create something completely unique if you're feeling adventurous. Watching them craft each drink is part of the experience. I've even hosted a birthday gathering here in their private side room, where we enjoyed charcuterie boards alongside our cocktails. If you're just stopping in for drinks, though, I'd recommend grabbing dinner beforehand, as the food offerings are fairly limited. More often than not though, you'll find me sitting right at the bar. I love watching the bartenders showcase their craft and chatting with them about the incredible selection of spirits they have on hand. It's a great spot for anyone who genuinely appreciates well-made cocktails and the artistry behind them. I'm also a member of their loyalty program, which is well worth joining. It can be used at The Berkshire Room as well as several other excellent restaurants, making it an easy way to earn rewards while exploring some great dining spots around the city. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or simply looking for a sophisticated place to unwind, The Berkshire Room consistently delivers. I'll definitely be back for another Dealer's Choice soon! #YelpEliteSquad

A small group of us came in on a weeknight for after dinner cocktails... The venue is interesting,…read moresomewhat dim and vibrant at the same time. Definitely has a cool, fun vibe. Cocktails are ok... I say that because we ordered something that wasn't too off the wall which involved ginger simple syrup and they couldn't make it - odd for a truly craft cocktail joint. So, they're more mainstream with their cocktails. Service was just ok as well, not the best, but somewhat friendly. Overall - it's worth checking out, even if only for the venue.

Been meaning to try this spot for a while since my boyfriend lives right down the street…read more Definitely an interesting place... I like that it's quiet and we were able to have a conversation without having to yell to hear each other. The servers were also great - very friendly and quick to take our order and bring our drinks. The overall ambiance is that of a basement/"speakeasy" type bar, which is cool but the prices do not reflect this. I will say the cocktails were incredibly expensive for the vibe of the place. I get we're in River North, but it's hard to justify paying for a $17 cocktail downtown when I could get the same vibe in Lakeview and pay $7 less. Overall, cool spot if you're looking for somewhere chill to end or start the night with a small group, but probably won't be back because of the cocktail prices.

Great place! Has a casual feel with great decor Homey,…read morecomfortable, but elegant at the same time. Great spirits available. Terrific service, comfy seating. Came on a non-busy late Wednesday evening. Ordered cocktails off-menu and both were made no problem. Will love to come again with friends! Only downfall was that the evening we came there must have been a plumbing issue, it was a bit odorous, especially in the ladies room.

We had such a great dinner at The Franklin Room! The space has a cozy, moody atmosphere that makes…read moreit perfect for a date night or dinner and drinks in River North. We started with the Healthy Habit and Lychee Martini, and for food we tried the Wagyu burger, coconut-marinated steak, and charred broccolini. Everything was delicious, but the burger was definitely one of our favorites. We finished with the Opera Cake for dessert, which was the perfect way to end the meal. Such a great spot if you're looking for somewhere that feels a little tucked away from the busier parts of River North. We'd definitely come back!

The vibes were nice. Lighting wasn't too bright, a dressier atmosphere, and definitely felt like a…read moregood spot for drinks and dinner. Service was fine. Our server was nice and water refills came at the right times. The burger was honestly pretty mid. It tasted fine, but our server said it was one of the best burgers in Chicago and I definitely wouldn't agree. 5/10. The salmon was tender and had a really interesting crust. It wasn't charred like I expected, almost had a rubbery texture, but I actually enjoyed it. The lemony miso sauce was delicious, the pickled cucumbers added a nice crunch. 7.5/10. The prime bone-in ribeye was fine. Good flavor, but nothing really stood out about it. 6.5/10. Dessert was the highlight of the meal. The chocolate crunch dessert was sooo good. Loved the marshmallow pieces and all the different textures from the crunchy mousse. 8/10. The salted caramel gelato had a great texture, but it was way too sweet for me. It tasted more like straight sugar than salted caramel. 6/10. Overall, a solid last-minute date night spot with good vibes, but the chocolate crunch dessert was definitely the standout.

Rebel & Rye is your standard run of the mill neighborhood bar, which isn't a compliant considering…read morethe area. Sometimes you're in the mood for a cold beer while watching the game. Some of the friendliest bartenders I met in the city. I haven't been here on the weekend, but I imagine it gets packed especially with the patio. Also, who can say no to free popcorn?

The food came from the restaurant next door and after you order it when you need a to go tray the…read moreservers and waiters think it is a joke to say we don't have to go tray yet they serve food. The rudiest bunch of people who don't deserve a visit. As a person who enjoys visiting new spots. Which this spot has been 5 different places since my initial visit and partying scene. Ambiance is half cute but low key mildew is growing in the background while acting bougie. I will never return because the concent and care was absent.....horrible service consideration especially since you order off a QR code. I'm never going back after one encounter. Security was nice.

Just like MJ wearing #45, a real Chicago legend left us at the peak of their game but has returned…read more Anybody that wants to learn how to bartend go sit at Celtic for a couple hours. A real Chicago Irish pub, a dying breed. Don't leave us again Celtic.

Since I haven't been able to move to Ireland yet, Celtic Crossing is the next best thing for a…read moreproperly poured pint of Guinness and a bag of crisps. Monday evenings they have trad music and it has a generally welcoming atmosphere. Bartenders are great - super friendly and service is on point.

Had a reservation with two friends from out of town and had the pleasure of being with Vivian…read more Amazing service, so sweet and funny, very thoughtful. and we got free cookies! we got sat in a little private booth in the back, so quiet. will def come back again and again :)

WOW! We had such a great dinner at The Dearborn. The restaurant is lively, cheery with a fun…read moreatmosphere. Our server Melissa was great and checked on us regularly. We ordered a variety of dishes to share among 5 people. Do not miss the Parker House rolls! Holy warm baked buttery deliciousness. We also loved the Japanese curry poutine (which was a surprise!), the market salad and the gnocchi. We also tried several cocktails, including the Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches and the Spanish G&T.

Extremely great food! Very deceiving from the outside, but the turkey club and waffle fries were…read moretop notch! Smoked turkey on toast with lettuce and mayo! Fresh and tasty! The waffle fries are seasoned with crack I think. AMAZING! Oh, and the chicken parm eggrolls, perfect! Great service as well!

Kari's Rating 8.5/10…read more TLDR: -Sports themed bar with many TVs -Interesting variety of appetizers -Bathrooms look like a prison Came in for drinks about 6:30pm on a Wednesday and it wasn't too crowded since it was a bit early. I think there were some kind of corporate happy hour happening in the back, but a friend and myself just came in for quick drinks. I usually don't drink on the weekdays, so I ended up just getting an iced tea and him a tequila soda, but because I don't drink, we decided to get an appetizer and we browsed the menu for a minute and ended up splitting the Parmesan chicken egg rolls. Truthfully, I really just wanted to see what that would entail because it seemed a little disgusting or maybe even some kind of high-food, but to my surprise, it was actually a really crispy skinned pizza roll. I'm pretty sure it had been previously frozen, but in that moment- served with a side of marinara, I didn't really care. It was full of gooey melted mozzarella cheese and almost like a breaded chicken nugget center. Pretty decent as far as bar food goes. They also had crab rangoon to which I thought, "hmm are they doing a little too much?!" I'm sure drunk me would have gotten them years ago so what can ya do. Overall, quite a positive experience. The bartender was really sweet and everything wasn't super expensive. I've been in the neighborhood for such a long time, but I've actually never been here and I'm glad I came on a night that it wasn't chaotic.

Mac n cheese "side" was a meal in and of itself! Wife's…read moreburger was good. Friends chicken nachos came loaded down with chicken! Price is reasonable. Vibe is great.

Such a fun casual, country bar in the heart of River North. Seating is rather limited to keep the…read morecenter dance floor open for bands and dancing. They have Christmas lights and decorations over the dance floor always which is hilarious. They have two large bars on each side of the inside to help disperse crowds. My friend and I stopped in on live band karaoke night which was SO entertaining! They make their own cinnamon whiskey which I ordered. It was super tasty and well priced! We didn't try any food this visit but have heard good things. This spot certainly has a fun vibe and check their events calendar for weekend live entertainment.

This was my second time visiting Il Porcellino in River North, and it has officially become one of…read moremy Chicago spots! Every time I'm on that side of town, I try to make it a point to stop in. The customer service is always top-tier, but one of my favorite things about Il Porcellino is the ambiance. It has such a warm, inviting atmosphere that works perfectly for a date night, dinner with friends, or even a family get-together. It just has that classic Chicago feel that makes the entire dining experience even better. And the drinks? So good! I highly recommend the Old Fashioned -- definitely one of my favorites. I always order the fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp. The first time I had it, the sauce was a little thicker, creamier, and richer, which I personally preferred. This visit, it was still very good, just a little lighter than I remembered. Either way, I enjoyed my meal and would absolutely order it again. Overall, another great experience. Great service, beautiful ambiance, delicious drinks, and good food. I'll definitely be back because Il Porcellino has become one of those places I look forward to visiting whenever I'm in the area. 10/10 -- highly recommend!

Stumbled upon this gem while looking for a dinner spot to celebrate my husband's birthday while in…read moretown. We absolutely loved it. Table was ready upon arrival. Service was great. Loved the music and ambiance. We had the burrata lasagna and the spinach ravioli with prosciutto. Incredible. Burrata lasagna was so light. Never had anything like it.

This medieval themed bar is very fun! They have huge dripping candles, a throne, and even tarot…read morereadings!! While the space isn't huge, after about 10 minutes two seats opened up so if you're patient, you can probably find a seat. The cocktails were very good and had a lot of variety. For all the ones with a fire next to them, they literally light them on fire! And not just a little either. It's very fun!

My friends and I did not want our night to end, so we went to King of Cups. This was my first time…read morehere, personally. Upon opening the door, the bar was crowded and seemed daunting. We were able to get a table outside, which was perfect. The dark vibes inside are personally not my favorite, but I appreciate the intimacy of the space. We did not order food, and just had some white wine. It was the perfect spot to end our fun night filled with good times, good wine, and laughs while I was visiting Chicago.