I arrived around 21:00 for dessert/nightcap on a Monday evening before heading back to my hotel near convention center. I had been enjoying the city after a day of shopping and dinner at Joe's. A friend recommended this lovely bar/lounge. We are not from these parts of the U.S. and love to explore. This lounge is on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association building. Part of the Hyatt chain. I was warmly greeted by host and placed next to an old fireplace in front of the bar area. I was seated facing the entire lobby. I was enjoying the Gothic architecture. It was dark and a soothing atmosphere. I appreciated the appropriate music playing as well. It was a perfect way to end my day. I had a glass of champagne and my server recommended the Basque cheesecake. Which was perfect cause I recently visited San Sebastian, Spain. The Basque region makes a great cheesecake. The burned caramelized top complimented my champagne well. There is a room/bar in the back room of where I was. A great bar with games and TVs for sports. After enjoying my nightcap, I walked downstairs and was able to order a ride-share and wait in the warm entry of the building. This hotel is directly across the famous Bean which is in the beautiful Millennium Park. During the day, I highly recommend checking that park out. read more

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When my friend and I recently stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association, we made three reservations for the Drawing Room (using Open Table), two for breakfast and one for dinner. The Drawing Room is in the lobby of the hotel. The first day at the hotel, my friend and I had a breakfast reservation (which we're thankful we did, as it was quite busy) and we sat at a table where the chairs were comfortable but it was too low to comfortably eat at the table. I felt like I was almost stretching and standing when eating. We requested a different type of table the next day when we can back for breakfast. We both ordered the Classic Breakfast consisting of two eggs, Nueske's bacon, breakfast sausage, breakfast potatoes, and sourdough toast. There were options available for gluten free toast and egg white though we didn't opt for that. I did ask for all bacon. The next day, I ordered a Breakfast Sandwich, regularly including chicken breakfast sausage, fluffy eggs, American cheese, house-made english muffin, and green salad (with gluten free toast option). I chose bacon instead of sausage and cheddar instead of American cheese. Both breakfasts were rather good. Unfortunately the dinner wasn't as delightful as a meal as the breakfasts. The chairs were fine and the place wasn't too busy (and we had a reservation) though when we sat down, it was as if we were forgotten as no one came to our table for quite some time. We then realized we weren't too excited about the menu, so we instead when to the nearby Game Room for a bite while watching a basketball game on TV. We were given welcome beverage certificates good for free bubbly at the Game Room though those were also honored at the Game Room. The Drawing Room lobby spaces are open 24 hours daily though guests can order breakfast daily from 7 AM to 11 AM, Monday through Thursday for lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 12 Midnight (though the kitchen closes at 11 PM), and Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM. You can visit the Drawing Room website at https://www.drawingroomchicago.com, where you can find menus, private event information, reservations, social media links, and more. You can also sign up for restaurant updates at the bottom of the page. While I wouldn't discourage anyone to go to the Drawing Room, it wasn't among our favorite restaurants at the Chicago Athletic Association or nearby the hotel. read more

Drawing Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A perfect quiet, cozy corner of the city to hide away in with a good book on a cold night. I relaxed next to the fire with the full-bodied, Oxford Landing Cabernet and thoroughly enjoyed myself (and every sip). The staff was kind and attentive, I will happily be returning. Reservations are not required. I was able to walk-in and have a few seats to choose from, but it doesn't hurt to make one if you're eating. There is a cozy game room across the hall for billiards and grabbing a casual drink with friends as well read more

Drawing Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I don't normally post an updated review so quick after leaving a review a bit more recently. However, the experience I had 2 weeks ago at the Drawing Room on the 2nd floor of the Chicago Athletic Association was soooooo rough. I'm actually surprised at how badly it went. I'm giving 2 stars because my friend and I were seated right away and near the windows (good view). Other than that, I'm not even sure where to start. We went late morning before an event upstairs was to take place, wanting to grab a coffee and a little food. The staff was extremely unpleasant - I felt like I was a nuisance by just wanting to be there. Our server was terse and annoyed. The big issue I had was that I ordered a croissant. This was after I asked about 2 other items that she said they were out of (which is totally fine). I ordered the croissant. When she brought it out there was no butter or jam with it (which it says on the menu that it comes with that). I asked and she proceeded to tell me they were all out and couldn't meet my request (whaaa??)....my friend was like, they don't even have butter? Um, ok. And that was that. The croissant was cold. The tea I ordered - the water wasn't hot, mostly warm. Between the croissant and tea, it was like $15. Not including tip or tax after only staying for 30-40 min. It was such an unpleasant experience. This is so disappointing to me since I really have loved this place over the years. This is a real deterrent for returning in the future. read more

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This is a hidden gem located inside the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. I loved the dark and cozy ambiance and the rich, East-coast library feel to it. There were lots of people working on their laptops nearby the dining tables. We were recommended this as a great place to come for a chill drink, but ended up coming in to try their lunch menu before heading to the Art Institute nearby. The menu is on the smaller side, featuring some snacks and then some larger plates. I had the Crab Fritters and the Grilled Chicken Caesar. The fritters had plenty of crab and something about the chicken in the salad was so simple yet so perfectly cooked. Overall a nice spot for a quiet meal or beverage, or to get some work done. read more

Drawing Room - Corn Fritters - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love the space due to its ornate wood old school design. They now open at 7 am instead of what's listed here which is 11 am. If you use points like we did you get 30.00 credit for each day here. It's easy to blow through it, as the spinach mushroom omelette I had was 22.00. If I wasn't staying here I don't know if I would want to pay that much for an omelette. It was a bit undercooked for my taste, but the greens that come with it were nicely dressed with a lemon vinaigrette. The coffee is very good and strong. Rocket fuel! read more

Drawing Room - Mushroom omelette with spinach and goat cheese - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here on a Sunday around 3pm with a friend, we did not have a reservation and did not need one. This looks like a collegial library. They had a nice wine menu, and some cocktails and beers. I got a rose Prosecco and a rose. Both were very tasty. The only downside was trying to get the waiter to take our order. read more

True Chicago hidden gem tucked away on the 2nd floor of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. Dimly lit lighting sets the scene while you're sitting in what looks like a library. Rich wood paneling, leather chairs, the vibe is unique. Stopped in for drinks and appetizer and will definitely return! Pro Tip: reservations recommended but seating is plentiful. Try to grab a spot by the fireplaces read more

Stopped in at The Drawing Room for coffee, breakfast, and evening drinks/dessert. An absolutely beautiful gothic setting with a warm ambiance. Orest was such a wonderful server who made the evening memorable! read more

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Nice lowkey space. PJ the server gave me the best service ive had in a loooooooong time. Shoutout to PJ i hope its not the last time i get em. Beautiful atmosphere and yummy drinks. read more

What a fun and great place to have a drink on a chilly winter night! I was visiting and came to grab a drink before dinner here. It's all about the ambience and nothing sounds more alluring than having an adult beverage by a fire in a dark, leather-bound atmosphere. We did not have a reservation but were seated promptly. While I did not try any food and this was just a quick spot before dinner, I would definitely go back to stay and linger longer with more beverages. read more

10/10. The flatbread was amazing?!! Elizabeth was so sweet and attentive. The architecture, the fire places the detailing. Everything was chefs kiss. Can't want to come back! read more

Drawing Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The environment? Cozy, and very comfortable seating. The service? Fine, nothing notable good or bad to write home about. I'm primarily giving this rating because this was cited as a cocktail bar, and they offer only 2-3 house crafted cocktails (the remaining 4 cocktails offered are standard drinks (old-fashioned, martini, etc.) that you can get at almost any bar. I got a Sideline Sipper which, while good, it was a bit sweet yet heavy on the corazon. I'm sure the food is good, but I don't see myself choosing to come back on a whim. read more

It's all about the vibe at the Drawing Room! It's a great vibe. Super cozy. A perfect escape from the city. Come alone or with a group. Seating is great especially near the fireplace or windows! Small menu. Food is ok. Cocktails are good. Coffee drinks are ok but on last visit they told me I had to go to another floor for a coffee drink which is odd. Friendly staff. read more

Intro: After exploring The Art Institute of Chicago for a large portion of the day, I was looking for a spot for a drink or two to kill a couple of hours before dinner. And one that was within walking distance. I hopped on the trusty Yelp app and found that the most reviewed bar in Chicago, Drawing Room, was nearby and it was open. Located inside the Chicago Athletic Club, I walked over, entered the building, and walked up the stairs to find Drawing Room. Ambiance (5/5): This is where Drawing Room really shines. The bar is in the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association and it is modeled after an old school library. You'll find wood everywhere, including the walls. Stain-glass reading lamps. Several fireplaces. And comfortable seating throughout. Talk about homey and elegant. Service (4/5): You order at a small bar area in the middle of the space. I paid for my drink and then found a seat. Drinks (3.5/5): Drawing Room has a pretty small list of drinks. Six cocktails or so made up of classic cocktails like sazerac. I was expecting more of an extensive list. While the drink options didn't blow my socks off, the ambiance is elite. It's also a great space to do a little work as you can hop on their free WiFi and there is plenty of space and tables. read more

Got checked in, and sat there for maybe twenty minutes with no service from a waiter, so I just got up and went to Acanto next door lol. Drawing Room kind of seems like a lounge that happens to have a "restaurant", and I don't really have a problem with that. It has a relaxing atmosphere. The problem is that it's maybe so relaxing the waiters and staff forget they're working and turn completely and utterly incompetent. Would only recommend if you're okay with possibly wasting ten or twenty minutes before probably walking out! read more

This place is a great place for some drinks, food, snacks or just hang out. I was staying at the Chicago Athletic Association and decided to have my first meal here each day before my busy days in Chicago. It was convenient for sure, but the food did not disappoint. Located in the lobby of the hotel, the decor is inviting and relaxing. It feels like you're sitting in a quaint library. Food: The first day I got the breakfast sandwich with the beyond sausage. The sandwich was pretty big, and I was only able to eat half of it. I also had the hashbrown. It isn't like the standard hashbrown, but it was delicious. The second day I ordered the beyond burger. The burger and fries were pretty good. Service: Since this is in the lobby of the hotel, service can be a little slow. There are plenty of places to sit and it can take a minute for a server to come help you. However, everyone is friendly and the food comes out pretty quickly. TL;DR - great place for food and drinks. even better if you're staying at the hotel. read more

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Loved the dark library atmosphere! The cocktails and service and food. We're all great. Would return at a later date.

I found this place when looking for a respite from museum-touring. When my friend came to meet me he described it as my dream bar. Which, to be honest, it kind of is. Mismatched chairs and couches, three fireplaces, lots of space and a very low-key pace is exactly what I want. I've love a more evolved cocktail program, but otherwise this place really is my dream drinking establishment. read more

Food and drinks are good as usual, but the atmosphere and experience have declined since the hotel changed management. It's lost the welcoming and They didn't require a purchase (which was more than generous), you could bring coffee up from the cafe downstairs. The food, drinks, and table service were all fantastic. The staff were friendly, welcoming, and an absolute delight to interact with. Now they require a purchase, which I think is fair enough to implement, but along with the changes the atmosphere has shifted to aloof and unwelcoming. A real shame as it was a true hidden gem in the city. read more

Used to be the best place in the city to come and study, I would usually stop by fairgrounds or shake shack to grab a bite before or after my study sessions but now they are Forcing you to pay to enjoy the space, and I will never be coming back and spending my money anywhere in the building. I recommend others to never step foot in this building unless they reverse this evil decision read more

A few friends and I came to the Drawing Room to get some work done. We arrived around 11:00 and it was crowded with people sitting for breakfast. We snagged a table and settled in. Before 2:00, table service is offered. The QR codes on the tables weren't working, so we had to wait quite some time to flag down a server to get a paper menu. It took even longer to flag down a server to place our order. Once we ordered, our food was brought out promptly, with the exception of one of my friend's food. It took over an hour and talking to 5 different people to get her order brought out. It was a little chaotic and there didn't seem to be much communication. In their defence, they were very apologetic and explained they were also hosting a 75 person brunch. I would gladly come back to try brunch again. The ambiance here is incredible. It reminds me of the library at my university in England. The dark panelled wood, comfy chairs, and fireplaces make it feel cozy and intimate. It was a great place to get some work done, but I also think it would be a great place for date night. I'm looking forward to visiting the Drawing Room again. read more

Drawing Room - Cozy ambiance - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The ambiance is stunning and perfect spot for taking out of towners! Cindy's is right upstairs!! The food smelled delicious and there are tons of drink options! We spent most of our time at the shuffleboard table but there was so much room to spread out and great tvs ! Highly recommend ! read more

The Drawing Room is located within the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Club. This is the second time I've been here, but the first time I've stayed long enough to truly experience it. It's busy, and it is sometimes hard to find a place to sit and get the attention of a server. But, we managed to find a seat and ordered an appetizer before heading to our next spot nearby, the Milk Room. The menu was limited, but we decided to order the Spinach Artichoke dip. The dip came with crackers and toast. The dip was thick but creamy. Aside from the occasional stringy artichoke, it was good. I enjoyed the crackers more than the standard toast, but they did not give you very many. The crackers seemed to be house made. They were crisp and flaky. I enjoyed sitting and admiring the architecture and incredible woodwork in the lobby and throughout the Drawing Room. It isn't the kind of place I would stay at long due to the busy atmosphere, but it's a good stop for a bit before moving on to your next destination. read more

Drawing Room - Menu - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Coming back down from Cindy's Rooftop, I stumbled upon this jaw-dropping floor. I asked one of the employees if it was okay to take pictures and look around. He then gave me a quick tour and showed me into the Game Room. Truly one unforgettable experience! read more

Drawing Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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vibes = immaculate food = bussing would attend again (and I will. catch me there with the salmon toast any day of the week.) read more

Cold day in Chicago, had a few hours to kill before a late flight. Cocktails by the fireplace - great finish to a fun weekend!

The Drawing Rooms is my absolute favorite spot. I just love the huge fireplace, dark wood, and ornate decor. It reminds me of being in a library at my school in England. It's the perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee or tea and a sandwich. Or they do have cocktails, if that's what you are fancying. There's even a chair built into the fireplace, which is really cool! You can sit on the black leather couches, pull up a seat at the wooden cafe table and chairs, or sit at the long wooden tables. I took my mom here when she was in town a few months ago and relaxed. She had a cup of coffee and I had a cup of hot chocolate. read more

Drawing Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Hung out here in the middle of a conference to get away from the craziness. Didn't disappoint. The room itself is beyond stunning. There's a game room attached and the menu is completely reasonable. And reasonable for any city, not even in comparison to downtown Chicago! Awesome bartenders. Great servers. Ask for Antonio! 3 drinks, burger and fries, pretzel and coffee: $48. Not bad at all. And damn good food! You can sit in the drawing room and eat game room food, even order off circle menu for fine dining. Great place to think, relax and get off the busy city streets read more

Drawing Room - Pretzel, burger and fries on Game Room side. - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Experience: You can just walk in. Just gotta show your vaccination card and government ID. Parking: It is literally downtown. You are better off commuting to make it worth the visit to be honest, unless you are also eating at Milk Room. Worth: Need to get work done and have a drink? Then this place definitely worth the visit. Absolutely coming back with a laptop and coffee just to work on some stuff. I love the ambience of this place. It is also a great place to catch up with friends because they couches and a first place. read more

Drawing Room - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am very disappointed with the greed that was enacted today. As a college student, the Drawing Room has been one of my most loved spaces to sit down and study. However, today while I was reading I was told that in order to be in the space, I must purchase something. What was once a beautiful third space has once again been consumed by money hungry people. Very upsetting read more

This used to be my favorite spot downtown to come read and do homework and now you have to pay in order to sit here. Gross. What happened to third spaces?? read more

The Drawing Room is such a charming and wonderful space. If you're staying in the hotel or need a place to sit & have a cup of tea & relax -- this is your place. The wait staff here are very caring. One of the servers especially, Jaime, makes this place feel much more inviting for my wife and I. The hotel has some impressive Neo-Gothic & Art Nouveau aesthetics and some great spaces for recreation, but it's the Drawing Room that ties it all together for me. read more

My favorite after dinner spot in Chicago. I stayed in the hotel which made life easier. It's very dark and has a class library, east coast, feel to it. There's lots of leather and wood everywhere. During the day, and at night, you'll find people studying and working throughout the room. They have good drink menu with lots of snacks. I enjoyed the popcorn and some whiskey or an old fashioned. Service is good. You can typically always find a quiet place to sit but it can get busy as the locals hold their after hour gatherings there, etc. I'd end the night with some chamomile tea. read more

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Great place! Found this place from another review, and so glad we went! Definitely take time to explore. We started in the drawing room. It was a little crowded, but. Prye took really good care of us and Jason. The manager was very informative. Ask somebody about the history of the building and make sure and check out the old pool that is now a Pickleball court. The stairway to the pool is beautiful. There's definitely some history in this building. On our way out. We ran into a nice resident of Chicago, and she took us up to Cindys, (same building!) that has an excellent view of millennium Park and the bean, and Lake Michigan. we got the salmon appetizer with sourdough toast. That was a very good size serving and excellent.! read more

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Beautiful ambiance. Comfy seating on a cold Chicago day. Service was attentive and polite. Food was tasty; however, limited. More sharable, smaller bites would be appreciated. Could see deviled eggs, potato crisp with caviar and crème fresh or even charcuterie boards would be ideal here. read more

5 Stars for a true gem with ambience to make you swoon! I was in Chicago visiting a friend and she knew exactly where she wanted to take me for drinks. It's inside the Chicago Athletic Association building (more on that in a min). It was cold out and as we entered this luxury hotel it started snowing softly. YUP. Probably the most romantic friend-date of my life. Let's talk about the building. From the hotel's website-- "With echoes of banging billiard balls, tossed poker chips and clinking glasses resonating through the halls, our 1893 Venetian Gothic landmark is a living, breathing ode to Chicago's rich story--where the spirit of play reigned supreme." For 122 years, the Chicago Athletic Association was members-only and really just for the Elite, but now as a hotel with a restaurant and bars, anyone can go inside and look at all of the incredible architectural details that have been expertly preserved. The Drawing Room is one of the bars/restaurants in the building and is the best physical representation of upscale cozy I could imagine. At night it is dimly lit and has lots of comfy nooks and corners with overstuffed leather chairs and multiple fireplaces. We sat at a small two-top by the large windows so we could look out over Millennium Park while the snow fell. That vantage point also gave me time to enjoy the intricate relief work carved on the wood that engulfs the room. It is absolutely brilliant. We got drinks and they were strong and delicious. But the star was the space and ambiance that's been so expertly crafted and curated. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Chicago, or anyone looking to have a romantic evening. It's truly a gem. read more

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I honestly didn't try their drink or food menu, but I really wanted to give a five star for the physical location itself. With fair amount of comfortable seats, including couches and chairs next to the fire place, it'd be such a cozy place to visit during another cold winter nights. read more

Loved this place! It is part of the Chicago athletic association and it is very dimly lit when you walk in. It is almost like an older library vibe but there are drinks and food offered here. I would say the pricing is reasonable and there is nice jazz and piano playing in the background. Cool place to study!!! I'd definitely go back again. read more

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This place is right across millennium park! The building is connected to shake shack and Cindy's rooftop is even at the top. The drawing room itself is nice as you can come here for free WiFi and to get work done. The decor is very old school which I really like. They have fireplaces and couches and chairs where you can sip on some drinks and mingle with friends as well. At night it gets really dark but the atmosphere is really nice. You can also check into the hotel associated in this building in this room. It's also connected to the milk room or the gaming room. There's really no parking up front so I suggest you take a lyft/Uber to this destination, but I think it's really nice if you want a quiet place to get work done or if you want to mingle with friends during the day or night! read more