Awesome drinks and great vibe. Very busy but in the good way. Food was classic and fun.

Sometimes you just have to show up and say yes. A college friend was in town, and whenever he visits Chicago, he's always looking for great bars, unique drinks, and interesting places to explore. He's deeply involved in the beverage scene, and with a partner who is starting a mezcal company, they're always on the hunt for standout cocktail programs. This time, we ended up at Gus' Sip & Dip, located at 51 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654. While we were there, a friend mentioned that Gus' Sip & Dip has been recognized among the top food and drink destinations in the country, and after my visit, I can absolutely see why. The atmosphere is fantastic, think modern speakeasy with a touch of 1940s charm. The space features rich green tones, cozy booths, and an intimate layout that works especially well for small groups. Larger parties can take advantage of some of the bigger tables throughout the space. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. Just be aware that this place is popular, so depending on when you visit, there may be a wait. As for the food and drinks, everything we tried was excellent. I didn't manage to get photos of everything, but a few highlights included the burger, the Italian beef dip, and the chicken pot pie. Every dish was flavorful and well executed. The cocktails were equally impressive, every drink I sampled was thoughtfully crafted and delicious. I would absolutely come back. The only thing worth noting is that it's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're looking for great food, exceptional drinks, and a memorable atmosphere, it's money well spent. If you have the budget and good company, Gus' Sip & Dip is a true gem in downtown Chicago. 5 out of 5 stars. read more

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An absolute Gem!! Best Beef deep I've ever had, best Croque Madame I've ever had...and some amazing cocktails! In love with this spot and will visit here anytime I come to town. Bar staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The decor was perfect. Really set the tone for a wonderful experience. read more

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One of the best bar experiences I have had, food was really good. We got the fries with truffle cheese dip, and the burger. We sat at the bar with Dejan and he was phenomenal, the drinks were amazing and the atmosphere was perfect 10 out of 10 would recommend coming here read more

This is exactly how I want a cocktail bar to feel. Low lighting, comfy booths, and drinks that are both pretty and actually good. Perfect for an intimate hang or just sitting and talking for hours. Service was fine, nothing standout, but it didn't take away from the experience. Food was surprisingly solid. The Crab Rangoon dip was the highlight for me, super creamy and addictive 9/10. The Wagyu steak frites were good, simple and cooked right, just not super memorable 7.5/10. Drinks were the real win here. The White Russian was super creamy and smooth, dessert-like 9/10. The Grasshopper tasted like straight mint ice cream in a glass, which was unexpected but still good 7/10. Nitro stout ale was fine. The chocolate fudge cake was rich and solid, just a bit too sweet by the end 7.5/10. Overall, super good value for $12 cocktails and a really easy spot to hang out and stay awhile. read more

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Came here after seeing they made the 2026 North America's 50 Best Bars list and realizing I've never been! It was about a 45 minute wait for a seat at the bar, so we just walked around until they texted us. They do not take reservations and it's first come first serve, which I actually appreciate nowadays in a world where reservations have become the norm and it can be impossible sometimes to even try certain restaurants/bars. Upon entering, I loved the vintage vibe. They serve French-inspired food and have a long cocktail menu filled with their versions of classics. Their prices are cheap for Chicago ($12 for each cocktail), especially for a bar located downtown. The service was great and we were in and out pretty fast. I tried the Clover Club and it was strong but good. I also tried the Milk Punch and it was so delicious!! I would definitely come back just for that drink. We also got the frites fromage as a snack before eating dinner somewhere else. The fries were perfectly crispy and fresh. The bowl of cheese on the side was also a great amount to really cover each fry in it. The cheese sauce was so delicious that you could eat spoonfuls of it, which might be why they put a spoon on the plate (I'm definitely guilty of eating a spoonful of cheese when we ran out of the fries). read more

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Came to Gus & Sip & Dip with my husband in a recent trip to Chicago! It was such a fun find! Everything we tried was absolutely delicious, the roast beef sandwich is like no other!!! Yuuuum!!! The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff was also incredibly friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. They also have a drink HH! I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago! read more

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This was a fun after dinner drink stop. It has a speakeasy vibe with a bouncer at the door checking IDs and waiting for the team inside to give the go-ahead for your entry. We had the drink of the day for happy hour- mojito. They use shaved ice for the topper and it makes a lovely looking drink. At 4 pm (happy hour start)- they were busy. I would visit again for some appetizers and drinks. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Drink of the day- Mojito. - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food & cocktail were merely ok. Don't really see how or why they were recognized for best bars in the country. Coincidentally you'd be hard pressed to find cocktails that taste like this at a $12 price point. It has a dive bar vibe but controlled & managed well. Loud music & even louder patrons. Service was spotty. Didn't receive utensils & attention was slow but due to the busy crowd. Patrons attending by themselves be prepared to be sat at a wall with your back next to the action. Drink had nice balance just didn't impress me. Burger was sort of reminiscent of au cheval minus the dijonaise. read more

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This place is genius. I love how they control the door so the experience inside is great and not crowded. The drinks are well made and presented and even tho we just had dinner next door the chips and bernaise were yummy. We had the Hemingway daq the pinky's revenge and the buffalo trace with brapefeuit. All on point.service was great and we had a good time. Will def be in the travel rotation read more

Wow truly standout food in drinks which is hard to do in a city full of amazing options. Tried the French 125, so smooth with cognac and the naked and famous. Food took awhile to come out but when it did.. ohmygoodness was it worth it. Beef dip was one of the best I've had and croque madam was hands down the best I've had. Can't wait to come back and try more of the menu. Vibes were chill so could dress up or down depending on how you feel. read more

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(Kari's rating 9.75/10) This is the third time I've been here and honestly such a gentle river north. It opened up because hub 51 closed and then it split and became Gus' Sip N Dip and Crying Tiger. My favorite thing to get here is the Wagyu dipped sandwich, it comes with a horseradish sauce and a salty beef dipping cup of stock. The white Russian was also really good, you can't really taste the vodka, if you're into that. Service was very fast, professional, and noise level was moderate as you could have a conversation. I definitely will be coming back! read more

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Super yummy late night food. We did have to wait 20 min at 10pm on a Tuesday but the staff manning the door was so nice. Ambiance was great, we had a great time. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you don't have a reservation, go right when they open or be ready to wait. We put our name down and left for dinner until we got the text that our table was ready, which was actually super convenient. Honestly, it ended up being worth the wait. Drinks were mixed: the cosmo was great, the mai tai was just okay, and the daiquiri wasn't the fruity kind we expected. The steak frites were surprisingly good for a bar. The whole place has that speakeasy-meets-European vibe. Seating is tight, but that's expected with a small space. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Cosmo - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've come here a couple times now (since my sister is obsessed with it and is on a mission to try every single drink to fill the punch card). Anyways I've tried a couple of their cocktails and haven't had any miss yet. They're also only $12! Only unfortunate part about this place is that I so desperately want good fries with my cocktail, but I've gotten the fries twice here now and they just aren't great. Everything else is lovely! read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Drinks - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The wait line for this went quick wasn't that long of a wait around 6:30pm on a Saturday night. The ambiance was good inside and I would say the drinks are a little strong. I got their amaretto sour and couldn't really finish it. But the crab Rangoon dip was great and the fries were alright. This is perfect for a girls night or even a date night. They have seating at the bar, center and booths for larger groups. The food and drinks came out in an orderly fashion. Their bathroom was so cute, perfect for a little photoshoot read more

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This is a welcome addition to River North. The fancy pub food is top notch. The restaurant group has loaded up their best bartenders from the rest of the restaurants to work the bar here often 1-2 nights a week when not at their other post (the Summer House or RPM). The Cameron's Kick Cocktail is likely the best drink I have tried this year. Key at the door is always friendly and it's a hoot every time I come here. I'll be back soon no doubt! read more

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Finally made it to Gus Sip and Dip on a Sunday night, and honestly it's already one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. They don't take reservations, but on a Sunday it was painless. Checked in with the host, waited about 10 minutes, and the three of us grabbed seats at the bar. Easy. First off, the interior is awesome. Cool as hell. Speakeasy vibes without being hidden, since it's right on the first floor. Great bar layout and just a fun place to hang out. Drinks were a huge highlight. Every cocktail is only $12, which is wild for this quality in Chicago. I had the Espresso Martini, Dirty Martini, and the Martinez. The Dirty Martini was my favorite--love the shaved ice--but honestly, all of them were phenomenal, especially at that price. Can't wait to go back and try more. We decided to eat and started with the Caesar Salad, which comes as separate wedges--perfect for sharing. Solid, no notes. Then we got the Crab Rangoon Dip, and wow... you have to order this. Easily one of the best apps I've had in a long time and definitely lives up to the "Dip" in the name. For mains, we all went with the Wagyu Beef Dip, which I think is what they're known for. Very good and no complaints at all, but I actually liked the apps more. Next time, I'd probably just order a few starters and call it a night. Overall, the ambiance, drinks, and food together make this place stand out. I'd come back just for cocktails and I definitely will. Sitting at the bar, sipping $12 cocktails, is a vibe. It can be a little tough to get into since there are no reservations and there's usually a wait, but if you're cool with bar seating, it shouldn't be too bad. Don't be discouraged by the line outside it's worth it! read more

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This is by far the cheapest regular drink price I've seen in a while and the setting is very intimate. The lighting is good, it's just right, not too bright, and perfect for dating or just for a casual hangout with friends. At busy hours usually there is often a line so do be aware of that. I also tried their ceviche; this is also very flavorful, very good. We couldn't finish the chips and drinks. I tried almost all of their gin drinks; they are definitely my go-to so highly recommend read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Really great service and food. One big room that centers around the bar in the middle. Drinks are very creative and tasty. Bartenders are clearly skilled at their craft. Everything was delicious. The food leaned decadent/greasy at times. Booth seating around the perimeter and some high tops in between those and the bar, so it can feel a bit cramped. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Crab Rangoon Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been wanting to stop in here for a while and finally just decided to put a date night on the calendar. I've seen the daily cocktail posted on their IG and they all just look amazing. I mean you also can't beat a $12 in River North let's be for real. We went on one of the coldest nights, so I was hoping that' would deter folks from coming out . There was a line but were able to get a table for two in about 10-15 minutes despite being told to expect a 30-45 minute wait. The inside definitely gave modern supper club vibes with a large wrap bar and pics of old SNL cast and memorabilia. They had some rock yacht esque music playing which was a vibe. The food was delicious. We ordered the patty melt (on special the night we went), the beef dip sandwich, chopped salad and the crab ragoon dip. The salad had avocado in it but it want listed on the menu. My wife is allergic to avocado so we had to send it back. The waitress apologized profusely. The overall service was fine. We'll more than likely be back if for nothing the drinks and sandwiches. read more

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While I was in the CHI, I searched Yelp for "best beef dip" and Gus' popped up with some highly favorable reviews. My Yelp peers did not let me down. I didn't have a reservation so I had to wait outside until something came available. Once inside, I recognized that the space is tight but optimized so it's understandable why waiting outside is necessary. I sat at the bar and started off with a Hemingway Daiquiri to drink and the chili appetizer. Both were 5-stars. Then I had a mezcal based drink to go with with the beef dip sandwich. Chef's kiss all the way around. The jus was perfect and the shaved wagyu beef was superb. As if I wasn't full enough, the bartender offered me a complimentary chili dog. I'll have to admit that the chili dog was not my favorite. The flavor was well present, but the casing was a little too tough to bite through in my opinion. It was a challenge to bite and keep the toppings from going everywhere. I'd say 3 stars out of 5. Overall Gus' is 4.6 out of 5. read more

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We finished everything! You cannot make reservations, we had a 45 minute wait. The vibe in the restaurant is so nice. There is a huge bar that takes up most of the space and an outline of booths. The carb Rangoon dip came with tasty crispy chips and carb Rangoon dip had a good carb flavor but was a little too heavy with the onions. The fries were cooked hard which I like. The dips that came with the fries were the perfect intensity so that the flavor doesn't become overwhelming as you eat them. The wagyu sandwich was good but I wish the bread wasn't as hard or the au jus sauce to dip the sandwich in was not so salty. It was still good but I would have preferred it less salty. The star of the show were the burger/s which comes out as TWO medium sized burgers, the bun is so soft and slightly sweet, the meat is tender and the sauce is a little tangy and compliments the sweet buns. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Burgers, Wagyu Beef Dip, Crab Rangoon Dip, Trufffle Fries - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tried this place out yesterday and I truly don't get the hype. We were greeted by a really friendly doorman/host and got in right away. Larger groups you are going to leave a cell number and wait for an hour or so. We want to try a few drinks but from when we got sat and until we received our 1st drink it took 28 minutes. The mai tai and midnight stinger were both great but didn't feel like waiting again for a 2nd round. There are too many options in the area for drinks for that kind of slow service. But now I can saw I've been there and most likely will never be back. read more

As a cocktail bar lover, I had this place on my list of places to go for quite a while. I was excited to have a celebratory cocktail here as I was celebrating my anniversary weekend with my wife, and we walked over to join the waitlist. FYI, they don't accept reservations and they are pretty popular, so expect a wait. We waited about 40 minutes, which wasn't bad, especially considering they had been open for just a few hours when we arrived. Once inside, it isn't a large space. But there is a rather large bar in the center with tables and chairs all around. It definitely does give the feel like you are in a special or exclusive bar. As a whiskey lover, I ordered the Irish coffee which was made really really well. I think it was my favorite part of the night, because unfortunately, the crab Rangoon dip was not enjoyable. I was quite sad about it as I was excited to try it since it combines two of my favorite things. But it was much too salty for me, and I couldn't even finish it. I would likely come back to try something different on the food menu, but at the very least, you can get a very well made drink here. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Crab Rangoon Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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There's always a line but never a suuuper long wait! They'll text you when the table is ready so you can grab a drink nearby first. The martinis were soooo icy cold, the best!!! The apps are huge, got the crab Rangoon dip and cheese curds. We split the prime rib dip and it was so tender!!! Love this place. read more

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Nice place to get a quality cocktail at a fair price. I have been to Gus' twice now and every time, I find a new cocktail that I fancy. On my last occasion, I had the best Hemingway Daiquiri with real mccoy light rum, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit, lime. It was so refreshing and not too sweet. I have also had the Mai Tai and that is fabulous. This place does cocktails for $12 bucks but also has food. We have tried the fish and chips and also the crab Rangoon dip. Both were good. No complaints. Check this place out, you will have a good experience whether it is for Happy Hour or late night bites. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Crab Rangoon Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Loved this spot for a happy hour moment! It was SO busy, even on a bitterly cold day, and we were glad we made a reservation. The overall vibe was perfect, with dimmed lighting, good music, and lots of chatter. The cocktails were really fun and tasty. We enjoyed the few appetizers we got, but the drinks really were the highlight. I'd love to go back! read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Breakfast Martini - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you're not careful here, it won't be a sip. You'll end up being here for many hours. But first of all, the outside, the neighborhood, the bouncer at the door... didn't match with what we experienced when we entered. Outside made it feel like it was a jazz bar. Maybe a prohibition style place. And then you walk in and it's modern. It's chill. It's filled with 70s quotes and photos. The bartenders are all dressed in white which was cool. We sat at the bar which was in the middle of the room. There are booths and tables all around it which did make navigating it pretty hard since it was a full house. Everyone was eating and drinking. And although it was busy, we were served pretty quickly. After about 10 minutes after we ordered we got our drinks. The menu is broken down by your base liquor and each section has quite a few options. It was hard to select. We went with: Clover Club: tanqueray london dry gin, raspberry eau di vie, fresh raspberry, lemon, egg white Japanese Cocktail: peyrat cognac, almond orgeat, orange bitters I love a cognac but I think clover was a bit more interesting and fit the vibe of the place. Not sure what the parking situation is but didn't seem like there's a lot available in the area. The train isn't too far off though. I'm not sure I'd come out of my way to go here but if I'm in the area absolutely. This was the first stop of a few this night. I think it's perfect for a drink or two or for a date night. The food menu is mostly things to dip. Didn't look to intriguing. Maybe if I had a few martinis I would buy something. read more

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This place is a total vibe. Would come here daily if I could. A line can form, so be ready to wait. Service was a bit slow at first, waiting about 15-20 mins for water and then asked what we wanted to drink. Great bartenders, great ambiance/aesthetic. We had the dip too, of course, and it was delicious! The fries, perfect and the truffle sauce really chips. The Caesar sauce was very anchovy forward if your are into that thing. Female restroom is also a photo op, all pink, retro vibes. This felt just felt old school, cozy and a great vibe. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Gus' Sip & Dip is the an amazing late night spot for food and drinks! They have a wide martini menu filled with classics and some funner renditions. You can't go wrong with anything you're into on the cocktail list. But the star of the show in my opinion is their food!!! The wagyu beef drip is delicious and I can't get enough of them. Their bread is thin, letting the meat be the star and the beef dip is so flavorful I could drink it. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Waygu The Original Wagyu Beef Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Delicious sips and dips for sure! Came to Gus' with some friends before our reservations at another restaurant. We were seated in a booth and had a wonderful time. Absolutely yummy dips, crab Rangoon with the wonton wrappers. We also got fries with the ranch (amazing!), Louis dip, and it came with ketchup. Would definitely come back. There are no reservations so it can fill up quick with a long wait, we just lucked out! read more

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WOW. The Wagyu sandwich with whipped horseradish and au jus was amazing!!! Highly recommend everyone try it. The cheese curds were delicious as well, but of course who wouldn't like it. The dirty martini is good, I'm someone who prefers a very dirty martini while still being smooth and the drink very much fit that description. I was in a large party and we only had to wait about 20 mins for a table with no reservation. Service is fantastic! read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really liked this place a lot! Came here prior to a party at Untitled Supper Club which is a walk down the street. Perfect pregame spot which dim intimate lighting to set the mood right. My girlfriends and I sat at the bar and ordered our rounds of drinks. My mojito was sooo good - tasted like lemonade and got me lit after 3 haha. There was a line upon entering but they got us in pretty quickly. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Mojito French 125 - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Loved this place- walked in today for the first time and I immediately assumed it had been around forever. Cool fun lively great music complimented by delish cocktails being shaken ... food and drink was great... place was hopping and it 12:40 in the afternoon. Chicken Pot Pie killed it. Was surprised to learn that Gus' is relatively new. Will definitely be back read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Gus' - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loved the ambiance here, so cozy & moody! I got the cosmo and it was the perfect cosmo. My bf got the amaretto sour & it was tasty as well. Will definitely be back to try some of their food bc their french dip looks delish!! read more

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Might I be "dippy"? Perhaps, especially if I am "spotted" at Gus' dipping a wagyu beef dip in au jus. You put horseradish up on it, then you dip, I dip, we dip. Then after conjugating a sandwich you sip, I sip, we sip a Hemingway daiquiri topped with a mound of shaved ice. read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Hemingway Daquiri - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a great addition to River North that opened up on New Years Eve 2025! This elevated bar makes you feel like you stepped back in time when martinis were the in drinks- in the 50s and 60s. The space is dimly light with a bar in the middle of the room and comfy booths along the wall and tables around the bar. And the two bathrooms within the bar are both nicely furnished- one of them is pink and the other one was greenish/blue. Both of them were well kept up. At 4-5pm Monday through Friday, the bar features happy hour. Note the happy hour menu does not consist of a long list of drinks and food, but rather a single drink that is 6 dollars- you can check online what the drink of the day is. I hear that the happy hour is busy- so plan to arrive early if you want to secure a seat at 4pm. Beyond the happy hour the menu features cocktails for $12 dollars- which is a good deal for Chicago, especially in this area. And these drinks are made properly with highly skilled bartenders. And there are some unusual drinks on the menu, such as the breakfast that comes with honey buttered toast on a martini glass. You can also get more standard drinks and classics like the grasshopper. The bar does have a small menu of food items- that includes appetizers and some sandwiches. We got a wagyu sandwich which was approximately 26 dollars. The sandwich did not come with anything. It was good! Be prepared to wait at this restaurant at nighttime- we stopped in at 5pm on a weekday, and the bar was near full. We managed to secure some seats at the bar- which is where things are happening- great place to watch skillful bartenders work their magic. Remember: the bar does not take reservations- walk ins only! This bar is definitely on our list to come back! read more

Gus' Sip & Dip - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cannot believe I haven't been here sooner! Such good value ($12 every cocktail) for downtown Chicago. Ambiance was great (not too overcrowded) and the service was so friendly. No reservation available so be prepared to wait -- although there's other bars in the area to check out while you wait. They had a great dirty martini! The chocolate cake was indeed very special and indulgent. Would definitely come back for a girls night out or drinks during a date night. This very quickly became my new favorite cocktail bar in River North. read more

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Gus' Sip & Dip oozes vintage charm--from the leather booths and black-and-white movie star portraits to the bartenders dressed in crisp white coats. It's got a timeless, Rat Pack-era feel that sets the tone the moment you walk in. We arrived around 5 PM on a Friday and put our name in for a table for three. With about a 30-minute wait, we popped into a nearby Irish pub to kill time, which worked out perfectly. As first-timers, we were impressed by the $12 cocktail menu--30 classic drinks to choose from, which is a rare find these days. The food menu leans into elevated tavern fare. Highlights for us were the Wagyu beef sandwich and the lobster roll. The homemade potato chips with horseradish dip packed a flavorful punch, and the chocolate pudding was a rich, memorable finish. If I had one gripe, it's that the cocktails took longer than expected--especially for a place that clearly runs like a drink-making machine. But the drinks were worth the wait. Bottom line: Gus' is a fun, stylish spot with great energy, strong drinks, and a throwback vibe we loved. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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