Cool speakeasy downtown stairs, went early in the night and only had to wait 10 minutes. We got to…read moresee the burlesque show which is every 45 minutes. Drinks were okay. Vibe was cool and chic.

I checked out the Drifter because of the positive reviews, but I found it to be overpriced and…read moreoverrated. First, the drinks were okay but mine were mostly ice, definitely not worth $16-$17 per drink. Second, the show was not what was advertised, as it was a musical performance instead of a burlesque dancer. I also had a weird interaction with the performer and left 5 minutes into the show, so I did not feel that the $8 cover charge was justified. Finally, the hostess had an attitude and seemed annoyed whenever customers arrived. If we're supposed to wait outside or at the entrance to be greeted, maybe management should put up a sign saying so instead of having an attitude with potential customers. My advice for other visitors is to save your money and check out one of Chicago's many other amazing bars/speakeasies.

I turned to ChatGPT for recommendations on live music with good vibes near my hotel, and The…read moreBassment was at the top of the list. I decided to live a little and give it a try. I arrived a little after 9 and was greeted with no line. Since I didn't have a reservation, I paid a $10 cover. Walking downstairs, I was immediately impressed with the British décor, lots of IG-worthy spots. Because it was still early, I was able to head straight to the bar for a drink. The bartender mentioned the band would start at 9:30 and that things usually pick up around 10. He also let me know the couches were open seating until reserved groups arrived. The band was fantastic and had people dancing not long after they started. By 11, the place was standing room only. I tapped out around 1 and walked past a long line waiting to get in. I'm happy I trusted ChatGPT's suggestion. The Bassment delivered a fun night with great music, drinks, and energy. I'll definitely visit again.

Really happy to have found this spot for live music on a Saturday night. We arrived right around 8,…read morewhen doors open. Musics starts at 930ish so it's a bit of a wait if you get there that early, but potentially worth it to snag a lounge/table until reservations show up. Reservations are pricey, but with a group would be super fun and worth it. Workout having reservations, we gave up our seats and headed to the front to hang around the bar near the stage. Really awesome staff, and a coat check if you need it. The bar tenders were friendly and attentive. The music was fabulous. Fun crowd. The drink list was super fun with pop star nmes, the Taylor Swift was the fav, and not just bc I am a Swiftie. The bathtub drink is cute, get one for the photo and move on. The cream didn't work for me. Highly recommend for a fun live music experience and vibe.

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

Stopped in with friends and ended up having a much better night than we expected. The place has…read morethis fun mix of old-school charm and lively energy, and it really comes alive once the crowd settles in. What surprised me most was how welcoming the atmosphere felt -- people were cheering each other on during karaoke, and it created this upbeat, easygoing vibe that made the night even better. Drinks were well-made, the music kept the room energized, and there was always something going on that pulled everyone into the moment. Even with the place getting busier later in the night, the staff stayed attentive and kept everything running smoothly without making anyone feel rushed. I also loved how organized the karaoke setup was. Being able to add songs without waiting around made the experience feel seamless, and it helped keep the energy flowing. It's the kind of spot where you can unwind, have a laugh, grab something tasty, and forget about your week for a while. All in all, it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly great nights out. I'd absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, relaxed place to hang out and enjoy some good music and good company.

(Review from my visit back in late February. I read somewhere their Ad Astra menu is going away…read moresoon, so you should go asap if you want to try it!) I went here a couple years ago for their composition book menu, but had to come back to try their new Ad Astra space themed menu. I absolutely love the concept. All the cocktails are inspired by a planet. We tried the moon, mars, saturn, earth, and pluto. Loved all of them! They were all super inventive. Meadowlark is definitely in my top 5 cocktail bars in Chicago because I love the speakeasy aspect and also how unique their menus always are. Can't wait to see what they do next!

Excellent experience from top to bottom. Great ambience, from the speakeasy style front room to the…read morecozy ambience of the bar itself. And the drinks, well... Expert level cocktails with some extremely impressive bites from Union/Lardon - the mushroom cabbage skewers are about as good a pure mushroom dish as I've had. The cocktails are delightful, tons of options on a rotating, thematic menu. Very thoughtful, with pairings you wouldn't expect and may never have come across. Very impressed, and looking forward to what their next theme will be.

5 Resounding stars for excellent craft cocktails, an intimate setting, the best staff, and…read moreinventive bites. I got reservations here for my birthday as I've been to Aviary, but never had a chance to go to the speakeasy-style concept downstairs. Haley took care of us while we were sat at a prime spot on the small bar. She was truly such a breath of fresh air and didn't intimidate like some highly skilled mixologists can sometimes do. We got to try a few drinks, but I have to call out the Martini with mango (great, balanced martini with a twist!) and the Leche de Tigre (you know this peruana had to try it!). The leche de Tigre (think ceviche in a glass) was savory, tangy, and something I would order again and again. To snack, we got the pepperoni flavored popcorn (they have a vegetarian version) and it blew me away. I would never have guessed it was vegetarian if we hadn't requested that specifically. And you know the presentation was on point. Overall, a new favorite spot in the city!

This spot inside the aviary came highly recommended considering it is part of the Alinea group…read more Service was quick and we were told we could request for a bartenders choice cocktail if we provided some general guidelines. My first drink was average and full of ice - disappointing. I did talk to them and swap it out for a mezcal sour which turned out to be much better. They were understanding and accommodative and offered up an alternative drink as well. Overall service was good and cocktails were decent. The fanfare to book this spot and the very rigid booking policies made this seem like a much more exclusive and sought after spot. The drinks were good but not spectacular. A good spot for pre dinner drinks in that neighborhood.

If you're looking for an elegant and spacious cocktail bar, I highly recommend!! We were lucky and…read morewere able to score seats at the bar with no reservation pretty quickly, but I would definitely recommend a reservation for a table. Bartender was super friendly to chat, open to customizing based on preferences and we felt really comfortable. A gem in wicker!!

Intimate speakeasy with excellent service and delicious cocktails! There were so many options to…read morechoose from it was hard to pick which cocktail to start with! Definitely make a reservation or try to walk in right when it opens as they tend to have a line and get filled up pretty fast!

I am a lover of speakeasy's, but not all are created equal. Some are fun and interactive, while…read moreothers are just go up and sit down. The Gatsby was not one of those spots. They give you clues on how to get upstairs and into the room as well as a password, which was so fun! Our server was amazing and played the part of a 1920s speakeasy very well. She recommended drinks to us, which was highlighted by the Nora Old Fashioned that our server helped create. It was amazing!! We also had the truffle pizza and shrimp cocktail that were booth yummy. The ambiance, especially at night with all the candles on, was perfect. I'd highly recommend coming here if you like these types of places. Well done Gatsby!!

What a cool speakeasy! So mysterious, so demure, and yet so chill. They served up one of the best…read moremocktails I've ever had. While I can't remember the name, I do know it had ginger, honey, lemon and a nice kick to it as well. By the time my friend and I got there, the kitchen was closed but I can't wait to return again to try out their food. If there drinks were any indication, I'm sure their bites are just as delicious. I don't want to give anything away from the entrance experience but just know it's really, really cool.

I stopped by Lazy Bird on a Wednesday night after dinner, and it ended up being such a great…read morechoice. We made a reservation ahead of time, which I'd definitely recommend, but it wasn't overly packed and we were seated without any issues. The vibe in there is top tier. Dim lighting, live music energy, and just the right mix of chill and upscale. It's the kind of place where you can actually enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed. This was my second time here and I remember it being just as good back in 2022. The drinks were immaculate. I had two mocktails that were both well-balanced (not overly sweet, which I appreciate), and he ordered an old fashioned. You can tell they take their bar program seriously and can go beyond a gin & tonic. Overall, it was a really good time. It can give you a great midweek outing or a laid-back night with a little something.

Very cool cocktail spot in the basement of the Hoxton. Great vibes and service!!…read more They have a large cocktail menu with lots of classic drinks and also a fun rotating menu. It was zodiac themed while we were there. I didn't order a special drink though-- just a dirty martini. It was great and they have delicious blue cheese olives.

Came here for less than 10 minutes. Ordered a single drink that I took two sips of. I signed for…read more$20.91 for said ONE drink after their 18.88% surcharge that they allege (Bordel) keeps their business fully staffed, give healthcare benefits, and a livable wage. BUT somehow Chey S. Still decided to alter my receipt and give her a $10 tip. Which I did not give her. To which is also illegal. If this surcharge that they claim allows for them to take care of their employees - then why are they stealing from their customers? Anyone who comes here or has been here- take pictures of your receipts after you've signed and totaled them. I see in the reviews Chey S. Is a commonly denominator in bad reviews. Not sure why she's still employed here. Committing crimes and businesses letting it slide isn't a good look. Still waiting on my refund of $10 for that check 72 from Thursday the 23rd at 11:39pm that I have yet to receive! Idc to pay the $20 for one mediocre drink, but stealing is completely unacceptable. And it being excused even more so. Unfortunately I don't live in Chicago or I would've filed a police report, since this is FRAUD AND THEFT. Just beware of anyone who visits. I SIGNED to pay $20.91 not $30.91. There was a big fat ZERO tip for a reason. SO for check #72, I'll be waiting for that refund.

Ambiance was great, dark and moody. Service was prompt at first. We paid extra for stage view…read moreseats, which was ok. I don't think $10 a person was necessarily worth it though, as we were seated far away from the stage. Performers would occasionally come around to get money after their performance, which where we were seated we couldn't see a whole lot of the performers, but yet paid extra for it. Ordered my last drink and never got it, thankfully they didn't charge me for it. Living in Las Vegas I guess I'm used to a higher leave of expectations without being charged an additional 18% service charge, especially since I paid additional money for our seats and didn't get the last drink I ordered. Save your money and check out The Bassment or Untitled instead.