Champagne cocktail? Yes, please. I'll take two. Two lovlies and I arrived about 7:30PM on a weekday. I had been a bit worried about encountering an after-work crowd. No such thing. The place was nearly empty. We grabbed 3 seats at the bar. We like to be up close and personal with the action... er, I mean... closer to the alcohol. Service was a tad slow. We had to flag down the bartender a few times to place a food order or ask for another drink. Don't leave my bubbly empty! The crowd moved in at about 8:30. We encountered a few single businessmen looking for a good time. They were pretty harmless, but sometimes you just want to enjoy conversation with two friends. The Black 75 was divinely delish. A little Effen Black Cherry and some Cava make for one HAPPY girl. The food was OK. We shared some cheese and a few small plates. Nothing that I was really overly impressed with. I didn't NOT like Pops, but I didn't love it either. It won't be my first choice when scheduling another rendezvous with the gals. Although... I wouldn't mind going back to check out the live jazz in the lower level. read more

I've always liked Pops. It's a great place to go with a group of girls, it makes you feel classy and special. However, all that came crashing down on my last visit when there was no running water in the bathrooms. I could not wash my hands and I don't know how the staff washed theirs. I asked the manager why they were open and he told me it was the owners decision to open, and that I should just use the hand sanitizer provided in place of washing my hands. Or, I could use the single use bathroom upstairs that had a long line. Of course it's not clear you can't wash your hands in the regular bathroom until AFTER you've used it. I was appalled at the lack of concern of the manager, and especially the owners to general hygiene and I won't be going back. read more

I cannot say enough about Pops! This is not a chain, it is the only Pops location. Let me just say that I love champagne (like if my body could live on just coffee and champagne I wouldn't need anything else). I came here a year ago when I was in town for business and loved this place. Fast forward a year to September of 2015 when I came back to Chicago and one of the first things on my list was to drop in and hope it was everything I remembered...well, let me tell you it was all that I remembered and even more! I brought a friend who I talked nonstop about this place to. And we came here everyday except the day we flew back home. Atmosphere: It's nice and modern but still casual and comfortable. There's a nice mix of people coming in after work that are locals as well as tourists stopping in so you can be dressed up or down and not feel out of place. There are 2 rooms so you can actually close off the back room and have a private party of you like. There's a bar when you walk in as well as some high top and low top tables, along with a couple couches and coffee table if you prefer that. The decor is not overdone by any means but there are some very nice touches throughout the place. Along with a wall of refrigerators in the back room stocked with champagne bottles (is this heaven?!). It also has a wall of windows that look out on State Street so it lets in a nice touch of natural light during the day and the city lights and sky at night...this also makes for some great people watching! We sat at the bar and chatted with other patrons as well the bartenders each day. Menu: There's obviously a large variety of champagne by the glass or bottle. There's also beer, liquor and a champagne cocktail menu. I've sampled quite a few of the cocktails, my favorite is the Mulligan. It has gin which I usually can't stand but you can't taste it in this drink, it also has citrus and mint flavors...a must try, I promise!!! They have some apps as well. Oysters, raw or steamed. The tiger shrimp is fantastic...it has the perfect amount of sweet and spice to it. The charcuterie menu has a great selection as well...the Montchevré honey goat cheese and St Angel Triple Crème along with the hard salami will knock your socks off!!! That's everything we sampled. They also have desserts and a nice variety of other bites. Service...(the biggest percentage of their 5 stars): Michael was bartender each day we were there. Michael was great!!! Super nice, extremely attentive (not just with us, we were able to observe his interactions with everyone at the bar). All the staff is dressed well and very polite. Michael had great knowledge of all their drinks and food if you weren't sure what you were in the mood for or had any questions. He chatted up everyone a little and was very easy to talk to. His drinks were spot on. He would get food orders in immediately and clear any plates or glasses as soon as you were done. He really helped to make it such a great experience each day and everyone he talked to felt the same way. 5 stars for service, atmosphere, food and drinks! I am already planning another trip back! Definitely check out Pops if you live in Chicago or are traveling through! read more

Pops for Champagne - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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THIS IS A CHAMPAGNE BAR!!! Wow! What an experience. So we were lost and happen to stumble in on this gem. We were a little hesitant because of a previous champagne bar visit. This was not that. The hosts were super awesome! The music was joyful and upbeat...just as celebratory as the champagne itself. The bar had an extensive amount of quality champagnes, and differing ordering options. This was exceptional because it allowed us to try multiple brands. Anyway, the experience was amazing! We will return. read more

Some girlfriends and I met up at Pops for a little bit of "hey, it's Friday, let's have champagne!" None of us had been to the old location, so we don't really have a basis for comparison, but it was a pretty nice sport for after-work drinks. There's a drink on the champagne cocktail menu called La Vie En Rose. Not only is it named after an Edith Piaf song, it's extraordinarily tasty. I don't really like sweet drinks - or champagne for that matter - but the bitters in this cocktail do wonders for tempering the sweetness. Also, the flower petal was a cute touch. I found my new favorite snack here: cashews with cayenne pepper. A-mazing. There's also a decent selection of cheeses to munch on while you sip bubbly. read more

Very cute place but security is sadly lacking. Was just sitting at my table with my friend and briefly set my phone down on the table when a man in a hoodie ran in through the completely unguarded door and stole my phone. It's a bar, there should be someone manning the door at all times. So disappointing considering it's supposed to be a nice place. Was told this "happens a lot" by a staff member so patrons beware. read more

Had high hopes but they weren't met. Came here to celebrate - thought we'd do some drinks and appetizers. Unfortunately half of our food order got messed up or didn't show up entirely. Not sure what was going on with the tickets but we eventually gave up and went somewhere else. Drinks were good, music good, setting good. Servers were great but the product/overall experience was a big let down. read more

What happened to this place? They moved to a new neighborhood and went from Dr. Jeckyll to Mr. Hyde. Ew. Went to have some drinks and listen to jazz. $10 for a martini, especially a yummy one was no big deal at all- I would pay that anywhere else, and yes, the Pear Martini is AWESOME. I could drink several of those in one sitting (almost did). However I noticed that the crowd at the bar reminded me of some monster that emerged from the trendiest spots in NYC- you know, where the women either look like little hipsters with wierd haricuts and funky glasses, or like they were "rode hard and put up wet", and then men are chaches or D.O.M. (Dirty Old Men- hey, not that far from the Viagara Triangle, so it should come as no surprise). And our server- sheesh. She had the personality of an old gym sock. Yup, that good. At any rate, the BIGGEST disappointment was that when we asked about their jazz offering for the evening, they told us there would be a cover charge. Are you kidding? First, at the old location there was not cover and the jazz was terrific and enjoyed by all. SECOND, ended up going to Ditka's instead for some REALLY great old-style jazz that was FREE (except for the cost of drinks and food, of course, but well worth it) and probably ten times better than what they had there. Have to say, I'm disappointed. I'll try one more time, but I'm not too hopeful. read more

I just want you to know, that two glasses of sweet champagne (as opposed to bitter champagne) and some cheese will set you back at least $40. So if you are not prepared to have an expensive (albeit swanky) evening out, this place may not be for you. That said, I am SUCH a fan of sweeter champagne. Hell, I had no idea it even existed before I went to Pop's. Also, the snacks (We tried some cheeses and cashews with chili powder) are awesome, but not cheap. Service is polite, and if you don't know what the hell to do with all the champagne options you are suddenly given, your server will walk you through it, without being elitist or annoyed by it, which was really really appreciated. read more

We stopped by here on Thursday evening for a grand opening party. The new space is nice, seemingly fairly open and modern. It was a little hard to tell, considering it packed to the gills. It was a 15-20 minute adventure to get to the bathroom, let alone use it. It's hard to judge too much on this limited experience, as we only drank the free champagne. The service was nice, as we had one waiter who continued to stop by every few minutes to refill our glasses. I'm looking forward to going back on a more low-key night, but it may be a while until that happens. As it is, I may to stop by the new store to pick up a bottle or two for a special night at home. read more

OK. We were a little bummed because it was not as posh as the concept implied. My friend has a glass of rose and I had a glass of brut. While the prices are a bit high for a single glass, bottles are priced well with a huge selection. Staff is responsive and incredibly friendly which was a nice touch. They also had lite bites to order if you wanted. I enjoyed the champagne and service but the decor was very underwhelming - it looked as if they once used to be a fabulous hangout that is now on its way out of business. A quick interior refresh could put this place back on the map. Cute! read more

The ambience here is lovely (but the clientele is all 40+, not that there's anything wrong with that), but this place is EXPENSIVE (which probably explains the dominant age group - people with significant disposable income). My work partner and I planned a Christmas work outing here, assuming the champagne list would be comparable to a wine list at a nice restaurant - glasses starting at $7-$8, with a bottle price list starting in the mid-twenty dollar range. WRONG. There are only a few champagnes by the glass, and they're about $15 a pop (pardon the expression). The bottles start - no kidding - at $60. For a student-loan-saddled twentysomething like myself, this place is about the worst place in the city you could ever go. See ya in 20 years, Pops. read more

Shame on Pops! It's simple. Don't go. There are tons of better places. Drinks are over priced. Drinks are just "that". Music is "blah". Crowd is "blah" ... but worst of all, Staff is slow and unwelcoming.** At first, my friend and I thought that we had a great night hanging out at Pops for 3 hours and with a sizable bill. Ha! But that's kinda contradictory to the rating i'm giving it, right? Well, we did enjoy our conversations on a Sunday night with the jazz and the cocktails very much. We didn't even mind the fact that the bar staff we're uncoordinated at times. Not even when we were asked for our order by 3 different staff, while we we're still waiting on our order to be served by the barman - it did not matter that those drinks took 10min to arrive after we ordered them, and then still they forgot one, broke the cork off the wine bottle. They finally scrambled it together. It's a Sunday. We know, Pops... you're gonna be cranky and hungover. We all are. I get it. And, little inefficiencies such as those, don't bother me, nor my friend. We were having a nice loungy sunday eve. We, *understand*, if it's your "time of the week". But, at 1:45am, what shocked us was that the GM (the asian girl) came over to us a little before closing time and told us we had 5min to finish our drinks. That's absolutely fine and understandable by us Brits (back home, we get a 30min warning - but 5min is ok). However, what was crazy, was that 30 sec after that, another staff member asked us to leave right there and then and drop our remaining drinks. We surely thought that the GM's decision would override his, so we notified him that *just now* she had told us that we can finish our remaining drinks (a couple of sips of wine) soon. She noticed his intervention and angrily stormed over and changed her decision and pushed away our drinks on the bar and asked us to leave, leaving no room for reason. We were not even the last people in the venue... In fact, her asian friends were, who were shocked by her irrational behaviour and bewildered by her actions. 1/5 - Product: anyone can pour a standard drink. No creative menu, nor any creative drinks offered. Still no "bad pours". 0/5 - Service: spoilt our evening with the GM's crazy intervention even though the little inefficiencies were "tolerable". 1/5 Music and ambiance: decent jazz on a Sunday night. but too many single old men accompanied by "gullible" girls. Not a trendy crowd. read more

I have a love/hate relationship with Pops. Love - their cheese selection. They have a ton of Midwest options that were sinfully delicious (Upland Farms and G.A.C. Cowda being two of my favorites), and a never ending supply of crackers to go with it. Love - their champagne cocktails. The Bellini Coupette was frothy fruity goodness. I'm not a cocktail kinda gal, but I can definitely get into one or two of these. Hate - the steep prices. Especially for their champagne. Do people actually go there and order the $300 bottle? If so, let me know who they are and I'll make it my mission to become their mooch-rific friend. Hate (or just find annoying): the service can be a bit off at times, the place is small and can get crowded quickly, and there's only one bathroom for men/women (though apparently there are more restrooms in the basement). Refer to my review on Bangers and Lace for a detailed description on how I feel about the men/women combo stalls. NOT good. I came here last night for birthday drinks with gal pals - while the cost left a lot to be desired, the quality was top notch. read more

Wear a diaper when you come to Pops, because you may wet yourself when you get your bill. The bar is in a great location in River North, has a really fun atmosphere... but let's get real - does anyone actually know THAT much about champagne or REALLY enjoy drinking it enough to pay $20 for a flute of "this-is-probably-going-to-make-me-sick" bubbly? I guess if you're totally baller you may love this place. If it were half the price, I'd go all the time. It's worth checking out, but just for a pre- or post-dinner drink, not for an evening out in and of itself. read more

Things I saw/experienced at Pop's last night: - A hostess that gave me and my cousin a once over and immediately asked if we wanted to sit at the bar. Not a big deal as we actually wanted to sit at the bar. But seriously -- can two guys not sit at a table together or something? - A bartender who seemed more concerned about flipping his long brown hair than taking drink orders from us. Hey buddy -- your hair doesn't look that great so why don't you do your job and get us some drinks. - An old guy in his 50's/60's hanging around three women who could not have been much older than 30. Wait -- I thought the Viagra Triangle was further north? - A drink menu that was inventive but otherwise unspectacular. The drinks are not cheap but, then again, one wouldn't expect them to be given Pop's location and the clientele it tends of attract. We each got a drink, forked over $30 and then hightailed it out of there. I enjoyed my cousin's company but I probably won't be coming back to Pop's any time soon. read more

Always stellar!! From the ambiance to the service to the drinks and food, it's one of the most consistent bars in all of Chicago

Usually I love this place. A great place to try many different styles of Champagne. Yesterday was different. Great waitress all night but it ended with an angry manager who gave us the check 15 min before we HAD TO leave the premises. We were in the beginning 3 people and ended with 16 but we all HAD TO be on the same bill. Even though people ordered at the bar. This is why: when you are more than 6 people there is the mandatory tip of I think 18%. Now. I don't mind this, but if one person comes and has two beers, one a glass of champagne, one 6 glasses of champagne- how do you divide the tip? We needed some time to figure this out and the manager gave us 15 minutes and an attitude. I ended up paying the whole bill as they did not have time to wait. So the manager who worked Nov 30- needs to read this and change his ways. read more

Went here on a Friday for a celebratory lunch. I was surprised, the food was affordable. The salmon sandwich and the grilled blue cheese sandwich (both $8) were fantastic. The chocolate fondue was yummy and the flourless chocolate mousse cake with bananas anglaise and peanut butter puree was a flavorgasm. Our servers were nice and helpful with helping us pick out different bottles (of which we had many) as we lazed about on the couches. Great way to spend an afternoon. The jazz club downstairs looked cute, I hope to go back and check it out in action. 8/24/07 update: was there last night. Jazz club was quaint, but music sounded like a wedding a little to me. Came here for lunch again today, and let me add asparagus tempura to the list of yummies. The prawns were a little overcooked and the sauce was bland, so I don't think I would order those again. Again, the mousse cake was superrichly awesome. oh, and Andy, our fellp yelper, always takes great care of us. He is awesome. read more

Due to my strict 48-hour engagement-induced champagne diet, my memories of Pops are like my favorite snuggly (no, not Snuggy) blanket. Warm and fuzzy. Pops served as surprise #4 on the engagement extravaganza tour. Since knowing the manager comes with perks, my guy was able to stage a surprise party with just a dozen of our close friends, sans the $200 bottles, in the more private back room. The space was really great for celebrating and talking loudly about the proposal without irritating others who may not have wanted to hear about my professionally etched pumpkin, or the photographer capturing every tear I shed. I can't imagine why perfect strangers wouldn't want to hear these details... anyway we, hopefully, bypassed exacerbating other Poppers. The girls sipped on very well-executed Bellinis and guys enjoyed fancy brews, and waiters were kind enough to snap photos of us. I only wish the hostess hadn't spoiled my guy's surprise by greeting us with, "Oh, Vetrano party, your guests have been waiting in the private room". Uh... thanks? read more

Pops used to be way better many years ago when it was tucked away in Lakeview, which made it less touristy and more intimate and cozy. Apparently, moving to a corner in River North also means you jack up prices ridiculously. If you're an avid bubbly-drinker, you'll know prices, and you will be very insulted here. (That didn't stop us from ordering a bottle, don't get me wrong...) The service was fine/standard and the sparkling selection was robust, but it was Cougar Night and kind of a weird atmosphere. Too mellow for a party, too cold and uncozy for a date, too quiet - like a library - for any reasonable conversation w/o fearing the next table will hear you. Bleck. read more

My friend and I stopped in at Pops after a long day of serious shopping. We were greeted by the waiter (manager?) with "Ah! Ladies! Been shopping? Sharing the same man?" What the...? While I hightailed it to the ladies', he rounded on my friend and told her to "let a man show you how" in reference to reading the two menus! Unbelievable! He knew his stuff, but was incredibly abrasive and I can't imagine that a ton of people get along with him when they first come in. I say when they first come in, because after your third bottle he seems positively charming. But I digress... The sparkling wine we had came from Alsace and was perfect. We also ordered the salmon rillette which was creamy, not-too-fishy, and came with great grainy mustard. We also ordered the garlic frites and I'm pretty sure if you look up the term "to wolf" in the dictionary, that's how I'd best describe what happened next. read more

Not much for the ambiance unfortunately. I was sorta hoping for a similar vibe to Bubble Lounge in SF with no luck. Not to worry, we still had a terrific time. A girlfriend from the office and I felt it was absolutely necessary for us to share a bottle of bubbly after 2 very long days of meetings in a no-window conference room. Pops hit the spot. We grabbed a window-side tall table and the ever flirtatious and sweet (gay) waiter quickly showered us with compliments and eagerly brought us our bottle of champagne along with a cheese platter. Bubbly + Cheese = Love (or at the very least strong Like) ... ;) read more

I was debating between 3 and 4 stars - 3 for the upstairs, 4 for the jazz club downstairs. So 4 it is, mostly because the service we had in the jazz club was great. The atmosphere was quite swanky downstairs and I really enjoyed the band, especially the singer, and also really enjoyed my glass of champagne. (Although I did not enjoy my French martini or the bartenders upstairs, but I guess that's why it's called Pops...for champagne, and not Pops for French martinis.) This seems a cool place for a special occasion and I'll definitely be going back. read more

After all these years, Pops, I'm still a fan. There are things that I like and things that I don't. I don't like: How noisy it gets inside, some of the service can be spotty, and some of the seating is awkward. I especially don't like that afterthought of a section way in the back behind your bottle room. I do like: Your list of sparkling wine in all different price ranges, your selection of cheese and charcuterie, and your new specialty cocktails. On a recent visit I was introduced to Chartreuse via the "Cha-Cha" cocktail. The best way to describe it would be to say that it's the liquor version of Chinese herbal tea. For the "Cha-Cha" they mix it with Brut and pour it over a brown sugar cube. It is very different, very good, and, when combined with a "3 + 3" cheese and charcuterie board, it was a perfect pre-movie snack for a recent girl's night out. Our server told us that Chartreuse was made by the monks of the Grande Chartreuse monastery in France and in 1605 it was known as "the elixir of long life." To keep this recipe secret it was torn into thirds and each monk contributed their portion of the recipe to make the final product. How very DaVinci Code! read more

The old Pops for Champagne was unique, charming, warm and inviting. The new Pops for Champagne is sterile, minimal and sleek with an interior that pleases, but nevertheless is the epitome of everything banal, trite and unremarkable. Gone is the cozy rear patio, the charming intimacy and the quasi-Italian fresco. Champagne celebrates special moments and deserves a special place. By moving to River North, the extraordinary has become ordinary and Pops has devolved from a Chicago institution to a tourist attraction, perfect for convention goers and convenient for suburbanites. Just ask the couple next to me who ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon Rose. Alas, Pops for Champagne is dead to me. read more

I didn't spend any time in the ground level of Pops - just went straight downstairs to Pops Jazz Club. It's a little flashy/clubby compared to a typical jazz or blues club in Chicago, small with low ceilings, white walls and neon lights. I guess that can be expected in a champagne joint. The jazz was good, but the $15 cover is kind of pushing it for the level of talent they draw. The crowd didn't seem to be as into the music as at other places, but again, it's a champagne bar. Drinks are pricey - beers are $6+. It would be a good place to bring a date, as long as you don't mind spending some scrilla on her. Yeah, I said scrilla. A tip to the bartender: PLEASE do not shake your shaker to the tempo of the song. You are not in the band. It's not cute. It makes me hurt. read more

I usually give a place at least 3 chances before I write my review (good or bad). But last night at Pops will be my first and last. I'm only giving it 2 stars because their Jiujitsu cocktail tasted fantastic. But that's where the awesomeness ends. Our food orders were botched up, our drinks were brought out 1/2 hr after ordering them, 3 of the 6 platters on their menu weren't available, their cheese portions were as small as the almonds they came with, we got crackers instead of olives and (this is the worst part) we were charged for much more than we ordered on the bill. And this happened on a non-crowded Wednesday night. read more

I have mixed feelings about the new Pops - new and improved and big and fancy; but what was wrong with the old Pops? I miss the old Pops in Lakeview; it had charm and atmosphere, with its beautiful sparkling lights, housed in a charming old building, complete with a resident cat that wandered through the bar at times. This Pops - well it's flashy and classy but it lacks the charm of the old place. The service was fairly attentive and reasonably nice, and the drinks were great. We did not try the jazz club downstairs but will come back and check it out. All in all, it's a great place if you have never been to the old location; but for those that have and loved the old Pops, well, can't we bring that one back too? Pops # 1 reincarnated. read more

Four stars for the music. Any place that features and supports live jazz is on my hot list. The "jazz club" is downstairs. I've never hung out upstairs, but the club is cool. Very dark and mellow, but not basementy/creepy. It's pretty hip and intimate. Even the bathroom is nice. I swear the lighting in there makes you look pretty, even on ugly days. The feature is the music. People respect the performers in general and even the bartenders and servers are polite. I find that many servers and bartenders are loud even when someone is playing...not here. The drink menu is fun because there's so many different selections. I know nothing about champagne, though. I think the prices are ridiculous, but they don't have cover charges during the week, and no drink minimum! So one ten dollar drink is totally reasonable. Now if I were hanging upstairs....I don't think Pops would be worth it. read more

If you have a wallet full of cash and LOVE champagne then this is the place for you. I probably couldn't tell the $800 bottle from the $40 bottle, but the wifey wanted to check out this place so I obliged. Its nice inside, but not nice enough to warrant the prices in my opinion. You could go to a hundred similar places in the area with better food and drink (non-champagne) selection and quality. Service was definitely good - the waitress didn't make us feel like idiots for being champagne impaired. The champagne was actually good, but I don't think I've ever disliked a glass of champagne. This was the longest champagne menu I have ever seen - go to the last couple pages for the under $100 selection (cheapest bottle is around $40). Come here if you're celebrating something or really love champagne! Otherwise, swing by for a glass but don't stay too long or you'll be broke. read more

Went for a party on a Sunday afternoon. There were very few people there, and although the hostess had arranged to have an area set aside for our group, when we arrived nothing had been prepared for us. Luckily they scrambled around and were able to put together the forks and plates we needed for the cake. Service was good and fast (as it should have been on a slow sunday afternoon). Prices were what I would expect in the loop. Why only three stars? Because Pops just didn't make me feel welcome, the design of the bar is contemporary but not really appealing with its large flatscreens - were they really necessary to the design? The bubbly selection is adequate - no surprises on the list. Pops meets, but does not exceed expectations. I would suspect that Pops would be more enjoyable on a busier night when the less-than-aesthetically pleasing design elements take a back seat to the noise and the company. read more

My go-to wine and champagne place in River North for sure. This place is very visually stimulating and there's nothing better than getting glam and heading out with some girlfriends for some cocktails @ Pop's. The layout is smaller, but don't worry about that, just grab a spot at the bar and find yourself mesmerized by the skillful bartenders while they create their fun cocktails. They've got a pretty ample wine list. If you like Riesling, try out their Hugel 2005 Alsace, which is offered in by-the-glass option for only $10. I was kind of let down by the fact they didn't offer a Pino Gris by glass, but what can you do eh? I might as well have just bought the bottle for myself, at only $36. The cool thing is that Pop's offers over 125 different champagne and sparkling wine options that change over the season. They also offer small plate options and pair them with different wines for you. They have very interesting options including Rabbit Rilette with a shallot marmalade, red grapes and vanilla, and also the Poached Lobster Skewers which were very good actually, made with lobster froth, lemon and minced herbs. I sure do love my cheese and pairing it with wine is even more fun. Pop's doesn't scrimp on the selection either with six choices to pair with Classic Brut, five to pair with Blanc de Blancs and three to pair with Red Wine or Port. Dessert is always something to look forward so you should try out the Chocolate Fondue. It's served with grapes, strawberries, red apple and pretzels. They also have a fabulous Pear Strudel. As soon as you're done with the food portion, head downstairs to the swanky Pop's Jazz Lounge and great ready for some of the best jazz entertainment you've heard in awhile. Keep in mind that the Jazz Club is only open Thurs-Sat from 8pm-2am. Music usually starts around 9pm. The music isn't free though, it's $8/per person on Thursdays and $15/per person on Fridays & Saturdays. It's worth it though One of my favs. read more

Pops has been totally off my radar for years. When I was hired by a big law firm with a big salary back in the roaring 1980's, I would pop in Pops periodically. Somewhere along the way, my tastes changed, and Pops became somewhere I used to go. Last night my gracious host and pal suggested Pops after we'd already had three cocktails with dinner at Ajasteak. Oy! I felt so OLD! While I really did want to head home, I went along. It was after all, just a few steps down State Street. Funny, the Pops patrons looked like the same people who used to patronize Pops in the roaring 80's. The predominantly 20-30 something crowd looked awash in cash and free of obligation, kids, or other responsibility, and frankly there was a vapid air here. I was surely at least a decade older than most of the crowd, and wondered had I not come with a friend and had ventured in alone if there was anyone there with whom I'd really want to talk or have anything to talk to about. I will say this new iteration of Pops is swankier than the old venue, and the staff earns a star for some gorgeous, friendly hostesses and one very efficient bartender who greeted my pal by name when we arrived, and good or bad, kept the cocktails fresh until at some point I said uncle. I just had to go home. Pops is still somewhere I used to go, but that's no knock on Pops. It's just not my scene. read more

Man I love this place. I've come here with groups and had a great time with their fairly priced bottles of bubbly. I've come here with a couple of friends to catch up and let the night lead us wherever. I've come here on a man hunting mission with a girlfriend and have been successful. I just love the ambience of this place. It would seem like a douche baggy join based on the location in the middle of tourist central. But somehow it remains authentic and fun. Not sure how it does it but I hope it stays that way! read more

Let me say that I have purposely avoided this place for its high Trixie population and exceedingly over-priced booze. I went here only for a friend's birthday as someone else had planned the celebration and was validated on both accounts. The number of bad Leger bandage dresses in here was insane. The fact that to sit down at a "table" area, we had to guarantee a $400 minimum (for 8 people) was equally insane. The cocktail I had was good, but not $11 good and consisted of about 1.5 ounces of liquid - total. Someone else picked up the tab, so I can't complain too much, but I won't be coming here on my own. read more

Pops is a great place to go for a classy night out. Great service, great food and drinks. I'm a big champagne fan and this place delivers on selection. The food is also great! They don't have a full dinner menu, more like little bites, but everything I've had to eat there has been fantastic. But there are a few downsides. 1. The hostesses can be kinda snooty. They think they're better than everyone and act like it's going to be oh so hard to squeeze you in. But the servers are great. 2. The drinks are super pricey. I'm not one to balk at a pricey drink, but even some of these prices made me do a double take. $18 for a glass of champagne?! Come on now! The drinks are great though, but definitely be prepared to spend a pretty penny. Overall, if budget is not a concern, check this place out! read more

My friend and I were enjoying a night out on Valentine's day and we tried to avoid the big popular spots. After having few drinks at the Berkshire Room, we got hungry and wanted something small. We came to Pops across the street, it looked appealing right when you walk in. We literally just sat at the bar which wasn't busy, we ordered food and it came out quickly, warm and delicious! The staff were friendly and even though we came after midnight, usually kitchen are closed by then, they still served us without hesitation. read more

Great eclectic atmosphere. Love the live music and enjoying the champagne selections. read more

Pops for Champagne - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was really excited to go to the new Pop's. We went to see Swing Gitan, which we've seen a million times in other clubs 'round the city. Anyway, the basement is not what I was expecting at all. It was kind of cold (literally and figuratively), kind of small, and actually really felt like a basement, but not a good way. The acoustics in the room were not good for this type of music. No smoking anywhere in the bar--up or down--which I'm sure is great for some, but bad for us. Service was just ok, bordering on disinterest. We spent way way WAY too much money on champagne and apps and I honestly didn't enjoy myself much. Don't get me wrong--it was great champagne, but at the end of the night I left kind of feeeling dirty. Extra star for hosting Swing Gitan, though, even though the room doesn't do them justice. read more