This is my first time visitng recess. We had a really big party and several different servers. Our service was decent. It was a busy day so I definitely understand why they were rushing around. The food came out before I arrived. And it was gone really quickly. We had the typical bar food waffle fries etc. They had a coconut margarita mix that came out of a dispenser for the whole table along with a few bottles of rosé. I tried the coconut margarita mix and it was delicious. The outside bar area is a lot of fun. It's way smaller in person than what it looks like online. The drinks must've been very strong because lots of people around us were breaking glass cups from other tables. The DJ was a really good nice touch. The music was audible from outside even though the DJ it was inside. I highly recommend this place especially if you have a large party. It was lots of fun ample enough seating as well. read more

This place is so awesome. We had an event here for my board and it's such a fun place. They have larger than life Jenga, board and card games and different things each day like karaoke Thursdays. The food was really tasty including yummy tater tots. The service was really efficient especially with such a large crowd. They have plenty of outdoor and rooftop space. Really fun and I will be back. They are also ready for the World Cup read more

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Adrian is the absolute best!! He was so organized and communicative. The event flawless. Will be returning solely because of him!!

Service was 10/10! Everyone's very helpful & friendly. Ambiance is nice with great weather. However, food was subpar & a bit on the pricey side for its taste. Wouldn't come here to eat if you're starving! Drinks were good however! read more

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My friend and I attended Recess for World Cup watch party, and unfortunately, our experience before even getting inside was very frustrating. After dealing with someone cutting in line, we finally reached the entrance, where we were told by a staff member to get in the reservation line. We followed those instructions, only to be told by another staff member that we were in the wrong line and needed to get out and go to the regular line. When we got to that line, another employee again told us we were in the wrong place and that we needed to go all the way to the back of the line, which was extremely long. We explained that we had simply followed the directions given to us by their own staff, but that didn't seem to matter. During the confusion, we overheard staff saying, "We're not letting them in," which was upsetting and made us feel singled out. We then spoke to a manager, who acknowledged there had been a "miscommunication," but still insisted that we go to the back of the line. What bothered us most was that, after noticing our Mexico jerseys, she said, "You have plenty of time. The Mexico game isn't even on yet." The comment came across as dismissive of our concerns and made us feel like our experience wasn't being taken seriously. We understand that large events can be chaotic, but when customers follow the instructions they're given and are then penalized for it, it's frustrating and disappointing. We expected better communication and customer service. This experience left such a negative impression that I would not return or recommend Recess to others! read more

Ambiance - modern, offers indoor and outdoor seating, can also do private events, love that they have giant jenga Service - staff checked on us often & food came out fairly quickly Food - drinks were super good (know it all stood out the most), served typical bar type food read more

Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went for a birthday, party of 8. Staff was pleasant, great place to relax, chill, catchup, and enjoy food and drinks. Nice way to start off the summer. read more

Great bar with lots of food and drink options that are reasonably priced. The place is huge so it's always easy to get a table here, especially during big sporting events. read more

Context: Reviewing as an EDM show venue! We did not have any of the food here but they were offering a decent menu even during a show. We saw SIDEPIECE here. It's a super nice outdoor space but it's kind of weird as an EDM venue. Sound quality was mid, it was loud enough that I need ear protection in, but somehow not enough to fill the space and feel the bass over people yapping in the audience. Honestly either is fine but it was a weird in-the-middle level. The view is NON-EXISTENT lol. Which like is not the end of the world, it made it easy to find space wherever to dance, but it's kinda a let down when you're there for a show. Even if you were in the raised area where the decks were, you couldn't see anchoring because the DJ setup was literally the same level. Once you fill the space, anyone in the lower area doesn't have a chance to see anything at all lol. A bunch of people resorted to climbing up the railing a little and holding their phones up really high which is honestly kinda dangerous when people are partying and inebriated. The video below was airdropped to me from one of the more adventurous girls lol. The safety was a bit of a concern, even beyond the rail climbing. SIDEPIECE had to stop the show because of a safety situation and it honestly took way too long for help to get to the person. The artist literally had to direct people where to move and ask the crowd for narcan. As someone who works in live events professionally, I was shocked that (1) the artist had to do all of that instead of venue staff and (2) the venue should have narcan handy and ready to go IMO. Not sure what ended up happening but was definitely a scary situation. Otherwise, vibe was pretty good, bathroom lines were pretty short, and bar service was quick. It's not making my favorites list as far as venues go, but I also was not mad about it. read more

Recess - Outdoor lower area - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

SHOUTOUT JOSE ALMARAZ he gave great service and the place is amazing. If I am back in the city I will be back. ALL LOVE all the staff here was amazing and super heldpful!! WILL BE BE BACK!'!! read more

This place is so much fun. The brunch there is amazing, food is so good and service was so friendly. Games all over and just an overall fun place. The outdoor area is huge and looks so much fun! A perfect place for a date, a few friends or a large group. Defiantly going back! read more

I love Recess!!! We came here to watch the Super Bowl and loved the game day deals they were having. Our waitress Chelsea really went above and beyond and made our night absolutely perfect! Thank you Chelsea! It's such a great place to get groups together and I love how open the space is! I think it would be fun for a work outing too! Love love love it! Can't wait to go back! read more

Fun place for a group. They have games that you can get play at the table. There's also giant junga and a photo booth. Good selection of beer and cocktails. Non-alcoholic beverages also available and most cocktails can be made without alcohol. Only down side is that iIt can get a little loud. read more

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I was here for Cafeton. Music, and drinks were good. Food choices not so much. They were not catering to people with food sensitivities which was a shame. It was very full and they didn't have enough tables out where tables could've been placed. I did love the DJs music choice. I love that they kept it Latin based. I also, love that the entries for the early birds were cheap enough to allow people to feel it was worth it. I enjoyed myself. Very much. Minor issues but nothing to be concerned with. Recess is a great spot to have these type of gatherings. read more

Recess is a really fun place to go to pretty much any time of year. Summer time they have the patio and doors open, you can bring your dogs. Still fun during winter even when the patios are closed. Lot of tvs and games, board games, patio games, etc. It's great for groups and could make for a date spot but it gets loud here. Food is alright, your typical sports bar food quality. The service is pretty good and workers are friendly, I've only ever had good experiences here until this past Saturday. My friend and I bought some clothes and had our shopping bag with brand new, sealed bags of Garrett popcorn inside our bags. The security guard told us we couldn't bring food in and to leave it by the front. Where....? We asked if we could leave it with the host stand inside at least. He said no food inside and instructed us to "hide" the popcorn on the side near the bunch of retractable barrier poles. We asked if it would still be there when we left, he said yes. Lo and behold, we're leaving and don't see it there. Asked the security guard where they were and he pretty much laughed it off saying he didn't know. Absolutely no remorse. If there's a no food policy then at least have somewhere secure or reliable for people to store it???? Please do better read more

Recess - Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings*chicken - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My table was forcibly closed out since we were getting a "new server", understandable. But it turns out that it was the same girl serving the section. She was just trying to turn our table as we were actively drinking and planning to order food. She even asked us "are you wrapping it up" about 10minutes before she came over to close us out. She was very passive aggressive and short with us. Super long wait for even a drink, and the server does not check in at all with you. Would highly recommend going anywhere else but here if you want good service. read more

Recess was not very busy during our time which was nice. The place is great in the summertime but wintertime it's very quiet, at least for brunch. I got the huevos rancheros and I was a bit disappointed. Usually at brunch places dishes come with pancakes or toast or specifically huevos rancheros it come with more toppings like beans or avocado. My dish came with two eggs and bean paste and the dish just tasted like the paste. I would not get this dish again. The service was nice but we were here for a birthday and we brought our own cake and they said we had to pay a $3 cutting fee per person so we didn't cut the cake. read more

Recess - Huevos Rancheros - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was here a while ago for brunch and bottomless mimosas which was super fun! Came back yesterday after a couple years and the vibes, drinks, food, and service were just as great! We shared the waffle fries between the three of us and it was perfect! read more

Recess - Tequila Totter - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

5 Stars for Cafeton (Suenos Pre- Party)! It was the party of the year! I had a blast that day and almost had more fun there than I did during Suenos '25! Lol! read more

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There are a lot of overhyped places in the West Loop and Fulton Market. A lot of these overly hyped places don't have great food. Fortunately, Recess is not one of them. First, food is very good. When I went there I ordered the tater loaded tots, the double smash burger and sundae Jam session. The loaded tater tops were crispy and had a good amount of toppings. I wish more fries came with the double smash burger, but the burger itself was absolutely amazing. I would put this burger up again anyone in Chicago. Lastly, the sundae jam session for dessert was so good. It was a fun take on an ice cream sundae. Second, the atmosphere was super fun. It's part bar with plenty of TVs for sports with card or board games at each table. The patio is so cool. It's a large enclose square area with shipping containers for decor. It was fun games like Jenga, plenty of tables and chairs and even an upper deck. It's perfect for summer nights or weekends. Third, the service was great. Even though my server was in training, she was friendly and attentive. The food came out fast and hot. In sum, this is a must visit summer spot in Chicago. read more

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Can't believe the last time I reviewed this place was 2021! Recess is the perfect spot for bottomless brunch or dinner & drinks with friends. In the summertime, the outdoor space is HUGE and truly such a cool spot. This is the ultimate outdoor restaurant in Chicago in my opinion. The food is always good, the drinks are great, and the service is 5/5. My favorite things here are their crispy buffalo chicken rolls - they are PHENOMENAL. I get them basically every time here. Their chicken & waffle fries are to-die-for as well. Their menu has definitely improved over the years and now they have a more plentiful and various menu. Also this is my favorite place to get bottomless brunch is here at Recess. The servers make sure your glass is never empty and truly they're just the best tasting mimosas around. Pricing is affordable, too. Will always highly recommend Recess! read more

Great spot for large groups/parties! Food options were slim, not many vegan/vegetarian options. Tons of board games etc available to play as well. Gives a very, backyard vibe! read more

Awful service at the bar. We waited 25 mins along with several others around us. Others left and mentioned they had been waiting longer. Short staffed and bartenders did not seem inclined to work fast and cater to customers. One bartender in particular kept looking at me and not making any gesture to help or wait. He knew exactly what he was doing. My boyfriend tried to call him several times while he took care of others orders who walked up at the wrong side of the bar where wait staff went to pick up drink ordered for dining orders. 2 guys got into an argument with him while we were waiting. Strange behavior. read more

If you haven't been to recess you're definitely missing out! Especially when the weather is warm and the patio is open, the ambiance can't be beat. Most recently we went on a Sunday for brunch around 11:15am, and while it wasn't busy when we got there it definitely started filling in. I recommend you make a reservation if you want prime seating as we were kind of sat to the side without one. The drinks are a tad bit pricey for the size but tasty nonetheless and the food prices are on par wirth West Loop. While the chicken sandwich wasn't the best I've ever had (I wasn't expecting it to be) it was still good and but waffle fries were pretty darn good. Perfect crisp and seasoning. Anyway this was maybe my 3rd or 4th time to Recess and I'm sure it won't be the last! read more

Recess - Bloody Mary - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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After going to the tree lighting in the loop on Friday, my friends and I were starving so we jumped on the Blue Line and headed to Recess for a quick dinner. I wish I had a better experience, but ultimately Recess seems to be somewhere that is great to have a work party in or maybe stop in for a drink before heading somewhere else. If you do, I would recommend sitting at the bar. Our server took ages to come over initially and then even longer after we placed our drinks order. While the first round came out quickly enough, there was like 20 minutes between that time and when we were finally able to put in our food order and we were never checked on following that. I ordered the hot cider which was actually quite good and the Honey BBQ Turkey Wrap which was rather not good. Kind of a stinker of a wrap with little to no flavor and very dry, but it came with tots! Those were good. Inside is massive but it almost seems like there's too much space with nothing really filling it and the board games strewn across every table is a nice touch, but ultimately something you can find somewhere with better food... Again, definitely a great event space, but I don't know that I would go out of my way to pay another visit. read more

This fun outdoor bar/restaurant is a cool place for groups to hangout, eat, drink, play games, or watch sports! Its structure is made of giant storage containers decorated with murals and interactive displays. They offer board games and life sized games. They offer brunch + bottomless mimosas only on the weekends. I came here for brunch on a Sunday and it wasn't that busy. The food was very average at best but not terrible. The mimosa service is terrible. For $27 you only get 1 flavor (orange) brought to you in a carafe that is replenished. They should consider adding more flavors and separating the champagne and juices so customers have more freedom of making their own drinks. It didn't even taste good either. That's just my 2 cents. read more

Recess - Biscuits & Gravy - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Recess is a super fun spot to start your weekend off right! We got there around 11:15 am, just after they opened, and got are IDs checked upon entrance. The Halloween decorations were cool as they had a huge Jack from the nightmare before Christmas and even a Ouija board at one of the tables. The waitress was also very friendly and gave us great drink and food recommendations. I went with the Birria burger with an egg on top, which was a first for me. It was tasty and definitely a twist on a classic burger. My girlfriend ordered the stuffed French toast, and honestly, I was a little jealous as the French Toast was fluffy and tasted amazing. The drinks were also pretty and all tasted delicious. The only thing that kind of threw us off was the service. The bussers were really attentive, but maybe a little too much? I never thought I'd say that but they kept trying to take our drinks and clear plates before we were done, which was a bit much. There was a photographer going around asking people to pose for photos but he repeatedly asked two of our friends, who weren't a couple to hug or kiss for pictures, so that was little awkward. (I did give him what he wanted with my girlfriend, but that's a different story!) Overall, we had a really good time--great food, fun ambiance, and tasty drinks. Just a few service tweaks and it'd be perfect! read more

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Chicago Restaurant Week at Recess! I was so happy we got to hit a CRW brunch and while a few restaurant menus caught our eye, we couldn't help but choose Recess because of how every course sounded so delicious. First : We tried the chicken and waffle fries (with Nashville hot honey) and crispy buffalo chicken rolls (with some amazing ranch). The latter was surprisingly my favorite between the two because I wish there former came with a sauce or had more hot honey! Second : We tried the biscuits and gravy (a lot of gravy) and the pork belly fried rice (the pork belly was sooo good I wish they gave us more of it!) DESSERT: Nutella French Toast with a brûléed banana and hazelnut brittle and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bread Pudding. I enjoyed both and can't believe the Nutella French toast that is usually a main entree staple was offered for dessert - I LOVE CRW!! Also Recess has such a fun vibe! We had games at our table and you could also play mega jenga and tic tac toe in another designated area read more

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Recess is super colorful and is great for a summer time outing. It's very spacious and has multiple bars. The food are all generous portion sizes. The Buffalo chicken egg rolls were my favorite. Very cheesy and full of flavor. The waffle fries had a great batter on them. The drinks had cute names, and after learning more about the establishment they're created to be fun. The margarita was a bit too sweet for me, yet the menu is large enough to explore another option. I had a large hiccup after reviewing my receipt, yet cannot be more impressed in how the manner was resolved. It's refreshing to see the team take such pride in their company and space. Looking forward to giving Recess a second go. read more

Great open patio for the summer - Perfect spot for brunch with friends, group dinner, or to hangout at night. Their service is good and they have fun activities like shotski, cornhole, and board games, and shared group cocktails. Indoor area has TVs, good music, and fun vibes. They have some good shared plates (tots & pizza) and loved the espresso martini. read more

Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here to meet up our party for a total for 13 people. Our male counter parts had already been served drinks and had ordered two pizzas and several sides off the menu. When us ladies arrived to join our party, we were told by the bartender and server "none of the women were to be served drinks" and we had "already been over served". It was 4:30pm on Sunday and we were meeting up our group for the Bears game. No one could tell us why they thought the ladies (only) would not be served. Quite an odd experience trying to enjoy a Bears game. Servers and bartenders were very short with us when we questioned why other tables were served multiple rounds and half of our table was being refused service. Pic included of our "over served" women at our table. read more

Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think this is a very cute photo op brunch scene. From the moment you're in the front of the restaurant to every section they have for inside and outside dinning. I loved the aesthetic. They also have outdoor games like beer pong and large connect four. Our group was fairly large but the service was friendly and welcoming. We ordered the bottomless mimosas and a variety of dishes. Everyone enjoyed their food and their drinks. I would definitely recommend this place for large groups and outdoor fun! read more

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The place is cool and very spacious but the bartenders are terrible. When you walk up to the bar, they look at you as if their job is not to serve you. For this reason alone, I won't be back. I can find other places in the West Loop to pay for overpriced beers. read more

Came on a Saturday during Brunch. My friends and I had a great time and Autum our sever was by far the best I've had to date. Oh let me not forget PAPA G was the DJ and he had me dancing from the time I stepped in. I will definitely be coming back and I'll snap pictures this time. Service Food and Ambiance all 10's read more

I came on a Sunday to watch the Bears game. I had Naomi as my server. She was friendly and pretty! Naomi made my experience so pleasant I would definitely come back for her!! read more

This is an amazing, artistic, creative, unique, fun, massive, and just one of a kind. And it's mostly made out of containers. It has the feel of a beer garden but so much more: board games, darts, a live DJ, seats to lounge on, TVs to watch, jenga, connect 4, bags, 3 bars (1 indoor and 2 outdoor), activities (trivia and bingo night), and really cute bathrooms with mini containers for paper towels. You can book parties here and you can invite so many people! It feels like it's a total of 70,000 square feet. I love the Staff and love the ambience. This is definitely a fun hangout place and it's open til 2am on a Thursday night. The only thing is that the food is kind of salty and not great. The birria burger was $20, the chopped salad also $20. The prices are a little bit pricey but the place more than makes up for it. read more

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Swing and a hit! Wow this place was fun! My party came on a Saturday night and there were no shortage of young patrons enjoying the awesome atmosphere! It really made me feel young again! The highlight of the place is the reused shipping containers that line the perimeter of the outdoor bar. It was very clever and unique and made the place feel other worldly. Be sure to grab a card or board game to play with your party at the table. We played Jenga but saw another group playing uno and it looked like a ton of fun! As dusk set upon the Fulton Market and it began to get dark, the staff took the umbrellas away which was much appreciated it. It made the place feel more open and added to the awesome atmosphere. My party had two different cocktails, both of which were good, nothing amazing. For being a bar, I was a little disappointed in their draft beer choices. For food, we loved the burgers. The smash burger was especially good. I find that a common problem with smash burgers is that the ingredients make it slip and slide and make it very difficult to eat. That was not the case with this burger! I highly recommend asking for a side of chipotle mayo to dip your fries/tots in! Overall, I would absolutely return. Good food, attentive staff, reasonable prices! It's tough to beat that in Chicago! Maybe not in the winter, but definitely in the summer! read more

Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped by for a quick brunch while in town after finding them online. Ordered the boozy cereal and the cheeseburger sliders. Both were really good. I sat at the bar since I was dining solo. Unfortunately, the bar service was not that attentive, even though it was not at all packed. The ambiance was very loud, with a younger crowd. read more

Recess - Boozy Cereal Bowls - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We ventured to Recess for happy hour on a Friday around 4:30. The place was dead, so no issue with wait or seating (it picked up around 5:30). Cocktails are $10 and beer I think was $6 with half off apps. We ordered the chicken and waffle fries, the chicken lettuce wraps, and the Buffalo chicken rolls, apparently we like chicken... all three were pretty good for bar food but nothing to write home about. The Buffalo rolls and waffle fries were the favs. For drinks, I ordered the smashing peaches which was delicious (and strong) per my waiters suggestion. I unfortunately can't recall his name but he named the drink and talked me out of another with Mezcal that I very likely wouldn't have enjoyed so thankful for that haha he was great! Attentive and kind. Overall, fun for drinks. Good vibes and games inside but I wouldn't come solely for food given the other options in the area. However we did only have apps so can't report on the dinner menu! read more

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Nostalgic favorites - can't go wrong with anything on the menu from mini tacos to really good burger. But the must-have if heading there in spring or summer is the Aperol Freeze. You'll want to go home and buy a smoothie machine to recreate this masterpiece! read more

Recess - Aperol Freeze - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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