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    Recess

    3.7 (450 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Order Recess Takeout or Delivery

    Services - Recess

    Venue rental

    Recess Photos

    Recess - Chicken & Waffle Fries* (Tots substitute) - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - Interior - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - The spread - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - Interior - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - Darts and seating - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - Outside - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois
    Recess - Steak and eggs - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

    +662

    Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

    Business Info

    RECESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    DJ
    Live music
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Recess

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    Reviews With Photos

    Crystal Z.

    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

    Outdoor lower area
    Jacqueline O.

    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.

    Partially dranked espresso martini
    Kat L.

    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.

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings*chicken
    Cassie T.

    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

    Huevos Rancheros
    Victoria S.

    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.

    Tequila Totter
    Aleena V.

    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!

    Michelle T.

    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!

    Patio
    Andrew W.

    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.

    Bloody Mary

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    Page 4 of 12

    Recess Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Recess

    Is this venue outdoor only?

    No there is a large indoor space open year round in addition to the outdoor space

    Is the outdoor patio open right now?

    The patio is not fully set up yet. However, it is more weather dependent than set up at this time of the year.

    Is there live music every weekend or a dj?

    We have a DJ Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday

    Do you need to make reservation beforehand or can we do walk-in?

    They aren’t required, however they are encouraged. Without a reservation, we cannot guarantee a table. The bar is open for bar service as well though.

    Can my 18 year old niece go for dinner?

    Yes she can.

    Is there any birthday treatment?

    Are there Gluten Free options?

    Do you have valet parking?

    I am sorry, but we do not. There is free street parking all around us and a lot across the street that is $5 after 6pm.

    What are the vegetarian options?

    They have pizza, a Beyond Burger option, salads, avocado toast, tater tots. I think there's more but this is what I remember at the top of my head.

    Can you reserve a seat on the patio or are reservations for inside only?

    We offer both inside and outside. Admittedly, less have requested the patio as the temperature has adjusted here in Chicago.

    Are there heaters on the patio?

    Yes

    Is this 21 and up, similar to Home Slice or good for any mixed age groups?

    21+

    Is it dog friendly?

    Yes bar is dog friendly

    View All 21 Questions

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    Rossi's Liquors

    4.2(432 reviews)
    1.1 miNear North Side
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    Friendly and lively dive bar (4/5 Green Stars) Waiting for…read moretake-out from nearby Lou Malnati's, we wandered into Rossi's for a quick drink. It's a reasonably-priced busy dive bar in the heart of Chicago. I asked the bartender if she had a beer + shot deal and she said "no, but you can order a beer and shot." And so we did! Noise level is fairly high, thanks to a lively crowd plus a jukebox. They don't normally serve food but I think are fine with customers bringing in your own food, and you can also place an order from a nearby restaurant (I don't recall which one). And yes, it's cash only so bring some money if you don't want to pay ATM fees! 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. I like bars that allow customers to bring (or order) their own food - it allows for all diets! The one thing I'd like to see is more beer on tap - even just one good rotating local beer (e.g., Goose Island). Draft beer has smaller environmental footprints compared to bottled or canned.

    Recently stopped by Rossi's Liquors and this place is the definition of a dive bar, in the most…read moreauthentic way possible. After a quick ID check at the door, the bouncer let us know it's cash only (thankfully we came prepared). From the moment we walked in, dim lighting, loud music, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds gave the vibe of a full-on frat party, but not in a bad way. It's chaotic, energetic, and unapologetically no-frills. There's even a self-serve cooler with drink prices clearly listed underneath. I grabbed a Sapporo Premium, brought it to the counter, and our friendly bartender broke our change and offered a chilled glass to pour it into. Simple and efficient. That said, it was loud, so loud that even whispering-distance conversations were a struggle. The space is small, seating is limited, and since we couldn't snag a spot, we ended up leaving shortly after finishing our drinks. This feels like a better weekday hang than a packed weekend night. Still, if you're looking for a classic, gritty, no-frills dive experience, Rossi's delivers exactly that.

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    Gus' Sip & Dip - The Original Wagyu Beef Dip

    Gus' Sip & Dip

    4.5(165 reviews)
    1.0 miNear North Side
    $$

    Gus's Sip & Dip had me at the mid-century modern interior -- exactly my kind of place. We grabbed…read morespots at the bar around 2pm on a Friday and within 30 minutes it was packed, which tells you everything you need to know. We ordered the Pinky Gonzales, a cosmo, and a sazerac -- all excellent and all $12, which feels almost too good. The Wagyu beef dip was the real standout. I'm thinking about it again at 9am the next morning, so make of that what you will. Would absolutely return!!

    Sometimes you just have to show up and say yes…read more 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.

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    Bunny Slope

    Bunny Slope

    3.5(12 reviews)
    1.1 miNear North Side
    $$

    Overall: The novelty of Bunny Slope is amazing, but after it wears off the realizations kick in…read more The good: Really fun and neat concept, especially in the heart of downtown. Sometimes, nothing beats a few (or many) drinks in a hottub. They even provide a nifty shower for cleaning up afterwards. The decor is pretty neat as well. The not-so-good: The space isn't huge, wouldn't comfortably fit more than 10-12 people. They don't have normal drinks here, the beers I tried were disgusting, so I just stuck to good ol' scotch. That said, the other cocktails sounded interesting (they were all mostly fruity). The hottub was way too hot, none of us could stay in it very long. You have to go outside of the room to change, possibly running into other hotel guests or whatever is above grounds.

    Really nice places for a group outing. The room was perfect size to move around, drink and dance…read more It was 12 of us in the room. I like that we had our own personal bartender. Drinks were very reasonable price. Tequila and cranberry was 8, 12 for a double. The jacuzzi was perfect temperature. Everything seemed sanitary and clean. I really like that they provide FREE lockers to hold our things in. They also provided a speaker so we could play our own music. Free towels but I'd bring your own sandals. I don't think they serve food. It was in the basement of a hotel but I'd definitely recommend to go.

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    Recess - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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