Genuinely the best bar I've ever been to. Sitting at the bar is an absolute must. Bartender was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The welcome cocktail was one they could easily add to the menu and it would hold its own. Would've tried the entire menu if I had the bankroll for it. Has become the topic of conversation regularly and I will return any time I am in Chicago. read more

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We come here every year for the restaurant show and each time the cocktail are new and exciting. The bartender even remembered us from last year. !! We had a great time sitting at the bar. Tried 3 cocktails and the bartender was gracious enough to let me sample a new rum he loved. The clarified cocktails are delish and a def labor of love. The Saturn frappe was so good and their selection is unmatched. It's a great place to have a tropical cocktail and enjoy. read more

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Theres no lack of words, but, for what can manifest, it's incredible! Take a friend, take a date, enjoy the journey. I will say that drinks are heavily dependent on the person and their mood, but Matt is A+. I said "Take me on a journey" and he walked me through clarified toasted coconut, spirit-forward rum quality, to a crunchy shaved melon masterpiece. I'm terrified to come back and not experience the same thing. Great work! read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This tiki bar is small, intimate, and dark. Perfect for a date night. The entrance is in an alleyway, which can be hard to find. I made a reservation, but still had to wait a few minutes. The reservation is $15 per person that applies towards the bill. I didn't like that there was a restaurant surcharge of 3.5% on the bill when the food and drinks are already pricey. Service was a bit slow since there was only one bartender, but she was very friendly. Rum Punch (3/5): not overly sweet, strong, tasted watered down Three Dots and a Dash (2/5): my least favorite drink, citrusy, came in a cool cup Prime Skirt Steak Skewers (4/5): flavorful, juicy, seasoned well I've been to many tiki bars that have amazing drinks, but none of the drinks here stood out to me. It was nice to try once, but I won't be back. read more

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If you are looking for a unique tiki bar, this one is for you. Nestled unsuspectingly in the corner of Three Dots, this spot won't disappoint! With a menu that spans the classics and their unique drinks, you will have an array of tiki drinks to choose from. We tried the Clairvoyant Missionary, Stirred tradewinds and the Coco-Nana. All the drinks were made to perfection. With interesting flavors, one of a kind infusions and an impeccable presentation, you can't go wrong here with any drink! They also have small bites to choose from, we tried the crispy pork bites. They were crispy and flavorful. This bar is a smaller and more intimate experience. Do make a reservation, if you can. The mixologist, Shannon, was very friendly and knowledgeable. If you are in Chicago, do give this a try! read more

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The bamboo room is well worth the price. The welcome drink was one of the most delicious I've ever had! The bartender was knowledgeable and friendly, taking her time to have a conversation with us! Do yourself a favor and check out this part of three dots and a dash. read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The ambiance, the presentation, and the mixologists were top notch. They are serious about the reservation timing. Don't try to come early too. We had to loiter around a bit until our time slot come up. It's dark in here and I preferred it. Tiki style drinks were never my forte when making drinks at home so this place intrigued me. I only ordered one drink too and it was good. Made me go home and open my Yamazaki 12. The mixologists were nice and friendly and took the time to talk to you and recommend some thing and they took their time to follow up. I would recommend this place, especially if you're into Tiki drinks. The decor definitely goes above and beyond to match the drink style. read more

After a few trips to Three Dots and a Dash and seeing The Bamboo Room closed, I finally had the opportunity to book reservations. Do both experiences! Matt, our bartender, was great! Knowledgeable, friendly, and skilled. This small, intimate room in front of Three Dots and a Dash is my new fav. Totally different drinks from the other bar. High end, rare rums too. If you like hard to find rums and exceptional tiki drinks, visit this spot. read more

As tiki aficionados, it has been our list to visit The Bamboo room at Three Dots and a Dash for quite some time. It did not disappoint! We loved the vibe- more subdued and personal than the main Three Dots and a Dash venue. Our bartender Marty was very friendly and took the time to chat with us and explain the drinks. For drinks we got the Navy Grog and the Port Light. Both were delicious and artfully presented. We also shared the pu pu platter which was also very tasty. Though my drink was the most expensive drink I have ever ordered bar none, we did very much enjoy our evening at the Bamboo Room, read more

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The Bamboo Room IS all it is said to be. Amazing and yummy. We had excellent service, I did a rum tasting that was recommended by the bartender and the rums were interesting and very different. I also had a cocktail and the cocktails are more than just delicious, but a real presentation upon serving. Be sure to alot yourself enough time to spend in this wonderous small bar attatched the Three Dots and a Dash. In fact, I would have been happy to skip TDAAD and spend more time in The Bamboo Room, but you know, you gotta try it all! DO NOT SKIP this when in CHicago and get a reservation in advance! read more

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If you're a rum lover or just looking for a one-of-a-kind cocktail experience, The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash is an absolute must-visit. This hidden gem feels so quintessentially tiki, you'd swear you were in Barbados instead of tucked away in a River North alley. The Vibe: The intimate setting makes it feel exclusive, yet still welcoming. It's an elevated, immersive tiki experience, with beautifully crafted drinks, a well-curated rum selection, and a rotating cocktail menu that caters to both beginners and seasoned drinkers alike. The Drinks - All About the Rum! My personal favorite? The Painkiller. There's just something about the pineapple and coconut elements that makes every sip pure tropical bliss. Cocktail-wise, every drink is visually stunning, complex, and delicious. The rotating menu is even sorted from least to most boozy, making it easy to find something that fits your preference. Whether you're a cocktail newbie or a connoisseur, there's something for everyone. Final Thoughts: Incredible rum selection & expertly crafted cocktails Cozy, tropical atmosphere that feels like a true escape Unique, immersive experience perfect for a date night or a fun night out Pro Tip: Reservations are a must! If you're in Chicago and love tiki-style drinks, The Bamboo Room is an absolute must! read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bamboo Room was top on our list to visit while in Chicago. We walked in and asked if there were any openings for a quick drink. The hostess didn't even look up from her stand and immediately said there was no availability in a annoyed tone of voice. However, while standing there, we checked online and saw that reservations were available just 10 minutes later. We could also see at minimum ten empty tables. The dismissive interaction and lack of effort to assist us were disappointing. We ended up going else. read more

This might be the best bar in all of Chicago.....and I mean it. This is the semi exclusive side bar of Three Dots and a Dash. Its not open all the time, but when it does, the reservations go fast. If you are looking for some upscale tiki bar like drinks, this is the place. It is very dark and very quiet which adds a whole other vibe to this complex. There is only ONE bartender (who is also your server). It can only hold about 20 people so you aren't waiting for long. This also seems to be staffed by the most accomplished mixologist on staff because these might have been the best drinks I have ever had. Sometimes tiki gets a bad rap for being appropriation or silly. You get neither from here and I would argue this might be the best way to do Tiki going forward. It wasn't stuffy, but it wasn't the fire infused party as next door. The drinks really speak for themselves including the Zombie Cobbler, the Grog, and the Root Beer Float. If you want something a little fun, but still very classy, find yourself at the Bamboo Room stat! read more

Okay so first of all I want to let you guys know that the bamboo room is a little room off to the side of three dots and a dash. They serve food there as well as cocktails. The minute you walk in you'll be surrounded by tiki themed decor, bamboo, leaves, and lots of cool tropical sort of items. It was voted best bar in America, but in my opinion it's about equal to three dots and a dash with the one exception being that you get more of an intimate ambiance. For some people that want that lively party atmosphere, go to their main room three dots and a dash, not the bamboo room. This room is more like if you want to hear and talk to the person you went with. I will say this, the Main reason I'm voting it 5 stars is because the presentation of the drinks is so unique, it's really more of an experience than anything. The pretty one and chief lapu lapu we're the coolest presentations we got in drinks while we were there. I personally wasn't a fan of the taste of the pretty one as much as the other drinks I had but the dry ice and crazy fish you drink from is enough for me to order it again haha. The money melon was both of our favorite drinks from the bamboo room menu, it went down smooth even though it was taquilla based, it had a fruity yet smooth and easy to drink taste. The Mai tai wasn't bad but truth be told I've had better. The chief lapu lapu is one of our favorite drinks we've ever had at any bar, anywhere in our many travels. But it's on their secret menu. Since it's actually a part of three dots and a dash menu and not bamboo room, but little did I know until I asked, you can order the drinks from next door getting the best of both world and maintaining the intimacy of the bamboo room. This drink is dangerous because it taste exactly like fruit juice, you would never know you're drinking alcohol, but it's not a weak drink at all, soon you'll be feeling it hit in just the right ways! The service is also faster and better because there's less people per bartender in the bamboo room. For that reason I would definitely go there again read more

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Great bar, bartender, tequila selection, nice atmosphere. Didn't eat but the food looked good too.

Context: I had a work conference in Chicago in June 2023 and needed to find something to do instead of just sit in my hotel room! I love Tiki culture and so when I heard I would be going to Chicago in the summer, I knew I had to hit up the Chicago tiki scene as there are a surprising number of tiki bars in the area. Of course, no one is probably higher on the must-do list than Three Dots and a Dash. I was also able to snag a late reservation in the Bamboo Room, the more private and ritzy of the two bars. Aesthetic: You first literally need to find the entrance which is tucked away in an alley way in downtown Chicago. If you didn't know what you were looking for, you would be forgiven for walking right past it. Once you find the entrance, you walk down a flight of stairs into the waiting area. The Bamboo Room is behind a curtain on the right. This place has all the trimmings of a classic tiki bar - dark, mysterious, Polynesian flair, a little bit of gimmick, and palms. I wish I had the Bamboo Bar built in at my own house. So cool. Food and Drink: So, I came mainly for a drink this time around. The Bamboo Room has an exclusive menu from the rest of the bar and there are some great ones to be found here. Did I mention they had a $800 Mai Tai on the menu while I was here!!! Tempting but I decided to try the more reasonable Money Melon at $22. The menu is beautiful and shows the artistic creation that these drinks were founded on. It was fun to watch the bar tender hone in on her craft while making each drink. It was like watching someone paint or sculpt but you get to taste the creation after it was all done. Service: The one bartender who serviced the Bamboo Room was very friendly and attentive. We talked about her background and how she found herself working at Three Dots and a Dash and the history of the bar. Since this bar is well known and a highly desired place to work, it was cool hearing about those stories. I always thought it would be fun to be a bartender but never did it so I'm probably a bit more interested in the backstory than normal people. If anything, it was a cool way to hear about the history of the place. That is what I loved most about the Bamboo Room. Since it is more intimate and smaller in size, the mood is much more relaxed and casual, allowing you to really enjoy your drink and the people around you. It was like we were all on a private little Polynesian adventure together. Price: The Bamboo Room is a little more pricey than the other bar but I would gladly pay the upgrade cost because the drinks and presentation are on a whole different level. My Consensus: This is a must stop while in Chicago if you can snag a reservation. Given a choice between the two, I would pick the Bamboo Room over the main bar every single time. Even if you don't find the appeal of tiki culture or have a taste for the tropical, just visiting this place is an easy way to have an island vacation right in downtown Chicago and it is something vastly different from a mainstream cocktail lounge. read more

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Pros: + Amazing restaurant in Chicago + Easily overlooked from the outside, but it is a wonderful addition to Three Dots and a Dash + Amazing Rum collection + Huge Tiki Bar Vibes - reminds me of a trip to Hawaii Cons: - You have to have a reservation and they get booked up pretty quickly. So be sure to get one in advance. IG: QueenOfAdventureNYC read more

One of my coworkers let me know about 3 Dots and a Dash and it seemed like it would be a good time. Then I learned about their speakeasy, The Bamboo Room. It seemed like it would be a little bit more chill and provide the vibes we would be looking for in terms of some Valentine's Day cocktails. We were not at all disappointed. We were brought to a little secluded room by the main entrance. The decorum was giving very much White Lotus vibes. Our bartender/server was amazing! He gave some really good recommendations. None of the drinks we had throughout the night disappointed. We also ordered food. The crab ragoons were some of the best I've had in my life. I swear they're using real quality crab in those bad boys. We also got some chicken bites that came with a variety of sauces. The only downside about this place was actually finding the entrance lol, but if are able to achieve this, it worth the experience! read more

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Tiki bars are my favorite kind of bars. I tend to visit them all around the world. Rum focused, easy to drink cocktails and the ambiance is always super interesting and fun. This spot hit the mark. The bamboo room is a separate room from three dots and a Dash. It does require a reservation. The room can seat about 12 people so it is more intimate. It's also much more quiet. Think date night rather than rowdy night with friends. We did stop in the regular area and it was super loud but lively af too. Drinks are pricey, but it's Chicago. Don't remember what we ordered but the drinks were presented well and tasted great. You're paying for the show in the bamboo room. The drinks are ingredient heavy with most needing 10+ different liquids. Bartender was awesome. Focused, experienced and definitely made making the drinks look fun and intricate. I'd definitely return. Not sure if I'd do the bamboo room again but the establishment in general is great and worth multiple visits. read more

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This place was the absolute highlight of our trip to Chicago. We had a phenomenal experience from start to finish. We had reservations for the Bamboo Room for 4pm on a Saturday at the bar and were fortunate to get Matt as our mixologist. The welcome cocktail, with from what we can recall (it is a tiki bar...) had clarified coconut and a pineapple flavored liquor reminiscent of what a piña colada would taste like if it was a martini. Such a friendly space and multiple Tiki everything recommendations from the staff and other patrons, along with just general friendliness and kind vibes. It often felt like we were in a Tiki chemistry laboratory. We had the Bartender Selection Rum flight and we loved the contrast of the rum's. Our favorite was Matt's selection (La Favorite Rhum Agricole Ambre - an AOC-compliant rhum from Martinique) for its smooth complexity. All the cocktails we sampled were top-notch and watching Matt' energy and work was sublime. We had the 3 Dots and a Dash served with premium rums, The Bamboo Room Daiquiri (3 rums over shaved ice), The Port Light (a showstopper for presentation). The prime meat skewers and tropical tuna ceviche were both excellent. The hostess and the bar-back added more elements of wassail. Whether you are a Tiki virtuoso or just Tiki-curious - this place is unrivaled for the experience. read more

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This is a tiny little nook located just off the entrance to the main Three Dots and a Dash. I had reserved ...-, but they were backed up, so I was offered a bar seat in the Bamboo Room. The atmosphere is as delightfully kitschy and atmospheric as you would want, with bamboo everywhere and tropical foliage covering every other surface. It's a tiny space, with just about six bar seats and maybe three two-top tables. It's all about the tropical cocktails in here, as the food options are very limited and pretty average. I had the pulled pork sliders and sweet potato fries with a selection of sauces, and they were fine but didn't break any culinary ground. But back to those cocktails -- they all quite complicated and the presentation is first-rate. They are like a journey to the South Pacific in a glass, and quite well-made. You usually think of tiki drinks as diabetes on ice, since they're commonly so sweet. These have considerable balance and use top-notch ingredients. My bartender was on top of everything and willing to offer advice and information. read more

If you have visited three dots and a dash but have yet to make a reservation for the bamboo room, I highly recommend. You can skip the line and go straight back to the bamboo room for a more quiet, chill, and intimate setting. The drinks on the menu are very experimental (with some classics of course) and cool. Our bartender was very knowledge and kind. Such a cool experience, I definitely recommend booking a reservation. This was definitely a highlight of our trip! read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Menu - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Three Dots and a Dash is already an amazing tiki bar on its own, The Bamboo Room just takes it to the next level. A more intimate addition to the main bar that is so quintessentially tiki, you would swear you were in Barbados instead of a River North alleyway. With rum highlighted as the core spirit in an array of incredible mixed drinks and unique pours, it's no surprise that The Bamboo Room has been recognized by organizations like '50 Best' being featured as the one to watch on their debut listing of North Americas 50 Best Bars. As I touched on in the intro, this is THE destination for those interested in the world of rum. The Bamboo Room offers an expansive rum list from all around the world and feature some excellent flights for an intuitive tasting experience. I personally opted for the Bartender Flight because I liked the idea of each Bartender getting to select a Rum in the offering--it did not disappoint. Visually stunning and both complex and delicious in flavor--from a cocktail perspective, all elements are first rate. The rotating menu features artistic depictions of menu offerings and is sorted from least to most boozy. No need to fear if you are a beginner to the cocktail world as the majority of the menu is very safe yet still interesting enough for the more experienced. An absolute must visit for those in the Chicago area. Remember a reservation! *Quick tip: This bar can be easy to miss. Look for a straw canopy in the alleyway by Firecakes Donuts. read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - "The Pretty One" - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Bamboo Room is a separate bar menu and area from Three Dots and a Dash and requires a separate reservation with a deposit upon booking. My husband and I decided to go in last-minute on a weekday, but we were able to get in last-minute because we went early in the evening. Cocktails were fun, alcohol-forward, but unique. While we don't usually love rum Tiki drinks, these were to our taste. The menu was short, but had a good variety of different cocktails. Food was simple, but tasty, definitely order for snacking and not for dinner though! Ambiance and service were incredible. read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

MAKE SURE U RSVP ahead of time!! Love the main area of three dots n a dash but this area so much more quiet and intimate of a tiki ambiance. Def will keep coming here! We ordered almost the whole drink menu (except the group drinks) and these were my personal verdicts... 1. Penthouse Tropical Itch (3/5): Presentation was 10/10 amazing, would love to keep rewatching it with the dry ice smoke but the flavor itself was very strong of Bourbon especially with its aftertaste. I prefer sweeter drinks so it was kind of a lot and probably wouldn't get again unless I'm a bourbon fan. Wasn't worth the $40 imo unless you like the pictures which I didn't mind for my first time. 2. Clairvoyant Missionary (5/5): Absolute pleasure to drink. Presentation was chill and not as crazy as Penthouse but I absolutely loved this milk punch because of how fresh and minty it tasted. Loved the mint chartreuse pineapple foam the most since it reminded of me the sweet foam on coffee drinks. So for sweet tooth people like myself it hits the spot. Will definitely keep reordering again & again. 3. Sandy Nail (5/5): super simple & neat in presentation but the drink is so silky, smooth and strong but with the best aftertaste. It's not super sweet but still super addicting to drink since each swallow is so refreshing. 4. Money Melon (4/5): smooth melon/pineapple candy type of vibe. It was super easy to drink since it was so smooth and juice-like. Idk why but I'd drink this only once n awhile. It wasn't super mind blowing like the previous two drinks for some reason but it's a reliable sweet drink to try! 5. Polynesian Spell #2 (5/5): sweet, silky, almost nutty? flavor profile (I think it's because of the pandan) it's like the perfect pina colada flavor imo even tho they're using Japanese whiskey. I would absolutely reorder this one again and again. 6. Banana Daiquiri 2.0 (3.5/5): thé presentation was thé IT factor for me! Loved the pouring of the banana container and the the little freeze dried bananas and nuts were my favorite part. The drink itself is delicious but way too strong for me to take more than a few sips. I had my boyfriend drink most of it since he likes stronger drinks. 7. Frappe (4/5): the bartender told me to stir this one a lot before drinking because it has a separation between the sherry. This one is perfect for a sweet tooth drinker because it's like a legit raspberry sweet treat drink that even my boyfriend liked which surprised me because he doesn't like sweet drinks. But idk I didn't feel like this would be one I'd reorder often. 8. Corn and Oil (4/5): if you're a sweet tooth like me, it's super strong at first, so wait until the ice melts and dilutes the drink because it starts tasting super delicious. So I wouldn't be able to drink more than a few sips of this at a time but it was still pretty good. My boyfriend really liked this one. 9. Prince of Rodney Bay (4.5/5): this is the perfect fall cocktail in my opinion. This has the perfect apple crisp flavor that I could not stop sipping. The champagne helped keep it bubbly and interesting every sip. 10. The Pretty One (5/5): if you've tried the Aloha Felicia #2 from the main room of three dots and a dash, you will be pleasantly surprised that this is similar with a much more fun presentation. read more

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The best drinks I've ever had, definitely the best tiki bar I've ever seen, and the best rum selection I've ever seen. The service is always top notch and the bartender is super helpful and chatty. This place has an atmosphere that has all other tiki bars aspiring to be THIS. It's incredible. The food menu is limited but the items are good and consistent. We had the curry and the burger and they were great. read more

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Such a cool little area! The vibes were there, so this place is in the same location as three dots and a dash however it's tucked in the side corner and very much intimate. There was only one bartender and a few people so it wasn't too crowded or overly loud like most bars. Since there was one bartender service wasn't too slow, he was actually pretty quick. He took the time to make everyone's drinks and let me tell you the drinks weren't just a quick shake and a pour, we had tiki drinks that came in such elaborate decor. He was very patient and said took his time on everyone's drink. He did warn us that the drinks were time consuming and we'd have to wait a little but honestly it didn't take too long. We also did the rum tasting, he took us through each run and gave us a good visual of what it tasted like. He also knew a lot about the history so it was cool to learn! Overall super cool. Didn't order food but definitely will come back for more! read more

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I've been to many tiki bars over the years, including originals back in the '70s and many new ones created during the current Tiki revival. But I've never been to one as spectacularly wonderful as the Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash. If you've been to Three Dots and A Dash, you know it has some of the greatest Tiki decor anywhere, and some very good cocktails. My problem with it has always been the cacophonic noise level, the result of its great popularity and high seating capacity. So even though I only live two blocks away, I only visit at off hours (which there aren't many of!) The Bamboo Room solves all of that. It has nice decor, and the perfect Tiki bar ambiance, with appropriate surf music and other interesting selections and an intimate volume level conducive to conversation and learning. And learning is really what it's all about. I can't urge you strongly enough to opt for the $50 guided tasting at the bar. You will experience cocktails assembled at a level seen almost nowhere, and you will be guided through a sampling of different styles of rum. Your visit will be tailored to your tastes, interests, and level of experience. Mine began with a complimentary daiquiri, then a spectacular zombie, a rum tasting, and then several other wonderful cocktails that I'm glad my camera remembers! I was also able to taste (at extra charge) a small sample of the famous "Black Tot". If you're a true Tiki aficionado, you know how special that is. At the Three Dots and a Dash main room there is a somewhat limited selection of cocktails, and by necessity, they can't all be prepared from scratch. Here every component is lovingly assembled. My bartender described himself as part bartender, part florist! I really appreciated the way the component rum bottles were displayed with each cocktail, so I could understand where the flavors were coming from. And there are plenty of non-rum experiments as well. The food is the same as in the main room, and is not a highlight. If you want a Tiki bar with interesting food, check out Lost Lake. But here it is all about the art of the perfect Tiki cocktail. You will definitely get your money's worth in the Bamboo Room, and if you can keep your head about you, it will come away with a new understanding of the whole tiki experience. read more

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Want a place to chat ,have great vibe, be very chill and enjoy the company be able to talk and dress up this is it. Call these places the Tiki Bars. No cost of a entrance just your beverage. Bartenders do there best to attend you as soon as possible. Got a sit down place right away and even if I wanted for a sit down it wasn't crowded. read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Adios and Sour Whiskey - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such an incredible and private little bar. A huge variety of time end liquors. Every drink we had was tasty and STRONG! The bartenders know a lot about the alcohols as well. A must visit experience. read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - The pretty one and money melon - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great little spot make sure to make a reservation it's a little pricey but it's worth it the drinks are well made and artfully crafted when in Chicago stop here. read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have been to three dots on multiple occasions and had no idea this secluded bar off the host stand existed! I love the intimate feel of the bar and how knowledgeable the bartenders are. The bamboo room has its own drink menu with cocktails that aren't offered in the main dining room. I was pleased to learn food can be ordered as well, I may prefer to dine in the bamboo room for a more intimate experience. read more

While it's almost comical that this room has a separate listing from Three Dots and a Dash, this room is every bit of calm, serene experience that's lacking in the main room. The Bamboo Room is a small, intimate, curtained-off space within Three Dots and a Dash, with roughly six high top tables and a maybe 10-seat bar. When you come down the main entrance, it's just off to the right at the bottom of the stairs. It's still tiki-themed, and it still has fun (albeit different) drinks, but what I loved best was how quiet it was! On a hopping Saturday night, this space feels like a serene tropical oasis. A waiter snagged us as we entered the main space, probably looking lost and overwhelmed, and offered us a table inside this room. I'm so glad we took him up on the offer! Others, it seems like, had to make separate, intentional reservations. But be warned: you definitely can't just waltz up to the bar! We saw a few people try, and they were asked to leave. But whatever the case, if you're lucky enough to get a table, The Bamboo Room is definitely something to experience! read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We walked over here on a Thursday night, sans reservation. The main space was full so the hostess offered us two bar seats in the Bamboo Room. This ended up being one of the coolest bar experiences I've ever had! The 'bartender' was a true mixologist and artist-- I wish I could remember his name but alas, my friend and I did some serious damage here and drank WAY too many fabulous, Rum tiki drinks. Needless to say, he was the best. Our favorites from the cocktail list were the Idle Hands (a must for anyone who loves banana flavors) and the Gayle Street Daiquiri (any drink that has 'snow' in the description is a winner, trust me!) Once the crowd thinned out a little, we were able to order off of the regular Three Dots and a Dash menu, though they have recently changed to a 'winter' menu and most of it is different! But you will absolutely find something you'll like on there-- these are not your college roommate's rum drinks. We also shared a Pu-Pu platter which was great for me because I always have trouble deciding what to get. The meatballs were the best item but everything was tasty and helped me not fall off my tiki stool. This place is always packed and for good reason. I've never been to the main dining room but the Bamboo Room was absolutely fabulous. I think we got lucky sneaking in when we did-- as I understand it, they usually require reservations but don't hesitate and give it a try!! read more

Wow. Three Dots and a Dash (the larger bar The Bamboo Room is located within) has always been a great place. It is a well run, well managed bar staffed with caring people making great drinks. However Three Dots is large and very popular. These are not bad things but they do skew that experience towards a very boisterous and high energy night out. Cue The Bamboo Room. Hidden away near the host stand The Bamboo Room keeps everything great about Three Dots (the quality drinks, the well executed atmosphere, the caring staff) and remixes them into an intimate personalized low key venue that is a winner on all levels. The drinks are superb. I cannot stress this enough. They use high end fresh ingredients to create all new drinks or new versions of classic tiki drinks. Even the drinks shared with the main bar have all new recipes here. The presentations are simply unparalleled, truly some of the best you will ever see. The attention to detail is unrivaled; be it ice cubes stamped with their logo, both custom and also vintage mugs or a Japanese shaved ice contraption no detail is too small to be obsessed over. But beyond all that, beyond the rare and top shelf liquors, beyond the luxurious surroundings and past the curated sound track or beautiful mugs you will find the real reason The Bamboo Room is so great: the people who operate it. The staff is caring, deeply knowledgeable and both kind and sharp witted. To a person, from the GM to the bar backs and of course the bartenders and beverage director these folks care about what they are doing. There is no better compliment. I put off writing this review because I kind of want The Bamboo Room to be my little secret but alas that would be too selfish of me. Go and enjoy this great place, just don't tell too many people! read more

Now yass, this is more my speed than the main Three Dots bar. Quiet. Intimate. Specialized. Much. Needed. This place has different drinks with only a few of the main that are featured from the Three Dots menu. The bartender here at The Bamboo Room is much more attentive, more informed about how to make legitimate drinks, and more professional than Three Dots by far. It's worth it to come and try this place out. Many drinks to try. A delight. read more

Really fun bar! The cocktails are good and very beautiful! Also a very good selection of rums to try. read more

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash - Tiki Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You need to book this ahead of time before coming! Or else you won't get a seat. It was to the side of the normal bar. It was much quieter and nice ambiance. We had a reservation for 8:15p however it took quite a while to get seated which was a little inconvenience as we had already paid ahead of time. We tried the guided tasting which includes 4 cocktails per person during the tasting. It isn't really guided at all. They just get your preference for drinks and flavors and suggest what to give you each round. You can sub out a cocktail to do a rum tasting - we decided not to do that. Overall it was good but not exactly what I was expecting for the guided tasting or price point. read more

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*pre covid review* My BF and I came here while we were in Chicago for Riot Fest. We had previously been to Three Dots and a Dash so we were intrigued when we heard about The Bamboo Room. We arrived for our reservation and we were ushered into a room off the hall that leads to Three Dots. A rope was moved and behind that we saw a tiny little bar with about 6-8 seats. Behind the bar was an impressive selection of Rums and other spirits. When we arrived there was only 1 other couple at the bar and 1 bar tender as well. We were immediately greeted and given menus. We ordered about 3 drinks each and literally every single one was a hit. At the very end we decided to order the Kona coffee grog and I'm so happy we did. The bar tender lit a couple of glasses on fire and the drink on fire and poured it ON FIRE into our glasses. Were we very entertained and the coffee cocktail was delicious and strong. I can't wait to come back again. read more

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Service was amazing and personalized. We were able to ask questions and get recommendations I didn't feel rushed since it was not crowded. It was great for date night; intimate and romantic. The drinks were beautiful and amazingly tasty. Rum is king here and the drinks reflectthat read more

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