We're old school Violet Hour people.. like 10 years ago, OMG, this is game changing next level cocktail experience.. $12 felt like a crazy price to pay for a cocktail then.. but I felt like it was totally justified, especially getting a little sidecar of extra cocktail. Things have changed over the years.. the whole cocktail scene.. We know more weird liquors and have had some amazing drinks (most recently the "Help Me Ronda" from Giant) but ever since the menu shifted away from being sorted by spirt/complexity, things haven't been as good. Our most recent visit may be our last though. We sat on the more than awkward side spot of the middle room. The oversized stumpy moulding "table?" is a poor uncomfortable design decision... especially for a person over 6' tall. (have the people that made this ever tried to sit here??). If I ever come back, I will absolutely not sit in that spot. The cocktail menu is disgusting to look at on a phone. I am not trying to be on my phone when I go out, and definitely not trying to turn the brightness to outrageous levels and zoom in just to see the menu. The menu needs to be higher contrast (no blue) larger/bolder text in one single column sorted by spirit (usability!). In general, such a gauche look to see so many people staring at phones. It was so much chiller when being on your phone was a faux pas and everyone's face wasn't illuminated by their pocket computer. Ambiguity.. Vibes. The drinks were ho-hum. Nothing that we couldn't make at home. Fine.. just not the level they once were. The formerly cool parquet looked sad; not in a nice old weathered way showing history and telling an interesting story. The plain walled, oversized "Tim Burton's more boring older brother" vibe in the space might have worked 10 years ago, but it doesn't feel like it's grown into its own skin.. it just feels tired now. At any rate, Violet Hour will still always hold a piece of our heart.. for what it was. Just an alright spot to get a decent cocktail at a goofy price. For the money I'd rather buy a bottle of Green Chartreuse, Aperol, Maraschino, and Old Tom Gin and mix some cocktails at home, because really you're paying for the vibes, and this ain't it anymore. read more

It's a lounge with some eats, but since you have to get a table and you have to wait for one to open, get ready to stand in a line that might not have too many people in it but is still one that is definitely long. They don't let you make/take phone calls in here, but you'll still need the light from your cell phone screen to read the menu. My favorite drink that I've tried here was the Pimms Cup. The Juliet & Romeo was over-hyped to the EXTREME by two other people I went here with... apparently the third best cocktail in the universe but what-ever. My boyfriend really enjoyed his Six Corner Sling but to me only tasted like watered down whiskey and who likes the taste of that? :) The Berliner is definitely interesting and I enjoyed Slim as well. We also had a small side of the Roasted Shallots and Bleu Cheese Dip with Crispy Waffle Fries - what a description for cheese fries..so much that you're willing to pay 300% more than you would elsewhere. I do wish I could have tried other food plates. I think no matter what you get, you'll enjoy whatever the unique concoction.. Plus our server was way friendly and helpful. I did really enjoy my night here, but wouldn't frequent it. read more

Violet Hour experience # 1 : we'll do this "bullet-point" fashion... 1-the ambience is simple, classic and nice. yes, very "ny" like, and the age ranges from mid twenties to upper fifties--which I thought was an interesting mix, in a positive way! 2-do not attend this place if you're hungry, or anticipating a great eatery. Their "sustenance" menu could be better perfected--do NOT order the mini hot dogs or chicken wings, better elsewhere. The best : potato tater tots. Sort of a random mix menu... 3-The wait actually isn't too bad. It's all a little hyped up, to be quite honest, as if you're walking into an exclusive club. They were very understaffed for Sat. night, but kind and unpretentious. Overall, would I go back? Maybe...if someone else in my party was itching to go. Would I recommend this place? Sure, if you want a nice sit down, wine/conversational setting. It's not loud, rather quiet and simplistic set-up. I would NOT order appetizers again, and just drink their Malbec hence, I attend again--not satisfied, but not ecstatic...it was mediocre, and a lot of hype. read more

It's all about Buds. It's all about those two senses you almost lost drinking mgd and eating buffalo wings all the time. Prepare yourself for a transformation. Take your nose for a ride; put your taste buds to a test. Loose yourself in this wonderful journey of aromas, flavors and textures. Forget wine tasting. It's not challenging enough anymore. This is ultimate test of your brain capabilities. Turn of your cell phone forget your girlfriend. Focus. Transport yourself to a different time and place. Nirvana is just two sips away. Pay attention to the Magicians/Pharmacist/Gourmet Chef pretending to be your bartender. Watch carefully their skillful hands creating your ticket to happiness. Ask if Poor Lisa will be there this evening, ask how to get to 19th Street and if you can experience Clockwise Orange yourself tonight... and don't bother on weekends... Sunday, Monday or Tuesday is your spa day of Zen . Find yourself a seat at the bar as you will witness the birth of the state of the art liquid ecstasy. "the evening hour that strives homeward" T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land read more

An endless fount of creative, delicious cocktails. I've never eaten the food here, we always just get a drink or two and soak up the scene. I have always found it completely mysterious that people will go to bars, pay the ripoff cocktail prices charged at many places, and stand because there aren't enough seats. Well hooray for the Violet Hour, I'd rather be kept out in the cold than let into a horribly uncomfortable environment and served a $10 drink by some inept bartender that shakes the gin, and have to stand in a drunken crowd whilst trying not to spill my overfilled cocktail glass of liquor so sorrowfully diluted by endless shaking. At the Violet Hour, you must have a seat, which is comfy, the noise level is perfect (the curtains help measurably with the acoustics) and the drinks are properly strong. My only complaint is that the drinks are overwhelmingly on the sweet side, though still delicious. This may be a nod to contemporary tastes, but I'd appreciate some drier options. Just because I look like a tart doesn't mean I like my drinks to taste like candy lol. read more

Why do I love Violet Hour? Because it is like no where else I have ever been. Walking into the Violet Hour feels like walking into another time and place. They restrict the amount of people who enter so that everyone has a seat and it never gets too crowded. A policy that I adore. I went on a Friday night around 9:00pm, and so I had to wait about 45 min. There was also some minor confusion the night I went so I shall clear it up right here: You must give your name/cell number to the host at the front of the line. No matter what anyone else in line says. Once inside and seated you will notice the low lighting, gorgeous chandeliers and high backed chairs. The bartenders are dressed in traditional old-school bartender garb, which adds a posh air. On to the drinks: Amazing! All mixers are fresh and made on the premises. They pay attention to detail there, everything is presented beautifully. I have not yet tried the food, but from what I saw (and smelled) it is going to be delicious! If you are looking for a fun unique experience, you have to go to the Violet Hour! read more

Absolutely love the Violet Hour! Husband and I popped in after dinner in Wicker Park, around 7:30pm on a Thursday. There was a short wait, but the doorman was polite as ever, not sure what people are talking about with attitude. We don't find it to be pretentious, just elevated, and since we're not frat boys in our 20's, that suits us just fine. Of course I had to have their Old Fashioned, and it's at the top of my list for no frills OF's. Hubby started off with the Stewed Screwed Tattoed since he's on a rum kick, and gave it high marks. Twist my arm for a second drink, it's date night! Thank You, Lorraine with Pimm's looked better on paper than it was in my mouth. Maybe I should have just asked them to make me a Pimm's Cup. Points for trying something different with Pimm's. Hubs stayed with his rum drink for the second round (hey, I wanted to try something different!) since it was so good. Service was friendly and attentive and VH was a great end to our monthly date night. read more

I think I understand why the reviews are so polarizing for VH. On one hand, the place is basically Disneyland for booze. Most everything, right down to the ice is different. Further, at $12 a cocktail - it's really a good value when compared to places which are charging $20 for a Belvidere Tonic. Goes without saying that the room is swanky and with the guidelines for seated guests only it will never seem crowded. On the flip-side, if I had waited an hour in that hallway followed by another 30 minutes for my first drink... this would have been a very different review. Simply, I would have been hugely disappointed - nothing is THAT cool. So, in total - I think VH is the sort of place that, even if you love it, you'll go 3 or 4 times and then be over it. In the meantime, get a seat at the bar and learn some of the history and background of what they're doing, it's pretty cool stuff. read more

This is my favorite bar in the entire world. Sure, the Speakeasy theme is becoming somewhat mainstream and played out, but the Violet Hour delivers in every way. After entering through a non-descript door covered in graffiti you enter a dark, bar only lit by candlelight. The decor is very well put tother and the bar itself is beautiful. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a white marble, which was gorgoes, and lined with large comfortable seats. On the other side, a knowledgeable bartender with plenty of spirits to satisfy the most picky drinker. Usually, I sit at the bar and the staff has been exceptional. Order a drink from their list, or just tell the barman what flavors you are looking for and they will put together a well crafted cocktail that seems to not exist and most bars. If wish I could give my favorite bar more than 5 stars. The Violet Hour is exceptional. read more

One of the best things about Chicago is going to Violet Hour on a quiet night. The vibe is totally transformed into a mysterious-yet-cozy romantic booze hideaway. The ceiling-height curtains and super dark ambience are just wonderful-- and then the drinks start arriving. The attention to detail is astounding- inventive, playful, balanced, sexy. The Violet Hour was the original craft cocktail HQ for Chicago, and they continue to hold their own all these years later. I love the crowd and the bartenders here. They take immense pride in their product knowledge. They are generous with their praise for other cocktail establishments (that's how you know their talent is solid; they can AFFORD to give other people props without feeling threatened). Whatever I had here with the caramel corn on top was a beautiful, sweet work of art. read more

First off the drinks are mixed very well and are very good. They are the only reason why you would be a patron of this place. Costumer service, the worst i've ever had. The doorman, took my cell phone # to call me when a table was ready. So I went across the street with my partner to Pontiac Cafe for some drinks outside while we waited. While we waited, we watched people entering and no one leaving as we sat outside. Uhh, where is OUR table? The doorman called an hour later. When my partner and I were finally seated, we realized half the bar was empty and most of the tables were empty. We were furious. We waited that long so we ordered drinks. The drinks took another 20+ minutes to make. Again, the place was deserted. I have never felt so insulted from poor service. It seemed very personal. read more

This is by far my favorite to place that I have been to lately. The atmosphere gives off that older speakeasy vibe. To get in there are no signs, just a slightly hidden door as part of a mural and a light above the door. The music they play is just perfect for the vibe, add that along with some strong absinthe and I could spend all night there. My fiance and I went over valentines day, and it was the perfect date night place. The seating makes it so you are close together, and with the "rule" for no phones, it just makes it nicer to take a break and really talk. We ordered a couple apps and definitely suggest the bacon wrapped dates. They were delicious! After the first time going, we were back within another week. To anyone looking for a great new place to check out this is a must! read more

Ehh, met some friends out here the other night. In terms of a fun place to visit I would recommend going at least once just for the throwback feel of the old speakeasy. It has the "hidden door" which makes a fun first experience as well as the nice velvet curtains, however once inside the hostess was a little rude considering that the weather was horrific and I was coming during the week when business was going to be slower anyway. All considering though the drinks were very well done and this place offers a nice change of pace from the typical bar scene. The upscale atmosphere is fun and the low key entrance makes you feel like you are in on a little secret but otherwise was just not all that impressed. Fun but have other drink options to try before returning. read more

I came here for a small birthday gathering a couple of weeks ago. There were 5 of us. We all had a different cocktail each time and we almost all of their food menu to try. This place is really cool. It's completely different than any other bar experience. It was intimate, reasonable music level, and very unique in its design. The drinks were absolutely amazing. Hand crafted cocktails like I have never seen. The food menu is small, mainly meant to help sop up the booze from the strong drinks, but everything we ordered was great. Everything is small bites though, so don't plan on having dinner here. Great spot for a small gathering that wants to try something different. read more

I have serious mixed feelings about this place. I couldn't justify anything less than 4 stars, but I really wanted to give it 3 stars because: 1. The bartender was not friendly at all, even though I get that it's part of the mystique. 2. We waited 40 minutes to get inside. 3. The rules are a bit silly, but whatever... 4. Apparently, you don't have much choice in terms of where you sit. On a positive note.... 1. The cocktails were very cool/inventive. 2. It's a great romantic place, even though my girlfriend and I didn't "experience" it in a traditionally romantic way; we were at the bar. 3. The milk (not real milk, but a shot) and cookies were pretty good. read more

I've been to VH 5 or 6 times and there is a lot to like and dislike about it. Dislikes: It is really, really expensive. There is an obnoxiously long line. (On purpose. There are open tables.) It is a bit pretentious just for the sake of being pretentious. Very popular with the Crimson Lounge dirtball/ slimeball crew. Likes: The drinks are awesome. Very unique, well crafted, great ingredients. The decor is interesting and unique. VH definitely provides something different from most bars. If you're looking just to go get a good drink and hang out, I would skip Violet Hour. If you want to show some friends from out of town a cool spot try it out. read more

One of my favorite places to go anywhere. Don't let the exterior and the long line fool you, it's worth the wait, and it really just weeds out the annoying and too drunk. Inside, you're seated at plush chairs or even at the bar. Music is good, and at a perfect volume - no shouting necessary. Limited seating ensures some intimacy and more of a murmur rather than, again, loud crowds. Sometimes it's just hard to find a complicated, entertaining drink in Chicago. Cocktails are about $15, but they serve some really imaginative mixes and you can sip for hours without getting annoyed looks from the servers. (just, you know, tip accordingly) read more

This place is AWESOME. Never even heard of it before a friend of mine suggested we go there this past weekend, and I was very impressed. Its a "speak easy" which means you can't even tell the bar is there unless you know about it from the street. You go in this secretive door, wait in line (not too long) in this cool little cubby hole and you go into this low lit cool bar with cozy tables with floor to ceiling curtains. The drinks were right on par with the rest of the place- AMAZING they are hand crafted by professional cocktail makers and they are out of this world- unlike anything I've ever had in my life GO HERE read more

When it comes to alcohol, I prefer craft beer and good scotch with an occasional wine. Cocktails were something I never warmed up to. But that was before I went to this gem of a place! It wasn't easy to get in as a group of 10 on a Saturday night, but we did manage to squeeze in after a long wait. Each of us ordered a different cocktail, and we got to sample each other's drinks. I have to say that each one of them was fabulous! They seem to have been very thoughtfully concocted and left the taste buds desiring for more and our selves quite drunk! Can't wait to go back there again! read more