Dim, candlelit, and romantic. Cocktails were great! The door is hard to find LOL, its on a graffiti wall and covered in graffiti read more

Drinks are ok. Charcuterie was weird. We had a reservation on a weekday evening but had to wait about 15+ minutes to get seated. The whole process seemed very slow/confused/disorganized. Once inside, service was good and the ambience unique. But honestly I don't get the hype! If you want really good cocktails, I'd recommend taking a short trek up north to Victor Bar in North Center/Irving Park. Seriously the best cocktails in the city and at a reasonable price point. read more

Cool speakeasy bar in Chicago and a nice ambiance. My girlfriend and I came here without a reservation and both severely underdressed after kayaking the Chicago River. That being said they let us in and served us. :-). We ordered the onion dip with potato chips and the pork and duck rillettes with summer jam. Both were solid food options to pair with our cocktails which is obviously the reason why you would be coming here. We got the Luna y Sol and Que Lio which are both solid options. read more

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The bartender was very friendly and helpful in deciding what to drink. The cocktails were niche but tasty. Average price for a Chicago cocktail bar. I highly recommend making a reservation otherwise you will be waiting a while. read more

My favorite bar of all time. I used to live a couple blocks away and walked past it all the time to go to work. I was so confused when I saw someone come out during the day time and I thought maybe it was some storage room behind this graffiti wall. Then a week later, I walked past a night time and saw a line out the door. I would have never guessed that such a beautiful bar was inside this graffiti wall. Their drinks are very unique and SO good. Be careful though, the drinks are very strong, especially when they have their absinthe ones. I've definitely stumbled out a few times hahaha. The ambiance is amazing in here. It's the PERFECT date spot. When I was single, I used to take dates here all the time lol so saying this from experience. The lights are dim with candles all around, giving it that speakeasy vibe. The wait staff is so attentive. The last time I was here, the waitress was so so nice and actually ended up giving us a free drink at the end of it. Love this place so much. Can't recommend it enough. read more

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Great ambience, stays true to the Speakeasy spirit. The cocktails are well thought thru and I liked how they have segregated the menu according to the style of preparation of the cocktail. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall: While a bit too hyped, Violet Hour still serves fantastic drinks in a great ambiance. The good: The drinks are top notch. You get what you pay for...they pack a punch, are delicious, and also come with side-cars. Doesn't get much better than that. The service was also great, with ours being attentive and quick, even when we didn't quite know what we wanted yet. The not-so-good: The hype was a bit overplayed - while the inside was fine, I was expecting something far more intimate and cozy. The ceilings are tall, the chairs too tall and uncomfortable, and the music was hit or miss. And, of course, you'll probably have to wait outside. Which, in the winter, isn't very fun. Drinks: 9/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 9/10 read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Knowledgeable and humble bartenders... this is a great place to stop by for unique cocktails. I didn't try the food but it looked delicious. Service was prompt and professional, i would highly recommend this bar to locals and tourist alike. read more

My friend brought a group of us to this hidden speak easy for a drink. I'd def return to explore their menu further. The energy of this place was fun and sexy. Great for a drink with friends or a date night. I'd suggest booking in advance because space is limited! read more

The Violet Hour - It was a cucumber vodka cocktail of some kind... - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Feeling romantic? Want to impress your girl with a secret door? Want to get a good size cocktail to set the mood? Dont want her to see your face in a bright light? Prefer dim lighting? Feeling grown and sexy? Well Violet Hour is the place for you, buddy! It is all of the above. I cant believe this place has been here for years and I am now just finding out about it! It had to take my cousin who is visiting from Cali to request to come here for me to find out this Speakeasy even existed. Perfect place for a night cap or for pregame drinks. Its very chill inside. Came on a Friday night and waited about 20 min outside for a table for 5 to open up. Not bad as it was well worth the wait. The cocktails were tasty, strong, and in taller glasses so 1 drink lasted me an hour. I was able to hear the conversation that I was having with the group that I was in, which was perfect. Will definitely come here again! read more

The Violet Hour - Candlelight ambiance - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loving the drinking scene in Chicago! Our friend recommended this speakeasy bar to us. We came here after a disappointing meal at Alinea in hopes to wash the food out of our mouth with something good. The Violet Hour didn't disappoint! There's no sign, but it's located in front of a graffiti art door which is camouflage. Once entered, totally different vibe from the street- it was dark and quiet. We were seated immediately (Monday around 7pm) and got a cool long chair seat. The place is big, but only can be seated at the chairs or bar. We ordered some cocktails. My cocktail was good but a bit sweet for me. My BF had them whip up something that we came by in Prague and it was delicious. Good bartenders- they do know how to make craft cocktails. read more

The Violet Hour - Cocktail - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We got there and was wowed from the start. The host sat us down and gave us water! Then we checked out the menu and asked our awesome server for recommendations! It was amazing I don't remember the drink we had but it smelled of cinnamon and tasted delicious! She suggested some more items and we got them. Lei thank you for an amazing date night! read more

The Violet Hour - Groovy door - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went here for a first date tonight and really enjoyed it! The ambiance is sleek and sexy - individual cocktail tables in a big, dark open space. We order 2 cocktails off the menu and then did 2 "dealers choice" from our server, Mandy, and they were all great! She was amazing. Highly reccomend this spot for anyone looking for a cool cocktail bar. read more

You'll find this place if you google "speakeasies in Chicago". This.is.not.a.speakeasy. With that said, the atmosphere is a eyes wide shut vibe so it would be a great place to go for foreplay. If you do come for seduction go to the bar not the tables. The tables have comically tall seats. read more

The Violet Hour - a tale in shitty customer service (excluding the bar staff, who were kind and quick on the water refills, and the bouncer, who was kind to us) 1. 7:53 PM I put my name and number down at the host stand. They shared it'd be 45 min - 1 hr for a table of two. Fine. 2. The host shared that they'd send me a confirmation text that I was in line, and a text when my table was ready 3. 8:20 PM I return to the host stand to let them know I never got a confirmation text and want to make sure they have my correct number 4. They do - and send me a new text to confirm. That text was successful, and let me know my table was ready. I asked before I left the host stand - "I just got a text that says our table's ready, is it?" They said no. We shared a laugh (and unbeknownst to me, my name was removed from the list) 5. 9:05 PM After giving them an hour and ten minutes to seat us-- because we're polite midwesterners to a fault -- I ask my friend to check in one more time. At this point she learns that my name had in fact fallen off the list when they texted me back in step 3. 6. We got no apology, no "thank you for understanding" considering that they had taken our names off their list - no acknowledgment -just two seats at the bar that they guessed were available. Not great. 7. Right after we got our drinks, my friend got up to look for the restroom, she couldn't find it easily so asked a server, "Do you have a bathroom?" The server replied, "No," waited a solid three beats (making my friend feel dumb for asking one of the most common questions a person could ask in a place they've never been before) then did her job and pointed my friend towards the bathroom. Fuck that. 8. Once my friend walked away the server proceeded to laugh at her "joke" with her colleague. FUCK that. 9. My friend returns and we both are pissed, and agree that the whole experience leading up to getting our drinks has left us feeling shitty. We drink half our drinks, decide to call it early, tip the bartenders (because they were fine to us), and leave. All to say, we know that customers can be shitty and technology can fail. What we don't understand are folks who disrespect their guests after failing to acknowledge a frustrating customer experience. All in all, it was not worth the $17 cocktails and hour + time we ended up having to wait to get treated like afterthoughts unworthy of professional courtesy. Violet Hour, do better. read more

We made a reservation and arrived on time. After we were seated for 25 minutes, there was still no server in sight, so we went to the bar to order and were told a server was on their way. After 5 more minutes, a server came and gave us water, then told us that they'd place our drink order. It took 50 minutes to get a cocktail, and that is the whole point of this business. Needless to say, we'd not go back. Aside from the nonexistent service, the seats and table were uncomfortable and cramped, and the ambiance not good at all. Drinks were okay, but not amazing. Not recommended. read more

My boyfriend and I did their fireside cocktail experience this Saturday and it was an absolutely phenomenal experience! It's a personalized, curated cocktail tasting right next to the gas fireplace. It was so nice to sit next to right next to the fireplace on a cold night like Saturday. The chairs are oriented so that it really feels like it's just you and another person alone in the entire place. Sam was our server and very friendly, easy to talk to. He walked us through the entire experience. We started off with a strawberry wine spritz as a complimentary drink. Our first drink was a gin-based berry cocktail from their 2008 menu which was such a refreshing way to start our time. This was followed by a rum-based cocktail that incorporated artichoke liquor and mint, which was something we had never tried or even heard of. All of this topped off with whiskey-based manhattan-inspired drink. The gradient of starting with something refreshing and ending with a richer drink was really appreciated. Especially when you end up having 4 cocktails! We never felt rushed to finish our drinks. Sam and the bartenders not only matched the flavors and liquors we described we liked, but also they introduced us to a very unique drink that we would have never tried on our own. This was a fantastic holiday celebration and a must for any couple who loves a good cocktail experience. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Really cute in the dark speakeasy. I found this place two years ago on a random day and they had a in the dark theme which was really cool. And coming back now was just an enjoyable experience. Their liquor is pretty strong as they tend to be hand heavy pour but still pretty good tasting read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Oh, how I love the Violet Hour! I love the poem the phrase comes from, and the lovely and dimly lit interior. The changing mural out front is fun to see, the speakeasy-style doorway and minimalistic decorations are great, and the tall chairs feel so regal. The drinks are truly works of art. If you can, sit by the bar and watch the magic and intricacies of mixology before you. The lounge area is very comfortable, too, though. The drink menu rotates seasonally, so be ready to find new favorites as the seasons change. If you're looking to snack on something, I recommend the pommes frites with garlic aoli. Divine. I'm already dreaming of going back! Pro tip: Avoid lines by coming on Sunday evening. If you can't do that, the lines aren't necessarily horrible. They move along. read more

RSVP'd for two people on Memorial Day. The place was empty but they sat us at a communal area next to a table of 8. We asked to sit at the booth chairs which were 95% empty and the hostess refused claiming they 'might' be reserved. For the cost of the drinks, and the fact NO ONE else was there it was a bit of a joke. We left within an hour and it was still empty. Would have gladly stayed for more if our measly request to be sat somewhere comfortable would have been accommodated. read more

Such a cool speakeasy place in wicker park. Highly recommend as all the cocktails are on point. Love the low key vibe inside with a private feel. Very kind servers! read more

My alumni group and I engaged the Violet Hour to do a virtual mixology class with some mildly customized cocktails. This was absolutely outstanding. They made it easy to set up/order/deliver, and the mixologist ("bartender" doesn't do justice to the seriousness with which he takes his cocktails) was just...so...good. Fun, funny, educational...and no affect or arrogance. Recommend them thoroughly and without reservation...and looking forward to being able to visit the place as the world re-opens... read more

Went there with a friend for the first time. Was very excited about going. Had heard that the drinks were amazing. That part was absolutely correct. We had a great mixologist sat at the bar and shared several drinks. Had their truffle fries, which were very good and their crab dip. Ambiance was nothing special. I expected a lot more based on their website. The evening ended up sadly because I believe I lost my ring there, and sent a query to them the next morning left three phone calls and two emails and I've never heard a response. The ring was very sentimental and you would think they could at least respond. Had the feel that it was a place where they did their jobs well but it was just that. A job no more no less. You were just another number and dollars in the cash till. read more

Finally made it back and still I would consider this one of the most exceptional cocktail bars in the city. The vibe is amazing and the drinks are absolutely sensational. There is no question that these are crafted with care each and every time. The drinks are focused, interesting and totally delicious. The menu is incredibly diverse and you would be hard pressed to not find something to suit your palate. Also we had someone with us who choses not to drink and they made some top TOP notch juice alternatives for him. He was just as happy drinking there as we were -- do not sleep on their skills! I feel like I will make it a point to visit them whenever I am back in Chicago - I really really love this bar guys! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The place is so cute inside. Loved the tall chairs. Our waiter was super nice and helped us order our drinks. Loved the Biscotti doesn't know. A little rich but not too rich. They for sure have a good amount of alcohol in them as well. read more

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I didn't think too much of this place. The ambiance was nice and it felt like an elegant, upscale bar. But (and maybe I'm just old) it was wayy too dark. I felt like I was sitting in the dark surrounded by candles. Just unnecessary. The service started off fine, but slowly deteriorated and I didn't find our server to be very pleasant by the end. And then there were the drinks - I tried the juliet/romeo (gin-based gimlet) and easy to love. While they were good, they were absolutely not worth $20 each. A lot of restaurants these days do amazing craft cocktails (the smith, D4 to name a few) and they don't have this price point and also serve great food. I would have loved to eat here as well, but they just had small apps like olives and nuts which I imagine were also not cheap. All in all glad to have checked it out, but I'm not too keen on returning soon. read more

I've had The Violet Hour on my list of must-try bars since before I moved to Chicago. Only problem was that I live in Lincoln Park, and Wicker feels like a great unknown land to those of us on the northside. Are there young people there? Is the food good? Better just stick with the places we can access from the brown line. Anyways, my boyfriend and I decided to have a night out in Wicker Park because we're, like, so totally adventurous. We came here around 7 on a Saturday and were seated right away. And immediately blown away. The atmosphere is exactly what I'd expected - classy, upscale but still young, and candlelit. There was water waiting on the table and the server came over right away to explain the menu. It's divided between shaken and stirred cocktails, with the safest ones at the top and the stranger, stronger ones at the bottom. I don't remember the names of either of our drinks, but mine was safe and fruity and his was an uncommon mix of tequila and Japanese spices. Both were excellent. I wish we could have stayed longer and tried more drinks, but we were off to catch a comedy show. I would be back here all the time if I lived in Wicker. Actually, even though we don't, my boyfriend is still talking about all the people he wants to bring by, and even mentioned this place for New Year's Eve or for a mixology class. Violet Hour definitely lived up to the speakeasy hype, and I'm glad to finally have checked it out! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Despite this being an acclaimed date spot, I've always visited with groups of friends. Last Thursday night was no exception, and even though it wasn't the weekend we still had to wait ~15 minutes to get in. But judging from the 2000+ reviews, you already knew this was a popular spot. One thing not often highlighted is how it works - it's not set up like your typical bar where people might stand around and mingle. You enter with your party and are shown to your seat - whether it be at a table or at the bar. Which is why it's probably more fitting to call it a cocktail lounge. A dimly lit, sexy interior and cool music set the vibes. Service is always fantastic, and cocktails boozy but delicious. The Violet Hour is definitely a mainstay in Chicago, and I hope it continues to be for years to come. read more

The Violet Hour - Lemur's Tail - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Someone took my gray winter jacket from this bar late last night (11/29) - if it was you, please message me!! It's a North Face jacket and I would really like to get it back. The jacket you left was very similar, so I understand the mistake. The bar itself was fantastic - great service and drinks. read more

The Violet Hour - My jacket is very similar to this! - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service was friendly. The drinks and food were great! We ordered the burger with fries to share, before we could finish it, we ordered another round of the food. It was AMAZING! Reminiscing about it at the moment & can't wait to go back. It reminds me of a Big Mac, but elevated. Drinks are very spirit forward, just expect that. Our drinks were great, and just a cocktail each was enough for our hour stay. Generous portions and great ambiance. Highly recommend this place! read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great speakeasy, cool down-low vibe. Candlelit with a killer playlist. Drinks are exquisite. The old fashioned is as good as it gets. I also partook of another tasty tumbler full of Great Minds. And then there was the one they made up for me on the spot. Worth a try if you want top tier downtown mixology magic read more

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I'm a sucker for speakeasies and this is the coolest one I visited in Chicago. The entrance is inconspicuously hidden in a mural and the inside ambience is great - large comfortable leather seats or high-top seats if you sit by the bar. The drink menu has something for everyone and the drinks are delicious and will definitely have you wanting more. read more

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Fun atmosphere and strong drinks ! Love the speakeasy feel of the restaurant. Wish they offered more food! read more

The Violet Hour - Table settings - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and did the fireplace curated cocktail experience. Will walked us through the experience and he was phenomenal. He hit the nail on the head with all our interest for drinks and went out of his way to make our time here special. read more

Really good drinks, though overall a bit pricey and dark. Their kitchen was closed for covid when we went, so that was a bit disappointing, and all they had were nuts, which were $4 for a small bowl. However, it was a fun experience and the service was fantastic, so overall a good place. read more

The Violet Hour - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is amazing, the ambiance said it all, drinks were amazing. Definitely going back

We booked a table of four at Violet Hour after a nearby dinner. The entrance is very unique and a fun way to start the experience. It was very crowded with people waiting to be sat when we arrived and we waited 5-10 minutes for a host to come back to check us in for our reservation. The interior of the bar was something people had raved about, but upon entering it didn't seem like anything remarkable. The coolest part was the high-back chairs. Our server was very friendly and made recommendations for drinks that we all enjoyed. It did seem a bit fake at times with them saying that each drink we ordered was their favorite and the best on the menu. Our first round of drinks took a while to come out and when they did, we only received three of them. The fourth was supposed to be out "right away". It finally showed about 20 minutes later and after asking our server where it was. This was pretty disappointing for a "hot" cocktail bar. We ordered two rounds of drinks and all were delicious and fun combinations of flavors. I was glad to be able to try Violet Hour, but I'm not sure if I will be rushing back any time soon. The drinks were delicious but the slow service and lackluster ambiance will make me look for another place on my wish list first. read more

Best cocktail bar experience I've had in Chicago. Interesting and nuanced cocktails, attentive service, great atmosphere, and exceptionally insightful bar tenders. read more

Ever walk into a place and was almost certain that you were falling into a vortex and would end up on the other side of he universe? Yeah I kind of felt like that walking in here, especially considering I didn't even know this was actually a place, as MANY times as I've walked by. A friend knew I'm a huge foodie and appreciate GOOD drinks, took me here after being shocked that I'd never been. Yes, the entrance waiting to get in feels very time portal/exclusive/secretish.... like you're probably supposed to give a secret password or phrase to even get access. After waiting for about 30 mins, we finally got seating. Thick, heavy green curtains, cozy seating, minimal light, candles - you totally feel cut off from the world. In fact, it's what they encourage; they want you to detach from the outside which includes your phone. I had to try an Old Fashioned of course - PERFECT and I also had "Truth Be Told." Talk about potent!!!!! Those bartenders know their craft! The waffle fries - look, idk what's in that dip but I almost wanted to sneak into the kitchen and steal the whole bucket!!!! This place is a MUST TRY!!! read more

The Violet Hour - Truth Be Told.... dark pic.... but delicious and potent - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice little happy hour spot. Interesting drinks. Went here to celebrate my friends bachelorette party for happy hour prior to dinner. Personally not a fan of the dark lightening but to each his or her own for the ambiance. I found it weird that the door is practically hidden in the wall, but I like the graffiti decor on the outside. They have good punch with great pricing to share for large groups which makes ordering easy!! Try it for yourself let me know what you think!! read more

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