Broken Shaker is listed as a speakeasy on Yelp, but it's not quite out of sight. Tucked in the back…read moreof a hotel lobby, it's easy to miss--but once inside, it's clear this is far from your typical hotel bar. The vibe is funky, with cool music, eclectic decor, and a relaxed, artsy atmosphere that feels like a tucked-away local favorite. We tried three cocktails--the Gracing the Lily, the Count of Monte Carlo, and the Glorious Bastard--and all were beautifully made and delicious. Creative, balanced, and visually stunning. The kind of drinks you remember. A huge part of what made our experience special was Butch, our bartender. He not only crafted great drinks but also brought the kind of warmth and hospitality that made us feel instantly welcome. He took our order at the table and felt more like a long-lost friend than just a bartender. His presence genuinely elevated the whole night. This place has all the marks of a hidden gem, and if we're ever back in Chicago, we'll definitely be stopping by again.

So I came to this bar and hung out with friends, since I was staying at the hotel upstairs (The…read moreFreehand). I didn't actually have a drink so can't comment on those but I can on the ambiance. The interior of this bar is really cozy and nice. I would definitely enjoy hanging out here had it not been for the VERY loud club music on the Saturday night that I came. In fact, the sheer number of people all crowded in here gave it a very clubby vibe, which I actually don't care for at all. The music was so loud it was hard to hear my friends talking and I was concerned it would be loud in my room, but I was up on the 14th floor so thankfully it was far enough that I could barely hear the music with the windows closed and it did not keep me up. Overall -- on nights when it isn't so loud and clubby I would enjoy it here, but that one experience I had was enough that I wouldn't seek to hang out in this spot again since it was a little over stimulating. The location within the hotel is really nice if you're staying there, though.

The Berkshire Room is one of my favorite speakeasies in Chicago. While they offer a fantastic…read morecocktail menu and a full bar, I almost always order The Dealer's Choice. You simply choose your preferred spirit, flavor profile, and glassware, then let the mixologist create something just for you. It's one of my favorite cocktail experiences in the city, and they've never steered me wrong. What I especially appreciate is how knowledgeable the bartenders are. They're always happy to offer recommendations if you're unsure what to order, but they're equally excited to create something completely unique if you're feeling adventurous. Watching them craft each drink is part of the experience. I've even hosted a birthday gathering here in their private side room, where we enjoyed charcuterie boards alongside our cocktails. If you're just stopping in for drinks, though, I'd recommend grabbing dinner beforehand, as the food offerings are fairly limited. More often than not though, you'll find me sitting right at the bar. I love watching the bartenders showcase their craft and chatting with them about the incredible selection of spirits they have on hand. It's a great spot for anyone who genuinely appreciates well-made cocktails and the artistry behind them. I'm also a member of their loyalty program, which is well worth joining. It can be used at The Berkshire Room as well as several other excellent restaurants, making it an easy way to earn rewards while exploring some great dining spots around the city. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or simply looking for a sophisticated place to unwind, The Berkshire Room consistently delivers. I'll definitely be back for another Dealer's Choice soon! #YelpEliteSquad

I added a photo and was surprised to see I've never reviewed this popular cocktail spot. I've been…read morea handful of times over the years, as it's a solid standby in River North. Tucked away in the Acme hotel, the vibe is loungey with plenty of different types of seating. We came around midnight on a Friday and it was packed but we managed to find a cozy corner. For drinks, I've always enjoyed their "Dealer's Choice", which is a fun novelty. However, on my latest visit I decided to try the Frijolito ($18), which was basically a spin on an espresso martini but with mezcal. Wow! Perfectly balanced, unique, and delicious. For food, they offer some "bites" but I've not tried them. Our server was fine, nothing special. I can't remember ever having bad service here.

Great beers on tap, and great selection of games to occupy your time with. They have a water pong…read moretable set up and ready to go! The low lights and overall vibe fit the basement aesthetic, I was defiantly thrown off by the one way mirror in the men's bathroom (which does protect the privacy of the occupant!). Great spot for a quick pint and to catch a game.

Haven't been to Streeter's in ages! Love that things haven't changed and for the better! It's…read morestill a fun and happening dive bar like I remember it from my college days. Came here after our company's Christmas party to grab some drinks and mingle some more. The crowd is chill and mixed and just a fun atmosphere. We played a game of darts, sat around and talked and people watched and drank some dranks. Great bar located in the heart of downtown and it was pretty poppin for a Thursday night.

One of my favorite places to grab a drink! Located in the lobby of the gorgeous Palmer House Hilton…read morehotel, the art and amazing ceiling are stunning to look at. It's also decorated with a beautiful Christmas tree for the holidays. Very relaxed vibe and some TVs showing sports too. Lots of comfy and chic seating options. Luis has taken care of my table a few times and he's fantastic! He provides excellent service. I love the brownie. Bertha's brownie is a must try. Bertha Palmer actually invented the brownie in the late 19th century and this is her signature recipe. It's so delicious!! Made with lots and lots of butter. The drinks are delicious! This holiday season, I enjoyed the Meet Me At Midnight, Cheer Spritz (mocktail), S'more the Merrier, and the Vanilla Chai Tea White Russian. All were amazing but wow, the chai White Russian was so good and beautifully presented. I highly recommend coming here! Sit and take in the atmosphere and beauty.

Easy good location and good service for events in the area. Ambience is also nice and elegant. Good…read morefor parties, get to gather with friends or date nights. Food was okay, nothing spectacular but edible.

My husband and I have been coming here for years. The atmosphere is fantastic and the drinks are…read moregood as well. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Been meaning to try this spot for a while since my boyfriend lives right down the street…read more Definitely an interesting place... I like that it's quiet and we were able to have a conversation without having to yell to hear each other. The servers were also great - very friendly and quick to take our order and bring our drinks. The overall ambiance is that of a basement/"speakeasy" type bar, which is cool but the prices do not reflect this. I will say the cocktails were incredibly expensive for the vibe of the place. I get we're in River North, but it's hard to justify paying for a $17 cocktail downtown when I could get the same vibe in Lakeview and pay $7 less. Overall, cool spot if you're looking for somewhere chill to end or start the night with a small group, but probably won't be back because of the cocktail prices.

Fantastic service and great selection of snacks. I got the fried mushrooms and they were so good…read more It's super pretty and I love the color scheme of the place. Great place for cocktails either way a more upscale feel but not too fancy

Came in today with a group of eight friends over an hour after cocktail lounge opened (slower…read morehours). I'll begin by mentioning the drinks tasted great & the ambiance/overall esthetic and setup of this space is really wonderful. Unfortunately, my low review is because of the obvious distastefulness of some staff who are serving & bartending here. My guests visiting from out of state wanted a stiff drink in the afternoon & from the website photos + reviews, Vol 39 seemed like an awesome place that could accommodate our party with the large sofa seating. I even called ahead to ask about walk-ins of our size to be extra considerate. We received shocking dagger glares from a few staff members which made all eight of us immediately uncomfortable before even being sat. Like we were committing a major crime for thinking we could step foot in here. Empty stack of glasses slammed on the table with a water pitcher placed beside them; "I'll be right back." In a sharp tone. Ok. But not if we're paying $20 per person per cocktail. We were rushed and this attitude persisted, it is lazy.. especially given it was extremely slow.. super surprising for such an elevated establishment. Then, after a long while, we were all asked what we wanted to drink, like a fast casual burger joint. No, "any questions about our selections" or, "may I give some suggestions?" Never came by to check on us once despite the three other two tops inside. We wrapped it up fast since we definitely could choose another location with more attentiveness & basic kindness. We paid, a hefty gratuity in small print on the check which.. you guessed it.. was automatically included but no mention of this tidbit by the server. Maybe this is why we revived all this mean girl energy from the jump? Because they'll still get paid really well regardless? All eight of us have been a part of the service industry and this one stuck out extra frustrating & annoying. Never leave a low review, I'm writing today to management because they will ruin your repeat clientele, seriously. People can find another fabulous cocktail with way better service & vibes in the city. Overall, it was a shame my friends experienced this gross behavior today in the fabulous city of Chicago. Hope the staff does better in the future and works on improving their outlook.

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.

Stayed at Sheraton for a conference. Perfect choice coz the Chibar is super chill. Lovely service…read moreat Chibar!!! Sara our fantastic server and Phil super cool bartender! What a great way to end the day!!! Thank you!

This is the bar in the lobby of the Sheraton Riverwalk. There is plenty of seating, and the…read morewait-staff is extremely attentive. They can make virtually any cocktail you can think of, and have a number of signature cocktails that are very good. also a great wine list and several beers on tap. They have a very limited number of food items, most of which are snacks.