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| - This is a slightly odd review. I really like this place...on weeknights, at happy hour, when it's not catering to the Drunken-Nightclub-Hopping-Touristy crowd. I really hate this place on some random weekend nights, when it seems to be a completely different place. It happened to me once, and I've not been brave enough to try a weekend since. Maybe it's not that bad every time.
One of the things I miss most from Chicago are the cocktail bars (Violet Hour, Weegee's), and on some nights of the week, the Downtown fills that niche for me. On others...it's just another OONTSOONTS-DUBSTEP-OONTS filled nightclub that's so packed its impossible to move and so loud its impossible to hear the person next to you. So. Take this review with the grain of salt that particular perspective offers.
I would give it 2 stars on it's "Club-lounge" nights, and 5 on it's "actual cocktail room" nights.
Pros:
- I always get amazing cocktails here, and the bartenders know their stuff. Order off the menu, or tell them what you like and ask them to suggest something, either way, you can't go wrong. They are made with love, and great, fresh ingredients.
- On "good" nights, it's a great place to take an old friend who just flew into town, pull up a chair, and catch up over a cocktail (or four). It's quiet enough you can talk, loud enough you aren't overheard by the world, and the staff never gives you the "GTFO" stinkeye.
- These cocktails are actually worth $14. The prices are really not that bad for damn good cocktails made out of fancy pants ingredients. It's not the sort of stuff you can say, make at home, without dropping at LEAST $150 on all the necessary bottles. Unless you're ordering a gin and tonic or something, and that just sort of makes you an idiot. Be adventurous and order something with chartreuse.
- Atmosphere is cozy and mellow. Sort of like some rich old fella's study. Curl up in a chair with a smoky scotch drink and just say "ahhhh."
Cons:
- Realizing you came on random nightclub night. Oontz.
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