Forget the notion of hotel bars as simply hangouts for weary business travelers and wedding guests who’ve wandered out of banquet rooms in search of more beer or bourbon.
Trendy local crowds now are turning up at these hotel lounges where the decor–from flashy to luxe–and drinks are increasingly designed for discerning imbibers and socializers.
And as winter kicks in, these bars will prove to be warm and cozy as well as cool. Whether for dancing, sipping signature cocktails or snuggling up by the fireplace with that special someone, here’s where you can check in:
BASIL’S AT THE TALBOT
Talbot Hotel owner Basil Kromelow’s clubby lounge space features a mahogany bar, and the leather-bound menus list light, traditional American fare. Basil’s occasionally hosts live piano music. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 20 E. Delaware Pl., 312-944-4970.
THE BIG DOWNTOWN
On Fridays, a hearty after-work crowd descends upon this `40s-inspired bar in the Palmer House Hilton. Art Deco opulence and the classic sounds of Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra add to its charms. Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. seven days a week. 124 S. Wabash Ave., 312-917-7399.
BIN 36
It’s always wine time inside this House of Blues Hotel hangout that serves as a wine retail store, tavern and restaurant. Patrons can order vino by the glass, by the flight or by the bottle; appetizers, desserts and entrees come with excellent wine recommendations. Hours: 6:30 a.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday; 6:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday; 7 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Saturday; 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 333 N. Dearborn St., 312-755-9463.
CHARLEMAGNE LOUNGE OF THE TROPHY ROOM
In the pub atmosphere at the historic Hotel Baker, patrons can sip martinis, fine cognacs, wine or microbrews as they play backgammon or other board games. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday through Friday; 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday, Saturday. 100 W. Main St., St. Charles, 630-584-2121.
COQ D’OR
The dimly lit, speakeasy feel, red-leather booths and martini specials add mystique to this piano bar inside the Drake Hotel. There’s live entertainment Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday. 140 E. Walton St., 312-787-2200.
ENCORE
Theatergoers looking for a post-show spot can head to this splashy restaurant/lounge inside the Hotel Allegro (and next to the Cadillac Palace Theatre). Encore is anchored by a large, curvy bar where you can order such martini specials as the Smokey Joe, Chocolate Russian or Midnight in Chicago. There are also chicken wings, pizza Margherita and deviled crab cakes. Deejays spin progressive house music on the weekends. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday; 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday; closed Sunday. 171 W. Randolph St., 312-338-3788.
THE GREENHOUSE
Pamper your companion at this 12th-floor bar at the Ritz-Carlton. Evening appetizers range from vegetable spring rolls with spicy-sweet chili sauce and peeky-toe crab quesadillas with papaya and Scotch bonnet salsa, to shrimp, oyster and crab-claw platters. Choose from among nine varieties of martinis as well as numerous specialty beers, champagnes, wines by the bottle or glass, ports, cognacs and scotches. There is a piano bar nightly, but The Greenhouse is very conversation-friendly. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m Friday, Saturday. 160 E. Pearson St., 312-573-5154.
GRILL ON THE ALLEY
Tucked inside the Westin Hotel, this restaurant’s bar is divided into two areas. The first is a classic martini marvel, with luxurious leather barstools and wood trim. The second is an intimate piano bar, a perfect place for two to get acquainted. Grab the seats next to the fireplace. Hours: 6:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 6:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday. 909 N. Michigan Ave., 312-255-9009.
KAZ BAR
Located in the House of Blues Hotel, this hidden treasure’s soothing, deep red walls and cushy lounge chairs and sofas make it an attractive place to sip a martini and munch on salads and hearty burgers. And if you get there early, you can slip into one of two “Arabian Nights”-inspired areas or a secluded corner that’s appointed with soft pillows and artwork. Hours: Noon-midnight Sunday-Wednesday, noon-2 a.m. Thursday, Friday, 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. 333 N. Dearborn St., 312-245-0333.
KITTY O’SHEAS
There’s always a crowd at the Chicago Hilton and Towers’ authentic Irish pub. The walls are covered with Irish pub signs, travel posters and landscapes, and there’s a beautiful collection of Celtic porcelain behind the bar. A back wall pays photographic tribute to noteworthy Chicagoans of Irish descent. There’s also a specialty selection of Irish whiskey and tap beer. Hours: 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. seven days a week. 720 S. Michigan Ave., 312-922-4400.
THE MARTINI BAR
An air of distinction pervades the Knickerbocker Hotel and its sophisticated saloon. Patrons can choose from more than 40 martinis, plus a nice selection of wine, beer and spirits. Conversation-friendly jazz floats throughout the room. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. every day. 163 E. Walton Pl., 312-751-8100.
METROPOLE
The polished little nightclub nestled inside the Fairmont Hotel draws big-name local and national jazz, blues and swing acts. And for those with smooth moves, there’s a small dance floor in front of the stage. Hours: 8:30-11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday. 220 N. Columbus Drive, 312-565-7444.
MIKE DITKA’S
Don’t be surprised if you catch the coach chilling out on one of the sumptuous leather bar stools in the stately sports bar of his restaurant. Located in the Tremont Hotel, the wood-paneled spot is chockful of Ditka photos, trophies and other memorabilia. And what would a sports bar be without TVs? If there’s a big game on, rest assured that it’ll be on the tube. Upstairs is the cigar lounge, which has the look of a private gentlemen’s club. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. every day. 100 E. Chestnut St., 312-587-8989.
NoMI
Housed in the new Park Hyatt Chicago, NoMI serves upscale French cuisine with a global twist. The seventh-floor restaurant boasts views of Michigan Avenue and the lake. The adjoining lounge features a chocolate-brown Wenge wood bar, Bolivian rosewood floors and eelskin stools. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030.
QP
Elegant and friendly, this Greek restaurant is in the Hotel Seneca. The bar offers a delightful lineup of Greek wine by the bottle and glass, and the generous specialty martinis (notably the Morpheus, with Christian Brothers brandy and Chandon champagne) will definitely warm you up on chilly nights. Hours: 5-11 p.m. seven days a week; bar stays open until 2 a.m. 200 E. Chestnut St., 312-751-2100.
SEASONS BAR AND LOUNGE. NIGHTLY
live jazz, an amazing selection of cognacs and customized cigar lockers are the highlights of this seventh-floor bar at the Four Seasons Hotel. Guests can join an exclusive club to obtain one of the cigar lockers. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Friday; 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday. 120 E. Delaware Pl., 312-280-8800.
SHOELESS JOE’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILLE
Named for the fallen White Sox hero, this big bar is adjacent to an O’Hare-area Best Western hotel. Sports fanatics will relish the 30 monitors, four large projection screens and 30 satellite receivers for game-viewing. Moderately priced Italian fare is served in a sunken dining area with five yellow booths and a half-dozen more tables — all with views of the big screens. Four small pool tables are crowded into the arcade area, which is separated from the dining pit by a cool bat-and-ball fence. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 a.m. seven days a week. 10290 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont, 847-296-5760.
TRADER VIC’S
On super-nippy nights, escape to this Polynesian-themed tavern inside the Palmer House Hilton. One dining room has the thatched-hut feel of a surfside village; the other is right out of an upper-crust yacht, with two large hardwood grills used to cook the luau-style fare for which Trader Vic’s is known. Make sure you try the famous mai tai, a potent drink made with two rums and fresh lime. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday; 5-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4:30-11 p.m. Sunday. 17 E. Monroe St., 312-917-7317.
