The Elysian Hotel – Bernard’s Bar
When a member of the staff at the pristine Elysian Hotel reaches out to you and asks if you've been to their bar yet, and you haven't... You go! And that's exactly what we did! There’s been much buzz about Bernard’s Bar, housed inside this hotel, for quite some time. However, with a recent drink feature on the cover of Time Out Chicago’s February 2012 issue, the buzz has broadened to an all out vibration, and we couldn’t wait to get in there.
Read MoreThe Thoroughbred Club – Charleston Place Hotel
Close your eyes for a moment and try to visualize what the lobby of a grand and luxurious southern hotel might look like. It would be expansive with an inlaid Italian marble floor and an elegant split spiral staircase rising majestically from its center under the watchful gaze of a magnificent chandelier. Elegant shops surround the lobby and off to the right stands the perquisite baby grand piano.
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Market Pavilion Hotel – The Pavilion Bar
Located on the corner of Market Street and Bay Street, the Market Pavilion Hotel is one of Charleston’s most elegant hotels. Entering the hotel, you immediately notice Grill 225, the hotel’s upscale restaurant with a well deserved reputation for world class cuisine.
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The Vendue Inn – Rooftop Bar
Located in Charleston’s historic French Quarter, the Vendue Inn is a small, quaint, and intimate hotel with a rich and storied southern tradition. Among its many amenities is their two level rooftop bar. I’m not sure what I expected when I first visited this cocktail oasis, but it wasn’t a bar voted by readers of the Charleston City newspaper as the best Charleston bar for 5 consecutive years.
Read MoreThe Cheshire Inn – Fox and Hound Tavern
Walking in, you immediately feel like you just walked into an English-style hunting lodge. There's the fireplace, leather chairs, some mounted animals. Only 1 TV (above the bar), and it's not big (at most 40 people could fit comfortably), but a very cool place to have a Sam Smith Winter Warmer on a cold December night.
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W Hotel Chicago City Center – The Living Room Bar
Call me closed minded, pessimistic, or perhaps even sheltered. Go ahead. But I’m going to just come out and say it. I highly doubt there is anywhere else in this city that you can go at 5pm on a Wednesday and have it be this freaking cool! Just trust me. And if you still think I’m wrong or think you’ve found something to challenge this statement, I want to hear about it. However, right now, all we’re going to focus on is the cool factor at this particular W hotel.
Read MoreThe Standard – Rooftop Bar
The bar is fancy and well lit with a great atmosphere. No sports, it is an upscale bar and the decor is sophisticated. They have a unique glass layout with nice chairs that compliment the bar. The room has an open feeling to it.
Read MoreMarriott Renaissance – Flights Cocktail Lounge
The Flights Cocktail Lounge inside the Marriott Renaissance. This bar exclusive to the hotel is about the size of your elementary school cafeteria. Good place to go for a night out with your friends but also comfortable enough to sit alone and have a drink by yourself if you want to be a creep. Crowd at the time David was there was just a few stragglers that were mostly suit types.
Read MoreJW Marriott Chicago – The Lobby Lounge
There is a lot to be said for hotel bars this time of year. I don’t think there’s one out there that holds back when it comes to decorating for the holidays. The JW Marriott located in the heart of The Loop district is no exception. This Asian inspired Lobby Bar is the perfect spot for an after work drink, anytime of year. We showed up on a Thursday eve and the place was bumpin’. We scored a couple seats at the bar, but if there weren’t any, there’s plenty of other seating options we could have picked.
Read MoreThe Drake Hotel – Palm Court
I hope you’re wearing something decent when you walk into this place. Not because its required, but because you ARE going to feel cool, so you may as well look cool, too. Coming up to the main lobby area of check in, you’ll be greeted by a grand staircase that serves as the entrance to the Palm Court. Go ahead, pretend you’re someone else, or that all eyes are on you as you elegantly stroll to the top of the stairs. There’s something about this special place that takes you somewhere else, makes you feel like someone else.
Read MoreThe Drake Hotel – COQ d’OR
If you’ve never heard of The Drake Hotel in Chicago then you’ve been living under a rock. I’ve known about this famous hotel and it’s rich history but after living in Chicago for 6 years, I finally stepped inside to see what all the fuss was about. Don’t ask me how to pronounce the name, but The Drake’s hotel bar called Coq d,Or did not disappoint.
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The Palmer House Hilton Hotel – Lobby Bar
So this is how it all started. I had just finished attending a social media seminar with my friend Brett. We were downtown and I needed to kill a little bit of time before I headed off to my next appointment. Thankfully Brett didn't have to rush back to his office, so we decided to kill time with an afternoon drink. After suggesting we duck into a hotel bar, we soon found ourselves outside of Chicago's iconic Palmer House Hotel.
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Hotel Palomar – Sable Kitchen & Bar
Well I may as well just come out and say it off the top. This place is fabulous. Ab-so-lute-ly fabulous! I loved pretty much everything about it. We all did, and I have a pretty good idea you will too. Here’s why.
Read MoreSalvatore’s Grand Hotel – Russell’s
The bar is approx the size of your elementary school cafeteria and is exclusive to the hotel. The atmosphere is good with a night out with friends and has new and modern decor. There was a decent size crowd that consisted mostly of nightlife seekers. The bathrooms and easy to find and are nice and private. The background noise featured house music.
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The Westin Chicago – Hana Lounge
Ahhh, The Westin. I love Westin Hotels for many reasons, but probably my favorite is what happens the moment you walk in one. That smell. Incase you are unaware, Westin has its own signature scent and it is nothing short of pure bliss. We walked through the revolving door and were instantly greeted by the beautiful scent of white tea. Its magical. Unrelated, but that signature scent of theirs is actually available for purchase. It ain’t cheap, but for about 30 smacks (give or take) it can be yours.
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