Le Bar Cocktail Bar / Hotel Bar / Lounge

Gold Coast, Chicago –

Tucked inside the ultramodern Sofitel Hotel, Le Bar is a stylish and intimate lounge best known for its French fusion snacks, intricate cocktails, and assortment of gourmet cheeses.

Early in the evening, upscale hotel guests and fashion-conscious couples sink into warm velvet chairs by a roaring fire to work their way through popular wine and cheese flights, or join the young suits who congregate at the long stainless steel bar to share a good bottle of scotch.

Vibrant purple chairs and low-backed loungers take up most of the space inside, while a sofa-lined terrace draws the dapper crowd out to enjoy organic small bites and Chicago’s brief but warm summers.

Floor-to-ceiling windows promise cheery natural light and great views of nearby Connors Park during the day, but the biggest crowd shows up after sunset, as passionate foodies stop in for salmon baguettes and absinthe-infused cocktails and groups of friends get together for a relaxed round before dinner at the hotel’s Café des Architectes, or before venturing out for rowdier pursuits.

Catering to a sociable, well-dressed clientele, Le Bar is a swanky drinking den perfect for both starting the night off right or settling in for a nightcap.