Cuvée Bar / Lounge

River North, Chicago –

Accessed via a dark alley and an impenetrable doorman blocking the unmarked entrance, Cuvée is an upscale late-night lounge with a focus on champagne and pretty people.

Developed by the same group behind ultra-scenester club Enclave, the venue centers its single room around a cluster of VIP tables hemmed in by low walls filled with thousands of illuminated amber bubbles, a nod to the champagne every patron is drinking, be it straight from the bottle or mixed into a fresh-fruit cocktail.

Groups of cash-heavy young professionals and dolled-up girls in the latest designer wear congregate in the VIP area to lounge on tufted banquettes and indulge in exclusive bottle service, while the rest of the socialites mingle at the two long bars, peruse the glowing LED-lit menus, or check themselves out in the expanse of ceiling mirrors.

Although nightly DJs spin R&B and electronic club music, the sophisticated clientele is more about popping corks and dropping money than dancing to the thumping beats.

With its late-night hours and top-shelf drinks, Cuvée is perfect for putting the final cap on an extravagant Chicago night.