Tiny Lounge Lounge / Restaurant

Lincoln Square, Chicago –

Although the word “lounge” might evoke images of a see-and-be-seen downtown hotspot, Tiny Lounge – located in cute and cozy Lincoln Square – is literally and figuratively far from velvet-roped River North.

The lighting is dark, the décor is polished but minimal, and the regulars are a mix of hipsterish yuppies and hipsters with yuppie jobs who drop in to chat with friends at the modern bar – or rather, shout with friends considering the loud mix of lounge beats.

Though the joint is short on downtown attitude, the drinks trend toward the higher end, with a small selection of beer and wine that covers the gamut from everyday choices to hard-to-find luxuries, and a larger selection of classic cocktails that includes a popular line of martinis.

With the emphasis more on catching up and hanging out than looking to score, the space sees lots of casual-cool thirty-somethings throughout the week, either people-watching from the front tables or tucked in one of the intimate booths with their small plates of salmon tacos, burgers, or mussels.

A younger crowd shows up on Fridays and Saturdays after 11pm, but the vibe doesn’t change much unless a rowdier group has rented out the private space in back for a celebration that inevitably spills into the rest of the bar.

Perfect for anyone who wants a slick environment without a slick attitude, Tiny Lounge indulges its patrons’ need to lounge without making them feel over-indulgent.