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Fri / Jan 15
30s / 40s / Affluent / Bar / Brunch / DJ
Party Earth Review Located in upscale River North, the Chicago outpost of the Mercadito chain is a top spot with affluent locals and trendy couples in the mood for intricate Mexican fare and more than one hundred varieties of tequila. Well-dressed finance types and chic party girls stop in to chill out over a relaxed meal and a shot of Don ... more
108 West Kinzie Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Affluent / Blouses / Casual / Club
Party Earth Review Located in the upscale Sax Hotel, Crimson Lounge is a swanky River North hotspot reminiscent of a Victorian mansion, complete with rich walnut floors, intricate chandeliers, and a permanent wash of the sultry color from which it gets its name. Well-dressed couples and wealthy young friends relax on embroidered settees next ... more
Sax Hotel
333 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654
20s / 30s / Bottle Service / Club / DJ
Party Earth Review With its military theme and unmarked basement level entrance, The Underground nightclub takes its aura of exclusivity seriously, which suits the see-and-be-seen clientele just fine. Bottle service and celebrity sightings await the stylish patrons who satisfy the laser-eyed bouncer and then head down to a cavernous bomb ... more
56 West Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Button-downs / Cocktails / DJ / Bar
Reviewed by Scott N.
"One of the most underrated bars in Downtown Chicago. Instead of taking the usual route of most people. Try the skyline bar EPIC. Perfect for that s ..." more
112 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654
30s / Affluent / After Work / Beer
Party Earth Review Even on the most crowded and rowdy evenings, Bull & Bear maintains a level of decorum worlds apart from the often raucous venues that dominate Chicago’s sports bar scene. In true Wall Street style, a forty-foot-long stock market ticker above the main bar reports recent sports updates and scores, while an almost obscene ... more
431 North Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60654
A-list / Blazers / Button-downs
Party Earth Review There’s always a line of stiletto-wearing ladies and sharply dressed dudes outside Paris Club restaurant, and though the swanky French eatery is itself ridiculously popular, most of these folks are waiting to get up the stairway in back that leads to Studio Paris. Patrons enter the rooftop club’s lounge area first, where ... more
59 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Affluent / Bar / Bottle Service
Party Earth Review 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 ... more
308 West Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60654
20s / 30s / Bottle Service / Dressy
Info Upscale and ultramodern, Sound-Bar is one of the biggest nightclubs in Chicago, an enormous 20,000-square-foot space spanning two levels and featuring separate DJs, nine full bars, and multiple VIP areas. Models, bottles, and the shiny-shirted men drooling after both flow continuously through the various rooms, highlighted ... more
226 West Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Info Time is an unprecedented nightlife concept nestled in River North. Clad with sleek marble, warm woods and crystal chandeliers, Time provides a luxurious setting for revelrous celebrations including private, holiday, and social events. A bi-level venue with world class sound, lighting and audio visuals. For lavish occasions ... more
873 N. Orleans St.
Chicago, IL 60610
Known for its mega clubs and upscale art galleries, River North is also ground zero for swank lounges. Those already prettied up for a night of club-hopping can set the tone for the night or take a break at River North lounges known for VIP service, exacting dress codes, and mellow DJ beats. Past the often-intimidating door staff of these venues lie sexy rooms with mellow vibes.
Lounges in River North attract A-list talent and A-list crowds. Slick new hotspots like Studio Paris bring in names likes Kaskade and deadmau5, who spin for those lucky few who gain entry. These ornate spaces have little white-glove-service touches like Cuvée’s LED-lit menus. Hot bartenders and servers, oodles of Champagne bottles, and mood lighting are guarantees; admission is not. Those in the know, book bottle service to ensure entry, while everyone else hopes that looks/vibes/connections elevate them above the general public.
With the rise of trendy boutique hotels, hotel lounges have become some of the biggest draws in River North. Located in the upscale Sax Hotel, Crimson Lounge is a swanky River North hotspot reminiscent of a Victorian mansion, complete with rich walnut floors, intricate chandeliers, and a permanent wash of the sultry color from which it gets its name. The pretty people here aren’t all hotel guests; most have converged onto River North to enjoy its elite nightlife scene.