JIMMY

Jimmy is a wonderful tiny speakeasy, especially good for small groups and dates. The cocktails are beyond delicious and reasonably priced for the location. Make sure to dress appropriately –it’s a fancy bar. The service has been exceptional consistently.

Tiny, cute, slightly hidden out of the way lounge. We stopped in for a pre-​dinner drink on a cold Saturday night. I had a glass of wine so I can’t speak for the cocktails but we definitely enjoyed this place and would come back again. The service was the best part. I’m not a huge fan of river north and the type of people that usually frequent it. Service can be hit or miss in a lot of these types of bars in this area, but Jimmy was a nice surprise. Our waitress Claudia was super nice and really made us feel welcome. Hubby loved the fries and they played fun 80s music while we were there. Overall, a great place to stop in for a couple drinks. Feels like you’re in a dark warm cave on a cold winter night.

Jimmy has a good vibe, very small inside so I could see where seating /​wait time for a drink could be an issue but it was quiet for me on a Tuesday. Bar tender was, knowledgable about drinks and beer and pleasant. Tequila drink I had was fantastic, could be good for a romantic drink night.

I waltzed down the Miracle Mile with friends in tow, tearing up this city from tip to tail. Our plan was to come in here and try not to talk at all.
I was a little bit disappointed to hear the Jimmy brand name was brought over from NYC and not organically grown, but the posh 70’s décor more than made up for any preconceived notions.
It’s less speakeasy and more intimate lounge with couches abound. It’s tucked deep in the hotel and well insulated, no clocks and some unspoken rules. It’s not overly policed as interactions are encouraged.
I’m a huge fan of the menu having both wine and beer with all beer and most wine’s being very economic. I came for the cocktails though. Rocky Mountain high had great balance with the gingerale calming the pine liquor. Blackthorne was complex with both gin and sloe gin. Hand selected spirits like st. George terroir gin, blackhearts gin, fidencio mescal, syndicate scotch and many more.
They have food too, what with being nextdoor/​behind their restaurant, though only available till 10:30. Charcuterie and steak tartar is what we had and thought a tad pricey were very good. The 40 day dry aged prime steak burger is right up there with another aged burger from Crow in Newport Beach. Nothing else jumped out at us, plus we weren’t even that hungry. We tried our best to not speak, but we wound up having lengthy conversations with staff and other guests. A tad pricey, but everything is quality.
I was impressed that they have music, much classier than Door No.3 and all that riff raff overflow. It’s less exclusive now, but every bit as enjoyable. For being 70’s theme’d I’d expect the Thursday offering to be «non 70’s» versus vinyl Thursdays. The DJ’s just don’t take into account the crowd and vibe, basic blending, no vision.
I would have liked to have come before they relaxed on things.

Amazing. Awesome. Fabulous… Enough said. Check it out! Juan the bartender rocks and so do the servers. Had an amazing girls night out this past weekend. We will definitely be returning! Love this place!

You know it took me awhile to wonder why haven’t I been here since I feel like I’ve been everywhere around here. It’s cute and low key. Hmmmmm… I wondered. And after awhile I remembered why. Per the warnings from coworkers and Ah yes, this use to be J bar and J bar attracted trash. Fake new money trash or the 30k millionaires right?.. (If you don’t know, it’s time you ask somebody, or at least look that up in the urban dictionary; you’re welcome) that has to announce loudly that they’ll be spending a lot of money wherever they’re at. Course, because the rest of us peasants that don’t announce that, just prance in here to lounge for a bit with the complimentary tap water. Who says that, out loud? Tacky. **If you had so much money at least hire a stylist for your tragic birthday outfit ;-)
The drinks were average, pretty weak. I guess there’s a DJ later during the night on Saturdays. It’s cozy and small and I guess modern and chic if you’re from the Midwest and have never left to experience the rest of the world. I see a lot of the word swanky and super fancy being used to describe this place. Surely you jest. Surely. They played Lets talk about sex. And that about summed it up for me with the atmosphere. Barf. Why can’t that song just go away?! Needless to say, You’re not missing out if you’ve never been. I’m not impressed.
I can think of some other places around this neighborhood that are more worth your while carrying more sophistication that’s not so contrived and gauche minus the club trash taking selfies next to you. Work it girl. Not.

Stopped here looking for a speakeasy atmosphere. Although it’s not «hidden» anymore, the ambiance was cool and the dj was good but service was super slow (weird since we were 1 of only 2 tables there). Also we found the drinks were weak and not really good overall.

I wish Burke’s Bacon Bar was still here since it’s always thrilling to try to find speakeasy bars. Even without Burke’s Bacon Bar, we still had trouble finding this bar. It took me asking an employee at the James Hotel in order to find it. Well done, Jimmy, well done. Or maybe it was just my terrible sense of direction. Either way, this was the first bar of our night, which was an awesome decision. You enter through a glass door that says JIMMY and walk through metal beaded curtains to get to the bar.
The ambiance was cozy, intimate and classy. It is a small space, so don’t come here with your posse of 10+ people. It was not that busy when we went, so we were able to get a table seating on the side. Even though there was a DJ spinning in the corner, we were able to have a conversation sitting across from each other without having to scream in each other’s ears.
We ordered a Peach in the Pit cocktail and Crooked Tree beer. Both were great!
Service was great as well. Our server checked on us at the right time and wasn’t intrusive.
Would recommend if you want to chat and sip on a drink.

Stopped by at JIMMYS because we wanted to try a few speakeasy bars. We were a little skeptical at first going in but when we did we found ourselfs in this nice relaxing lounge and promptly greeted by the bar keep. We ordered our drinks. I had the «dark horse IPA» I found it to be a nice brew. It was the atmosphere that would bring me back. We’re off to check out some other speakeasy bars.

This gets 3 stars for ambiance and coolness only. This little speakeasy was very trendy and cool and we each gave these mixologist a different «custom» drink to make and they were all fantastic! However that’s where it stops., our server came back to us one time, and it’s a very very small space (only about 20 people can fit in here at a time.) so it’s not like she didn’t see us! We finally went up to bat, got our bills and then went back to the bar to pay our ridiculous price of 19.00 for one flipping drink !!! So it’s gets knocked down for slow service and off the charts expensive drink. Our friend said their «best in he nation» burger was just ok… I can not vouch as I didn’t try it

Stopped in last night for a cocktail. We had to stand partially at the bar because there weren’t enough seats, the place is small.
Thoughts overall:
–Space is small and intimate with chic and modern décor
–DJ spinning pretty good tunes, nothing over the top clubby, more upbeat loungy
–Drinks well made and cold, just as they should be
Food looked good, didn’t try any because we had dinner elsewhere. The bacon sticks drizzled in maple syrup looked pretty amazing though.
I’d go back if in this area or out-​of-​towners wanted to grab a drink here from the many hotels in the area.

Wednesday night at 9pm I walked into this exclusive place I read about. It was fairly easy to get in. After talking to the bartender he said that there used to be a restaurant in front of them that created a barrier between them and you had to ask to get in but since the restaurant closed the door is always open. It’s very chill during the week but he said on the weekends it gets really busy. The drink menus were created by a mixologist. He was in the office so I never got to meet him but the cocktail called the Smoking Jacket was different but for a certain palate that can tolerate all the flavors created. The rosemary has a wonderful floral smell at the beginning but fades away. Definitely a slow sipping drink to enjoy.

Dark, thumping, tiny lounge that you would walk by a million times and not know what it is. We were shocked that that glass door with Jimmy on it was a little loungy club. You walk through two metal beaded curtains into a small space that has some couches and a small bar.
It’s small but perfect for a party of 3 or 4. We were immediately approached by a well versed bartender who made the best dirty martini I have EVER had. A perfect pour. My friend had a «Trophy Wife» which she liked because she actually had two. :)
They had a cool chick on the Mac Book, spinning good music to drink your cocktails to. And for a Wed night, there were several parties enjoying drinks and tunes. All in all a cozy spot, but swanky and cool. A little on the pricey side, but you do get what you pay for.
Check out JIMMY when you want a fun, sexy place to drink and possibly dance the night away.

Sleek, sexy, narrow spot that felt a wee bit like a naughty little secret you’d like to keep to yourself. JIMMY was flagged «Hot and New» when we Unilocal searched from our dinner at Primehouse for a classy place to enjoy cocktails later that evening.
We slipped in through their double set of beaded curtains and it felt right from the minute we walked in.
Dark, dim, candlelight lounge with a DJ spinning tunes.
I don’t normally drink champagne cocktails but how in the world was I going to pass on a Trophy Wife!!! Ummm, I’ll take two!
Great service, we had a nice time and enjoyed ourselves. I’d definitely recommend this spot if you are going solo or with a smaller’ish group since it’s not a very large place.

Adult nightlife done right. Simple. Classy. Sexy.
In my 30 years, I’ve never experienced a spot quite like JIMMY. We got a table on NYE at it was a great decision during our couples trip. And I advise you to go if you’d like to step your game up a bit. Here are the reasons why:
1. It’s exclusive. Tiny, intimate and cozy. The whole lounge can accommodate about 50 people, MAX. It’s a swanky little lounge situated off of The James Chicago downtown.
2. The service. Bartenders are ossim. Since there are only a handful of people, you don’t have to wait all night to grab a drink. Also— their cocktail menu and drink selection is superb.
3. The vibe. Since it’s tiny, everyone mingle with one another. That’s another plus considering the crowd is particularly «grown & sexy». It makes the place that much more fun when people mingle and dance with one another. We made tons of friends on NYE, the night we went: a couple from Thailand, a lady and her husband who just got back from Dubai, and the Argentinian female DJ who let us request songs and danced with us part of the evening!

You sexy mother Fkcer.
Strolling in as the beautifyl Dj drops the ooontzes you notice the balls hanging from the doorway.
Balls of beads.
Balls.
But there is the bar where a lady she sits.
Golden hair and a sailor’s salty mouth…
Bartender… a cocktail or 2 please.
Bamn.
A few hours later of swaying and dranking and swaying in this quaint little staging area and its time for bed.
Go Jimmy go.

A nice speak easy at the James Hotel. The place is small, but it packs a punch.
This place is a bit hard to miss, but when you find it you walk pass security and through some beads to enter a small room with a small bar area. There are 2 bartenders and a nice list of drinks.
The drinks are deceptively strong. My gf said we ordered 3 drinks, but i only remember 2… The bartender was talkative and friendly. The drinks were yummy.
I started off with the Rusty Nail. YUMMMM. I loved the Violet Ice; i thought it was a cool concept.
My 2^nd drink was the Gold Rush. This was yummy too.
My supposed 3^rd drink (which i remember planning to order, but i do not remember ordering or drinking) was the S6. I assume it was yummy as well too though.
Thank you Jimmys for a great experience after a failed experience at the Signature Lounge. Thank you for getting me drunk the right way.

One of my favorite speakeasies. Not that I’ve been to many, but this is definitely in my top five.
My bf suggested this bar for a nightcap after a romantic dinner together. Loved how you have to make your way through the beaded curtains so you think you’re going somewhere hush hush.
We ended up staying for a few more drinks than we intended to, probably because we wanted to make up for the awful bs earlier that Signature Lounge had to offer. I was looking to get plastered and boy did we get more than we bargained for.
I started off with a gin cocktail. And then another drink. And then another. My favorite was the Spring Fawn. It was either a gin or a vodka based cocktail that our bartender made using this NASA-​related hose contraption to infuse bubbles into my drink, giving it the right amount of carbonation. Strong but so good. Wheeeeee
We had two bartenders taking care of us, but one of them really knew how to make his stuff. I think his name was Matt? He was friendly without being too overbearing and reminded me of Shawn Ashmore/​Bobby Drake/​Iceman (THAT’S A GOOD THING). I think he heard all the drunken gibberish between my bf and I.
We were gone by the third drink, but the best part was that this bar was located at the lobby of our hotel we were staying at. THANK. GOD. We were lucky enough to forgo the drunken cab hails and wallet fumbling moments for one night and just take the elevator straight up.

This place is pretty cool. It has a very 70’s vibe to it with the bulky furniture and stainless steel bead curtains. Apparently the bartender is top notch. My friends and I came for a drink because we were staying at the James just steps away. I will say I was absolutely starving and cranky, so maybe that’s why I didn’t rate this place any higher.
We were going to get munchies but there are relatively few places to sit that have table space. So we didn’t want to eat in our laps. A couple at the bar (which apparently only seats 5), ordered food and it looked/​smelled delicious. I got the Bourbon Smash which was good but it wasn’t the best thing I’d ever had to drink.
I must say the staff was really attentive and friendly.

Love, love, LOVE JIMMY at the James!
The entrance is actually inside of Burke’s Bacon Bar-​you have to walk through the tiny storefront to get to the door of JIMMY. Once you make your way through the beaded entryway you’ll find a swanky little lounge with dim lighting, walnut paneling, and chrome details… a little piece of the 70’s with the «secret» doorway giving a bit of a speakeasy vibe. Their specialty cocktails are outstanding, I tried several and enjoyed them all, although I will say that the Grilled Pineapple Mojito was my favorite.
Perfect place to grab drinks before or after dinner, and definitely the perfect place to bring someone you really want to impress! Gentlemen, if you’re looking to up the bar for date night, JIMMY is the place you want to go!