The Exchange

Not much to say about this place.
Great drinks. Great music, Great atmosphere.
Simple lounge paired with good drinks and great people = amazing time.
GO HERE.

So sad to hear that The Exchange is closing down this Saturday. I had quite a few festivities here as well as enjoyed some date nights with the bf. What a cool, chill bar with amazing drinks!
Please don’t go!

They might be closing. And if you don’t already know, you’re missing out.
They won’t be closed down, but they will no longer be The Exchange. Whatever the new bar turns out to be. You’ll never know what you were missing, but you were missing a lot!

Low-​key but stylish place with plenty of seating and not large crowds. Good drinks, didn’t try out the service, not sure of a regular weekend crowd (as we were there on a weekday) but place has a good ambiance and vibe and great location!

I’m sure the drinks are great, but to me, I’d rather go to the Whistler where they’re $ 4 cheaper and the atmosphere is more inviting and the crowd is better.
I went here with a group of friends to see our friends DJ, and the whole front of the very tiny bar was «reserved», leaving all of us to stand awkwardly in the middle of the walkway.
Eventually we scored some seats, but the whole experience just felt awkward and made the $ 11 drinks a bit hard to swallow.
I may give it another chance but yeah, not the best first impression.

Pretty much what everybody here said. Except that I don’t really see this place being a fair comparison to Violet Hour or speakeasy bars. Its not, and neither is it trying to be.
People who do not drink cocktails and craft cocktails may think that its just a thing of VH type lounges. NO…
Its more of a chill lounge. A bar with no sports screens! YAY. Love the space and the lighting and the Saturday night DJ. Also a few reviewers here mention that the manager is friendly. YES he was!
If you are expecting the Violet Hour bar and you want to be ‘cool’ like that, I suggest you don’t come here. Lets keep the exchange free of snobs and pretentious types.

THIS PLACE IS SO CONFUSING. If your bar is small, you should NEVER, EVER take «reservations.» This will irritate your patrons who are awkwardly standing around deciding what to do. I happened to be here on a Saturday night with a good number of people, and ²⁄₃ of the tables were all «reserved.» Very frustrating.
Also, the bartenders here don’t give a rat’s ass about you. I think my friends all waited about 10 minutes per person to even be acknowledged. The only good part was the music, and that my friends were there with me to hang.
The drinks — I had a sip of the Violator and it was good, but definitely overpriced. I won’t be hanging around here any time soon.

I came here with a group of friends on a Saturday night. When we first arrived, we were caught off guard about how tiny this place is. Every seat in the house was taken (except for the very strange ‘Reserved’ section, that took up almost a quarter of the place) and then there was almost no room to stand… even though we were the only ones standing. So be prepared to awkwardly stand around and be in everyone’s way.
Otherwise, the drinks were excellent. I had the Violator (quite spicy… in a good way), a taste of the one with Earl Grey Tea that I much liked, and heard good reviews from friends about their drinks. I think that the drinks are a little overpriced at $ 11, with simpler drinks (i.e. gin and tonic) being $ 7.
The space was well decorated and the tunes set up a good vibe. I would come out again if I had a specific reason to, but it wouldn’t necessarily be at the top of my list.

This place was AWESOME. I just felt cooler even being in there. I know I know, hard barrier to cross for someone like me, but seriously the people were hip, smartly dressed, and friendly — the drink recommendation from the girl on my right was fantastic — you gotta try The Violator. No leather straps and the gag-​ball like last time, this one has muddled-​freaking serrano peppers and agave nectar.
Yes, its $ 11. But the experience is commensurate with the price, and your not going to get sloppy here because that would be undignified.
Also, great décor — loving the edison bulbs, that wallpaper in the background, and those interesting honeycomb lights. The music too was great, funky, different, groovy, you know what Im talking about.
Definitely try this out — if you’re wanting violet hour but you dont want that line, this is what you need.

Very cool lounge with even cooler drinks. Came here with a group of about 10 people for my birthday. Craig (the owner/​manager?) was able to accommodate my particular taste in music and provided us with reserved seating.
The drink menu is pretty interesting, many of their drinks have unusual ingredients in them such as egg whites and chartreuse liqueur. A typical cocktail costs $ 8 — $ 11, so fairly reasonable. Music ranged from house, techno, electro and even some disco. The crowd was pretty lively and eclectic, not a massive place but very cozy.
I really enjoyed this place, really fit the bill for a low key, very chill lounge with great music. My only complaint was that sometimes it took a while to get a drink, I think mostly due to the place being at capacity. In all fairness though the door man warned my friends that it would take a while to get drinks due to the larger crowd this particular evening. Still will definitely be going back.

The cocktails selection and quality is there. Little lit and low-​key, I guess the Exchange accomplishes what it set out to do in drinks and feel, as indicated in reviews below. I also appreciate the lack of pretension. You won’t dislike being here.
Or, maybe you will. I didn’t have a bad time but I left within the hour. For me, in a lounge, I want to feel relaxed, and the atmospherics seemed off to me. It’s too small and the seating is uncomfortable. It’s a tiny place that gets crowded quick. And it’s not private at all, there’s just the bar and then, essentially, one long booth running the length of the wall, dotted with mini-​tables and tiny, backless cube seats on the other side. That doesn’t make sense for such a small space, esp. since the bar stools are immobile. Who wants to sit more than an hour in a backless seat? I know this all seems nitpicky and even pretentious, but it’s not when you’re there — a space is defined by its furniture, and a lounge all the more so since laziness, privacy and plain old comfortable seating is the definition of lounge, or to lounge. This just isn’t set up right.
I could give the Exchange four stars if it was in, oh, Evanston, and perhaps five if in Waukegan or something, but on Milwaukee between Division and Damen it’s playing with the Big Boys. The owners know this — they own the Small Bars and I think they were behind the Lava Lounge, which occupied this space prior to the Exchange. But the fact of the matter is when you’ve got the Violet Hour, Juicy Wine and other lounges within a mile, your cocktails have to be superlative, your craft beer selection premium and on-​point, etc… The craft beer and wine lists are just ok, cocktails definitely very good but not necessarily better than at the places just listed. It’s hard to review a basically good place that is also, essentially, a misfire. I just can’t recommend going here.

Celebratory drinks on a Wednesday night around 6:30pm.
One of the pleasures of going out is to be in a different space than your living-​room, with people other than the ones you are susceptible to find in your living-​room. With a few familiar faces of course to make it comfortable and enjoyable. You don’t want to be lost in a crowd of strangers.
At least I don’t.
Not anymore.
So although our drinks at The Exchange were quite tasty, cheap and utterly enjoyable I missed a scene. It was only the two of us, the barman, very loud music (totally uncalled for) and bar stools. A lonely celebration is not exactly the same… not as festive in a way. So we just sat at the bar, sipping on our drinks, chatting the moment away, wishing for more.
Which I guess must happen later at night.
Hopefully,
Because I really want to go back for these tasty drinks.
Tip: they have a special during week nights on Foursquare… get 50% your drinks with your first check-​in!

This place is pretty awesome. The service can get a little slow on the weekend, but trust me they’re pretty tentative during the week.
The location is quiet, just close enough to Wicker Park’s six corners, but far enough to avoid the crazy drunk crowd pouring into every available gap of standing room in every bar.
The space is great. The décor is just enough modern, with a a hint of 1920 speakeasy feel… without the pretentiousness. I’m always able to get a seat every time I come in, and a cocktail quickly. The drinks are pretty comparable to the level of Violet Hour but with out all the crazy hype.
Its grounded, to the point, yet very very elegant. The same can be same for the bartenders. Nick in particular is awesome and if you don’t believe me check out this article in Time Out Chicago

Dank !
Awesome spot for some killer drinks

The Exchange seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. Hubs and I tried it out recently with friends we usually meet up with at the Violet Hour. We weren’t impressed. But you just might like it, depending on what you’re wanting.
If while talking you like having to compete with blaring electronica music which causes you to go hoarse in 15 min, then you might like The Exchange.
If a tiny room packed with screaming young-​ish people, most of whom are standing and congregating instead of sitting, then you might like The Exchange.
If the thought of only two bartenders handling all the drink orders of said screaming youngish people appeals to you, then you might like The Exchange.
If finely crafted cocktails (and they were damn good) in this kind of atmosphere doesn’t bother your aesthetic sensibilities and even makes sense to you on some level, then you will probably love The Exchange.
On the other hand, if you heard (like we did) that the Exchange was a spin-​off of the Violet Hour and thought to yourself, «Cool, I want to go check out the new VH,» then prepare to be disappointed.

While I was in love with Lava Lounge, The Exchange has been an excellent addition to the neighborhood.
I am a huge fan of fancy handcrafted cocktails.
Quality booze and care are put into each drink, which is a nice departure from most bars in this area.
I recommend the Hard five and the winter muddle. I would also say if you get a group together do your self a favor and try the punch bowl.

I am totally sold. Despite the amazing beer special they were having tonight ($ 5 beer + shot for industry), I had to get a cocktail. One turned into two… and they were both amazing.
I’d like to start by saying that this review is for a Sunday night. It was slow, and they had drink specials for that night. And the two bartenders were really, really great. They obviously love what they do and are good at random small talk. For them and their cocktails, a definite five stars for sure. (note: I had some special gin drink that was lemony and totally amazing, and I had the firefly (also gin) which was very good, but didn’t hold a candle to the lemony gin special drink that came from heaven).
Unfortunately, I’ve never liked the space. I was not a fan of the Lava interior (which is the same as what we have here)… I guess I need more warmth, or something.
And the whole… «they are tying to be the Violet Hour» argument is worthless because the idea of a gourmet cocktail is not unique. They, cocktails, are gaining popularity, but it isn’t like the Violet Hour invented the gourmet cocktail… it is like the argument that any burger place that has gourmet burgers is trying to be Kuma’s. It is more of a response to a larger trend… and right now gourmet burgers and cocktails are in.
Anyway, I really loved my lemony gin drink… and the bartenders were super great. I am sold on this place. Surrender; it’s happening.

Another culinary cocktail lounge sprouted and it was time to investigate. I ordered the Firefly cocktail which had Knickerbocker gin, Zirbenz Stone Pine liqueur and chartreuse with lime, bitters, egg whites and a sprig of rosemary. Somewhat exotic ingredients and liquor mixed together, but the taste didn’t really come together for me. Was a bit too sour with a unexplainable aftertaste. Perhaps it was the pine liqueur.
Also tried the half acre soda of the day. It had thyme infused in it, but it tasted somewhat funky with a coconut aftertaste. So after trying two of their highly rated drinks leaving me with puzzled and confused emotions, I really can’t rate this place too high.
Besides the light fixtures, even the décor was a bit cookie cutter design.
Although, the Exchange inspired me to buy my own carbonator so that I can reduce my own syrup and make my own sodas.

I dig it.
This stretch of Milwaukee is soon gonna be poppin’…like it’s counterpart to the North. The Exchange is a great new addition! Vibe is laid-​back and cozy and the staff is down-​to-​earth and really friendly! They have their handcrafted creations for pretty a pretty decent price! I ordered the Hard Five (bourbon, egg whites) and it was really smooth and awesome. But, upon the waitresses suggestion, my next drink was the 75 — which I compared to a fizzy, sweeter gin & tonic. You could not taste the alcohol in it at all, but… it was definitely there! Our drinks ranged from $ 8-​$ 10, which is pretty awesome, considering that’s how much some bars will charge you for a regular mixed drink.
The doorman? Bouncer? Man in a suit by the door? He really classed up the place, I’d have to say. Love the abundance of mirrors and just the décor over all. Seating is pretty limited and close together (we were lucky to have snagged some seats in the booth!). Try to get there early if you want seats!
I’m a fan! Count me in for a return visit.

I may be slightly partial as I’ve played a roll behind the scenes of The Exchange (graphic design) but in my two short visits I have thrown out all preconceptions about what I like and don’t like in my drinks.
Who knew that I liked gin!
You seriously can’t go wrong with the cocktails on the menu. I encourage you to snag a seat at the bar so you can watch your drink being made. Many involve fire!

My 30^th is coming up right around the corner and lucky little me got to pop in here with a girlfriend for their soft opening. This place is adorable, cozy, warm and an absolutely perfect place to bring a date. I bet it will be packed on Valentine’s day.
The menu is extensive and well though out — and the people behind the bar are more mixologists than bartenders. Crafty people those mixologists are! I wish I could remember the cocktail I had — it had gin in it and I normally HATE gin … but whatever this was was fantastic.
Unfortunately it was a schoolnight so I had to hurry my butt home to bed — otherwise I could definitely see this being a great destination place for a weekend evening.