Whiskey Bar & Grill

I love this spot! It’s perfect for dates or just for a drink before heading to a loud club. The ambiance is classy and quieter than the surrounding spots. They make a great Old Fashioned and they have a long list of wine to choose from too.

Living in the Gold Coast, I hate the nightlife here. The Viagra Triangle is enough to drive me to Wicker Park for bars. However, the Whiskey is the one bar in my ‘hood that I will go to. We always hang out in the part of the bar that has the cool pictures of musicians on the wall and has booth seating. I love the décor/​style of the bar, and I love, love, love the music here! Everytime I’m here it seems to be 90s alternative, like Beck, Chili Peppers, Sublime, Filter, Blur, etc. love it so much! The food is good-​love the tomato soup and the hot wings, and so are the cocktails, however it isn’t cheap by any means.
When I’m wanting to stay in the Gold Coast and want good music and a nice atmosphere, this is where I come. Extra points for when they show 80s/​90s music videos they play later at night. As a person who mainly hangs out in wicker park, this place is a good substitute when I’m too lazy to head west.

I’ve been going to the Whiskey for over 10 years and it’s like a hidden gem in the Gold Coast, as it is easy for your eyes to gloss over and hone in on the bright twinkly lights just across the street (in either direction). You know, Carmine’s, Hugo’s Frog Bar, Luxe Bar. Zombie-​like trances are quite common in this part of the city — if it’s not the signage, then perhaps it’s for the auto imports or the abundant sightings of skinny-​twig-​girls arm-​in-​arm with the old, wrinkly white dudes.
The Whiskey Bar is what some may call a hotel bar — it is, afterall, in the same building as the Sutton Place Hotel. The prices it commands are certainly high, although in-​line for the area. When you enter, you’re always greeted nicely by the hostess at the podium, who is quick to direct you to the bar or the restaurant… and also stand guard at the bathroom which are treacherously down a flight of stairs (I say treacherous in that, if you’ve got 5-​martinis in you, then sure, it’s going to be hell figuring out how to get down those stairs. Then again, so would any place if you’ve got that much liquor in you.)
I digress — so this latest review for Whiskey is directed at my last visit to the bar with a friend from out of town. Let’s say the service from the young barman left much to be desired. It was pouring buckets of rain out and if you think about what that can do to anyone trapped without an umbrella, then it doesn’t take a genius to know you’re not going to look the prettiest… no matter what you’re wearing (and we were dressed appropriately for the afternoon.)
But this fella decided that my friend alone (I was in the bathroom freshening up) was not really serious about a cocktail. Even though, the barman heard me tell my friend to order me a wine. It took my return and serious eye contact (we were at the bar — how close did he want us to be?) before we were served.
Moving over to the lounge seating area improved our mood — and further away from the attitude-​prone guy. The lone cocktail waitress was attentive at freshening our glasses and getting us the bill (2 hours later) and the generous tip we left were based on her merits alone, not the bartender.
The service industry can be a tough place to work in and we recognize that some people have off-days…but given my history of patronage of the Whiskey Bar, I’ll go back for sure (great food, cozy environment, dim lighting, nice list of martinis, outdoor dining during the summertime, and clean bathrooms… when you finally get your way down those stairs) — but if that fella should be there again and gives poor service again, then I’ll be more apt to just leave and not return again. There’s so many other places in the Gold Coast that would be happy to have our business.

Were going to a party on Saturday night and wanted to get a head start before the festivities. The drinks were right on the money. I told the bartender what I was interested in and she gave me a midnight Manhattan. Yum! I’ll have another please! We didn’t eat there, but the food was presented in an appetizing fashion. So shut up and eat before it goes missing. I will be back for the food. The atmosphere was very relaxed as well.

*********************** 788 *************************
3.5 Stars
I’ve been coming here for years when I was frequent Chi Town monthly. Reason, it’s convenient, and downstairs from the Sutton Place Hotel. They do make good girly cocktails here: Cosmopolitan, Apple Martini, Raspberry Lemondrop, to name a few.
Food is not too memorable, the service is always on point, and they do have TV for you to watch games. Price point is on the higher end of this part of town.
The bar is always jam packed, because they always have live DJ on the weekend. If you are in the mood to party is OK, but if you want to chill, come on a week night instead. I can get rowdy in here.

Sick bar with a great weekend DJ. If you’re staying at the Sutton it’s a must. The chicken fingers were great and the staff was nice. A little over priced but it is in a nice hotel so it is what it is.
Fat Tire on draft – check.

I like Whiskey Bar & Grill. It’s cozy and comfortable and I love the sofa’s near the bar. The drinks are strong and not as pricey as you would expect. I am far from a regular but when I am in the area I will definitely stop by for a cocktail and usually some interesting conversation.
Question to ponder: Based on the dress that the female staff is required to wear do you think that they have a weight limit? Think about that question the next time you are at Whiskey Bar :-)

It’s your less expensive, less crowded version of a Tavern on Rush — if you will.
Came here with a new-​to-​Chicago friend who couldn’t justify spending Hugo’s prices, but wanted to be in the Triangle. Surprising the food was actually really great. We had the bruschetta appetizer and a chopped salad. However, everything I saw coming out of the kitchen looked great and prices were really fair. And, as always, the people watching is great.
Qualms: service is subpar, the waitresses are in virtually no clothing, and the wine was served beyond warm.
I’d like to go again and sample some other items.

The food can be decent, but after our experience last Thursday we’ll never be back. We walked in a little after eleven, and the fat guy who was playing host was so rude we turned around and left. Gave our business to the bar across the street, and will make sure to tell everyone we know never to stop by The Whiskey Bar.

Came here for brunch on a quiet day. Waiter forgot my drink order, food was subpar…

It’s a good thing I didn’t read any of the previous Unilocal reviews on this place — I would have gone into the bar with a grudge and an attitude. What can I say? You would do the same thing!!!
Anywhosey, my friends and I wandered into Whiskey after spending a gruling hour of looking for a bar on St. Patrick’s Day which wasn’t full of raving, puking, crying, drunk lunitics. We were SO happy to find a place that wasn’t packed, was not overly loud, and that had air conditioning! The waitress looked a bit overextended but the reinforcements came to our rescue and brought us shots, beer, and the biggest plate of french fries you’ve ever seen! He even took pictures of us doing drunk girl poses!
The rest of the crowd seemed to be middle-​aged men who like to shop at American Eagle and like to visit the tanning bed. Oh well, to each his own!
All and all our service was great (thanks John!!) and I know we’ll all be back!

I came here a while back for a random impromptu cousin’s night out in Chicago. We had originally come into the city for some Michigan Avenue fun, but ended up bar hopping instead. Of all the places we went to that day, I will have to say that the Whiskey Bar and Grill was my favorite.
I’m not really a whiskey aficionado, but I did appreciate the selection of whiskeys that were available. If one isn’t really into whiskey, they do have a cocktail menu that was really nice and offered a variety of different options.
I loved the way the bar had a lounge-​feel to it. Since we were there in the wintertime, the window-​doors were closed, but I’m sure the place is even more awesome in the Spring-​Fall seasons when the doors are open and allows for outdoor seating.
I will definitely be coming here again.

A Whiskey Bar coming to a hotel near you! From the same proprietors as Whiskey Blue in W’s across America (see: NYC, NOLA, LA) comes «The Whiskey», this time in The Sutton Place Hotel in Chicago. Why is there a «the» prior to «whiskey»? Because like the Ohio State University (and the Sutton Place), they’re important, goshdangit.
After receiving a pizza coma at Lou Malnati’s, we went searching for a place for some R&R (&W!) prior to the evening festivities. Stumbling upon The Whiskey and available plush seating, we ambled in and ordered up some whiskey. It’s an extensive but not overwhelming selection of whiskeys, and it’s not so much a whiskey bar as it is a hotel bar. Personally, I did a Glenfiddich 12.
We also got suckered by the onion rings, first ordered by another table. They looked (and eventually tasted) delicious.
There’s a specialty drink menu for the ladies if whiskey isn’t your bag, baby.

I left this place feeling like cold oatmeal. It was packed with loud, obnoxious, drunk people of all ages. I felt like I was at a frat party.
The service was fine and the potato skins were okay. But: The whiskey list was extremely lackluster. If a joint is going to have the word «whiskey» in the title, they need to have a shining list of whiskeys. This place is no match for Duke of Perch in Lakeview and I found myself yearning to be there instead.
What was worse?!? My gal pal wanted to pop her «whiskey cherry» and they server recommended Makers Mark… no way, Jose! I decided to purchase a whiskey that has been aged a lot longer and had no bite, so we could share.
Go back? I do not think so.

I have this dream: Walk into a bar and order a glass of whiskey. Really good whiskey.
Second stop of our ‘Sip Happens’ tour finds us at the Whiskey Bar & Grill. Woohoo! I can start tasting whiskey’s in order to make my dream come true! I inform our helpful server and ask what he recommends. He brought me a Makers.
Wow.
Way to kill a woman’s dream
Luckily my friend had ordered a wonderful whiskey that I was able to enjoy.
The potato skins however were totally top notch!
Tip for the server: if a woman says she’d like to taste a good whiskey — don’t give her crap. Trust me, I can afford a good glass if I’m asking for it. Next time I’ll try my whiskey tasting elsewhere.

Looking for a sugar daddy? This is your spot.

We dined here because we had a) just flown in and we were starving b) there was no wait c) We had been to another place in the «Whiskey» chain when visiting Ft Lauderdale and it was THAT bad.
Let me just say — the highlight of this meal was seeing Guiliana and Bill walk down the street past us. (ie a VERY lackluster experience)
The food was nothing to remember. I had a pizza which was floppy and weird. My ceasar salad had old lettuce and gigantic croutons which crumble when you cut them, yet could not fit in your mouth without being cut?!
Shitty wine list — this place is a bar so the cocktails were extensive. We were disappointed by the whole experience though. The waitstaff was inattentive and slightly rude.
After dining here, we soon realized why this was the only place on the block with tables still available outside and inside…

Interesting that prior to the days of Unilocal being so rampant, I end up visiting places that more or less look good but may not be so good. I only came to Mexx for drinks so I don’t know how awesome the food is (or … not awesome in this case) but overall I thought the place was a solid 3-​stars. Nothing extremely impressive but nothing terrible.
The service was good, prompt, waitress came by to fill the water glass repeatedly. The liquor offered was expensive but for the location you can’t really get much better. Sitting outdoors on a fantastic evening in Chicago summer time having a drink on Rush St. There is no better feeling than the slight brisk wind whisking by your hair as you sip on some overpriced alcohol.
The dessert was ok, too sweet for me but not bad overall. I don’t think I’d come back though given there are so many wonderful places on Rush St that aren’t rated so poorly.

I hate to admit that I had drinks here. I know. No excuses.
I had two glasses of wine… what kind? Not sure, but it wasn’t too memorable. We also had the cheese plate, which was actually pretty good.
The music was loud, crowd was super rough and service was just ok. There was a very loud group of women next to us celebrating a birthday. It was as if they had taken over the whole bar.
I will not be returning.

Ahh. .…the «Viagra Triangle» on a balmy November night. Nothing better for people watching and for having a drink in one of the few places I actually like in this «neck of the woods». The Whiskey Bar and Grill.
The ambiance? Upscale but not pretentious. The cork paneled walls are covered with photographs of musicians and the bar runs almost the length of the room. There are seating clusters up front and in the warmer months– you can sit outside and watch the craziness of Rush Street go by.
Service was spot on and the staff was helpful in keeping the place comfortable in terms of number of people and where they were allowing people to stand and mingle.
The crowd? Sure. There were quite a few tourists waiting for tables at other restaurants in the area (a shout out to our new friends from Holland!). But the majority of the people were a little older (late 30’s to 40’s) and were out enjoying the amazing weather and a little adult socialization.
The «Viagra Triangle» will never be on the top of my list as someplace to go regularly. But on the nights I find myself there– you can bet I will be having a drink at the Whisky Bar and Grill. I like places where I can hang out and meet other interesting adults.