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Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: North CenterIrving Park (Brown)
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Blue Stem Martini Lounge is very interesting. It's based on neighborhood kitcsh - one wall is decorate with twisted birthday streamers - and fruity martinis. This is not the place to go when your dressed up and ready for a good "Dirty." Lefko, the bartender, is as eccentric as they come and asks you about your preferences prior to making your cocktail. I ended up with a Blackberry concoction that was a lot of fun.
This would be a good place to go on a casual date of girls night out in jeans and flip flops.
I have finally found a replacement for the divey little martini bar I would go to a couple times a week in college. Yay! I needed a place like this in Chicago..
Blue Stem Martini Bar has taken the Cosmopolitan-inspired martinis, redone them with less sugar and barely any taste of vodka and set them in a a divey atmosphere that smells faintly like french fries. The martinis are really delicious and the place hits the spot when you're needing a change from the millions of Irish Pubs in Chicago that have nothing to differentiate themselves from each other.
On Lefko, the Martini Artist: She's quirky and passionate, and martinis are her raison d'etre. My friend had taken two anti-histamines and didn't want to finish her French Kiss (which was a little too cotton-candyish...more pineapple please!). We may have dumped it out in the large decorative pot next to our table out of fear of insulting her. It was good, but potent, and I certainly didn't want to finish it after already drinking a couple.
Yum! Also got to sample a raspberry martini. Lefko is so nice! She's straight-forward about her martinis being different. She was disappointed when she found out we had drank martinis before (I guess we look young because who hasn't at 27?). She was sure to emphasize that she didn't have "normal" martinis, i.e. gin and vermouth, etc, so for you self-proclaimed martini snobs (eye roll), you might not like it.
In summary, Blue Stem is a great, great place. Lefko has her way of doing things, which could turn some people off...But I want to emphasize that it actually has character (!), a different menu (!) and you can carry on a conversation with your friends while being surrounded by people who could BECOME your friends. In fact, my new meter for judging whether I can be friends with someone is taking them to this place and seeing their reaction.
I have to concur with Anne M. about Blue Stem. This is a great place for people who don't like martinis to have "martinis".
Lefko is outgoing, very friendly and a character yes. But getting back to the cocktails, do not expect a Matchbox, Violet Hour, Peninsula, Tiny Lounge, etc. spirits list or experience. For one, the gin selection is very limited - no North Shore, Plymouth, Hendrick's, or anything beyond Bombay. Vodka seems to be the primary base here, but not being a vodka drinker I didn't really pay attention to the selection. The liqueur and amari selection is also lacking. Came in one evening wanting a Negroni - alas no Campari. That said, I did manage to get properly squiffy on a very sizable cocktail. But having sampled the typical offering here, think breakfast fruity drink with extra booze.
I'll give it 3 stars because it can be a fun place, I've never seen it overly crowded and the patrons seem to be pretty laid back. Chances are you will get some free samples of the various concoctions that Lefko is either experimenting with or leftovers from having made too much of something for someone else. If you want to get crocked off Hi-C, then you've got your very own little playground. But if you want a "proper" martini or traditional cocktail, keep on moving - there is little to see here.
I'm gonna say it-- I have had better martinis. Where? Fulton Lounge, Marty's, NoMi, and Violet Hour just to name a few. But can I belly up to the bar in a track jacket and a mismatched fedora to cover up some rumpled hair at those other spots?
No-- they're either too swanky, hip and/or are frequented by in-the-right stylish gay men who would rip me apart for leaving my condo looking so disheveled. As in, "honey, you could have at least taken a mascara wand to those anorexic lashes!"
Right? Right.
Blue Stem is a dive martini bar, whatever the hell that means. I can't think of another bar that it could rub elbows with in that category. So why bother? Lefko is cool. She doesn't have a filter. And I dig that.
3 hours and 45 minutes 'til it's officially my birthday. Where do you think I'll be sneaking a midnight martini? You got it!
God bless Lefko. Now she is a bad ass woman if I've ever seen one.
She makes potently delicious…
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Look, I really dislike martinis. I don't like a traditional martini with gin or vodka, and I love gin. I don't like flavored martinis because they're typically all flavored vodka, so it's like drinking infused rubbing alcohol. Bleeecchhh.
After celebrating bar exam passage (yay!) at the Violet Hour, Tom & I met another lawyer newb at Blue Stem. She refuses to come south of Diversy, so I suggested Blue Stem per you yelpers' suggestions.
We all liked it. I was impressed by Lefko's attention to detail - I told her of my martini aversion, so she made me some samples. I ended up with one of her berry creations and was impressed that it was neither boozy-tasting, sugary, nor mainly juice. It was good. Tom initially ordered a beer, but once he heard Lefko talk about her martinis like they were her children, he felt that he must be insulting her by not ordering one. He got something pear-flavored that was nice.
It was good. It was very laid-back, so we weren't embarrassed by how loudly excited we were about being done with the bar exam forever. Lefko is an interesting lady. I will go back the next time I hang out with my northside friend.
Raving reviewers of Blue Stem: Apple-tini, banana-tini, amare-tini, very-berry-tini...hello, these are not real drinks! Quality gin or vodka, a drop of dry vermouth, shaken or stirred with a twist or olive, THAT is a martini. I am stunned by the wild positive Yelp reviews of a bar that doesn't carry anything better than Bombay Sapphire, doesn't know the difference between when to shake and when to stir and it calls itself a "martini lounge". OK. Snob? Guilty. I won't come back and waste a shocking $14 on a kiddy cocktail served in a grown-up glass.
The five stars is only because it was one of the most well crafted Martini's I've had in the city. Also the place is very unpretentious, something hard to find in a martini bar these days. If feels like a dive bar that serves 5 star martinis. But boy will you pay for them. Literally. It takes a while to make martinis this good so I would hate to come here on a crowded day. Tuesday night was perfect though.
I don't get it. What am I missing here? Everyone seems to love this place and I do not.
First, Lefko, the owner, is a one of a kind character. She does engage everyone in conversation, and that's cool, but sometimes I just want to drink my martini and talk to the people that I am with and not spend 10 minutes with her while she tells me that my hair is so different from the last time I was in. It was not different and I just wanted my 'tini!
Second, the drinks are WEAK!!! How are you people getting wasted off of this stuff?!?!?! I have had several of the martinis and felt nary a buzz. Also, the pear martini (while delicious) seems to be just pear flavored vodka. And can someone explain to me why it sometimes takes 15 minutes for Lefko to make a martini?!? She claims that she needs to let it "settle" and "mellow out." Why do martinis need to be placed on a time-out? Why?!?
I've given Blue Stem two chances to redeem itself and I'm still left shaking my head and not understanding what is so fabulous about this place.
Blue Stem fills a unique void by being both mildly dive-y and delightfully chic. A dive martini bar? Yes. LOVE.
Lefko, the goddess behind the bar, was marvelous. She spotted us as newbies (perhaps because we ordered beers...) and gave us a two for one deal on the martinis. We protested (we'd had more than enough to drink that night and both had to be at work early the next morning), but she argued that her drinks were "clean" and we'd "sleep like babies" with no hangover in the morning. Intriguing...
We went with the pear and the white cosmo. DEE-licious! They took a little while to make, but I chalk that up to Lefko's keen attention to detail. Both martinis were crystal-clear (no fake-ity green coloring to the pear martini) and you could barely taste the alcohol (both good and bad...).
So we sat back, sipped our sultry libations, and listened to the smooth vocal jazz ensemble performing that evening. I could physically feel myself growing more suave with each passing minute. Plus, let's face it, there's no sexier accessory than a martini glass. We are swanky ladies, indeed.
Swanky ladies who work office jobs at 8 in the morning, that is. I'm pleased to report that both members of the Debonair Duo made it to work promptly and hangover-free. Thanks, Lefko!
Lefko, Lefko, Lefko. I think you come from my family's side of the world. Gotta love the Eastern Europeans. Although I really couldn't tell because I WAS SO DRUNK I COULDN'T HOLD A CONVERSATION!!!
(And so was she, I think?)
(Now, before Blue Stem we were at Tiny Lounge, so we came in already buzzing. Lefko just happened to finish us off for the night.)
12 pm Friday night and we're at the Burger King on Laurence trying desperately to sober up in an attempt to drive home a mere 3 miles. Oh dear god.
What is in those drinks, Lefko? My girlfriend had the pear martini and I had the mango martini. Lefko loved talking to us and gave us free shots of ...oh god..what was it??!!
But we felt we had to prove ourselves and downed those drinks and our huge martinis.Top shelf alcohol, huge glasses, and NO HANGOVER!??
I told her to check out Yelp for reviews about her. She told me that in 30 years she has never used a computer.
Umm, ok... but regardles this woman is awesome.
A half liter of sangria, 3 beers and a martini....confirmed horrible hang over the next day, right? Not with the martini's at Blue Stem Martini Lounge!
We stopped in here for one more beer before calling it a night. After all, it was pretty late on a Thursday and we both had work early the next day. The bartender, Lefko, put on some pretty heavy peer preassure to try their martini's (we must have stuck out pretty badly with our two beers). After having a sample she made us, our arms were twisted by the buy one get one free deal she offered. Despite our pleas that we already drank sangria & beer, Lefko promised us her drinks were "clean" and we would not have a hang over the next day. Miraculously she was correct. We were tired, of course, but no hang over! The martini's were also delicious. You could barely taste the alcohol (which can be very dangerous). Along with the great jazz music that was playing, we fell in love with the place. We will definitley be back for more martini's and great music!
we pretty much just got back from Blue Stem and so you'll have to trust that this is maybe one of the freshest reviews you'll read. Apologies for the typos---the 'special delight' martini has not yet worn off.
The bartender is strange, it's true as other reviewers have noted. she 'couldnt make a martini while we talked to her' and she seemed drunk, to be honest. the martinis were good, but the service was weak.
Overall, a fun place to visit for a martini, pay in cash and that's all you need. does that make sense.? am i making sense?
So much yes.
Definitely one of those places that you have to be forewarned of - and of Lefko.
It typically takes forever to get a martini. Lefko is pretty much the only one behind the bar, and she is usually elbow deep in top shelf booze herself. She takes the martini seriously which is a rarity in Chicago these days. The woman is a character. She will engage you in conversation whether you want her to or not.
She literally didn't let us leave. She dragged us back after we got up to go to Katerina's across the street. She lost my credit card. She boozed me up. She interrupted our conversation(s). She got my drink wrong.
And I will continue to go back. I love Greeks.
Best martinis I've ever had. Amazing. She is an artist.
But be prepared to have lots of conversation with Lefko. And yes, you wait.
Just as the martini hits you on your way out, so does the bill. It is not cheap. The quote from a dear friend of mine, "Did we really spend $60 each at BSML last night!? That was not in the budget". The price racks up. But if you're not concerned about your personal budget, it is definitely worth it now and again.
When I handed over $20 and got $6 for change I thought, "HOLY F****** BALLS! Are you serious?" Yea, they were. But I don't mind. That was one of the most delicious martinis that I've ever had. The flavor was pear, which tasted like a real pear and had two huge slices of freshly cut pear inside of it. The glass was HUGE! It could have easily been 3 martinis in itself.
The bartender, whom I believe might be the owner, was so sweet. She let me taste the martini before she officially took my money. Then she claimed she had ripped me off, but I don't know how since the glass was full. Nevertheless, 1/3 into my martini she topped me off.
Here's to you Blue Stem. You've got expensive taste!
I want to love this place but have reservations. Yes, Lefko is gloriously nuts. Yes, the atmosphere is warm and funky. But - unless you drink Stella or pricey martinis - don't drink at the Blue Stem. There is no wine at this bar.
About those martinis: Let's say I wish I'd just ordered one of her specials. I'm a purist, so I ordered a simple vodka martini. Yes, it was tasty and huge - but $14??? Most of her specialty drinks are less $$$. For the first time in my life, I didn't leave a tip. On a Wednesday evening, for the same price, I could have had two equally-huge Grey Goose martinis down the road at Lizards Liquid Lounge. If I don't want to head down to Albany, I'll cross the street to Katerina's and save $5. $14 for a simple vodka martini - even if it's Grey Goose- is simply highway robbery. Yelp should really add a couple of dollar signs to the description. I've paid less for the same at 5-star hotel bars.
Michaelia F., Theresa C. and I came here last night to celebrate my new job. We read a couple of reviews that said this place gets hoppin around 10 so we decided to come in early to be sure we got a table. I was actually kind of surprised that there weren't that many people there when we arrived. We got a table right away and had some time to soak in the scenery since it took almost 15 minutes for the bartender to take our order. I like the feel of the bar - it's small, cozy and nicely decorated. Very lounge-y - just the right amount of lighting to feel intimate and classy. There was a ton of nice art on the walls - I love photography so I had a nice time taking a look at all of the prints for sale in the bar.
The bartender took our orders and suggested a new, non-menu martini to one of my friends. One friend got the mango martini, one friend got an awesome blueberry martini, and I got the berry martini. Everyone liked their creation except me. It wasn't that the berry martini was bad, I just expected it to have much more berry flavor. The martini was overpowered by the flavor of pineapple (not a berry) and it wasn't the most pleasing experience. Not bad, but not very good. Everyone else really enjoyed their martinis and I would have liked to try another.
If you're expecting quick service, don't come here. Or maybe sit right at the bar. There's only one bartender and she makes killer drinks - they're delicious and strong - but she takes her time and she has a lot of customers to serve. I ordered another martini but it took so long that I'm pretty sure she forgot to make it (but still charged us for it) so then we decided to leave. We hadn't really planned on hanging out here for several hours so I think the bartender was disappointed that we weren't staying longer. Yeah, I kind of wanted to but I didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for a drink.
All in all, the drinks are stellar and there's a lot of creations that aren't on the menu, but it takes a little while to actually get a drink. It's worth the wait, for sure, but if you had just planned on hitting this place up before you go to another bar, expect to wait longer than you expect. The drinks are pretty pricey but Stoli looks to be their well vodka, so it's totally worth it. And the bartender was super friendly and funny so that and the tasty drinks made the waiting worth it.
Came here with the lovely Jenna R. and Theresa C. last week for drinks to celebrate Jenna R.'s new job!
This place is really laid back and friendly, and the bartender is awesome: friendly, hilarious, and fun. She really makes the place what it is.
I ordered the mango martini, because I don't really like vodka (I'm a bourbon girl) and I didn't want to taste it; I wanted it to be covered up in fruity goodness. This drink totally delivered on that. It was fruity, sweet, and did not taste at all of that vile spirit, vodka. Peering at the bar, it seems that they only use top-shelf liquor here, which is really nice. I had a sip of my friends' berry martini and blueberry martini, and both of those were also delicious.
At the end of the night, there was a minor problem with our bill but it was resolved right away, with many apologies. I loved the vibe here, but I'll be back only after a nice paycheck because $12-$15 drinks are unfortunately not in my price range.
I came in here with a very heavy bias -- seeing as how I bartend at a martini bar myself (Olive or Twist, shameless plug). I had a pear martini that I thought was great. You could barely taste the alcohol, it was smooth and it was worth the $11 or $12 I paid for it. (I want to try to replicate it at my own bar -- it's really quite good.)
But the reason I give it 3 stars is the fact that it's not a well run bar by any means. Lefko is a great bartender in terms of making drinks and her attitude is good as well, but it shouldn't take 25-30 minutes for each person to get a martini. There could be 5 people in the bar and it would still take a good 20 minutes to get a martini. I think my time is worth a little more than that, plus I'd like to be able to have more than one martini in an hour plus.
Lefko makes a damn good drink. The problem with this is that she is the ONLY one there who can make a drink. period. she does not trust anyone else to make the martinis, and for good reason.
i went there on a saturday night. she is so busy that drinks take forever. i do not drink vodka, so i order a manhattan.
it is the best manhattan i've ever had.
when it comes time for another, i step up to the bar and order from Lefko. she tells the bar back to make it. i watch in horror as he pours j & b into a rocks glass. lefko sees this and quickly whispers in his ear the correct ingrdients for a manhattan. new glass. he then pours half canadian club and half jim beam mixed with way too much sweet vermouth and no bitters. disgusting. i have to ask for a new one. lefko again does not have time to make it, so ol dude tries again. marginally better, but still pretty foul.
if you drink vodka, get here. if you don't, beware. i would return on a weeknight when it wasn't crowded in the hopes of having the actual bartender make me a drink.
OK, first off, even though I had heard the stories, I wasnt fully prepared for my experience at Blue Stem. Secondly, goddamn it, I am trying to be LESS of a lush, and I now see that as long as this place remains in business this will be an impossibility.
So anyway, Lefko senses this and immediately says "Oh I can tell you like your drinks strong. Here, have some of this. Its a White Cosmo." And good holy damn if it isnt a sweet gift from heaven. Is there vodka even in this? "Oh yes," she says, and produces a bottle of Stoli. "See this crap? I make that out of this." How it is possible I dont know, but she did it! I watched! Insanity!
We never even really ordered, she just brought over things that she made and each drink was more delightful than the next. There was a blueberry martini, a raspberry and something frozen that tasted a little like strawberry. Plus, as a bonus, we were lauded and complimented for being there super early (like around 7pm). When does THAT ever happen! haha.
Although now I probably can never order a martini anywhere else, since they will all taste nasty, but considering each martini here runs about $12 a pop, that works out OK. I gotta save my money for the next time I come in!
Lefko is wonderful. She let Carolynne r. and I try a bunch of different flavors before ordering. After the first one, we just told her to make us what she wants. It was all good.
I'm not much of a Martini drinker, but I really enjoyed everything that Lefko made us. She is the Albert Einstein of Bartenders. Pure Genius.
Not only is Lefko a Genius when it comes to mixing drinks, she is a total sweetheart as well. She kept telling us that she would make us something else if we didn't like the batch she had made. The large, buzzed, Martini grins should have been a dead give away that we loved what we were drinking.
The bottom line is that if you are looking for the best martini in town, in a cozy atmosphere, you need to go see Refko at the Blue stem. It is a relaxing experience that we desperately needed after a hard week at work.
Lefko, whom I assume is the owner, is like that crazy Aunt in your family that you sometimes wonder what is going on in her head but consistantly amuses you.....
... we went there and had a great time (although a bit expensive).... and would be back more often if there were some well advertised specials.... but if you get the chance, it is definetly worth stopping by at least once..
If there is a Lefko Fan Club, I would like to nominate myself for President. Or even Vice-President. Hell, I'd be honored just to be a member of the club.
So I finally came back here last night with 7 Blue Stem Virgins in tow... and I think it's safe to say they all want to join the fan club as well.
To say Lefko took care of us is an understatement. She took my friends and I on a journey that was amazing, and left my friends calling her "magic." Because she IS magic.
We started with our own ideas of what we wanted, and as the night wore on we became Lefko's personal guinea pigs and tried out some new recipes she was working on. If you've met me, you know I'm stubborn when it comes to trying new things but I succumbed to the peer pressure and ended up loving everything that touched my lips and dazzled my taste buds last night. Even the vodka that tasted like "human ass" (as Lefko put it) on its own (and it really did), but when she got her hands on it and performed her magic it tasted amazing in a drink. How does she do that?!
Even when my friends were ordering drinks that required olive juice, which she was out of, Lefko rose to the challenge and was behind the bar literally squeezing the juice out of olives to make sure my friends were happy. And they were. Every time Lefko would stop by our table to chat when she would walk away, my friends would turn to me and say, "I LOVE HER." Um, I KNOW.
This morning? Totally not hungover. Again, how does she do that?! Magic, I say.
Oh, Lefko. I want to put you in my pocket to make me smile all day. But that would kind of be like kidnapping, and I'm not a fan of jail. So I guess I'll have to settle for coming back here. A lot.
There was a moment last night when I feared I would never be able to set foot in Blue Stem again.… Read more »
Let me preface this review by saying that a night at Blue Stem is unlike drinking at any other bar you have ever set foot in. It is an experience. If you keep an open mind and go with the flow, you will have a fantastic and memorable time. Here's a few rules to follow at Blue Stem:
1. Do not, by any means, drive to Blue Stem or think that you will be able to drive home. Even if you think you're just going for "one drink". It will not happen. Take a cab, take a bus, take the nearby Irving Park brown line. Call your mom to come get you. Whatever you do, don't think about driving.
2. Become friendly with Lefko. Actually, you won't have to work very hard, as she will immediately become friends with you. And probably kiss you on the cheek.
3. Order the Pear Martini. It tastes like delicious pear juice. But not sugary.
4. If Lefko offers to make you one of her "new creations", by all means, accept. The blueberry and blackberry martinis she made for us were amazing. She didn't charge us for several of these "new creations" she brought over.
5. If Lefko says she is going in the back to make you a panini, believe her. Even if you have already paid your tab and are ready to leave. Don't leave the bar while she is doing this, as she will chase you down the street with said panini, yelling at you.
If you follow these rules, you will have an evening to remember. And no hangover the next day! It may be a little while before I can handle another Lefko evening, but I know those martinis will be calling me back to Blue Stem again and again....
FADE IN:
TITLE OVER BLACK: A Conversation at the Blue Stem Martini Lounge
INT. BAR - NIGHT
[JOE and FRIEND enter a shadowy room. They move to the bar and both take a seat. The two order drinks from LEFKO. She wears a subtly stylish shirt and a sly smile. After carefully mixing the concoctions, she places them on the bar, ready to serve and imbibe.]
FRIEND: You should write a Yelp review for this place. It's pretty spectacular.
JOE: It is indeed. But so many people have written about it already. I really wouldn't know what to say.
FRIEND: You've written about other places that lots of people have reviewed. What about those?
JOE: This is true. However, in each of those instances I've had an anecdote - an interesting or funny story that made the experience more personal, or perhaps some not so subtle metaphor that related the business and my experiences there to a larger more abstract idea. As great as this place is, there's really nothing that I can think to write that wouldn't be redundant.
LEFKO: Enjoying your drinks?
JOE: Oh, absolutely. This pear is fantastic.
LEFKO: Glad to hear. When you're done I've got something I've worked up just for you.
JOE: Very cool. I can't wait.
FRIEND: See? This place is great. What's not to like... I mean, beside for the drinks being a bit pricey.
JOE: But that's a bit of a fallacy. These things are straight booze. You're getting the same amount of alcohol in one of these that you would in three drinks from another bar that would add up to the same price. The difference being these aren't cut with anything. So instead of throwing back three watered down rum and cokes or whisky gingers and filling up mostly on melted ice and soda, you enjoy one rather behemoth-sized drink that is nothing but expertly-mixed alcohol. At the risk of sounding like a total lush, if you really want to drink, this is the way to do it.
FRIEND: I suppose that's true. Then seriously, you need to write a review for this place.
JOE: Like I said, I would, I just don't know if I could say anything that hasn't been said already. Besides, I've had too many 5 star reviews lately. I like to keep the distribution curve somewhat even.
FRIEND: Just write another review for a strip club or some awful dude-bro bar and you'll be fine. Or what about that place that dicked you over with your cell phone?
JOE: Perhaps you're right. Maybe I'll do that. This place is pretty fantastic.
FADE OUT:
END SCENE
This is a good place to go if... you want to spend the evening discussing how utterly fantastic the place is.
Well it's true what all the reviews say about the resident bartender Lefko.
The woman is crazy.
These were a sampling of the exchanges of dialogue made yesterday:
After I told her I knew Mike the Greek Bartender from Greektown:
"Do you know my friend Tommy the Greek? Yeah you know, the guy -- he only dates strippers. That's all! Strippers!" (lol)
Afer my friend Eric's girl friend expressed her hesitation in ordering a martini (she was a martini virgin!) due to the $14 price tag:
"Listen, I'm not a motherfucker! Those other motherfucking bartenders don't know how to make a martini...they give you *this* much liquor...their shit is bullshit! Once you taste my shit, you'll know what I mean!"
We both stare at each other like, "DAYUMMMM. ALRIGHT! Bring it on then!" I swear, the look on Eric's friend's face was fucking priceless.
After telling Lefko she's all the rage on Yelp and her pictures are splayed all over Yelp and everyone apparently workships her, she turns to me and Andy S. and goes, " I don't have a fucking computer. And guess what? I have an Associate's degree in Computer Programming. But I don't got a fuggin' computer!"
After asking Lefko what the Hypnotiq Martini was on her menu--
(A brutally honest answer)-- "Don't order that bullshit. My distributor makes me put it on my menu. It tastes like shit. Don't order it!"
And...last...but not least...presents my perfectly made martini in front of me and says in a very dramatic way, "For you, mademoiselle. Be careful now!", with the most cunning and mischievous smile I've ever seen.
The woman is insanely entertaining and watching her make her martini's for my party of 4 truly made me appreciate her art and skill. She won't serve you a martini if she fucks it up. She'll make it in front of you (prepare to wait 5-7 minutes, but patience is key cuz when she gets it right, she REALLY gets it right!) and then she'll take a sniff at it, skim a little off into her shot glass, taste it, and won't shy from making a scrunched up face in front of you if she thinks its no good. Then she'll remake it. It's totally hilarious to watch.
We sampled:
-Mango Martini (highly recommend this, my favorite out of all of them)
- Whte Martini (made with White Cranberry)
-Blueberry Martini
-Pear Martini
-Pleasant Martini (or was it Fantasy martini? I don't remember...I was gone after like 5 sips tho...the woman knows how to make them STRONG and lemme tell you-- YOU WILL NOT TASTE THE LIQUOR AT ALL!)
Now, that, my friends, is one talented skill to have.
Lefko is insane.
Lefko's drinks are even more insane.
Blueberry martini? Blueberry in liquid form. Booze? Couldn't taste it. Was it strong? Yeow.
Pear martini? Concentrated pear juice. Vodka-soaked pear? Delish.
My hangover this morning? OUCH. It was entirely worth it, though. Lefko has a new fan in me.
No hesitation in the 5 stars. I'm surprised yelpers haven't started a separate website for Lefko. Pear martini = most delicious booze treat I've ever tasted... BUT the french martini = omg, vanilla juicy goodness..
& As I'm sure everyone else has mentioned, this woman knows what she's doing.
The most miraculous part of all- NO HANG OVER. Its almost baffling. All top shelf vodka and no excess sugar. Easily the best tasting martinis, ever.
Lefko is amazing! She was incredibly friendly and made me feel like a regular on my first visit. You might have to wait for your martini, but it is definitely worth it.
Ask for the blueberry martini. So, so, so good. She recommended it for my boyfriend and I couldn't stop drinking it. It was that good.
We both had two martinis each and woke up the next morning sans hangover. Magical. I will definitely be back, but early enough that the place won't be packed so I can have Lefko to myself. I'm greedy like that. When it is busy, she has no time to stop and talk.
I have met my match and she is a wild-haired Greek woman. Somehow, I always knew this would be the case.
I'd read a lot about this bar before coming. I wanted to try it, but I was a bit afraid. Some of the reviews made it seem as though Lefko was the Martini Nazi and I knew that I would not have my isht together enough to NOT screw up an order and get kicked out. I was scurred. So, I brought along two friends who were even more clueless than I about how this place worked. I figured, if I brought along some folks who had NO idea what was going on, they would befall the wrath and I would sit back and shake my head at them, all disapprovingly-like. Sacrificial lamb and all that.
We walked in and there were some people standing at the bar. Lefko was doing her thing. And we, we stood there. In the doorway. Motionless. "Man, am I not even going to make it to ONE drink before getting thrown out?" Lefko looked up and I played it off. I walked to the bar and asked for a menu. She gave me one and said she'd be with us in a bit. Whew.
I brought the menu back to the table and studied it vigorously. I knew what I wanted, but wanted to peruse the other offerings. Lefko arrived at the table. She pointed at me. "White Cosmo, please." She points at my friend. "I'll take a Pear Martini." She points at my friend's friend. "Uhm," as she drums on the table, "I don't know. I don't like sweet drinks. I think I just want a dirty martini. Do you serve those here?" I went into survival mode. Much like Jerry was forced to disavow himself of his girlfriend in order to sup at the Soup Nazi's table, I was ready to slide over one table and pretend like I rolled into Blue Stem solo. As I closed my eyes & braced myself, I heard, "I'll make you the dirtiest martini you've ever had - and you won't see it coming." One eye open. Pat myself for bullet holes. We're all still here? Right on!
Within two shakes of a lethargic lamb's tail, we had our drinks. As she delivered the drinks, Lefko stuck around for our reaction. Me: (internally, "Juice!! Yum!! Yayyy!!") "This is quite good. Thank you so much." My friend: "Wow. This is great. I can't taste the alcohol at all." My friend's friend: "This IS good." And the night went from there. Success.
Two closing thoughts: 1.) It's not juice - as evidenced by my inability to move my legs or feel my lips after my third drink and 2.) don't eat at the taqueria across the street. I think they served me dog tacos. I have *never* tasted "chicken" like that.
Oh my gosh. This place is insane. But awesome.
A group of friends and i recently tried this place out, and honestly, these are some of, if not the best martinis that i have ever had! The woman who owns it is completely nuts, but she really can make a martini! My favorites were the blueberry martini and the blueberry/blackberry martini. It's really incredible because you cannot taste the alcohol at all.
She takes forever to make the drinks and get them to you because she does everything herself...so bring cash and expect to spend a while there when you go. But it's totally worth it.
Also, if she thinks that you are either too drunk or haven't eaten enough, she WILL make you "gourmet bread and cheese". Tis happened to us. She literally toasted some wonder bread and american cheese and chased us down the street with it until we accepted it. It was not good. Do not eat the "gourmet bread and cheese"!
I would definitely go back to blue stem, but i don't think that this is the kind of place you go to every weekend. Absolutely worth going to and spending the evening trying her wonderful "creations".
What a great little place! It was not packed like the Brownstone or Globe, it was full of Yelpers and the BBQ sandwich was really good.
The Pear martini was good. Not because I drank one, because I had one spilled on me and I smelled like a Bath&Body Works product and not the neighborhood lush.
The bartender was great and very attentive. Almost motherly in a way she was asking everyone if they were okay and needed more drinks. Very cool.
I like to think of myself as a martini connoisseur, for a plethora of reasons. As I tend to make a lot of lists in my reviews, just to spice it up, I'm going to use characters this instead of numbers and letters.
@----)--- : I used to work at a martini bar, and also spent WAAAAAAAY to much time there in college and beyond. So much so that I think I tried about 90% of their 102 martinis, and managed to embarass myself more times than I care to admit (or remember). Incidentally, upon researching for this review, I just learned that my former martini bar was voted as having the best vodka selection. As this is in Reno, that's not saying a lot.
*%*%*%*: Although it's not my full-time gig anymore, I still bartend and have the opportunity to make a LOT of martinis. I know it's not an easy feat, and making stealthy delicious martinis is an art. One that I think I've mastered. I've also mastered the art of making disgusting tasting drinks that look cool. Try my Oil Slick sometime.
$^$^$^$^$^: I like foo foo drinks- those that are deceptively strong yet go down smooth as silk. And I like drink menus on the table, because apparently I'm a lemming and like to be told what to do.
)#)#)#)#)#)#): I am a big fan of places that serve food to absorb the aforementioned deceptively strong libations.
What puts the icing on the cake (or the lime or pear on the glass) is Lefko. She is one of the most amazing proprietors of a restaurant I will have the pleasure to meet- a cook, mixologist, and waitress all rolled into one- and does it in such an amazing way that it's a pleasure to watch.
I was lucky enough to be bossed around by Rob (AGAIN- seriously, what is with this guy?), but I'm glad I did. I got to experience some of Chicago Yelp's finest, all in a chill atmosphere. If you're expecting a Martini Lounge where you can pop your collar and douche it up big time (for the boys) or hike up your skirt, cake on the makeup, act pretentious and wait for said boys to get you drunk (for the girls), this is not the place for you.
For satisfying food, superb martinis, and first-class service, come here. Try the white cosmo or pear martini- you won't be disappointed.
I feel like a tornado just spit me out. LAWD HAVE MERCY, I HAVE FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL! MY. FAVORITE. BAR. EVER.
EVER.EVER.EVER.
Dude, seriously. It was just a Wednesday night, nothing fancy. I needed a cocktail, just a lil sumthin to get me over the dead center of the week. ENTER LEFKO.
OH. HOLY. NIGHT. She is a genius and, like most geniuses, homegirl is absolutely bat-shit crazy. like for real. Bitch don't play. I have never had a martini made with such love; like it was suckled at the breast of a mama who loved it till the age of 5 (crazy is contagious!). The pear, raz, and white cosmo's (yes. all in a row) are ah-mazing! Join me Friday for the mango, pomegranate, and WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO GIVE ME LEFKO, I WORSHIP AT YOUR TEMPLE.
But seriously, Lefko is playful, PASSIONATE, alive, warm and anything and everything you could ever want in a bartender. She is a burst of sunshine on a cold winter night and WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HER! I LOVE THIS G-DAMN CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please go visit her and make the girl rich, it's the least we can do!
Cocktails first. Questions later.
Lefko is one chick that takes her martinis seriously. I'm glad she does. Hands down the best martinis I've ever had in my entire life. Made with Grey Goose and God only knows what else, they are worthy every penny Blue Stem charges. Seriously. You can't even taste the liquor.
Blue Stem is the perfect location to come with a fun group of people. Pump some dollars into the juke box, converse and enjoy the ambiance. It's not exactly a rager, but let's be honest. When you're rolling 3 Lefko-martinis deep, any place is a party.
Yea its about 1:30am on a wed/thur and I'm buzzed off of two martinis...well kind of...don't judge me.
I came here a few weeks ago. Then remembered why I stopped drinking martinis but still ended up here with two new friends tonight. I feel a trend coming on...
When asked what drink I wanted I told lefko I had came in a few weeks ago with a friend and wanted the blueberry one she had. She then remembered me and told me I had my hair pulled back that day-she was right 3pts! That's pretty easy with me honestly. But I'm all about customer service. So whatever 3 pts still.
She served a group of lovlies first then gave us our drinks. I ordered that blueberry whatever it is. Its clear, all vodkas but very berry good and clean as she would say. I sipped on it very slow.
My pal had a mango one which I ended up getting after because it reminded me of my childhood w/o the vodka- drinking Goya nectars in that long skinny can.Joy!2 pts!!!!
The other pal had the french kiss which I had last time. Very similar to a french martini.Not as sweet,but its a creeper so be easy.
we had good convos with lefko and eachother. I'm glad I ended up there tonight because there was only that other group of ladies who seemed to be having a nice time together and the out of towner of the group was very nice. So we were all treated very well. Hope they all get home safe tonight.
I'll love you some more soon.
Lefko, you're my girl. You're my girl.
Went here with my girl for an after work. The place was so nice and empty, we sat and the bar and… Read more »
I finally made it to Blue Stem.
Now I never want to leave.
I left a party to run across the street and have a martini, as rumor (I mean Yelp) says these are the best martinis ever. Now, we all know I have my very own special bar that I go to for martinis, but I think I might have to have an open relationship with that bar so I can see Blue Stem on the side.
Lefko is amazing. I think I have a girl crush on her. She's sassy, funny, and sweet all rolled into a tiny woman with "I just got nailed" hair.
Here is what she made us:
White Cosmo
Pear martini
Pomegranate martini
Banana martini
Chocolate martini
All were absolutely amazing. You can't even taste the booze, which makes it all the more dangerous.
And Lefko takes care of you. My roomate had the hiccups, so she mixed up a little cup of something foamy, slammed it down in front of him, and said "Don't talk. Just drink it all. Then don't talk to me for a minute.Now."
His hiccups disappeared immediately after.
Another friend was super drunk, and she told us she was going to the store and was going to make him food.
She joined us outside for a cigarette and conversation. This woman rocks.
I totally ran across the street and brought her a piece of birthday cake from the party.
I will be back. Not only for some fabulous martinis, but for an overall fabulous experience.
Get here.
So when you're already out with your girls for martinis and you're in the mood to have 'just one more' drink, what else to do than head out for more martinis, of course. The famous Lefko clearly has a reputation that precedes her here on Yelp and meeting the myth in person certainly did not disappoint. A total spitfire ball of energy, she takes her drinks as seriously as the satisfaction of her devotee customers. Mixing my jumbo size banana martini was no small feat and easily took her well over 10 minutes... one taste of that fire water though assured me that she wasn't messing around with getting me hammered. Well that and the fact that she touted, "Brett, there was shit I put in that martini that doesn't even belong there." Cheers to falling on the floor drunk!
A few sips of my gals' Tropical and Pear martinis followed suit with banana hammock time... strong, buzzin', tasty, huge. Within minutes we were stuffing dollars into the digi jukebox and singing along to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs with sloshing glasses in tow.
My small star retraction stems from the Blue Stem ambiance. Despite it's moniker, it ain't much of a lounge. In fact, it's not a lounge at all - no clusters of low tables and couches, no sexy ambient music, no mood lighting - just your standard neighborhood bar, half-empty with a dozen or so yelp chicks totally overserved on fruit vodka and more vodka. Open bag, insert Brett (if you can still hear my god-awful singing inside this bag, I feel for you). Under normal circumstances I may have felt a little slighted, but after just one Lefko martini there is nothing about my circumstances that I could remotely consider normal. So grab a shaker, add one part liquor, one part sass and two parts great company for 100% fun.
"Whaddya wanna watch?" she asks.
"Oh, anything. Whatever's on right now is fine", I respond.
I was the first person there on a chilly Friday night. The plan was to meet some girlfriends for GNO, but I overestimated the time it took to get there. She and I were the only ones there.
Lefko's her name, and I swear she's a magician. Actually, scratch that. She's a holistic doctor by day, chemist by night. Yep, definitely a chemist. Who else can take vodka that tastes like cleaning detergent and transform it into an incredibly smooth, clean martini? Lefko can and she does it well. She'll bring you a shot of the vodka she uses, make you drink that garbage (yes, she actually makes you drink it), and then lets you enjoy your martini.
Smiles were wide, laughs were loud, voices were raised, tears were shed... after all, it was a GNO at Blue Stem.
Onto more useful info:
-Get there early, it does get crowded. There was line forming by the time we left- around 10
-Get the blackberry martini. You will thank me for this. Actually, just send me a compliment.
-Parking can be difficult.. it's a pretty busy intersection.
-Paninis are good, but don't assume they'll have every item on the menu
Neighborhood: North Center
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: Ravenswood
Category: Greek
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Category: Lounges
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