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Bonton Wine Bar
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 4:30 pm - 1 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Music Videos
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Bonton Wine Bar
Review Highlights
25 reviews in English
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Review from Joy G.
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went here for a bday party. The waitress was nice and friendly, but not the most attentive. I ended up going up to the bar for my own drinks a few times. While there's not an actual dj, they tried to play music we'd like and asked if there was anything we wanted to hear, to get us dancing.
Check your bill before you leave. I was 'accidentally' charged for extra drinks. The waitress apologized and was very gracious about removing what I didn't order from my bill. It could've been an honest mistake, but it does make you wonder... either way, I'd go back and give them a second chance. -
Review from Lee L.
Wheaton, IL
5/24/2012
We were wowed by the martinis at Bonton!
Hubby and I were on the hunt for a decent cocktail. Anyone can prepare a decent vodka or gin martini. But few these days, few can create flavored martinis without using the pre-mixed junk from bottles. I want fresh-squeezed lemon juice in my lemon drop!!
The martinis at Bonton cannot be beat!
Prior to going, I was a bit worried about some of the negative reviews about the surly staff, etc. We went on a slower night (a Wednesday) and the owner was tending the bar. He was business-like and straightforward. He was pleasant enough and coached us on his martini menu. If you are looking to flirt with the bartender and get free drinks, this is not the place to go. And considering the amount of time it takes to make each martini, I can image the service would be slower on an extremely busy night. I advise avoiding $5 Thursdays. The martinis have regular prices of $7 to $9...so it's certainly not overpriced to begin with.
Judging on the drink quality, this earned 5 stars -
Review from Erika C.
11/4/2011
We went for Thursday evening $5 Martinis, what a great deal!
Lots of martini choices which are normally priced at $8(still a good deal).
They were delish, well made martinis.
My friend and I tipped back our share and then decided to nibble on the bar food offerings.
The pizzas were OK, kind of a sweet sauce, we tried 2 of them, after 2 martinis so maybe I am not the best to judge.....the chicken wings were very crispy and tasty.
It was quite busy.
The service is very European in nature, detail oriented not super quick or overly chatty.
I'll be back, it was a great deal our whole bill was only $53.00!
That included another round of martinis which I wasn't going to mention. -
Review from Dave S.
Lombard, IL
4/3/2011
There used to be an incredibly good high-end dining establishment in Geneva called 302 West. (Look on-line and you'll find many a lament over its demise.) It was a great treat for my wife and I to spend several hours there over a relaxing and delicious meal.
Once 302 West closed, it did not appear as if anything good would come out of it. But we visited Praga in downtown Lombard one evening and found an approximation of 302 West. Good food but not great. Good selection but not great. Good service but not great. Great location for us, as downtown Lombard sorely needs reasons for people to come.
But the best part was when we found "302 Coffee" listed in the menu. As it turns out, Pavel (the owner) used to work at 302 West and started his own place in Lombard. Simply put, a 302 coffee is fantastic. It's a blend of coffee with several different liqueurs (possibly Bailey's and Grand Marnier), poured in a glass with caramelized sugar on the rim.
If women of drinking disposition discovered the 302 Coffee, they'd stop ordering cosmos or apple martinis or whatever other "trendy" stuff they sip on girls' nights out. The 302 is the reason my wife and I stop into Bonton when we deem ourselves worthy of such nectar.
Pavel modeled Bonton (attached to Praga) after clubs in the city, from the lighting to the furniture to the smoky glass panes. It seems out of place with the other restaurants on St. Charles Rd., and that's a good thing.
I won't give Bonton five stars, as we have waited a while for our coffee when doesn't appear to be a reason to wait. But, oh, that coffee.
Addendum: I see that many reviewers have criticized the staff at Bonton for being rude. I've never had that experience. Maybe they have good days and bad days, like the rest of us? I know that folks in the industry should never wear their hearts on their sleeves, which is why I'll never work in the industry. -
Review from Julia G.
Chicago, IL
5/26/2011
I've met "the girls" here for a drink several times. We'll head there on Thursdays for $5 martini night. Though that's not typically my favorite - more of a beer or wine fan - they do have a wide range of martini choices. Hard martini drinkers and candy-ss fans alike, there's something for everyone. Good wine list by the glass or bottle.
The staff is available, though on busy nights can be hard to find.
When the noise level rises, the acoustics make it hard to hear inside due to glass and stone decor. Weather permitting, sit outside on their patio instead.
I'll echo what others have said - it's a very pleasant surprise in downtown Lombard. Need more like this. -
Review from Angela P.
1/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
We went here for an engagement celebration for a friend on a Saturday night and when I walked in I was pretty impressed with how swanky the inside felt considering we were in downtown Lombard! The group we were with had some tables reserved, but we were told we had to still go up to the bar to get our own drinks, which I thought was weird. But the service was definitely a little on the slow side, so then I understood why. The bartender was also not the friendliest at first but later redeemed himself to the couple of honor with some free shots and even the manager/owner (don't remember which) personally apologized to the couple, as well. So that was good that they actually tried to make the situation better by listening to their patrons. =]
I was a little disappointed when I ordered the Europassion (?) Martini and the bartender told me they were out of some key ingredient, so he was going to have to replace it with some other kind of vodka or something. I had read on here that this has happened before and I think that is crazy considering they have a pretty big martini menu. You would really think they would keep those ingredients STOCKED! Whatevs...
It was a fun night despite the setbacks and I even met Brooke H while I was there! =] -
Review from Rebecca R.
Lake Forest, IL
9/20/2010
Thursdays, 5 dollar martinis.
That is all you really need to know for right now. Head there on a Thursday and sit inside or out to enjoy the delicious martinis. My favorites are the Chocolate and Key Lime. Yum!
The atmosphere is great and the staff is usually pretty quick to bring your next round. The music can either be strange if you get annoyed easily, or a great tool for conversation. You can decide.
Try it out, it's a great spot! -
Review from Erin S.
Aurora, IL
Updated - 1/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ugh, this place! It's pretty much a one-starer but since a couple martinis I had tasted pretty good and some of them where somehow on the house, I guess it can still have two measly stars.
I met some friends here for a little celebration and while we had fun, this place still sucks deep down.
Only one bartender was available for serving, even though some other dude who clearly worked there and/or owned the place, would pretend to be looking at his crappy stock of wine while ignoring the line of people piling up at the bar. There were no cocktail waitresses like there used to be. The people who work there are bi-polar, I swear. One minute the bartender is all nice and happy, giving out free drinks, then the next he's picking fights with patrons for absolutely no reason. One of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest guys I know was about to kick the bartender's ass in the parking lot, that's how bad things got at one point because the bartender was just being a dick. Can I say that? Well he was...
They were out of stuff for different martinis I wanted to try, AGAIN! What else is new? This was the case last time I was here. 2 out of 3 different martinis I tried were good. Although, the French martini I ordered clearly said on the menu that it had Chambord in it (all French martinis do!), I totally saw the douchey bartender pour in a crappy "raspberry liqueur". Yep, I saw that dude...you didn't think I was paying attention, did ya? And since this was the same guy that wanted to kick a patron's ass for simply saying "excuse me" at the bar, then you'd have to be crazy to think I'd actually bring that up to this guy.
The Key Lime martini is delish and I had a few of those. I asked the bartender what martinis he thought were good (since I couldn't seem to pick one myself without being told that they are "out") and he said the Pomegranate. Pome-gross. It was practically ALL sour mix without a hint of pomegranate anywhere. Yuck-o.
So hey Bonton...stock up on your booze supply and stock up on some employees who actually give a shit and are capable of customer service, and maybe, just maybe I'll come back.Listed in: MMMMMMartini
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/10/2010
I wanted to like this place so much more than I did. It had potential. The martinis were good, and… Read more »
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Review from Leslie Q.
6/15/2010
A break from the slew of dives on the St Charles strip, Bonton made proud Lombardians out my friends and me.
Downtown's Lombard effort to prove itself as an up and coming suburban resort leaves me feeling like I'm giving someone a pitty laugh. My laugh is convincing, like a heart attack, but I will not abuse it. If I ever become president, I would trace my roots in a series of photos as follows:
1. Finishing an entire Brix Very Veggie pizza
2. Hanging out with the really cool high school skateboarders at 711
3. Drinking a hot chocolate at Cafe 101 while telling the owner my Christmas list
4. Ordering a Chocolate Lover's Dream at Bonton
The St Charles Rd tribute.
The Chocolate Lover's Dream is more commonly known as a Chocolate Martini, but don't try to pull that with the bartender. Well, maybe you should. I repeated my order twice only to hear in response, "Oh, you mean the chocolate martini?"
I wanted the dream that only chocolate lovers have, and ordering a "chocolate martini" would only keep me wondering if I'd really achieved it. I could tell that the bartender understood this chocolate dream and tasted the sweet effort put into it.
Bonton has plenty of bar seating and booths for groups. Dimly lit, friendly staff, and reasonable prices ($ martinis), even some seating outdoors. I would come here and drink away my Brix devoured guilt.
Pizza and chocolate, Lombard, I am impressed. -
Review from lindsay m.
Lombard, IL
8/13/2010
This place is awful. I really try to not to judge a place too quickly, but when the owner is a douche bag, it's really hard to not associate his business with him.
When Bonton opened I thought, hey, a cool martini bar in Lombard?! Ya.. not so much.
My best friend decided to throw her birthday party here and it was a DISASTER!! She sat down with the owner a week or so before and had a bite to eat as they hacked out the details of the party... how many people.. what she wanted as far as drinks.. and the price of wrist bands.. etc..
First things first, the place is much smaller than it looks from outside and there's not that many places to sit. Any other bar, this wouldn't really bother me, but at martini bars, you plan on sitting and socializing, right?? This was one of the many problems that made my friend's birthday one to remember... all for the wrong reasons.
The owner told her they would have a person at the door selling $25 wristbands for the party.. not only was there NO ONE at the door but NO ONE had any clue about a party taking place there at all. The owner apparently didn't communicate anything to his staff. Not only did the staff have no idea, they were complete a-holes about it, gave my friend and everyone else attitude.
The party was a complete disaster and ruined my best friend's birthday. I couldn't believe the owner screwed up one of it's first potential parties and did not leave a good taste in anyone's mouth.
The food is OK at best. Seems like they're advertising fancy french food and only delivering mediocre. The martini's are not badly priced.. but they weren't that great either. On top of that, it takes the bartenders 30 minutes to even see you at the bar in order to take your order.. even when the place is empty.
I would never step place back in this 'martini bar.' It really just SUCKS! -
Review from Maria P.
Glen Ellyn, IL
3/7/2011 4 Check-ins Here
This bar is attached to Praga Restaurant which is a gret combination. The bar area is very cool as there is an exposed stone wall, and very much a Euro bar. The service here is spotty and slow whether this place is slow or half-full.
They have an extensive martini list and wine list, which is a plus. -
Review from Katie W.
Lancaster, PA
10/29/2009
Finally, I've found a dark, intimate, classy bar to relax, enjoy some good martinis, and be cozy!
On Thursdays they offer most of their martinis for $5.00 and they are delicious and are the real t hing, not something you would be served at some chain bar.
The ambiance is dark and cozy, with a beautiful bar and wine cabinet area. The bar lines one side of the lounge while a long comfy couch lines the other wall. Small, low, dim lights set the mood for an intimate evening.
The service was friendly and personable. They greet you pleasantly and are always nearby if you need something.
They give you a martini glass full of tasty party mix. Food option are a little limited and pricey. I get the hummus, pita, and vegetable plate ($10.00), other small bits options include Flat Bread pizzas for $8.00, Wings for $12.00, and veggie quesidilla for $10.00.
I totally wouldn't expect this place if I just drove by. But I'm glad now to know that this will be a regular spot. It feels like it should belong in the city. -
Review from Darcy R.
1/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Total Euro bar, feel like I'm on Belmont Ave! Whether or not that's good or bad, I'm still deciding.
I'm all about having places around (esp the homogenous suburbs) that can give me a variety of experiences, and this is an unexpected experience. I mean, to look around at the clientele, you'd really think you're in an ethnic Chicago neighborhood (@ Central & Belmont, I used to live there). It's got a weird black light coloring scheme that makes you feel like you're in a late nite bar (think Lasko's, if you know what I mean.)
OK, so whatever. I order a drink w/my cousin and the bartender (apparently the owner) took the drinks very seriously. Which is cool. Too many people give crappy drinks knowing that the profit margin is huge for "martinis". Often a vodka/cranberry becomes a martini w/a $15 premium. So at least he took the drinks seriously.
BUT...I try to make small talk w/the bartender/owner and he flies off with "Yes, my wife blah blah blah my child blah blah blah." Look dude, I'm not hitting on you (seriously) I'm just trying to be friendly.
Defensive people are not the people who should be owning bars or bartending. I'm not looking for a lecture....
But overall, the clientele was friendly cuz it was pre-holiday. It's a big bar to fill on a regular night so I can see that it may feel a bit empty at times.
I'm willing to try it again. We'll see. -
Review from Rachel J.
8/27/2008
What a great spot! The patio is set with several round tables in a well thought out pattern. The prices are on point for what you get, but be aware it is not cheap.
Nice laid back music till about 10:30pm, then dance music till close.
Give it a try next time you are in the area. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Lombard, IL
2/27/2011
My husband had my 30th birthday party here on Friday. He called ahead to make sure they would be able to accommodate the number of people who would be joining us and to order a spread of appetizers to be out during the party. Both the owner and a server named Megan were extremely helpful and even mentioned that I could bring my iPod to play music during the party. They wouldn't budge on the drink prices for our guests but did throw in a few free appetizers. Our server was very friendly and attentive but we only had one for our group of over 30 people.
I have been here a handful of other times before this and I think it is a Lombard Gem! They have a great atmosphere, an extensive wine list and yummy martini's! -
Review from Kate E.
Lombard, IL
9/14/2009
EEEWWWW...this place was HORRIBLE. We waited FOREVER to get a drink at the bar. My friend actually had a private party here and I was so shocked at the lack of service. At one point the whole party was just waiting for drinks and no one was helping anyone. She had a pay a certain price for this many hours so we assume the owner was trying to stretch out the drinks.
The owner seems to think he is "the man" he is silly looking while he dances around the bar acting like he has it all under control while everyone in the place laughs at his stupidity. He is very annoying as well with his nasty comments.
I would say if you can at all to avoid this place at all costs...if you really want to pay $8 for a martini...go to Glen Ellyn...they have plenty of CUTE, PLEASANT places that will serve your needs. -
Review from Kimberly R.
Berwyn, IL
9/23/2011
I went to Bonton recently for a friend's birthday party, and fell in love with their pomegranate martinis... SOOOO GOOD! They have a bowl of trail mix on each table that didn't taste bad, but was kind of unsanitary. I stopped eating it when I witnessed every single one of the girls at this party digging their hands in it. The burger I ordered wasn't the greatest. The brioche was burnt, and it's pretty difficult to mess up brioche. The "fries" were those ridiculously thin, long strings of potato that you have to eat with a fork. (Hate those) They apparently didn't believe in A/C that night, and both of the women's toilets were out of order, so I had to guard the door to the men's restroom while our pregnant friend tinkled. They did get someone to work on that situation when we told the staff. Our waitress was very nice, so they get 3 stars.
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Review from Mina H.
6/25/2009
Nice place in downtown Lombard... good ambiance and a great place to go on warm summer nights... recommend going on Thursdays their $5 Martini specials. My friend recommends their Godiva chocolate martinis... I liked the ice cream with amaretto soaked cherries.
Good food, like their homemade hummus and veggies, and the cheese plate.
Their service is not always well coordinated or particularly professional, but can be decent... always seems like the service gets better as the night progresses... would this be a martini goggle effect? Hmm... -
Review from Ericka A.
6/3/2010
A martini named Europassion. Besta believe I drank that $#!+ up! It was pretty good, but my favorite was the Lemon Drop. If I wouldn't have looked like a complete lush then I would have ordered a third round and made it the Key Lime. Everyone was raving about it.
There were only two real downfalls. 1) the tables spin and it can become quite dangerous. 2) Ricky Martin... I think it was "Latin" music night. They mostly played a mix of Pit Bull and Shakira. It was mixed with some alternative, but overall the selection was blah.
Upside. $5 martinis. 7 of us drank for $63 total. Try and beat that! -
Review from Doug W.
Lombard, IL
7/30/2008
Deciding to have a few appetizers with some wine for dinner tonight was most defiantly not a mistake. An insanely varied food and wine list makes the visit worth it alone. I started with a pinwheel of Norwegian smoked salmon with brie and spinach topped with a small salad. That was so good I challenged the owner to pick the next course with wine. A few minutes later a petite Syrah and a small plate of Duck Confite spring rolls arrived...perfect.
These folks spent a good deal of time money and effort to make this wine bar attached to Praga. Stop by and spend some time escaping the hassles of the world at this oasis in the world of passioned food. -
Review from Brooke H.
1/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Another case of "one bad apple..." I didn't think much of this bar from a previous experience a 2-3 yelp star place in my book. But my experience here a few weeks ago shot an "ok" kinda feeling about this place right in the can.
The worst bartender I have ever encountered in my life came very close to completely ruining my very dear friends' engagement toast that they threw at Bonton. Our group was "the only people who made reservations" for that particular evening, according to the waitress - who I'm fairly certain was also the owner - and whooped that lousy jerk of a bartender right into shape once I tattled on him for being negligent and outright rude to one of the guests of honor. We were the only people/party they anticipated coming yet it took 40 minutes to get a drink from the bar and it wasn't even crowded. Then when we finally were able to flag his attention, he threatened the guest of honor. Ugh. I don't want or need to get into the specifics of this because this isn't the forum in which I need to be venting and ranting about some 40 year old smug bartender on a power-trip. But he ruined a lot of people's night that night and with the money my party dropped I do hope the management held him accountable.
About the rest of the place: the vintage bathrooms were clean and cute. The food (I had an asiago prosciutto flat bread) was good. I bought a decent bottle of wine for $40 - not bad. I was not impressed with this place the first time I went here a year ago, but I'll try anything twice, this place isn't getting a third shot from me or another dime of my money.Listed in: Bad Service All Stars!
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Review from Geoff B.
Glen Ellyn, IL
7/7/2009
This place had great promise. We went on a Friday night in early June And sat in the bar area. After waiting 10 minutes for a server to give us bread and water we had to ask, again, for a menu.
That should have been our cue to leave. According to the clueless owner, they were very short-staffed - although he didn't tell our table, he just mentioned it to a nearby table.
The service was non-existent for the 5 other tables nearby, and as we sat and drank the only round of overpriced martinis we were served, the other 5 tables decided to leave at the same time. Call this place, "Clueless in Lombard"... -
Review from alicia b.
Lombard, IL
Updated - 1/25/2010
Update....I was here on Saturday for my friends Bday partayyy.The place was jumping! It was completely packed and this is the reason I'm am lowering my rating to only 4 stars.It got super hot in there and not in a good way,in the way that everyone is sweating and breathing gross air.They should have turned on the Ac for a lil and cooled the place down or opened a door.The main issue we all had was the extremely poor bar service.You couldnt get a drink if your life depended on it. They would just flat out ignore you since they were so flustered and couldnt handle the crowd.This is the best part they were refusing orders! Some of my friends wanted to order their fancy martinis(their tinis are a big reason people come here) because they were too hard to make while being so busy....huh.??
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/19/2010
This place is the coolest place in the area.There is nothing else like it around.It a… Read more »
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Review from Valerie B.
Homer Glen, IL
7/31/2008
This is a newly opened "European wine bar" that is attached to the restaurant Praga. On my visit last night we opted to sit on the patio, as it was a nice night, and there was no one but the owners and staff in the bar. For shame - this is a beautiful spot. The interior has some comfy, get close with your company seating. Drinks were fairly reasonably priced and they have over 200 wines. They have small plates. Had the beef satay - very good, but on higher side price wise at $12 for a small portion. This place just opened last month, it seems the word hasn't gotten out yet. Worth a visit.
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Review from Sue S.
Lombard, IL
6/11/2010
Poor service, weak martinis, smoking on patio....so it blew at our table the whole time.
(I thought smoking was banned.... had to be so many feet away from building to smoke?)
Went there last night for there $5 martinis with 4 friends. They are good, not great. I drank 2 and was barely feeling anything. This place "looks wonderful", but the service sucks. My friends and I went there before and the service was slow, never asking if our drinks were ok, when our drinks were empty... it took forever for them to notice... and there was only 2 other tables filled inside where we sat! Same thing last night, but we sat outside. Never refilled out snack bowl, never asked if we wanted any food, took again forever to place a second order, then never brought a few of the ladies some water. We were told by someone, that the waitress was the owners wife! If that is true, then I'm sorry they barely get 2 stars. They don't want to bother with the $5 martini costomers it seems..... then why have the special? I won't go back.
