Network Cyber Bar & Grill

I just need to get this off my chest immediately - what a stupid name for a place. No, seriously...what is this, the late 90s? If you just walked by this place you'd think it was some kind of computer repair shop. What makes something a "cyber bar"? According to their site, free wi-fi. So, is Panera really a cyber cafe?

And as for the "grill" part of the name, they serve food here. Now, Network is set up like a lounge, which means you either have to eat at the bar or at a table that only goes up to your knees while seated. Kind of awkward. Then there's the fact that I was here once and the whole place smelled of fried chicken. Yes, chicken is awesome, and while I can't say I've tried the food here, that overpowering scent seems like something you'd want to avoid for a modern lounge.

Oh, and the bus boys trying to walk through this already tiny bar with their big bins is pretty ridiculous. I sure love being dressed up for a night on the town while a dude in an apron bumps me around with his dirty dishes. Why can't they just hand carry the dishes to the back, especially when space is at a premium?

And finally...I can't even tell if this is a bar or a lounge. They have some great TVs here for watching the game (with a large garish sign in between them), but it just feels out of place; that is, until they turn off the TV because it's too bright for some patrons. This identity crisis isn't good for anyone who comes here.

Network has potential, with a good location and a nice intimate space. But they really need to buckle down and focus on what they want to be. If you want to stop in for a drink, it's perfectly serviceable. For a place to spend your night though, you can do a lot better.

Not sure as to why they call this a cyber bar as it is really just a cool lounge.
Me and my buddy showed up here to keep the night going after a Macallan scotch tasting. Very well lit spot that that is not too big but has seating for dinner and relaxing seating to just have drinks in addition to the bar itself.
Barmaids made sure we got everything we needed and were quite friendly. I love the music here as they played some nice R&B/hip hop joints of the 80s, 90s & 00s. They didn't just play the stuff that got major radio play; they played some cuts that you really had to be a fan to know in some cases...loved it!
There are TVs for your sports watching pleasure behind the bar which is standard. Its good to see a place on the edge of River North/Gold Coast that has a majority black crowd...something you don't see in this particular area. I would like to return and try the food @ some point...good place that is quite lo-key.

Just don't go here. This place is usually dead. The service is slow and the drink prices are ridiculous. I was told this place is under new management now. The prices weren't this high before. If you want to pay $11 for a jack and coke this is your place. Now I see why it's always empty. If it wasn't for me coming here to support my friend I would have never come. Save your money! Theres to many better establishments in the area charging way less...with better ambiance.

Network, Network, Network.

I really want this place to be a 5 star place but it always disappoints me. The layout, location and vibe is great. But what's always is disappointing is the service. Between bartenders standing around talking to one another to not knowing the price of drinks OR not even knowing if they have a drink, its always something. If this was a newly run establishment, I'd be more inclined to give it a better rating. But this place has been open (back and forth) for a couple of years now. It makes no sense that its run the way it is.

I want to give it to 2 stars but the saving grace is the music. The nights where they have guest DJs make it a good time. And as I said before, the vibe and ambiance is really good. But just can a brother get a drink he wants is all I ask!!!

Um...what?

This place is just really listless and uninteresting. No real sense of ambience or style. You can find other great spots in the city with more character.

This place by far has the WORST service I have ever experienced.

A group of friends wanted to meet up and chose this place specifically because it had food. Little did we know, we would never have a chance to eat let alone order a drink. The bartender was simply terrible. He could not handle the crowd and was super slow. After 45 minuets of trying to order, my starving group of friends and I walked around the corner to TBK (Taco Burrito King) to get some food.

Don't go hungry and please have patience with the bad service or just don't walk through their door! Hopefully they will get better.

This place is super cute and super sexy! I love the decor and the cocktail menu is tasty with fresh fruit and juice incorporated. The DJ is really good too, I've been a couple of times and they always make me want to dance and I have a good time with my friends. Their menu also has perfect options to make sure you're covered for a night of drinking. :-)

Very cute decor, good music, delicious drinks and a nice variety of tasty bar food. Great new addition to the area!

Network is very much a "cheers" style place where they'll reward repeat service by learning your name. You can make the effort to get to know the staff, and they'll take care of you... now, with that said... please know that they do suffer from an identity crisis of sorts. Depending on the night you're there the music and crowd can vary greatly. I tend to visit on Wednesdays where you'll find DJ Jay iLLa spinning from 8-midnight. The crowd is very hit or miss. One night it will be a comfortable crowd of maybe 30... then the next week you can have it packed to capacity. There's really no way to tell, so if you plan on eating PLEASE GET THERE EARLY!! The food is pretty good (wings, catfish, tacos are all a hit) but don't expect to get there at 10p and order because the staff is easily overwhelmed with the bar. That's probably what knocks the overall rating down - - the staff is friendly, but they're not trained to handle the large crowds. On top of that, if the bar gets slammed those ordering food will suffer because it's the same staff. I think having someone dedicated to food orders and having the bartenders separate will help. One of my favorite parts of Network? Definitely the fast wifi. Yes, there are many places that have wifi... but the wifi here is so freaking fast and amazing. It makes my heart rejoice.

In short, go to Network on a Wednesday to get your initial feel for the place. If you want food, get there before 9p.

Nice looking place. Terrible service (manager is rude) and the music on Saturdays is awful. So called salsa but its techno.