On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Category: American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: The LoopRandolph/Wabash (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Green, Pink)
Lake (Red)
Washington (Blue, Red)
Don't Just Wish Someone A Good Holiday, Give Them One With Chili's.
Loading...
Nothing too special about this place. I had your run of the mill bacon burger, and it came out super greasy. They have tater tots though, which is a plus in my book.
The atmosphere reminds me a lot of State up in Lincoln Park. Wood finish everywhere mixed with plush booths. I wouldn't be opposed to going back if a friend suggested it, but my first experience here wasn't too memorable.
Sports bar meets upscale lounge. Why are so many of these popping up all over these days?
Sweetwater has a classy interior mixing cream colored leather with dark woods which is just the kind of place I like grabbing a drink at. But then there are all these TV's blaring games of all types from every wall, every corner. Too much noise for me but this remodeled Bennigans in the Illinois Center is a good add to the area.
We went after work so it was packed with a solid mix of people from the neighboring buildings. We grabbed a couple of seats at the end of the bar which turned out to be a smart move as during the high point of the evening there was standing room only. But like most bars down here- the place starts to empty out around 8.
There are also high backed booths to gather in as well as large communal tables (these were filled with men slapping themselves on their backs as men do, on the night I was there) And speaking of men? If you are looking for one- stop in here. There were very few women in the place.
After reviewing the menu, and since the owners of this place also own Boundary and Trace, I wasn't surprised to see primarily bar food, wraps, salads and burgers. We ordered a burger with tots and some chicken fingers to soak up some of the stiff drinks that they were pouring.
The food came up fast and was fine (really, how can you screw up a burger and tots?) and our bartender (Angela) was on her game this night- quick with drink refills and a sense of humor in answering my friend's questions. Another nice thing? They have a good variety of beers on tap.
The only downside? This place is expensive. Granted we had a few beers and my friend was quickly emptying the bottle of Jameson but a bill for over $110 for that and a burger seemed high.
Next time you find yourself wanting to catch a game or just to grab a beer in this "neck of the woods" check out Sweetwater. It's a solid addition to the "it's after work where do we go?" list.
I think it is summed up best by Carol J's review - sports bar meets upscale lounge. That's exactly what I thought as well upon walking in to this place. The decor has a very loungey feel to it, but all the sports on TV (and sports fans standing around watching the TV's) bring it down a notch. Not that that's a bad thing, just different then I was expecting.
With that said, I really liked this place. I was here around 7:30 on a Wednesday and there was a little wait for a table, so my party of 3 decided to sit at one of the long communal tables at the bar. Which worked out just fine. It was a little noiser at the bar with the TV's, but not so loud we couldn't have a conversation.
I loved the selection of beers, much better then I've come to expect at most typical after work watering holes downtown (probably 50-60+ with a good mix of pilsners, stouts, ales, etc). The wine list wasn't that great (maybe 7-8 reds, 7-8 whites) and was a little pricey for a glass, but I think they are catering to the beer crowd so I get it.
I thought the food here was really good, above average bar food in my opinion. They did have your standard bar fare - burgers & fries - but also lots of wraps & salads. We started with the spinach & artichoke dip which was served with warm pita bread. It was delish. I had the ahi tuna wrap and it was really good. It was packed with tuna and had a delicious sesame dressing. I also tried the veggie burger that one of my dining companions got and it was also really good. They clearly make it in-house and pack it full of yummy black beans and then you can choose what toppings you want on it.
It is a little more expensive here then other downtown spots, but because I liked the atmosphere, the extensive beer list, and the quality of the food, I will definitely shell out a few extra bucks and be going back.
Checked out Sweetwater for lunch. The place was packed, but we only waited a few minutes to get seated. They have a large beer menu, lots of great beers on tap. The beers are listed on the menu by taste, which makes selecting from the 40+ beers easier. The menu is good; a variety of good looking appetizers, salads, wrap sandwiches, burgers, pasta entrees. Nothing too out of the ordinary, though they do have tater tots. It appeared most people were eating the burgers.
I went with a buffalo chicken salad. It was GREAT, the best I have had. The meat was cooked just right, not dry at all and the spice level was moderate. There was a ton of meat and the salad was fresh. Had to get tater tots too. They were perfect. The wraps looked very substantial, though I did not taste one.
The service was very friendly and the decor and atmosphere is comfortable. Lots of screens to watch too if that is your thing. I walk by the place at happy hour time and it is setup a bit different, with corner booths with low tables that are better for bigger groups sitting casually together drinking. Will check out the happy hour soon and update.
I work one block away from this place and was happy to see the world's ugliest Bennigan's get gutted for Sweetwater.
Ive been there 3 times for lunch and once for happy hour. It seems the trend in Chicago is to open up these upscale bars that serve a little higher grade bar food and this is no different.
I really like the bar area during lunch. Erica is a very very good bartender/server. very friendly. The food has been above average each time with plenty to choose from and the portions are decent size. Having the big TV's all over the place is nice as they did a good job positioning them all.
Crowd is the typical downtown, young professional crowd with some tourists mixed in. Seems like a good spot to meet a potential hook-up, hang with co-workers, and get drunk after a long stinky week of work :) It does get loud after 5pm but who cares as long as you can hear and talk to who you are with
will be back often!
Fun place, lots of TVS, so great for a happy hour or sports bar event. Food is traditional bar food with a few new twists. You either love it, if you are foodie or hate it if you are too caught up in just being like any other bar food.
I would recommend the sunnyside up burger- fried on it, I love fried eggs. Also would recommend
tater tots
onion flowers
Turkey Burger
the burgers are a little messy so be prepared..its because of the toppings..so just be mindful of that when ordering.
Location is great and definite upgrade over the Bennigans that was there.
Pros:
- It's not an Irish themed restaurant and bar (see others in area: tilted kilt, emerald loop, elephant & castle or semi-stuffy restaurant and bar (see others in area: park grille, tavern at the park)
- It's got decent appetizers and beers at a good price point for the area
Cons:
- Seating is a pain (group tables)
- Servers haven't quite "figured it out"
I have been here for a few lunches and a happy hour. Lunch is okay, tater tots or the option to upgrade to onion petals (I'd recommend!) are nice touches. Would suggest the pretzels as well.
Of the three times I've been for lunch, my order has come out wrong twice. I'm blaming the servers; writing down an order is a challenge - the folks I have had don't do it and the order ends up incorrect...
Also, every person I've had seems to have been working in the industry for a total of a week. Example: At a happy hour the server asks, "Do you want another round?" We look at each other to decide and 2 seconds later turn to her to say "Sure"... but she's already gone. Apparently you have to scream "YES!" within a half-second to get the next round, I don't know.
That said, I'm sick of the Irish bar for a happy hour. I'll be back.
I work in this building and it is such a relief to have a nice place to grab a drink and a bite to eat after work. I just can't do another happy hour at Elephant and Castle. I just can't.
It gets super packed and loud, so be prepared for a wait.
The food is "eh (shrugs shoulders)" but the environment is definitely visually stimulating. Definitely a good people watching spot and a great spot to unwind after some retail therapy on the Mag Mile.
I can't believe I just wrote that.
Watched the (disappointing) last few innings of the Twins/Yankees game here. The fact that it was apparently the only sporting event on (and therefore on every TV) made me feel like I was in a dimly-lit Best Buy.
Everyone seems to love the tater tots, so I'll throw another vote in there - definitely better than the fries. The Fiesta burger was yummy and properly cooked, but the guacamole is too lemon-juicy to be worth the calories.
Unfortunately, the whole experience was ruined by an incredibly slow (due to being incredibly chatty) waitress with an awkward way of trying to up-sell us on everything...
I have to gather my thoughts before I actually write a review....I came here two nights in a row, first night by choice and second was because majority of my friends' ruled my opinion out.
Since I do think Boundary is a decent place, I was pretty excited that Sweetwater opened up right next to my office. I automatically thought...good food, good drinks and great scene. However, I was very disappointed. Although they do have a wide selection of beer, the food was just mediocre. The cheese sauce for the pretzels and the queso dip were so runny and to be honest it tasted like spray can cheese. However, it's really hard to screw tator tots up, so there was at least one good side to the food.
The scene is very much a sports bar with TV around every corner, but unfortunately it's incredibly loud. It definitely is not a place I want to go to again if I'm trying to catch up with friends. I had to scream across the table to be able to speak to my friends and unfortunately that leaves no room for having a discreet conversation - so beware of who you bash. If you want to sit in silence with friends and watch sports this definitely is the place to go.
Now based on location, this would be an obvious choice for Happy Hour during the week, but the place doesn't have any drink specials. It's not a deal breaker for me, but there are a lot of places in the same vicinity that have great Happy Hour specials, unfortunately this just won't be one of them.
Lastly, I couldn't help but notice that everyone around me during my second night at this place, was everyone that I run into when I'm headed into or out of the office. People I ride the elevator with, people I give dirty looks to when they're wearing a questionable outfit, people I avoid saying hello to when I'm wearing a questionable outfit and people who well...recognize me. Don't get me wrong, that isn't really a bad thing per se, but the last thing I want to do when I'm trying to unwind from a day at work and catch up with people outside of work - is see more people that I run into Monday thru Friday.
I'll be honest, this probably will become a place that my co-workers and I will go to based on proximity, but besides the great beer selection - this really wouldn't be my first choice. I'd rather find myself going around the corner to McCormick and Schmicks where I know that they at least have a great $2 Happy Hour menu!
I work in this building and was excited when I saw that Sweetwater was moving in, considering I have totally exhausted the rest of the Illinois center food options. I decided to take our new intern here for her welcome lunch and I was pleased with my decision. It was super crowded so we sat at the bar but definitely didn't sacrafice any service. The bartender was nice and attentive. I ordered the fish tacos which were incredible. Maybe the best fish tacos I have ever had and that is saying a lot. intern ordered a wrap that she said was delicious. Aside from being busy and loud, this place had great food and great service.
Holy TVs! Not that I mind but do they all need to be tuned into the same game and one rogue option - Fox News (ugh)?
We stopped into Sweetwater post-work; it was busy but we were able to get a giant booth right away - so nice to spread out! Decor is nice but there are a ton of TVs and it is a little on the loud side. While I didn't drink, loved the plentiful beer options (it's what pushed this from two to three stars).
I ordered the Waldorf salad; it was pretty good - I really liked that they went creative and added beets. My friends tried a pita sandwich and the grilled cheese. The grilled cheese didn't look very delicious; the cheese wasn't melted and it looked dry. The pita sandwich looked great BUT my friend noted that it was 'okay' but not anything special. There were, however, rave reviews on the cookie dough skillet thing.
So - one star for good service, another for expansive beer list, and a final star for having a variety of food options.
A classier place opens in place of the old Bennigan's in the Illinois Center buildings. And there's finally an after-work resto-pub-lounge that isn't in the heart of the loop! I have quite a few details to add in here:
BACKGROUND/STORY:
This place opened yesterday (Tues, Sept 22nd) but is only open post-4pm currently. Starting Saturday, they will be serving lunch as well (open: 11am).
This is the 3rd venture from the same people who own Boundary (Wicker Park) and Trace (Wrigleyville).
DECOR/AMBIANCE:
The place has 15ish 42''ish TVs, spread out all over the place, to allow people to watch any game they possibly can want to catch. Their music is a little too loud, though and it's hard to talk over it. The decor is modern and classy, white and leather.
While they have more private booths, with high-backs, they have experimented with the idea of "community tables" - when you walk in they ask whether you want your own booth or share a community table. Not sure how that will be received --
STAFF/SERVICE:
The Asst GM was around and keeping a keen eye on all the customers. The chef was visible and doing some spot-checks too. The staff was friendly, but almost on the weird-end of it. My bf and I actually seriously discussed whether our server might have been a robot or some AI project being tested out. She had canned limited responses (anytime, perfect, ill be back in just a few, anytime, perfect).
FOOOOOOD!!!
Now comes the food - their pretzel duo was great (the accompanying queso wasn't). The veggie burger, although, was another story, It looked like a meat-burger, which the AGM took great pride in (we clarified we'd rather not have it look and taste like meat).
Although it's a bean burger, it's really made of beet and carrots and absolutely red and "tender" - not cooked enough - and soggy (because of cucumbers on it) and falls part within the first touch. The side of tater tots was good though!
CONCLUSION:
They also have a private-ish dining room that they're still working on completing with A/V abilities for corporate events with a very reasonable minimum ($350) - seats 16-20ppl.
The menu looked inviting enough and had variety enough to make me want to go back to try the other items, such as salads, quesadilla, hummus and wraps - but I'll most definitely never order the burger again! They did also seem to have a pretty big bar.
Maybe it is my deep and meaningful love of bar food (yes, the Rock Bottom Ballpark Pretzel would likely be on the menu for my last meal on earth). Maybe it is the fact that most food in this area fails to inspire me. Maybe it was being seated at one of the half-circle booths with a view of the whole bar. I really liked Sweetwater on a Wednesday night. Might I note- dear lord, people really do go out every night of the week in this city. If I went out as much as the normal Loop yuppie, I'd probably be seriously overweight.
I decided to try this place out because my mom works across the street, and we try to meet upfor dinner once a month after work. It never occurred to me to stoop to going to the Benningan's, so I was really happy to see this going in!
I'd highly recommend making a meal out of appetizers. Mom and I ordered 3 (and couldn't finish)- the pretzel duo (which I didn't think was quite as good as Rock Bottom, but still really damned good), the mac & cheese bites (oh little bits of heaven) and the chicken fingers (pretty standard, but not in a bad way). Service was quick and friendly enough- the atmopshere tells me this place has the potential to get pretentious and too-cool-for-school, which is not what I was expecting in what I don't consider a "trendy" area but it did not quite get to the level where I was turned off. Also seems like its going to become a meat market with all the groups of yuppies coming in for after-work cocktails -several longish tables in the bar area accomodate this pretty well, as do the mostly larger booths- smaller groups actually seem to have a little more trouble getting seated. I smell a happy hour pickup joint. (ok, I suppose most are). If I couldn't see out the windows, I probably would have thought I was on Hubbard Street.
Wine seemed on par with most other restaurants where I'd order wine, so I don't have much to say about that and didn't even look at the beer since I don't drink it. I could definitely be very easily talked into coming back here for just drinks with friends, and will certainly be back with mom for those damned mac & cheese bites :)
Finally got in here tonight (Friday around 7:00)-Tried Wed. night and it was an hour and a half wait to get a table and so freaking loud and packed-Went tonight and had to wait 45 minutes for a table-I would say after 8 it would be easier to get a table-
FOOD:
I got a Turkery Burger, which I've never in my life have gotten before or even eaten-I can say it smelled odd, but maybe that's what they are supposed to smell like-A different taste indeed, it tasted ok-It wasn't greasy or heavy like a burger is, I was able to eat half of it, the smell and odd taste started to get to me-I kept thinking of cat food...I know odd-I think I should try other turkey burgers to get an idea of what one should taste like-I think I just prefer the real thing over a fake burger-
The tator tots tasted like Orida tots you throw in the oven, nothing special but plain ole tator tots-Nothing magical about them, no special coating just a tot-I mean honestly a 5 year old could cook a tot, pretty hard to screw up-
My husband got the Grill Mix, steak and chicken with rice and veggies-The meat was tender but I think it lacked a sauce, it was rather dry, but my husband who had a couple drinks thought it was good-
ENVIRONMENT:
There are tons of offices/companies in this location so this a prime happy hour spot, and yes it is loud-You go in that revolving door and it's chatter city-The mix is young professionals mixed in with older ones-Nice clean place, good wait staff-Food is a little high priced, I mean in the end it's just bar food, no matter what unique or fancy name you give it-
I'm sure I'll be in here again, I mean it's super close to our apt and it's a new spot-I wouldn't recommend this place as a dining destination for a date or for parents-
This would get 2 1/2 stars, if Yelp would finally cave and make "half stars" an option, but sadly for Sweetwater...they do not. This gets a big "eh" from me. A frequent patron of the other local watering holes - Houli's, McCormick & Schmicks, Emerald Loop and Elephant & Castle, I recognize that the options are still pretty limited in this area. So, Sweetwater, in theory, would be a great addition.
If you're deaf.
Then you wouldn't be disturbed by the aggravating noise level that this place sustains. Lots of TVs, so any sports fan would be happy - but seriously? I can't imagine how much louder it would be on game days. The food was pretty good, and I like that they are generous with the tater tots - delicious. Drinks were strong and reasonably priced for what they're going for.
I will likely try it again, the menu looked good. I had the hummus and veggie plate, which received mixed feelings from my table (I was a fan). However, it would serve itself well to figure out how to make it more enjoyable for a couple - or group of friends - to hang out there and actually hear one another's conversation.
Went here on Saturday night after going to the MCA and needed to kill some time waiting for the Metra. I was a little hesitant because it looked like it might obnoxious but I was pleasantly surprised.
I liked the interior. It was a pretty relaxed atmosphere for being prime time Saturday night.
The noise level wasn't crazy (man I feel old saying that). They have a nice beer list and it was fairly priced. The bartender was nice, no complaints.
I would go back if I'm in the area again.
My first impression, as the place has only been open a few days:
Menu looks good, but will need to make a return visit to try it out. I was happy to see a few good-looking vegetarian options.
Beer list is pretty long. Nothing too unusual or exciting, but definitely something for everyone. Prices were a little above average for the offerings, but I'm sure it's probably relative to the location.
I was a tiny bit dismayed at the wine prices per glass. Most hovered around $10 and up.
Our waitress was great. Very friendly and attentive.
I liked the decor, the booths were nice. The room felt spacious, yet cozy, which I enjoyed.
My biggest complaint is holy LOUDNESS. There were a few couples w/ babies. I just wanted to ask them if they cared that their kids eardrums may be bleeding.
But, the ultimate moment of the night was when this completely elderly couple shuffled through the revolving doors, one after the other, whilst we were leaving and all we could think was, "Dear god, turn around...it's TOO loud!" So, we waited a safe distance away and that cute little couple came right back out.
We didn't need to warn them after all.
Met friends here for drinks and dinner afterwork. Nice polished modern bar atmosphere. Very attentive and friendly service. What sealed the deal for me was the Gluten Free menu. It's always a relief when a restaurant offers this. The hummus platter was delicious and more than enough for 3 people. The Sweetwater Chopped Salad was also amazing, very fresh, and seemed like an endless portion. Drinks were a bit pricy, but nothing shocking given your on the Michigan Ave main drag.
This is a review on the Carryout Service.
I decided for lunch I would try Sweetwater.
I downloaded their menu from the inter web and my eye came across the BAKED MAC & CHEESE - parmesan, cheddar, gorgonzola, parmesan bread crumbs, cavatappi pasta for 12.95
There really isn't a place in concourse of my building to get a good mac & cheese. So I decided to splurge on Sweetwater.
When I placed the order over the phone, the women taking my order failed to tell me when to pick up it up. So I figured I would wait five minutes then head over to Sweetwater (which is in my office building).
I got to the bar and my order was waiting for me. I paid the $14.41 for the Mac & Cheese. While I was walking up to the office I thought it was odd that the carryout bag felt very light.
Maybe I am a mac & cheese snob, but what I received from Sweetwater isn't what I expect as mac & cheese. It was cold. The little cheese that was it in the dish was hard. There was about 1 tsp of "parmesan bread crumbs." I would say the serving size was about 1 cup for $14.41!
I went immediately back to Sweetwater and questioned the dish. The manger was kind and refunded my money. He did say that the serving was a little scant but explained that when served in the restaurant it looks like a bigger serving cause of the dish it is in.
I did take a taste of the mac & cheese along with my other, mac & cheese snob, coworkers. It was awful and was immediately tossed in the garbage.
This bar/restaurant just opened up about a block from my apt...SUPER excited because there are no places to hang out and watch games, grab a cold brew and nasty (i.e. YUMS) bar food w/o being around a million tourists anywhere near Michigan. I was doubly excited to find out that Sweetwater is a sister bar to Boundary in Wicker Park, as I'm a huge Boundary fan (it's just so far from me).
DRINKS: didn't have any last night, but was SUPER impressed with the number of beer options! took up one whole side of the menu, tons of great brews on tap and at least 50 varieties bottled! i can't wait to post up here to watch a football game and try as many of the beers possible!
FOOD: went here last night for dinner and was very impressed with the extensive menu! Not a normal "bar" menu at all...very yummy options, even a few things that could be deemed "healthy" (in comparison to most of the dishes), I had a real tough time making up my mind. Went with the Tomato Basil Soup (4 stars, $4.95) and the Mac and Cheese (3.5 stars because it made me feel like a heiffer, although it was really tasty but pricey at $12.95 - me and a friend split it). I would def get the soup again, but not likely the mac. I was a little dismayed that the prices here are somewhat higher than what one would expect at a bar....for instance, you could get a grilled cheese sandwich for $9.95 or a grilled chicken sandwich for $9.95...hmmm...now call me crazy, but i know MEAT costs more than CHEESE, so why the same price??? i even asked the waiter, was this some super duper fancy expensive cheese?? nopes - cheddar and mozzarella. most of the entrees were over $15 and the wraps and sandwiches were all between about $9-13.
SERVICE/ATMOSPHERE: fantastic, and our waiter was a cutie and he told us his faves on the menu since we were so indecisive. we sat at the communal high tables in the bar area since all the booths were taken...this will be a great place to have a group dinner because you can fit probably 6-7 people in one booth! it was fun at the bar though and we got served right away, which was nice. the place was nearly full and on a Monday night at 7pm, that's pretty impressive! great vibe, good mix of after-work people, not too many people that looked like tourists (only a few suspects at the bar) and numerous HD flat screens to enjoy the plethora of games shown at any given time.
I really enjoyed Sweetwater and look forward to going back for a full dinner and drinks over a game so I can update my review to hopefully grant them an extra star!
yay - another happy hour option...er....lunch option!
pretty impressed so far. delicious waldorf salad (no chicken or cheese please) but still bursting with right amounts of candied walnuts, craisins, apples and cucumbers. the apple cider dressing was also very good and tossed to perfection. it was a busy friday lunch hour but we waited only 15 minutes to be seated and the hostess was able to find us amongst the huge crowd that had steadily grown within that 15 minutes. fast, personal service especially for how busy it was. the menu is so refreshing in comparison to houlihan's and the other ghastly bar/chains in the area. welcome to the IL center - glad to have you here! i'll be back to spend some quality time at the bar for hh or perhaps for some games if in the area (TVs are plentiful here).
The location is great. I had the steak skewers and they were great. Well worth the money for the nice cuts. It looks like a more urban version of Boundary to me (they are related apparently). Lush booths, stacked stone, lots of TVs. Drinks were solid, the only thing I'd say is lacking is the wine list. Just very few choices and all slightly over priced for what they are but then again it is Michigan avenue. I am sure I'll be back.
I'll give it 3 stars for now, and maybe revise that when I go back again.
I too went on their opening night but only for a beer, so take this as a limited review. The decor is nice, the TV's are great. The music, yes, is quite loud -- they need to lower it a bit so you can actually have a conversation. They have multiple types of seating options -- the bar, booths, lounge style sofas, and raised pub-height tables.
As for the beers -- they have about 80 different ones which was impressive. They also did a nice job of separating them by the type of brew and mark clearly which ones are on tap. The one thing that was disappointing was their beer prices -- $5.50 for a blue moon? $6.50 for a Hacker Shor. Beer Bistro (west Loop) and Clark St. Ale House are cheaper options,but then again aren't in the loop.
Wasn't able to try the food as the kitchen closed early since it was the first night.
As for the canned responses from the waitress -- for the first night probably just a combination of nervousness and training. We had no issues with our server, and she was conversational about the bar itself when we engaged her on that topic.
This place has a lot of potential -- will be interesting to see how it does in this Loop location.
Six Bucks Before Six
Neighborhood: South Loop
Sat & Sun Brunch Drink…
Neighborhood: Near North Side
With the Bulls/Bears season starting up, I'm…
Tater Tots! Those golden brown nuggets of…
