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Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Wicker ParkDamen (Blue)
Mon-Fri. 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 6:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sun. 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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Oh...la la. This place is SEXY!
Yes, the cocktails are expensive, but deserving AND you get a sidecar.
Went there last night with my girl for some much needed catch up chatting. We are not high brow babes, at all, and our bartender, Andrew thought we were down right annoying when she asked for a vodka soda, and I asked for a hot toddy(which is a seasonal drink, but I am fighting this horrible cold and wanted something warm). He gave her the drink she requested, with muddled berries and some other liquor, after which she proceeded to drink 2 more plain vodka sodas(Thanks man, for being understanding). When I couldn't get my hot toddy, we worked together to make a blood and sand (BTW, Violet Hour, for a cocktail house, this should already be on your menu) but had to have the juicer in the back serve me up some fresh OJ. It was delish. i decided to make my next drink a Harling(I think that's the name) County bourbon drink, which will be my regular when I go back.
Besides our annoying drink requests in this establishment that probably calls their bar tenders "mixologists", the decor was great, deep fried peanut butter cup incredible, and the banter with the bar tender, door man, wait staff and guests was a lot of fun. For me, its a better throw back to a San Francisco Bar called Bourbon and Branch. I will be back!
Very swanky ,low lit ,sexy place for a first date .Theyve got these huge "alice in wonderland "chairs .Drinks take a while to make ,but are definently worth the wait :0P .Try the cappirissima ,which is almost like a berry Mojito ...Yummm .2 drinks was all this girl needed from here to catch a nice lil buzz :0)
Food did not dissapoint .The shrimp was perfectly grilled ,the flatbread and deviled eggs were equally as delicious .
Id say the best time to come here would be weeknights as we just walked right in with no wait on a Monday night ,and Ive witnessed the line on weekends .
Love love love this place. Love the decor, the ambiance and the drinks. I loved that they were playing slow jazzy latin music when we walked in, I loved the vibe that it gave of a prohibition-era laid back speakeasy private club... it takes you away and makes you feel special.
I was lucky and went on a rare Saturday night without lines. The drinks were delicious and the menu items looked delectable, I will have to try out the fried peanut butter banana bites with wildflower honey and bacon next time.
A wonderful find in the bustle of it all, a definitely must to take out-of-towners to. I wish there were more places like this. If anyone knows of any, please let me know.
My initial thought upon walking through the enormous, obscurely marked front door was "Holy crap, these are big velvet curtains..." followed by "Whoa, these curtains must have cost a fortune..." finished off by "Oh, hello. Do you have seating for four?" after stumbling upon the hostess' stand.
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As per my wont, I went off-menu for some rye magic, ending up with a Coin Toss to begin with, and finishing off the night with something that sounded to me like "Vouqueray." If anyone can find me the appropriate name and recipe for my second drink, I'll buy you one. (Edit: Thanks to Mike R for pointing out to me that my second drink was a Veiux Carre - as confirmed by Mel at The Gibson.)
Both beverages were absolutely delightful, expertly crafted, and quite voluminous. What didn't fit in the first martini glass came in a small decanter, equating to roughly one and a half martinis at a cost of $12, if I remember correctly. Quite affordable, considering what a similar drink might cost in NYC or DC. The enormous hand-carved ice ball in my second drink left me quite impressed as well.
And although all of the small bites were modestly priced, none of them truly stood out as being wow-worthy. I was particularly fond of the chick pea "popcorn," but the eggplant fondue and kobe hot dogs (when they finally arrived...) fell short of expectations. Not bad, just not noteworthy. Similarly, the fried bananas with honey, bacon, and peanut butter were innovative, but unexciting.
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Two drinks and a few hours later, I walked back out through the heavy, enormous curtains musing to myself, "I would love to have a joint like this closer to home."
10:30 on a Monday night and Violet Hour, larger than almost any cocktail destination in NYC, is at capacity. Chicago obviously knows how to party, but do the folks at VH know how to handle the party?
Crowd control is not good here, not at all. Sometimes there's a doorman in the velvet-curtained vestibule, but sometimes there's not (I went on Tuesday, too). There's no clear delineation for forming a line, and they only take your name if you're going to leave and come back when there's a table for you. The waiting vestibule is divided in two (I imagine to protect themselves from blustery Chicago winters), so if you're in the back part, you're constantly wondering what's going on in the front part, and the whole while people are coming in and sashaying past you even though you are trying to be a polite and gracious person who is waiting her turn like an ADULT!!!
It's absolutely maddening, but once you are inside it's very nice, and you are well taken-care of. Most of the seating is made up of armchairs with 6 foot high backs, which is very clever because it allows them to shift things around and create a semi-private space for any size party. Also, you feel like you are in a tiny periwinkle blue leather spaceship. The look is less Prohibition-era speakeasy and more funky-but-understated turn-of-the-century parlor: high ceilings, hardwood floors, white molding...very pretty.
Now, the drinks...the drinks, I'm sad to say, were hit or miss, but you should take this with a grain of salt because I am really, really, annoyingly particular about my cocktails. Basically anywhere I go that charges $12+ for a cocktail gets compared to Milk & Honey here in NYC so...just keep that in mind. Overall, I'd say that the menu is well-rounded and well-thought out, but it just didn't all translate in execution.
First, there is something strange about the glassware choices here. Drinks that you'd expect to be up from reading the ingredients, like the Oldest Living Confederate Widow (Bombay Dry, Lemon, Honey Syrup, Absinthe, Orange Bitters) or the Sarsaparilla Sling (Buffalo Trace, Punt e Mes, Amaro Ciociaro, Sarsaparilla Syrup, Root Beer Bitters) were inexplicably served in a Collins glass over a giant ice cube, and drinks you'd expect to see over ice, like the Negroni, are served up. Why??
Secondly, the drinks were often underwhelming. The Autumn Sazerac was terribly one-dimensional, and the Sarsaparilla Sling was too sweet and surprisingly bland given the number of ingredients. The Negroni was great, though, and probably the biggest hit of the night was the Little Red, a sharp mix of peaty and blended scotch, apricot brandy, and lemon. Really, really nice. AND when we went off-menu and ordered an Aviation, it was made to perfection.
SO. There are good and bad things to be said about Violet Hour, but I think in a city where there aren't a ton of classic cocktail havens, it's certainly worth a trip. While in line, I chatted up the couple behind us, and asked if there were anywhere else in Chicago to go for cocktails. They looked confused, saying "well, there are lots of places that make cocktails, but Violet Hour...is different" which I took to mean "there are many places that will make you a vodka cranberry, but nowhere else you can go for a Nickel Manhattan." Judging by its popularity on every night of the week, I imagine that this is true.
SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A STIFF DRINK
THE HIDDEN DOOR
Only steps away from a 7-11, a bank, and an Asian massage parlor stands a sign-less facade with a door handle and a yellow light bulb overhead. At first glance it's a bit gimmicky - manufactured exclusiveness. On second thought, it's pure genius.
For this entrance is more than a door. It's a rabbit hole, the symbolic beginning of the Violet Hour experience, a portal meant to transport you away from the trains overhead and the text walkers below, a proscenium that separates two worlds...one where everything from cocktails to conversations are devoured quickly in Big Gulps and tweets...the other where time slows down, where the music is soft enough for people to talk and more importantly to LISTEN.
Which is the stage and which is the audience? Which world is real and which is the farce? The calm within or the chaos outside? All things best pondered over...
COCKTAILS
A no cosmopolitan rule; I'm already in love. I had a fight with a bottle of Tanqueray nine years ago, and I figured if I was going to give gin another chance this was the place to do it. I go with the Indian Summer, a mix of Plymouth Gin, lime, lavender syrup, and house-made tonic. First sip... Hello hello... light bulbs flash, my eyes open wide...I pause. This is delicious. My first reflex is to drain my glass dry, but I stop. I pause. I savor. I reflect. I smile. And I notice my friends are doing the same.
I end the night having had a wonderful conversation with old friends, expertly prepared cocktails, respectful and unhurried service, my world expanded to the wonders of gin, and perhaps a mandate to slow down and enjoy life more.
I will indeed be back and I suggest you do the same.
5 perfect, gin-soaked stars.
I can be a bartender's nuisance. Why? Because I'm that person who never can make up their mind, asks questions, changes my mind at the last second on occasion, etc...
I don't mean to be a bar-going a*hole, or an anything-going a*hole. I really don't. I'm just a scatterbrained lady sometimes...
The bartender/"barman" last evening was completely empathetic and chill, cool as cucumber, actually. And, let's face it, he was fancy. So right there, the place has my vote on service.
(I sat at the bar, there was no line, the door host was polite, not too crowded -- apparently it was a good night/time to go.)
The drink list is pretty extensive, but the service staff makes it accessible. And let's talk about the bourbon, shall we? I actually ordered cocktails, which I don't always do, and they were delicious, but they also have a great bourbon selection. Surprised? I WAS. There is now one place I've ever been to that actually has Michter's Bourbon available for my consumption. Um, hello, amazing? The only place, ONLY place, I've ever seen it on the menu. Holla.
Now, this is not a place to go if you're looking to save a buck. Clearly. The decor is pretty swanky, and I mean it's a clean kind of decadent. High-backed chairs and lots of fabric in the joint make for great acoustics in terms of having a conversation. Even with the music playing.
Violet Hour is definitely a destination spot, but if you're feeling the love for a little glorious cocktail-age, high-end spirits, and swanky swank in Wicker Park, then check this joint out!
On a side note, don't expect any sort of hurried service. Cocktail concoctions on this list take careful crafting. And the craftsmanship shows, from the selection of ingredients to the type of ice they use in drinks...so sit back and enjoy the ambience. You're paying for it, too.
For those of us who truly appreciate alcohol, Violet Hour is how drinking ought to be.
I hate lines, but some things are worth waiting for.
What can I say that hasn't been said before? Probably nothing so I'll keep this short.
I love The Violet Hour. I love it for special occasion drinks, for late afternoon drinks, and for late night drinks; I'm always up for going there. Its a great place to bring friends from out of town or to relax after a hectic day. The cocktails are inventive and almost all are delicious. The atmosphere is sexy and seductive; curtains and candle lit tables surround the semi private tables that hold people in the seemingly most important and thrilling conversations of their lives. Everything is better at The Violet Hour. Your drink is delightful, your companion looks hotter, your bad day is no more, the conversation flows on and on and on....
The Violet Hour casts a spell on you...just be careful because the cocktails are potent. Only a couple should do.
Violet Hour is not an everyday sort of bar. The rules posted at the entrance demonstrate this fact: "no Budweiser, no light beer, no Grey Goose, no cosmos." And no baseball caps. Some folks probably get this far and decide Violet Hour isn't for them, which is just fine with me.
Having waited in a long line to get inside (which I'll avoid in the future by going early on a weeknight), I appreciated the fact that the interior of Violet Hour was not just another bar. It's a transformative space that's relatively quiet and intimate, with a touch of nostalgia for another place and time. The crowd control ensures that you have a comfy seat, that there's not a long wait for the ladies' room, and that you have enough personal space to prevent getting hit on. It still takes a while, though, to get your damn drink.
Now, everyone gives this place 5 stars? Why, maybe because they enjoy a stuffy atmosphere, a wack hostess with all sorts of attitude, and uncomfortable chairs and super pricey drinks.
Now don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for everything, sometimes you want a nice swanky place, sometimes you want a dive, sometimes you want a sports bar... but jiminy christmas... this place was almost too much. I mean, don't get me wrong, the drinks were excellent and masterfully mixed and served but gimme a break.
This place might do better on the gold coast. The 20-30 something crowd that lives and works in wicker park wouldn't hang out here anyways. This place is designed for the yuppies to travel out of the Viagra triangle and lincoln park to have a "hipster adventure" in wicker park. I cant honestly say that I had a good time there. The hostess had the bitchiest vibe ever, our server was super nice but would come in intervals almost as if she was making sure that one person at my table had an empty glass and the other had a full glass. My date had to slam her drink to even things out.
if you want a decent cocktail without the "stick up your arse" attitude and ridiculous seats, tables that have about 5 inches squared worth of usable space, don't go here. Not for everyone, plenty of people love it...but not me.
The whistler blows this place clean out of the water in my opinion. I felt like i had to whisper in this place for some reason. So many damn rules and stuff. It has more of a museum like vibe than a relaxing bar/lounge environment. The kind of feeling you have when your on one of those historical mansion tours, you feel tense and do more observing than anything else. Only thing it was missing was some tour guide narrating the ridiculously impractical seating and tables, pointing out the yuppies and explaining why they use ice cubes a certain way.
No pictures, no cameras, no cellphones, don't touch the walls, don't smile, Jesus Christ... I was tense before I even got seated. felt like I had to whisper the whole time. TENSE! The hostess never said "hello", "how are you guys tonight?" Nothing, it was like a business transaction with no human appeal.
"How many?"
"Two?"
"Sit there"
"Here's your fuckin menu"
"Your waitress will be here whenever"
Jesus Christ sorry for smiling!?
Wack biscuits! Very unsettling to me.
I thought this place was so freakin' cool looking inside, kinda like something out of Alice in Wonderland or something, mixed with an old-school, old-money hotel. The ambience is worth the price of the drinks alone, and the quality of the booze/skill needed in making the cocktails is an added bonus. A place to come and try spirits you have never had before, and are not easily found at other bars in the city.
VERY quiet inside, at least when we went. We sat in the booths by the bar, which are high-backed and block conversation from other tables. So if you like to chit-chat, or are looking for a hot date place, go here.
That being said, it is a place for the "hipster doofi" as my neighbor Gene K. calls them. Which very possibly could make me a hipster doofi in denial. Oh well.
This is a solid bar with a genius concept. But...
I don't like waiting in line for anything. They should take reservations. I also don't like paying $15 for a drink. Trust me, I get it. I work in one of the most infamous, douchebaggiest bars in the city where we charge $13 for a stupid martini. The combination of having to wait, and the expensive drinks is just a little overkill for me.
That said, I love the fact that this place is nice and quiet, and your ears aren't ringing once you step outside. It's also great that everyone has a seat and no one is rushed out. Service is solid, drinks are tasty and ambiance is sexy. It's a good date place.
I just wish someone would take this concept and take it down a couple of notches. How about no line and cheaper drinks?? Don't worry, I'm not completely knocking Violet Hour, because there are plenty of other places where you could blow your whole paycheck on drinks and a night out, and I can honestly say that this is still once of the best bars of its type in Chicago.
If you were to ask me where to go on a night out, I wouldn't tell you to go to The Wit, or Soundbar, or Enclave (blah, blah, blah), I would tell you to get gussied up and go to The Violet Hour. Because if you're going to wait in line and spend some money, you may as well do it at some place that's actually good.
This is the place to start out on a Friday night -- Stiff drinks to start the night right. Only bring a small group of friends: 5 or less. Get there for 6 or 6:30pm cos you don't want to wait in line. Sit in the room in the back near the fireplace for better ambiance.
It's my favorite spot by far in all of Chicago next to The Green Mill. It has character and very unique drinks. The bartenders are dressed well and are friendly.
long velvet curtains. downtempo music. alice in wonderland feeling.
the whisky drinks are the best.
First, everyone looks 20 because of the lighting is so good/ forgiving.
If you need more reasons than that...It is fun, very cool, and has been in GQ a bunch of times. Good drinks, good food, although they take a while b/c they are hand-made, shaken, etc.
Overall, it is a fun place to go (the earlier the better). Extremely chill.
Mmm-kay, I'll keep it simple. Put this on your 'must go to' list. My wife and I were visiting from CA and were brought here by my sister. You'd never know it from the outside (a theme of restaurants & bars in Chicago it seems), but the inside is unbelievable...so are the drinks. What I like best: once the seats are sat in, no more folks allowed...until a seat is vacated...so get there early.
I feel that Violet Hour is overrated, having been there three times, I think it's safe to say I should have stopped at the first visit. First off, you have to wait in this teeny tiny room all squished up with other people while you wait for someone to seat you...this process is more ambiguous than I'm describing. The place is very dark and is decorated with velvet -- the color scheme is plain and uninteresting. The second time I went, we were completely ignored by the waiter, so we left and decided to come back another day (because my bf had never been there). We finally had a chance to go back for drinks and we weren't too impressed (you'd think you'd get amazing drinks for $12+).
Overall, this is a good place to take a date or to come to once, otherwise, you should waste your money elsewhere.
I love this place. The best thing to do is get here early and try and get a seat at the bar. The bartenders are always easy to talk to and are great to watch. The drinks are amazing, and there are lots of off the list drinks here to. Its a good place to sit and chat with a friend for a few drinks to start the night out. And turn your phone on vibrate or off!!
Food wise, I love their deviled eggs and the others I have tasted are delicious as well.
I got this recommendation from a friend who lives in Chicago and she was spot on! This place rocked! A little hard to find, but if you spot the graffiti wall, just open the unmarked door. If you come late (after maybe 8) expect a long line. It may be hidden, but it's certainly not unknown.
The drinks were made perfectly and even the mini snacks were very good. I had the Juliet and Romeo, which was a cucumber and gin(i think) mixture and it was very good. I also had the Dark and Stormy which was quite spicy but delicious!
The drinks take a little too long to make but the service was excellent.
When you see the line outside you really have to wonder, is this place worth the cold, dark wait? I think it depends on who you are with and what you are in the mood for.
I was definitely surprised by the atmosphere and the set-up. Who knew that this would be behind the unassuming, wooden door?! For my party of three, our table was nicely situated in the back room where we can easily see the other parties seated. But, the Violet Hour is definitely not for the social butterflies. You really feel like there is no such thing as mingling with your fellow patrons. This would especiallly be the case if you are seated at one of the front room two-person tables. I guess it could be a very cool, intimate spot for a date, but I hope you are really into each other because you are kind of trapped in your own little seated area.
However, I really would suggest the drinks. Sure, the specialty drinks are $12, but you only need one to get a nice buzz.
I was unimpressed by this uber-hip Wicker Park spot. The heavy curtains, low lighting, and seating concentrated around low candle lit tables might not be a bad place for a date, but I found it to be a rather irritating place to meet friends.
The drinks are crazy expensive; not unexpected for this kind of bar, but I was annoyed that they could not figure out how to properly serve a single malt. Come on, you're charging $18 for a dram, figure it out. After asking multiple times for some water, our server finally brought me some other drink that I didn't order and then left it on the bill.
At least the music was low enough to talk. If you're all dressed up and looking for someplace to go in Wicker Park before a dance or other event, this may be your scene. Otherwise, I would skip it.
Hipster pretention at its finest.
This place grows on me a little more each time I go. Usually the S.O. and I hit this place after dinner in Wicker Park. On occasion, if we feel obliged to spend exhorbitant amounts of money on really good booze, we'll just hang out and have a few cocktails with a couple of the fabulous plates of munchies.
What makes this place more fun than most is sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartender about the latest revelations in alcohol. We both love wine, but it's always fun to learn a little more about the world of cocktails. Other tip: just give the barkeep a liquor preference and a flavor palate (i.e. citrus, sweet, sour) and let him do his thing.
What? I haven't told the world yet that I love this place? I've never had a problem with bad service and the drink recommendations are always great. The servers seem to really know what the best drinks are according to your likes and dislikes.
I personally don't think this place is pretentious - I feel comfortable here and can sit here until my wallet runs out after two drinks.
I recommend this place if you want to enjoy a laid back atmosphere in a classy environment, any time of the week. I never feel like the music is too loud.
I love sitting at the bar and watching the bartenders make my drink. It's ok that there is a bit of a wait for our drinks because I really feel like the mixologists take their time to make the drink perfect and taste it just to make sure what they are sending out is nothing short of perfection.
Hmm - what to say, what to say. I came here around seven on a Saturday - which meant no line, cuz I do not rock the line shit. Oh, and I'm def not a drink connoisseur - give me some strong fruity shit or a Captain's and diet and I'm all good. I did appreciate the uniqueness and attention that goes into each drink here - and I loved that I was tasting something I knew I couldn't get anywhere else.
I do regret not sitting at the bar - my friend and I were super comfy in our chairs but I would've killed to see the bartenders in action. Getting the chance to ask questions and hear about the construction and ingredients of all the different drinks would've been worth the risk of my weak ass friend falling off her seat at the bar. Anyways, the only downside was our semi-toolesque waitress. She was cool and attentive at the beginning, but I had to chase her down for our check at the end. And by chase her down I mean follow her to the bar, have her ignore me, and have to have the bartender tell her I was trying to get her attention. Oh, and then I had to point out where we were sitting, cuz she had no idea who the hell I was. I just hope/keep telling myself her ass is super spacey, cuz I refuse to admit I'm that fucking boring or forgettable - maybe in ten years when I'm rocking mom jeans and driving a minivan, but certainly not now.
Love the concept. Love the fact that they always change the mural decor of the door you always miss when you try to find the place. Great place to have an after work cocktail or two...I say that because the lines are ridiculous on the weekends. Place is pretty quiet, so it's easy to have a conversation instead of having to scream in the ear of your companion. Speak easy + Alice in Wonderland feel, and the drinks are an experience. I'll just stick to one or two, because the wallet wouldn't allow for more than that. Definitely a place to come if you're not worried about how much you're spending and if you want a more intimate place to go. Due to the set up and their capacity rules, you don't really have to worry too much about that random guy who'll come up to you and ask, "How you doing?"
The first time I went to Violet Hour I was convinced it was worth the price, the wait outside, and the ridiculously slow service once you actually get seated. I was wowed by an amazing selection of fantastic cocktails, and a classy, cozy atmosphere.
I've been back three times since. Never has the quality of the cocktails even come close to that of the 1st visit. I'm forced to conclude they've gone downhill. Each time I've been there, someone in my group has ordered the Juliet & Romeo, a gin drink with rose water and a splash of lime. The first time it was perfect, maybe the best cocktail I've ever had. During later visits it was way too limey, obscuring the taste of everything else. Other drinks were similarly unimpressive and unbalanced after that first visit. Once, after waiting to be served for an HOUR at our table, our cocktails tasted like the dregs leftover from other cocktails mixed together-- they were nothing like what we ordered. They were so bad we couldn't even drink them (ok, that's a lie. We choked them down solely for the booze content, rather than waiting another hour to see whether they could be corrected).
I've never come here without waiting at least 45 min outside the door (even on a Tuesday). I tend to give overhyped places credit when they deserve it, but this place DOES NOT. Go to a bar at an upscale restaurant instead if you want a nice atmosphere and better drinks for the same price.
Barf, totally ruined this experience by hitting beachwood right after and downing a ton of cheap awful beer. Shaking off my massive hangover I have to say I had a splendid time at this fabulous establishment. I don't ordinarily like the idea of the downplayed front door and dramatic drapery front entrance but the bar made up for it. You can sit at a bunch of posh chairs around a tiny cocktail table OR opt to sit at the bar, which obviously is a hell of a lot more fun and less awkward. My sister was in town so we reckoned getting a punch bowl for the two of us was the right way to talk about family gossip and were right. Got the Jonestown punch bowl which is a delicious and strong combination of some fancy bitters, whisky, strawberries, mint, and orange oil. TO DIE FOR. Hung out with the proprietor of North Shore Distillery and sampled some of her killer local made absinthe and got a lot of drink education from the bartenders (who are total pro's, amazing drinks and meticulous quality control...). Fabulous experience. A little pricey but you get more than your money's worth.
Oh, and COME EARLY. I went at 9 and there was plenty of seating. Wait any longer and you have to sit in line with a bunch of jerks.
Atmosphere, drinks, music - 5 stars
Service - 1 star
5 + 1 = ~3, that's my math.
We came in and let them know that we'd have a large group (aka we'll be giving you a LOT of money). They looked annoyed. The waitress finally let us sit at a large booth and pulled up some stools. Looking annoyed.
This place is hard to find...part of the "allure" I suppose. Someone called for directions. My friend was talking to them and was rudely admonished by the waitress regarding their "no cell phone" policy and shooed out. If you don't want people to talk on their phone a) make it easier to find b) put up a sign alerting people to this "rule". The manager then came over and let us know that there are "certain rules" there.
Um, what? Its a bar, no matter how your wrap it up, its still a bar. You are in Wicker Park, don't take yourself so seriously.
Awesome place, but lose the 'tude.
Was here with a huge group and did not have to wait in line for long = Yay!
Waitress recommended we get the carafes by guaranteeing it would be there in 8 minutes -- it was actually 15 mins before we were served = Boo!
When we saw the price of the carafes, we were also very shocked =
Boo!
Strawberry whiskey - Excellent
Dark and Stormy - A bit too spicy on the ginger
Gin and Home made tonic - Romeo and Juliet? - Excellent
However, there is much to say about the ambience, the anonymity of the lounge. I was very impressed with the music selection and with the seating arrangement.
Perhaps it will make more sense to order individual cocktails and come in a smaller crowd? Beware of long waits though...
ps: They don't take reservations.
The few times I've been to Violet Hour, I've enjoyed very much. It strikes me as a place that's good for a pre or post dinner drinks. I wouldn't linger too long unless I feel like spending an exhorbitant amount of money on experimental cocktails created by some of Chicago's best "mixologists" - which honestly, I'll never feel like doing.
Once you make it past the purple velvet curtains you're led your table - either to a booth or to a set of high-backed chairs that make you feel like you're Alice in a purple wonderland. The three times I've been have been on weekday evenings so I never had to deal with a wait or snobby/fed up servers. Each time I've had a female server who was very knowledgable about the types of drinks they have. Instead of going off the menu, I've asked the different waitresses for their recommendations and they have never let me down!
I also like how they give you the over-pour in a mini decanter. It makes you feel like you get two drinks in one. I haven't tried any of their food but I think it's a unique experience and fun to visit once in a while.
Great spot! I came here with my bestie on Saturday around 8:30, we had to wait about 45 minutes. There is no sign on the door and we actually walked past it and had to ask someone for assistance. Once it's your turn to go inside, as mentioned in other reviews, everyone gets a table or a seat at the bar.
The drinks and food were delicious. Drink-wise, we tried the romeo/juliet, the emerald, blue mai tai, and my favorite of the night, something made with gin and mashed blackberries. It's not on the menu but was recommended by our waitress and it was fantastic. Food-wise we sampled the deviled eggs, shrimp, flatbread, mini philly cheesesteaks, and fried reeces pb cups. Everything tasted good, although the eggs could've used a little more seasoning. It's all small plates here, which makes it easy to try a lot of different items. Probably my favorite food items were the shrimp, flatbread, and cheesesteaks. Mmmm!
We spent the whole night here, and between the two of us had 7 drinks and 5 dishes, the total was $110 + tip. Because of the wait, this wouldn't be my regular spot. However, definitely a nice place for a date or to come with close friends.
Once upon a time, a soon-to-be married gal and her gay friend decided to go out for drinks on a Friday night. Instead of their usual haunts (Lincoln Square, A-ville, Uptown), they donned their hipster costumes and ventured out to the foreign land that is Wicker Park/Bucktown.
After exiting the Damen blue line stop, the gay friend followed his instincts to a strange graffiti-ed wall and opened a hidden door. Suddenly, the gal and gay friend were in a concrete passageway with a velvet curtain at the end. Stepping inside the curtain, they were met with a strange scene: high backed velvet chairs, very dark room, hushed conversations, old fashioned looking bar and chandeliers. The two felt as though they had been transported to another time and place.
After sitting down, the two pondered the drink and small plates menu, and after much deliberation, selected their pricey cocktails and a pork shoulder flat bread. They decided that cocktails made with egg whites were an ingenious creation, and proceeded to drink 2 each while devouring their flatbread. The Juliet and Romeo cocktail was their favorite, as was one featuring whiskey and, you guessed it, egg whites.
Slightly tipsy, the gal and gay friend paid the tab and wandered out of the bar, slightly shocked at their return to the brightness of the outside street. They vowed to go back when they needed, once more, an escape from the reality of the world. And egg whites.
doesn't meet the hype I had been hearing about.
Expensive drinks that aren't good enough to warrant their prices. It is quiet and is probably a good first date spot (assuming you are trying to convince some chick that you are classy and actually hang out at places like this on a regular basis.)
I think Matchbox has better drinks. Its more of a bar than a lounge though.
I won't go back here.
Holy crap is Chicago into writing reviews.
I'll keep this short since there's no way I'm not saying anything already said below. Wasn't into the mixology thing, now I'm totally sold. The bartenders were engaging and rightfully proud. Also seemed to have different strengths, so they shared the drink making responsibilities depending on the type of drink.
The drinks take a while, so patience is a virtue and although I loved the house drink, I am now totally sold on the flips/fizzes, and the mint julep. Will pretty much everything I had, especially the old skool drinks that came with a story.
Last thing - I had heard that the food was once bad, but we were all surprised at how great the apps were. Everything was delicious. The chef came out at one point in the evening. Turns out he's a a laid back dude who used to work at Moto. Doesn't do the crazy molecular gastronomy thing here though, but that's not the point. The point is that whoever he is or wherever he learned, his apps are good.
First taste of the nightlife in Chicago consisted of hopping around a few bars. Then we stopped by a bar which I can not remember the name of. Watched an awesome baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs and played some photo video game.
Let me set up the situation here; bottom of the 9th inning, San Diego was trailing Chicago 1-0 and were down to their last out. This is when Ms. Indecisive says whoever wins this game will determine where she goes to school. And guess what happened? San Diego ties it up 1-1. The Kyle Blanks hits a 3 run homer a few batters later to win the game. Can you say fate?
Ok, back to Violet Hour. So the rest of the group decides to go home and as we walked by the Violet Hour we spot a celebrity: Juliette Lewis. Me and my rotund friend decide to go check it out since its her favorite bar and all. We were sat in the back bar near Juliette and her entourage. The bartender seemed really knowledgable and took his time making our drinks. I got the Juliet and Romeo(if thats sounds girly, blame Michelle). The drinks were awesome, it's too bad we got there late and near closing time.
Coolest bar I have been to so far.
I do have to say,
"Every girl that works here
is a TOTAL bitch."
I absolutely love the violet hour.
bucktown is probably one of my favorite neigborhoods in chicago, and this place is conveniently located just off the blue line damen stop, neatly tucked away on a pretty unassuming block. As others have written, theres no sign out front, just a yellow light and a door that's been painted over to blend into the wall.
This is a great place to go on a weeknight or early on a weekend to chill and have a few VERY WELL MADE drinks with friends. the appetizers and food plates are also pretty tasty, and not incredibly expensive. * unlike the drinks *
no cell phones, no standing...and definitely not crowded - all this adds to an intimate atmosphere and makes this a great place to go and actually have a conversation with the people you are with. Definitely worth a visit.
This is the most amazing place in the world!!
As an out-of-towner, it was difficult to find...even with the tips from other reviewers. It's definitely hidden, but I think it adds to the feeling of being there. It's a great way to escape anything and everything else going on in your life. The minute you walk through the huge velvet curtains separating the relaxing atmosphere from the line of impatient people waiting to get in, all of your worries float away.
Sit at the bar if possible, which is only likely if you go really early in the evening. The mixologists behind the bar are incredibly knowledgeable and willing to help you make your decisions. The bartender the night we were there made us feel really special, and like we were the only people in the whole place. Watching them grind ingredients, break the ice, and mix up the concoction is just as much fun as the drink itself.
We came in a group of four, but there were only two bar seats available. The two of us at the bar kept watching for people to leave so the rest of our party could join us. The host staff went above and beyond my expectations to grant our wishes. They were incredibly patient and helpful!
The decor and drinks were truly phenomenal, but it was really the staff that made my experience at Violet Hour one to remember.
Sitting at the bar is definitely the way to go. Add to that no line and great drinks and it's a completely different experience.
I won't even get into the ridiculousness that is the line/waiting situation, let's just say it's… Read more »
I've been putting off this review for a while because I just assumed that they had to have 5 stars from everyone... to my chagrin there are some people out there who don't agree with me, but that's perfectly fine, maybe it will keep the lines down in the future!
Let's just say that this place is one of a kind, with some of the best drinks I've ever had, period. I love the anonymity as you enter, no sign out front, no windows or open garage doors so that everyone can see in and out. Just a plain door painted right in with the rest of the wall and a light overhead. If the light is on, they're open, if not then they're closed... seems simple enough to me. As you enter for the first time you get the feeling of "uh oh, what did I get myself into" as you pass through the two sets of large, heavy curtains. But once inside it's like you've gone back in time to an era when things moved at a slower pace and people weren't stacked 5 deep at the bar and swooning over twitter or facebook on their iPhones (yes, one of the rules here... no cell phones... simply awesome).
Another great feature is how they will only seat your party if they have enough seats available together. This is what prevents a lines at the bar and other general crowdedness (if that's a word) that can really ruin other fine establishments. And once seated, settle in for a few minutes and make sure you read ALL of their drinks. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a unique combination of ingredients as I have here and I think a previous yelper nailed it when they likened these to drinks from "Alice in Wonderland". There really are too many great libations here and I'll spare you my favorites because you really need to find that out all on your own (just know that they do have some "classic" drinks that may not be on their current menu).
For what it's worth this place is an awesome location to take new visitors to Chicago or to catch up with good friends over phenomenal drinks in a chill atmosphere. I will continue to show them my patronage; albeit earlier in the evenings when the lines aren't so long...
Neighborhood: Near Southside
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Lounges
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