Old-school cocktails in downtown Chicago

[mjohnson]

So we're here in the Gold Coast/north downtown area of Chicago (1200 N Dearborn roughly at Division) for a few nights.

What are the recommendations for traditional cocktails nearby? We poked our heads into the Drake this afternoon and it looks promising. Any other recommendations?

We're looking for proper cocktails, either traditional or modern-cocktillian, not over-sweet "woo-woo!!!" drinks with umbrellas. Martinis that have gin _and_ vermouth and manhattans that have bitters and that are hopefully made with rye instead of bourbon kinds of places.

Any guesses?

Thanks,

mike
'78SC

[gassy]

Well the Cape Cod Room in the Drake is certainly going to have the drinks you desire--help me out with the rye vs. bourbon manhattan request. The Four Seasons restaurant will work. Try the Soffitel bar__Le Bar--20 E. Chestnut.

[Dottore]

My hands down favourites are the martinis at the Oyster Bar at Shaw's Crab House. Great drink and atmosphere ...and those oysters....! Once flew a girl to Chicago just for a meal at Shaw's....

[cstreit]

Martini's in Gibsons Piano bar... nice bar, expensive "scenery"

[Sonic dB]

Chicago is my kinda town.
Lots of places to go...there is a cool cigar bar located
at Division and Rush area... Jilly's it is called....lots
of other places in that area too...

Ive been to Gibson's that place is very cool

a link http://www.rushanddivision.com/clubs.shtml

[M.D. Holloway]

Check with Cool Chick - she knows things...

[onlycafe]

mmmmmm.....sidecars.

[widgeon13]

Haven't been to Chicago for a while but the Mayfair, Whitehall and Tremont were pretty nice small hotels with good bars.

I knew Jimmy at the Whitehall very well, we were on a first name basis. He's probably not there today but had many a fun evening there.

[mjohnson]

The Hotel Drake was satisfactory but a bit crusty. Love the decor though. Oh yeah, $12-ish for a Beefeaters martini.

Today we hit the bar at the Penninsula (Superior @ Michigan). A bit tough to find but worth it. I had a proper Hendricks martini and the wife had an apple sidecar (calvados instead of brandy and not too sweet). $14-ish each but they had tasty salty bar snacks that actually weren't reused between customers. Fresh squeezed juices and the bitters bottles weren't dusty and buried on the back shelf. Worth a re-visit.

The Penninsula bartender recommended the Sofitel. We walked through it on the way back to the Indigo and it looks promising.

Gibsons looks like a meat market. Is this part of the "viagra triangle" I hear of?

This Gold Coast neighborhood seems to have more than a few places that tend towards the trucker hat wearing PBR swilling crowd. I thought that was _so_ 2005...

mike
'78 sc

[kaisen]

Gibson's is where it's at

[VincentVega]

I'm in town next week, keep the suggestions coming!

[t6dpilot]

Used to live right there on Bellevue. Great neighborhood, but got tired of the rat race. Tough to have fun with early 911's in that venue. Places to go for grown up drinks:

• Gibson's
• Mario's (great local Gold Coast spot)
• Bistro Zinc
• Cru
• Whitehall Hotel
• Pump Room
• Whiskey Bar in Sutton Hotel (very expensive)
• Le Bar at Sofitel Hotel

I know I am missing lot's and these are just in the Gold Coast area. Depends on what you are looking for... Dublin's and Tavern on Rush are always hoppin', but too crowded for my taste. I always like Bistro Zinc as we could walk there any night of the week and not wait for a table (pet peeve). The food is excellent and very reasonable, drinks are great, and it actually feels like you are in a real French bistro. Gibson's and Hugo's are great for a nice big 'toonie and people watching.

If you want to go to another area, let me know where it is and I can help. There are soooo many great places to choose from. It just depends on your mood and location.

[mjohnson]

Hmm...

Marios and the Pump Room were very near our hotel (1200-ish N Dearborn). Didn't make it to either.

There were two trips to le Bar at the Sofitel (recommended by the bartender at the Pennisula Hotel). Good drinks and the help was cute. As well there was a good view to the little 'triangle' park and Gibsons. Sofitel had Hendricks and they could produce a cucumber garnish if requested. The waitress was afraid of their "French" drinks (oooh, a Negroni! How grownup!) and tried to scare us off of an "Accor", which was a pretty good long drink - primarily orange juice and pastis with too little Campari over ice. Going to have to make that one at home...

No drinks at Gibsons though I did ogle a few cougars as we walked by.

I was most impressed with the bar at the Pennisula. Fresh squeezed juices and the bitters was proudly on the speed rack. We'll be back the next time we're in Chicago. Probably stay at the Sofitel, though.

Growing up in SW Michigan I was dragged numerous times to Chicago for field trips to the museums. I hadn't been back since then (18-20 yrs) -- I regret the absence. Quite a cool town...

mike
'78SC

[Flatbutt1]

Dick's Last Resort..mmmm. the old north pier IIRC?