Looking for a lounge/bar to entertain clients that is walking distance from the Intercontinental hotel on Michigan Ave.

[rondalee]

Something very close, not too young and loud of a scene, full bar, something appropriate for entertaining clients that is walking distance from the IC Hotel downtown.

Thanks!!

[rondalee]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Our clients are getting in late (7 PM) the night we plan to meet (from all over - some have long flights) so by the time they get settled in the hotel and ready to meet us, I think something very close would be good (5 minutes). I was hoping to just meet at the IC hotel but their bar is undergoing renovations and ENO is beer/wine only. We do have an early morning meeting so I don't want something too "bar-ish" to set the wrong tone for the evening. I think the goal is to find a place that is easy to get to (2 to 3 blocks max) and is not too crowded so that we can be comfortable and chat.

What about a nearby hotel bar, like the rooftop terrace at the Hilton Conrad?

Someone also suggested Grami on Grand and St.Clair to me.

Sable sounds great but I am worried about the noise level.....

[rondalee]

Here are a few more suggestions I got from the hotel if anyone has any thoughts:

There is a new bar/lounge called the Public House. It is a short walk from the hotel located at the corner of Kinzie and State. Also, if you head 1 block north of Kinzie to Hubbard street there are several other bars to choose from. Over there I would recommend Rockit Bar and Grill and Hub 51. All of these have great drinks, food, and a business clientele.

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Bar and Grill
24204 W Lockport St, Plainfield, IL 60544

[pamiam]

Rockit and Hub 51 are LOUD. Both bars at the W Hotel on Lake Shore Drive (Whiskey Sky on the top and Wave lounge/restaurant on the bottom) have good drinks, are not loud, and have a nice atmosphere for professionals. When I worked at Northwestern, we often brought visiting professor speakers there for snacks/drinks. Whiskey Sky also has a great view, though its atmosphere may get clubbier if you stay late (we were always there early -- done by around 9).

[danimalarkey]

Public House is also pretty raucous. Could have something to do with the fact that you can get a table with its own mini-tap that pours beer, Jameson, Jack Daniels, etc.

Hotel 71, just across the river, has a new lobby-level restaurant/bar. I haven't been yet, but that might work.

I can't recall, but is the bar at David Burke's Primehouse, in the James Hotel, a decent size?

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David Burke's Primehouse
616 N Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611

[lbs]

How about The Terrace at Trump or Rebar also at the Trump? The Terrace is outdoors, not crazy loud or "clubby", and has beautiful views. Plus, it is 7 minutes walking from the IC according to hopstop.com.

http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Food...

[nsxtasy]

>> Sable sounds great but I am worried about the noise level.....

I just love Sable, but it is indeed very loud. Sorry!

>> Plus, it is 7 minutes walking from the IC according to hopstop.com.

That's a bit generous. It's three blocks from the Intercontinental, and not up Michigan Avenue. You can do it in under five minutes without hurrying.

And I agree with pamiam, that Hub 51 and Rockit are both very loud.

[HoosierFoodie]

What about the bar in the Intercontinental? Its been a while but I remember it being pretty nice. The Conrad is a good choice, too.

[huiray]

See the OP's post above: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7941...

[nsxtasy]

Yes, as noted above, they're remodeling the bar and also the restaurant in the Intercontinental. The restaurant, formerly Zest, will become Michael Jordan's Steak House, with an opening planned for mid-August. More details in Chicago Magazine's Dish column at http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Dish/...

[rondalee]

Thanks everyone! I have to make a choice because I need to type up a welcome letter for the clients. I think I am going to go with the Hilton Conrad terrace bar.

[nsxtasy]

When you do, refer to the hotel as the "Conrad Chicago" (that's the actual name of the hotel, according to its website at www.conradchicago.com ) and include the address (521 North Rush Street). Don't use the word "Hilton", even though it's part of the Hilton family of hotels. Otherwise, people may confuse it with one of the other Hilton hotels, such as the Hilton Chicago which was once known as the Conrad Hilton (named after the founder of the chain). Also note that their facilities include the Terrace Rooftop, the Terrace Bar, and the Terrace Restaurant, so you'll need to be specific there, too, to avoid any confusion.

[rondalee]

great thank you for that info. I think I am going to aim for the Terrace Rooftop (weather permitting). It looks like the Terrace Bar is just right inside if we need to relocate.

[lbs]

Might be a little pricy, but how about the Signature Lounge in the Hancock

http://www.signatureroom.com/Signatur...

[nsxtasy]

Signature Lounge is a great choice, but it's a bit far of a walk, about 9 blocks from the Intercontinental. I was going to suggest Bin 36 or Pops for Champagne, but they're only marginally closer, about 6 blocks.

There are several restaurants I like that are only about two blocks or so from the Intercontinental, but I honestly am not sure what their bars are like: Joe's Steaks and Seafood, Bandera, David Burke's Primehouse, and Heaven on Seven. (I know Purple Pig is noisy and crowded, so I'm not suggesting that. Similarly, Sable is rather noisy, although the cocktails are amazing and I love the food there. Both are *very* close, though.)

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David Burke's Primehouse
616 N Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Heaven on Seven
600 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Bandera Restaurant
535 N Michigan Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60611

Purple Pig
500 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

[ferret]

Bit of a walk?? It's a half mile.