Finally! A bar that appreciates the art of the vodka martini!
This newish River North lounge serves "about 30 to 40" martini varieties – many fresh from its vodka tapper, which enables the Grey Goose and Effen vodka on tap to emerge at a delightful 20 degrees.
Whatever you end up drinking, you won't need to go home hungry: Patrons can nosh on appetizers like sushi (the bar has its own sushi chef), crab cakes, mini burgers and fundido cheese dip.
The bar also has a raw bar with oysters, makes its own roasted garlic hummus and serves hearty entrees like mac and cheese and salmon on Fridays – the only day it's open for lunch – and until the kitchen closes, generally in between 11 and midnight.
A DJ spins hip hop, house and a mix of other tunes Thursday to Saturday. Home to a hearty after-work crowd, the lounge is also a popular bachelor and bachelorette party destination.
But the vodka martinis are the real draw – particularly the dirty variety. The bar serves up dirty martinis with garlic-stuffed olives, blue cheese-stuffed olives and ones with the regular old pimento variety.
And adventurous drinkers, take note: An anchovy olive-infused vodka dirty martini may be on its way. Gin, pack your bags.
Centerstage Reviewer: Erin Brereton