Curio
Owner/operator Brendan Sodikoff took elements of a tavern in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds to inspire Curio, located on the bottom level of his restaurant, Gilt Bar. Things get extra interesting on “Tiki Tuesdays,” when you’ll find a mostly industry crowd sipping exotic elixirs like the Flaming Dr. Pepper (a shot of Lemonhart 151 in a glass of PBR). 230 W. Kinzie St., 312-464-9544; giltbarchicago.com
District Bar
The only sports bar on the list, this is where NBA star LeBron James hid out not once, but twice when he visited Chicago in 2010. His entourage took refuge in the library-style lounge tucked in a passageway behind a revolving bookshelf. There’s a dedicated bartender and plush appointments worthy of an elite all-star. 170 W. Ontario St., 312-337-3477; districtbarchicago.com
Double A
Tequila enthusiasts will think they’ve died and gone to heaven in the sexy, subterranean space of Mercadito. It’s especially cool that out of all the restaurant’s locations (there are outposts in Miami and New York too), the owners felt the underground concept—where DJs spin current and retro hits as revelers soak in the atmosphere of sin and spirits—would work best in Chicago. 108 W. Kinzie St., 312-329-9555; doubleachicago.com
The Gage
One of the Loop’s most popular restaurants for business dining and drinking has an underground secret. “Downstairs” parties occur every few months in the lowerlevel private dining room. Head mixologist Clint Rogers transforms the space per a theme, with special appetizers created by executive chef Dirk Flanigan and original cocktails on deep discount. RSVP required. 24 S. Michigan Ave., 312-372-4243; thegagechicago.com
Gioco
This South Loop Italian eatery has been around since 1999, but the building in which it’s housed was erected in 1890 and was an ideal venue for gangsters like Al Capone and Frank Nitti to carry out their dirty deeds. A walk-in safe leads to an authentic Chicago “speakeasy” lounge that’s used for large parties and crowd overflow. 1312 S. Wabash Ave., 312-939-3870; gioco-chicago.com
The Iwan Ries Lounge
There’s no better place to go for a cigar and a glass of Scotch (which you supply, as the lounge is BYOB). A $15 day pass gives revelers access to three rooms that can be used for meetings both business and pleasure. Guests can also rent the lounge for afterhours affairs that’ll go until the last man is standing. 19 S. Wabash Ave., 312-372-1306; iwanries.com
The Office
Those who play their cards right at The Aviary upstairs or neighboring restaurant Next might score an invite into what’s truly the most exclusive lounge in town. Cocktails feature such rare ingredients as Thai long peppercorn and blood orange Pu-erh tea, and the walls are hung with original paintings by talented unknowns. The Office fills its 16 coveted seats by invitation only. 955 W. Fulton Market, 312-226-0868; theaviary.com
Potter’s Lounge
Imbibers looking for an alternative to the Palmer House Hilton’s lobby lounge should go deep and seek out this cozy, masculine bar. The classic cocktails are enhanced with seasonal ingredients from the hotel’s 2,000-square-foot rooftop garden, and unusual bar bites are created by Lockwood Restaurant & Bar executive chef Greg Elliott. 17 E. Monroe St., 312-917-3421; potterschicago.com
Watershed
Downstairs from Pops for Champagne, this deliciously inviting bar is a nice little getaway for the glamorous set. It deftly combines a chilled-out neighborhood vibe with a serious cocktail program featuring regional spirits like Lion’s Pride, Few White Whiskey, Koval, and North Shore Distillery. 601 N. State St., 312-266-7677; watershedbar.com
