Disappointing. That's the best way for me to summarize our visit to The Violet Hour. The Good: - The host desk was very friendly and accommodating when we arrived without reservations. They were able to squeeze us in less than an hour after arriving late on a Thursday evening. - The atmosphere and vibe are great, very fitting for the experience they're cultivating. - Our server was friendly, present and tried his best to be helpful. - The drink menu was extensive, and likely contains some great drinks. The Bad: - Our drinks. I hate to say that about a well respected cocktail bar, but we tried three drinks and wouldn't consider reordering a single one of them. -- Luna y Sol. Well recommended by our server, but possibly my least favorite cocktail I've ever ordered. The savvy blend of liquor was drowned by spice, smoke and bitterness (coffee flavor). Way too much of a good thing. -- Too Many Cooks. Beautifully presented but didn't taste nearly as exciting as it looked. Too subtle for it's own good. Fairly boozy though. -- Jean Louise Finch. The best of the bunch but decent at best. Creamy, oddly sour, generously portioned. Not as reminiscent of a root beer float as I was led to expect. The Unfortunate: - Our server was trying his best, but came off feeling very inexperienced, not very self-assured, and a bit awkward. - We had so many people cycling by to ask if things were good, that it felt like a passing "How's it going?" Rather than a real opportunity for feedback on our experience. - We were both a bit fried from a long day which likely skewed our experience somewhat. I went out of my way to visit here but left regretting it. I'd like to give The Violet Hour another try someday but it won't be anytime soon. 😕

The Violet Hour is an experience more than a cocktail bar/speakeasy. I am extremely happy that I chose this spot for my husband's birthday dinner. We absolutely loved all the cocktails that we ordered but more from the shaken list than stirred. So I will recommend to stick to Shaken cocktails. The ambiance is cozy, and the music is peppy - makes it a lethal combination for special dates. ❤ Also a special tip for first timers, the entry door is the big graffiti wall.

Really great vibes but the drinks just weren’t amazing to me. We were told the drinks at the top are more tame and toward the bottom are more funky so of course I wanted the drink at the bottom. I asked the waitress if it was sweet as I really don’t like sweet drinks and she said that it was nicely balanced. I received it and it was over-the-top sweet. My friend who only drinks sweet drinks said it was like cough syrup to her. They very nicely let me switch my drink but the next one was incredibly bitter. Neither hit the mark for me taste-wise but the staff was nice and the place has a great ambiance.

Had a great vibe and good drinks! All the cocktails we got came with an extra small container which was really neat. Most places would just charge you for the small glass and the cocktails here were reasonably priced! The service was professional and the atmosphere was enjoyable - I would certainly go back :)

an absolutely enchanting experience! very romantic and unforgettable. the layout allows a very intimate feeling time for you & your party, and the drinks are STRONG

I first went there for a date night and kept coming back until this day! I love everything about it: hidden original entrance, dim lights with many candles, yummy seasonal drinks, great music, very friendly, attentive, knowledgeable staff, speakeasy, and seats that allow privacy. What else can you ask for to have a perfect romantic date night? Thumbs up! The whole atmosphere is great for not only a date but for friends catching up. Even after fifteen years, the Violet Hour keeps evolving from a damn fine cocktail lounge to an exceptional destination. A favorite spot in the Wicker Park neighborhood for sure! And one of the best places for well-crafted cocktails in the city!

A really great way to end the night—this place has cozy vibes, a great range of drinks, and the prices don’t make your eyes water. The service we had was attentive but not pushy, and was very helpful in assisting our choices in drinks. I would definitely recommend for an intimate night out or date.

Brilliant cocktails! The focus seems to be on bringing complex flavours together. Concept works really well! Master craftsmanship behind the bar coupled with hospitality second to none! Shoutout to Sam for his patience and effort for recommending drinks tailored to our preference and palette- he is the real G. Must visit!

The ambiance in this place is very unique and classy. The drinks are very creative and delicious but still honoring classic. The Manhattan was one of the best I've had. I highly recommend this place if you want great drinks.

Bartender driven cocktail menu. The menu is laid out wonderfully and user friendly. The drinks we got were complex and tasty. The thing that really set this place to the next level though was our bartender (Gal wearing floral top, bangs, and apron). She was next level. She was so warm, friendly, hospitality focused, and knowledgeable. I feel that is hard to find in Chicago. Often I feel service can be lacking at most places and can even feel cold. She really set the bar high though. Our bartender might have been the best part of our experience there. So happy we sat at her end.

The Violet Hour was a truly fantastic experience from the moment we finally decided to ask Rory the doorman if we had actually found the right place. We arrived about 30 minutes early to an experience that normally requires 24hrs notice that we booked 4 hours in advance. Not only were they accommodating, but Rory the doorman was a pleasure to talk with as other guests were arriving for their reservations. Ken, one of the bartenders/hospitality people led us in our old fashioned cocktail experience which he delivered a fantastic presentation. He then handed us off to Dee and Ryan who might be two of the best bartenders in Chicago. They both created masterful cocktails that need to be experienced. Cudos to The Violet Room and their staff for a fantastic evening!

Katherine and I have visited the Violet Hour numerous times over the last 5 to 6 years, and I will provide you my first comprehensive review on our behalf. For both of us, there was an evolution of becoming connoisseurs of craft cocktails. Katherine and I have journeyed and taken many day trips, road trips, and travels in between. Discovering The Violet Hour, for us, was initially the result of well-crafted Internet searches via the likes of numerous articles and the Yelp app, Later on, I would incorporate Google search and reviews into the mix for seeking out even more nuanced craft cocktail bars throughout Chicagoland and in every state we visited. The Violet Hour represents the high holy ground of craft cocktail bars in the city of Chicago. Just like Gene and Judes in River Grove, Illinois is the high holy ground for hot dogs and fries in all Chicagoland (and subsequently the entire USA), The Violet Hour is the quintessential craft cocktail bar in all of Chicagoland, and in essence, one of the BEST we have frequented in all of America. In our most recent visit, we confirmed what we have consistently experienced at the Violet Hour every visit: well-crafted, meticulously balanced craft cocktails with unmatched , innovative, nuanced, and refined ingredients. For a lover of mixology as myself, I am always in awe of not only the spirit selection of the Violet Hour, but of the innumerable handcrafted ingredients, bitters and herbs, and everything in between as you observe and peruse the bars and interact with the mixologists. We were pleased to see the more expansive food offerings, and the truffle fries with lemon aioli were as good as ever and the chorizo stuffed dates were off the culinary charts!!! Our sever Madison was as pleasant and balanced as every aspect and experience at the Violet Hour, and offered authentic customer service right on point Concerning the atmosphere, Katherine added that it was just a tad brighter inside than the usual lower lit atmosphere that she prefers there, but I contended and she agreed that the pretty and festive Christmas holiday lights at the bar was adding more of that light. We loved the individual lamp at our table that you can tap and have three illumination settings: low-lit, medium, or high—-and also turn off. Out of all our Google Reviews, the Violet hour achieves some of our highest ratings for all establishments and places visited: Drinks: 5 stars Cuisine: 4.9 stars Atmosphere: 4.5 stars Service: 5 stars

I've been here, probably seven years ago, and still excellent craft cocktail. It's really tasty kind of strong, and two glasses will get me drunk. Interior lights are much brighter than before, and I can use my phone now.

It was one of the bars I really enjoyed in Chicago. We had a seat at the bar and were able to see the bartenders in action. Our bartender was Carly, and she was great! She was very knowledgeable about the cocktails and spirits. One of the cocktails I enjoyed was the Hush Money, a very refreshing cocktail. I also had some great bourbons, which I am thankful for.

Our visit to The Violet Hour was a huge disappointment. I started reading the Bartender's Manifesto shortly before our trip to Chicago, and TVH became a must-visit destination. I was excited to see Toby's vision come to life and experience this Chicago cocktail pillar for myself. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly and escorted to our table. That initial greeting was the only highlight of our visit. We were sat next to a group of four who were spilling over into our tiny slice of space. While I don't expect TVH to police etiquette of guests to other guests, the placement of tables so close to each other is completely controllable. It was so uncomfortable that we started scoping out somewhere we could move to, but we noticed that virtually all tables had similar arrangements. About 15 minutes in, our server finally briefly stopped by to say that he would return to take our orders. We ended up ordering Beets By Dee and No, This is Patrick. Both drinks sounded unique, while hitting flavors that we really enjoy in cocktails. The drinks arrived much faster than it took our server to greet us, and we took our first sips. We experienced a lot of confusion and returned to the menu as a refresher of what we had just ordered. Despite having the ingredient list in front of us, we struggled to actually taste any of the ingredients present in our drinks. Neither of our cocktails were balanced, and the flavors all ran together and formed something unidentifiable. While we sipped on our glasses of confusion, my discomfort from sitting on the low green stool started to become more apparent. The stool was close to the same height as our little table, so my legs were smooshed between the stool and the bottom of the table when I tucked in. the stool itself had little filling remaining, so I was essentially sitting on a piece of wood. The stool also had no back, forcing me to hunch over the entire time. We struggled to hold a conversation across the tiny table because the music was raging a war against our ear drums. It was almost impressively loud considering the large, soft curtains that I expected to absorb a fair share of the sound. As we finished our drinks, the next extended wait for our server began so we could close out and head back to our hotel.

Great vibes, with the low lighting and the “secret” entrance. I always bring out of town guests and they always have a blast. Cocktails are pricey but you get what you pay for. Bartenders are knowledgeable and will even make a custom cocktail based on your tastes if you ask nicely!

I visit this place every time I’m in Chicago. It’s a hidden gem. No signage outside so you have to know where you’re going. Once you’re past the 12 foot velvet curtains you’re transported to an ethereal space with tall high-back chairs that belong in Wonderland. There’s no Cheshire Cat but there is bartender’s beyond comprehension. Carefully crafting each drink to perfection and friendly. I only go once a year and they remember my name, my business and my drink. Coolest secret in Chicago.

Hidden behind a mural that constantly changes is a very nice speakeasy that serves great drinks and surprisingly great food, what if lacks is the attention to some details The service is pleasant, classy, joyful, and experienced. So I was surprised when I was served a glass with a very prominent lipstick mark. Pretty disgusting. Lipstick marks are hard to take off even with an industrial dishwasher. This could of easily been caught by out waiter before it even reached us. The rest of the service was very well served. Delicious tasty food to accompany our delicious well made drinks. Very classy atmosphere to accompany and wrap things up. It’s not until you look into the details that you see the damaged seats and their imperfections covered and to their best attempts hidden. Nevertheless it is well decorated and classy, you feel as if you are a supervillain planning your next scheme inside this dimly lit lair. Definitely a place to make a reservation and to check out if you are in the area. I am certain what happened to me is not a common occurrence at Violet Hour.

The Violet Hour is a great place for drinks. We definitely though there would be more in terms of decor and a speakeasy feel, and the music was really too loud for us. However, our server and the bartender were very knowledgeable. I got the Que Paso, a fruity drink which was phenomenal and my partner got a dealer's choice, a bourbon based drink. He loved it! Our second round, I got the dealers choice with gin and they made me a lovely cucumber, salted gin drink that hit all my favorites. Our server took the time to explain our drinks, listen to us, and make our experience fabulous.

Absolutely wonderful experience. The ambiance is quiet, candle lit, and wonderful for having a conversation. The drinks are out-of-this-world creative and tasty. The bartenders are very inviting and clearly love and are deeply knowledgeable about their craft. We got to meet Ryan and Nikita behind the bar and both were utterly lovely and made us feel so welcome. Now our favorite bar in the city!

Went with a group of friends but it is more of a date place. Would recommend sitting at the bar rather than getting a table. The cocktails were pretty good. Reservation is expensive- $15 per person and it doesn’t get deducted from your bill which I think is pretty lame.

The cocktails were mostly very good, but the ambiance was really lacking and not compensated by the quality of the drinks or their presentation. The seating was a bunch of high backed chairs arranged in a lackluster space made it feel like an airline lounge. You were facing a whole row of other patrons, basically. The front door was also difficult to find. Unfortunately, I also thought that the server didn’t have a great understanding of the ingredients of at least one of the cocktails. I would not make a special attempt to return.

An elegant cocktail lounge with a sophisticated ambiance. The staff is welcoming and friendly. They specialize in delicious crafted drinks, many of which are perfect for sipping, although some might be stronger than expected.

Simple, yet intimate! Great tasting cocktails! Hush money is a good cocktail to start if you like something light and slightly sweet. Water Lily is another great cocktail 🍸 super light and refreshing. Love that they have small bites! The truffle fries helped with the cocktails

The Violet Hour is one of my favorite places to get drinks here in the city! he bartenders are so talented and they make great recommendations based on what you like. The cocktail are delicious! Each one is really creative and complex. The speakeasy feel is so fun and you feel a little like you are stepping into another world. Everything is cozy and imitate while still making you feel a little fancy!

Came in on a Wenesday night my partner. The atmosphere was an amazing. Along with the music selection Our server Madison had done a great job with her recommendations and attentiveness. Loved the Mai Thai and will definitely be back soon!

Amazing experience in Chicago. Very experienced and friendly bartenders, who are willing to discuss the different tastes in the cocktail. Atmosphere was spot on for what one would expect here, dimly lit, and a comfortable seating area.

Must visit for any cocktail enthusiast. A lot of creative cocktails came out of this place. The bar is lounge feel and the best part is the bartenders. You can actually talk to them to choose a cocktail out of their seasonal menu. Their small plates are yummy too. Will definitely come back.

Drink menu was amazing to try new flavors in your to-go drink order. Even the mocktails looked great! Our waitress, Amanda, helped walk is through the menu and pick drinks. Make a reservation before hand! The amount goes towards the final bill. This is definitely a place to drink and have a good conversation.

Some places make you want to linger...well crafted, balanced, cocktails and savory nibbles punctuate background music served to carefully mute chatter . Dimly lit nooks abound, giving an illusion of privacy...felt nonetheless. Appropriately named and definitely a place I'd like to visit again.

We very extremely excited to go there for the first time but it was so not worth it. The waitress told us she didn’t want to bother us so she won’t be checking in, we can just grab her as she is walking around. An hour after our first drink it was impossible to get her attention. She didn’t walk by us once. It felt like she completely forgot about us, as we sat there with empty glasses. I tried grabbing her attention without being rude. She would never even look our way. It was clear that everyone has a section they were responsible for. The only place I saw her at was near the bar. At the end someone else walked up and got our order. She later walked up to us with the drinks like if nothing ever happened. My boyfriend asked about one of the drinks but she clearly had no idea about them. We tipped good and left but will never come back.

Really enjoyed The Violet Hour! My partner and I just hopped in a for a quick drink on a Saturday afternoon and were surprised to find that it wasn't very crowded! The drinks are very complex and selection is plentiful. This is a great, intimate spot - perfect for a date night!

What a great place! We weren't sure we were in the right place, looking at the outside, but when we went in, we were blown away. Great cocktails and sitting at the bar was the best, we had Carly make some classics from past menus and a couple of her favorites.

Probably the best cocktails I've ever had. The inside is a little odd, the really tall chairs are less than comfortable but the experience and service make up for this tiny detail, with the quality of the product being top notch.