Top 5: Hotel Bars in Chicago

You don’t need to stay at a hotel to enjoy the views and ambience of its bar. But these bars need to offer something more than just drinks. No one wants to feel like they do not belong, but it is also a great feeling to know it took a little bit of moxie to get in the door (even if it didn’t)

Chicago offers any number of hotel bars, but it is not always easy to get comfortable and enjoy a drink. These five bars offer something extra worth the effort of navigating a little bit of the tourist scene.

Cindy’s and Drumbar

One reason to seek out a hotel in downtown Chicago is to get a look at some beautiful real estate. Two of the best bars for this are Cindy’s at the Chicago Athletic Association and Drumbar at the Raffaello Hotel in the Gold Coast. Though Cindy’s is technically a restaurant (with great food options), its views make it a must see and Drumbar is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. Its rooftop patio is surprisingly unassuming and the sunsets are stunners.

Palmer House Hotel Bar

Since Chicago is known for its cooler temperatures; however, indoor options abound. Nothing beats the classic Palmer House Hotel Bar where you can have a drink amid the hustle and bustle while staring at the gorgeous frescoes on the ceiling of this historic hotel.

Coq D’or

A setting that is no less illustrious, but different is the Coq D’or bar at the Drake Hotel. Feel like you are celebrating the repeal of Prohibition all over again in the sumptuous atmosphere of this 1933 bar.

Bar at The Peninsula Chicago

And finally, if you want your hotel bar as dark as permanent midnight, then the Bar at the Peninsula Hotel will not disappoint. You can rest easy for hours in this small and cozy room tucked off to the side of the hotel’s restaurant … just keep count of your martinis.