The Violet Hour
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (773) 252-1500
- Cross Street:
- Pierce Avenue
- Directions:
- El: Blue Line to Damen
- Best of Citysearch:
- Spot for a Secret Affair 2008
- Hours:
- Sun-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat 6pm-3am
Editorial Review for The Violet Hour – by Fred Schlatter
In Short
If "abandoned" is the look from the street, "Kubrick" is the look inside. Parquet floors complement white-trimmed, pale bluish walls, impossibly high-backed chairs and soaring turquoise drapes. The bar runs the length, manned by effective bartenders slinging custom ice, homemade bitters and freshly pressed juice into cocktails of a quality unavailable for half a century. Music is delightfully miscellaneous and the stylish crowd hushed--in part because these drinks are worth serious contemplation.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoDel Toro's wood-plank facade is now scuffed and plastered with concert bills, no sign or door in site. Sometimes, a well-dressed man stands out front and assists the confused.
On the MenuThe food menu features small, very savory dishes, like chorizo croquetas and curried Rice Krispy treats.
Look GoodBefore they get all huffy, advise your friends that all cocktails, like the very authentic Hemingway Daiquiri, are $11---priced discreetly at the bottom of the menu---and that they all arrive with a little sidecar carafe for topping off half-way through.
User Reviews for The Violet Hour
05/16/2008 Posted by fashionfromlondon
It's quiet, dark, and intimate. If you want to get a drink with a friend and not be annoyed by loud people AND you want to get the best drink you have ever had, go to Violet Hour. If you are an idiot, do not. Not great on the wknds, unless you want to stand in a line.
04/24/2008 Posted by trwii
I visited the “Violet Hour” and experienced several different reactions. At first, the place was difficult to find and obviously designed to be that way with the speakeasy concept. The boarded up entry is I’m guessing the way to stand out so I was curious. As we entered the place it had a very nice feel. Nice décor, nice music, and a bit dark. So far, so good. Cocktails were order and despite claiming a “full” bar, the selection of liquors was somewhat limited. I have read other opinions about the prices but not too bad for the concept they were trying to achieve. The bartender took pride in the fact that they were different and not aware that he was annoying. He actually told a lady at the bar that they didn’t have her type of vodka and but she could get it across the street and some other place. The space provided for the party was not large enough and so six of us sat at the booth and the others stood near the bar. Because we were sat at the last booth and near the end of the bar, this didn’t appear to be a problem. Apparently they have a no standing rule there. I’m just glad I didn’t have to line up to use the washroom with the other kids in my class. The menu was a version of a chef driven home economics class. Deviled eggs, waffle fries, deep fried green beans, etc. It was comfort food but at the lowest level. Very “County Fair” comfort. As the first hour progress, the service got worse, the music went from classy 1960’s Basa Nova to Waylon Jennings, and the attitude got nasty. For a place in Bucktown that wants to have the atmosphere of the Four Seasons or the Park Hyatt, it’s really missing the mark. The part that is missing is at those other places, the customer is the main focus. I’ve never received a bad attitude or poor service at the five star venues this place is desperately trying to mimic. This part of town is great and if you want intended pretentious, you can find it all over but with good service and food.
Pros: Great concept
Cons: Staff, Food, Management
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