(312) 337-3200

12 W Elm St
Chicago, IL 60610 41.9033 -87.6292

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

@ElmSqLiqChicago

Reviews & Ratings for Elm Street Liquor

4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

17 reviews

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/02/08

Great Thursday night discovery

by cindylouwho1 at Citysearch

I have one thing say: 40s and martinis..... together in one place??? Amazing.

Went there on Thursday for "Beauty Bar" with my friends, drank martinis while getting my manicure. Although my nails are slightly chipping, I would do it again any week. Great for a low key girls' night which turned into a dance party around 11:00.

  • Pros: Service, good looking staff
  • Cons: Crowded late night
3 Star Rating: Average

03/11/08

Cool place, very smoker unfriendly ibn the wintertime

by abbeyroad85 at Citysearch

First the good: Great atmosphere with cool people (but not so cool as to make me feel uncool!) and OK priced drinks. We had a really great server who took care of us all night. The music was loud, but you could still have a conversation. We had a lot of fun to say the least.

But my problem with the place was that they required you to check your coat- and it cost $3. Not a big deal in and of itself, but they wouldn't give you your coat back if you wanted to go outside to smoke a cigarette. This wouldn't have been a problem before the smoking ban, or if the weather outside was nice (It was 14 degrees when we were there). I was not the only one who had a problem with this- At any given time throughout the night there were at least 4 disgruntled and very cold men and women (esp. women in their skimpy going out attire) who were pretty upset about it. I would definitely go back, but only if the weather was warm enough outside.

  • Pros: Cool scene, DJ
  • Cons: Ridiculous coat check policy unfriendly to smokers
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/05/07

Rude and Pretentious

by lindzindahouse at Citysearch

Both the bouncers and the owner of this hole in the wall are incredibly and unnecessarily pretentious and rude.

I was waiting in line this weekend with possibly 3 glasses of wine under my belt, standing around chatting with friends. I was immediately approached by a bouncer who told me to "turn around and face front". I proceeded to say that I was just talking with friends as he continued to act like a prison guard. He proceeded to threaten me by saying that he wouldnt let me in the bar, and I asked him why he was being so rude to me when all I was doing was talking with friends.

To make a much longer and incredibly frustrating story shorter, I was roughly pulled out of line. I asked to speak with the owner who basically laughed in my face, told me I was too emotional, and that I should leave. Being a frequent patron of both Empire liquors and Victory liquors, I am extremely disgusted by this incident and will never choose to go here again.

If you're looking to be treated rudely and unfairly, and then standing in a box for a few hours, then by all means choose elm street.

  • Cons: rude and pretentious
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/05/06

Packed

by peter_p at Citysearch

the staff here are all cool and work hard to get your drinks. but get in the door early, his place gets crowded quick on the weekends. decent beats throughout, and it's always fun to look up at the plasma TVs and see anchorman, swingers, or scarface instead of the news.

casual or dressy - you'll get a mix. definately fine clientele, but some cats prefer the 40oz. mickey's too.

  • Pros: attractive clientele, good service, good music, big selection, no cover
  • Cons: crowded and hot once the party starts jumping
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/25/06

unpretentious

by tuffcritic28 at Citysearch

I've been here on slow nights and on nights where the bar is packed and regardless, the bartenders are always friendly and know what they are doing. Cute guys and good music playing...definitely stop by this place.

  • Pros: people, music, drinks
  • Cons: to small
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/23/06

Great crowd, music, service!

by jp_sc at Citysearch

I went here for the first time last Friday night. We got there a bit early, but glad we did, because it filled up fast. It was crowded, but well managed. We sat at a table in the back and had great service from the waitresses all night long. The servers weren't pushy, but made sure we had everything we needed. The bartenders were all attentive and very good looking, might I add. The clientele was unpretentious and fun. And the music was fun to dance to on the impromptu dance floor I'll definitely be going back for more.

  • Pros: Ambience, service, music
  • Cons: Keep tabs on your tab
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/31/06

Shoots and Scores!

by biggame at Citysearch

Major pick up scenes without the rift raft. If you have a John Deere mesh cap or a tattoo on your ass, don't bother. This place is not your cup of tea.

  • Pros: Sublime Hip, Subdue Cool, Understated Wealth
  • Cons: No Parking, No Parking, No Parking
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/13/06

Great Times!

by _michelle_ at Citysearch

This bar is fun yet personal. Grab a seat at the bar and you will be treated great all night. The bartenders are very friendly and are readily available. Another plus...no cover! I think this bar is a great way to spend a night out!

  • Pros: Friendly Staff, No Cover, Very Cozy
  • Cons: Can Think of Any
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/19/05

Joy

by joymalcolm at Citysearch

Loved the music, crowd, and hot staff (especially Matt)! The bar is a great addition to the Gold Coast area. A good change from the typical bar options in the Gold Coast of dive bars and clubs. I will be back.

  • Pros: Fun Staff, Music, Crowd
  • Cons: Crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/02/05

Best Gold Coast Lounge

by lloydlee at Citysearch

Elm street has emerged the most unique and hip spot to hang out in the Gold Coast. Amongst the usual spots and typical rush and division crowd you will find a bar-lounge that is one of a kind. The Moon roof ceiling, comfy Leather chairs, Plasma TVs and blue lighting makes for one of the hottest spot to party. The crowd is very beautiful (especially the females) and the staff makes you feel at home. The music is the best you will hear within a six block radius of the rush and division area. Resident DJ's Nigel O'Reilly spins the best house music available while DJ Groove closes the night out with the hottest and latest hip hop, reggae and R&B. If you watn good music, unique environment, beautiful people and not your typical division street crowd, Elm Street liquors. Rating 4 Shot Glass out of a possible 4

  • Pros: Good Music, Beautiful Crowd, Free entrance
  • Cons: Smetimes Crowded

Showing 1-10 of 16 reviews

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