Gilt Bar Review

This place is a great restaurant. Unique ambiance, great food and excellent service. We had Katie as our server and she was amazing!

Great drinks. The bar tender was fun and could make anything everyone asked for and was very creative. Didn t eat any food. But I m sure it was great too

I've lived in Chicago for 2 years now and this is my favorite go to restaurant. The food is consistently delicious and the drinks are great. I love the dark atmosphere and The Library downstairs is amazing!

Wow! We were blown away by our entire experience here. The food was to die for, the service was superb, and the ambiance was perfect. I could not have asked for a better time for my first night in Chicago. You will not be disappointed.

Food and drink were excellent. Our waitress was attentive. We were given a burger on the house which was suprising and delish.

Absolutely fantastic meal! We had the arugula salad, with a light/tangy dressing, the bolognese rigatoni (so delicious), and the crispy fish with a side of vegetables. Add an excellent cocktail menu and great wine, and this was easily my favorite meal of the trip!

My husband took me here for our anniversary in August because I love speakeasys and they have one in the basement. He made reservations for dinner before hand and told the host how excited he was to go to the speakeasy. We weren't told until we got there that the speakeasy was closed for the night for a private event.
We were a little disapointed but still wanted to enjoy dinner. It is VERY dark inside which made reading the menus a little difficult but it was also romantic. The decor is very vintage and very cool. Our server was very nice.
I got the pan roasted white fish and my husband got the pork belly. Our food was a little cold when it got to us and neither of us were really impressed.
I have heard so many wonderful things about Gilt bar and I hope we came here to eat on an off day and we are planning to give dinner another try.

Unfortunately we did come back a few nights ago while we were in town. We had dinner reservations somewhere else but I was still hoping to check out the Library speakeasy so we stopped in for drinks. When we got there we were told that it was currently full but it shouldn't be too long before we could go in so we were seated on a couch with another couple to wait. We got a few drinks while we were waiting and wound up sitting there for almost 3 hours before we gave up and left.

Very cosy with a feel of speakeasy.. good for large groups.. couch setting is appealing.

Service kinda sucked (slightly rude and snarky). Why no plant based options/alterations, this is 2019!? Drinks are phenomenal.

The best roasted bone marrow, steak tartare and lemon meringue pie in all of Chicago. Great drinks, awesome food, nice ambiance anda fun staff makes for a perfect evening. We come here often, many times just for dessert and drinks..

Seriously, the best restaurant in the neighborhood. Everything on the menu is amazing and the cocktails are the best in town.

The atmosphere here is great! Very welcoming and upbeat without being overwhelming. The decor is very elegant and tasteful, and the staff is superb! Helpful, attentive, and discreet. And, of course, the food is incredible! The drinks are a bit pricey, but definitely worth it. They know what they're doing in the kitchen and behind a bar. Excellent restaurant for date nights, group dinners, and any other occasion.

We enjoyed our dinner here. You need to plan ahead and make reservations at least a week in advance. Ask to have dessert in the library downstairs, there is a big difference in atmosphere between the restaurant and the library. You will enjoy the walk downstairs, through the narrow hall, and into the nondescript door. It felt like heading into a speakeasy. Super fun.

It's kind of dark and loud. Food and drinks are excellent. The steak was even better when you dip it in the fried chicken gravy. The herb salt was meh. Yes we had both the fried chicken and steak at the same time.

This is my favorite date spot in the entire city! The decor is so cool and it feels so VIP to be led down to the hidden room in the quiet basement. The prices are a little up there but they allow you to bring a bottle in with you.

The pork belly is probably the best thing I've ever eaten.

Wonderful experience. Food and drinks were exceptional - I would recommend the burrata appetizer.

The Merlot for $20 was delicious. Vodka pasta, chicken and smashed potatoes were all spot on. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone coming to Chicago!

Food was amazing! Be prepared for a wait but totally worth it! Don't forget to visit the photo booth in the basement!

Atmosphere is cool but the food and drinks are great! I love their twists on dishes and drinks. Had the filet mignon tartar as appetizer along with the truffle butter pasta and was blown away. Will return!

We made a last minute reservation here with some friends and we were not disappointed! What a great restaurant and the the decor really sets the mood! I recommend checking out the library downstairs, really cool space! I don't really think you can go wrong with anything on the menu!

Great ambience and lovely hostesses. Would definitely visit again

Beautiful atmosphere, great food, solicitous staff, and too loud music

Definitely dark but the food and service was kind and always ready to help they were happy to accommodate most needs and request

Went on a coworkers recommendation, dimly lit and a little crowded, but that won t get in between me and the best steak I ve EVER had. Ribeye was PERFECTION. Bernaise allowed it to transcend. If crowds make you nervous, try to go early. Just make sure you go. It s worth it.

Also, ask the bartenders if the drink menu feels like Greek to you, as it did to me. They aren t snooty and deliver some magical concoctions.

Upper scale drinks and some food. Pretty busy with a yuppie Crowd.

I was here alone on NYE while on business and ended up having quite a nice time. The food was very rich but good, cocktails were good, and they had some decently price champagne.

Since this was my third dinner of the night (hey, got to have fun somehow), I was quite inebriated and full, however the other people there for NYE were doing their own thing.

Since I enjoy being alone, it was fun to be near the exciting loud vibe of other people, but on my own, and my server was happy to share some champagne with me for the countdown.

Based on the vibe of the staff and the decent food, I'd definitely recommend Gilt Bar.

Some of the best food I've had in a long time. My wife and I were able to get seated in the library (speakeasy downstairs). Very romantic. Steak tartare is a must try. Salted caramel ice cream was amazing.

One of river north's finest places this bar restaurant is awesome!

This is my new favorite hh spot. Yay! I really like the vibe of the place. The specialty drinks are all good and the prices are NOT outrageous. Their use of gins, bourbons, and juices, etc. mmmm, so good. AND their wine pours...ooh soo generous! Yes! Bartenders are super nice and patient.

I love everything about Gilt Bar, and it's my go-to place for any special event, whether it's a birthday or a date night out. When I say I love everything, I literally mean everything--the food and drinks, impeccable service and ambiance, and the fact that they have a speakeasy and photo booth downstairs.

There's something for everyone on the menu here. But, I've been here several times and I ALWAYS get the truffle pasta. The bucatini is perfectly al dente, and the truffle flavor is so strong. Other dishes I've really enjoyed are the pappardelle, gnocchi, the giant meatball, brussel sprouts, and any dessert that comes with ice cream. They have the smoothest ice cream ever. If you get the single scoop ice cream, it actually comes with two scoops! The drinks here are great as well. I tend to like sweeter drinks more and have gotten the Airmail a couple of times as well as the Bee's Knees and Lillet Rose. Their negronis are great too.

The people here are always so attentive and accommodating, and the decor is beautiful.

Tip--even if you don't have a reservation for the Library speakeasy below the restaurant, you can ask the hostess about doing dessert and drinks there. They are usually super accommodating about it, and will schedule it in for you after dinner.

Very intimate library seating. Service and food excellent

Yummy food and intimate atmosphere. Loved the bone marrow and steamed muscles and arugula salad with avocado. Yummmy

The food was fantastic and service was impeccable. The atmosphere was great as I loved the dark wood and low lights. Can't wait to return next time we visit Chicago.

The food was delicious...kudos to the chef(s). Both my husband and I agree, would have gotten five stars but the service was a little off. Our server was not personable at all....didn t bother to have an opening conversation when she introduced herself, which would have helped her to find out we were celebrating my birthday. Although my husband mentioned the special occasion to the hostess, it seems it wasn t passed on either to make our dining experience special. Lastly, when my husband reserved he also noted on the reservation. So I found it odd that three other tables were brought out a special desert with sparkling candles....but not our table.

Truffle pasta and burger are delicious! Great service. Ask to sit in the Library!

One of the best dining experiences I've had in a while. The tartare, bone marrow, and mussels are enough to travel back to Chicago for. Don't skip the cocktails - they're perfect. I definitely recommend this place, just ensure you get there early to avoid a wait!

Service and door were both great. I loved the interior look of the place, the drinks and the slightly overpriced photobooth. I would definitely return to done here and take more pictures!

Really the only down side was the main course portions are a bit less than what I expected. The pot roast was excellent, but the menu said it came with root vegetables. Root vegetables consisted of maybe 4 or 5 bits size chunks of carrots and 6 whole mini onions. The pot roast just fell apart so easy, tender and delicious with a great sauce!

Beef tartare was excellent, black Manhattan cocktail was perfect.
meatball appetizer was good, carrot cake was good but not phenomenal.

Couldn't ask for anything more regarding service.

Get yourself a cocktail and ask to sit in the basement for a speakeasy Chicago feel! Food, drinks and experience is top notch!

The food is good but the drinks are great. Have a few. Ask to go to the library and enjoy an after hour drink. Great place all around.

Extremely rich food. Maybe too rich. Delicious, but heavy-feeling.

Great food, great drinks, awesome location. Good place for dinner!

Gilt Bar was a wonderful combination of ambiance and delicious food. At no time were we rushed. The wait staff is top notch. They are there when you need them and never hovering. If you are looking for great atmosphere and high quality food, you need not look further.

Also for some bonus fun, check out the photo booth in the basement.

Had a good white negroni. The chicken breast is incredible. Ate in the library and it was exquisite.

Enjoyed a birthday dinner at Gilt Bar and it was a lovely experience. Our server was gracious and made some delightful suggestions that we ended up really liking. The lighting and atmosphere are stellar here and the hostess was a delight. We ll be back with friends.

Whenever my friends ask for a River North bar recommendation I immediately point them to Gilt Bar. It's a refreshing change from the college bars, sports bars, bros bars, and Irish bars that litter this neighborhood and lives up to its name the cocktails are strong and the food is rich. In the summer, I love sipping on a gin daisy on their outdoor patio with a group of friends; and in the winter, I love snuggling up in a cozy leather booth with a whiskey smash and my sweetie.

Scrumptious food, unique atmosphere and the service was impeccable.

At the library. Came expecting a different menu than Gilt bar but unfortunately that was not the case. The ambiance was okay. Music was way too loud and it was a little too dark, but the decor was expected of a speakeasy. Gilt has decent drinks and the Library has the exact same ones. Overall I was not impressed but I guess I was expecting more than the usual gilt experience. I do really like Gilt bar itself though. The food is great.

As someone who is always just looking for a good variation on a classic cocktail, Gilt Bar has one of my favorite cocktail menus in Chicago.

Really nice atmosphere, very good old fashion cocktails, the food is good, try the Brussels sprouts !!! Even if you don't like Brussels sprouts you will fall in love with them. Good spot to start a good evening !

Loved the food. Service could be a little better. I truly think this was not the staff's fault. I just think there were not enough of them.

A very entertaining environment and delicious cocktail selections!!!

Great time. Felt welcomed and quickly seated. Had reservations downstairs at the more secluded and quite area. Delicious drinks and fabulous food. Love the atmosphere and low key lighting. Will definitely return with friends.

The food is excellent. Service stellar. Recommended

Amazing every time. Each bite is something to savor. This has become our go-to restaurant for special occasions.

Amazing drinks, I tried the coffee ice cream and toffe cake desert it is out of this world good. Also worth the Waite to get into the speakeasy style bar downstairs very cozy little pricey but worth it.

Eat here! Drink here! Party here! You'll love the glam decor and fancy cocktails that go with. The food is delicious. The crowd is good on the eyes and its just an all around nice place to spend late nights out with friends. :)

Aaron was a great bartender and we are happy we were able to sneak in before closing. Fantastic drink selection at fair prices. We were thoroughly impressed. Find time to come here.

If you want the most heavenly food and variety of great drinks, you need to visit this prohibition style place. If I lived closer I would be there at least once a month.

Awesome dining experience! Great ambiance, service, location, and food. You won't be disappointed and it's BYOB!

1) The food was awesome.
2) Service was excellent.
3) This is what sets Gilt Bar aside from other restaurants: My husband has advanced Parkinson s. He needs a transport wheelchair for any distance, yet can still walk some on his own. Narrow doorways cause him to have complete leg freezing. When we entered and left, he could not walk through the entrance and it was too narrow for the wheelchair. Amor (sp ?) gently helped him walk in with soft encouragement. When we left, he was extremely tired and Amor did an unbelievable job of helping me get him outside. When she gently held his hand to guide him out, I was so touched.

The food and decor was amazing but service was lacking for dinner on a Thursday night. We had empty drinks sitting at the table for 30+ minutes, they lost out on extra $60+ just by ignoring that. 70% of the tables were empty but the waitress only came around three times, get initial drink order, dinner order and to give us the bill.

Great place to grab drinks with a friend or for a date! If you're hungry definitely order the truffle pasta, it's AMAZINGGGGG!

Great atmosphere, food and service. They helped make our 25th anniversary something special. The photo booth is a nice add.

Yummy Tenderloin Steak Tartare and then Burrata, Heirloom Tomatoes, with Torn Basil.

Brief recap:
1. Thursday evening, packed at 5:30pm and stayed that way until after 8:30pm.
2. Careful when you enter revolving doors. Very dark and there may be patrons waiting to be seated you could stumble into.
3. Noise level, relatively loud, but you can have a conversation at a table.
4. Good wine, cocktails and beer selection.
5. Decent food menu. Can't go wrong with Au Cheval burger. Comes with delicious french fries. If on a date, you could split the burger and something else and likely be satisfied.
6. Dark lighting
7. Additional space in the basement (even darker, but still fun space).
8. Limited room at the actual bar.
9. Restrooms in the basement below bar. Photo booth on the way.

They were super busy both times I visited but the service was great and the mixed drink selection was impressive. The salmon was incredible.

The ambiance and feel here are perfect. Excellent drinks. Haven't had much food here, but what I have had was excellent.

I had the best time here at this hidden gem in the basement bar. I felt like it did a good job of emulating the Prohibition-time feel to the design.

Atmosphere was very nice.. Dim lighting.. Soft music playing in background... Would be perfect for a date or night out with friends... We received great service from everyone... Food was excellent... Try to get downstairs to the library if you can...

This place is great. A wonderful staff from the front desk to the servers and bartenders. The food here is at a quality that very few places in the city are doing. I always tell people to come here if your looking for a great dining experience. The best seating is by far in the library. Its reservation only and brings a whole new level to the guilt bar experience.

I don't ever write reviews, but for this place I felt like I needed to. I got reservations for 2 this past Saturday night for my birthday and I was blown away. The staff were friendly and helpful, the library downstairs was stunning, and the food was delicious. Will definitely be back.

Phenomenal cocktails. Try the Spanish Old Fashioned and the Oaxacan Old Fashioned.