I have been searching old threads and cannot find some comments I half-way remember. My birthday weekend is this weekend in Chicago. Most of our plans are made -- and staying at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker. I keep thinking of some discussions about "upscale" cocktail lounges or bars -- particularly near there, but can't find those posts. Or am I confusing bars in the West Loop or Greektown areas?
Not loud, noisy trendy places, but quieter, more refined cocktails. Dinner Friday night is at Everest and I'm thinking we may stop for cocktails at the Palmer House lobby -- probably the kind of thing we're looking for then (in coats and ties (gasp!). But Saturday night? Easy walking distance from the Hyatt? Probably having dinner at Morton's -- the Wacker one.

How about the Drake?

I haven't actually had a drink there, but it exudes that Old Money atmosphere that we used to associate with gentlemen's clubs and gentle men's bars before those term became euphemisms for strip joints.

It would be a nice walk up there if it isn't too hot.

Sorry, wrong Hyatt!

It is probably a taxi ride unless you are feeling unusually fit.

Funny you mention the Drake. We did that last time and it was -- well, OK, but really kind of a sad old place that looked tired. The way you describe it is exactly what we were hoping to find there, but it just wasn't it at all. In fact their website said something about piano or jaxz music, but nothing happened while we were there -- prime cocktail hour. I'm hoping the Palmer House is far nicer and not so "run down".

(And I was wondering why you were suggesting going all the way up there until I saw your second post -- yep, wrong Hyatt.)

On a post previously someone had raved about a "wonderful" bar that I think is quite near the Hyatt on Wacker -- and I've been searching for that post. But maybe I'm confusing it with some suggestions for a bar near Greektown.

Sad about the Drake. I'm getting a little worn around the edges myself.

Good luck!

Hi, Patrick.

The Langham Hotel's Travelle Room is lovely, and just across the Wabash bridge.

Trump is across the street, and they have a lounge. But Trump is vile.

Howell's and Hood is on south side of the Tribune building, but will be a livelier crowd than the Langham. But it might do, if the weather is nice some evening, and you want whiskey or beer and some appetizers.

Hope you have a good time!

Whoops. Meant to add the links.

http://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-...ning/travelle/
http://www.howellsandhood.com/menus-pages-301.php

Can't think of a particularly nice bar near the Hyatt on Wacker. Hope you find what you're looking for.

what did you decide on, NP?
I probably should start my own topic, but if anyone has any suggestions for a solo female traveler and a classy place to enjoy a martini (the 'real' kind)...I'd love to hear it! Thanks.

(The Drake used to be a favorite haunt (when I wasn't solo) - sad to hear if it is fraying...are we talking about the Coq d'Or on the lower level?

I'd be interested too, Patrick. I realize this is too late but I stumbled (figuratively) on the Berkshire Room at the Acme hotel last summer. It is a nice space, maybe a bit trendy. No view or anything. Wasn't crowded in the late afternoon. (Don't know about later).

The Millennium Knickerbocker has a good three piece jazz group for the Friday cocktail hour. A nice, quiet adult bar.

Forgot to say: the MK is across the street from the Drake.

Happy Birthday!

Well the cocktail thing was sort of a bust. We didn't do Palmer House on our way to Everest the first night as planned, because it would have taken over a half hour to get a taxi at the Hyatt -- thanks to the 3000 conventiion ladies all lined up for miles to get to their events. So by the time we walked part way and then got a taxi (before we were completely drenched in sweat in the 90 degree heat) it was really too late.

Didn't really fine anything else like what we were looking for. I found pictures of what looked really nice in the Intercontinental -- but when we got there they could only direct us to their sports bar/steak house bar which was nothing -- Michael Jordan's? I forget).

We did go into the Langham, and didn't think it was what we had in mind -- just a bar to sit at as people were eating at the tables with a LOT of little kids running around. It seemed that it was after a big wedding or something.

My reference to the Drake referred to the big lobby bar, by the way.

But we had a wonderful weekend, even being upgraded to the Hyatt's Presidential Suite -- humongous! Everest was a memorable dinner -- all the way. Morton's was very good -- but just what we expected. Went to the new musical Beaches out at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace on Sunday afternoon. Dinner Sunday night at Volare's on Grand, which was excellent.

OH, sorry to hear about the running kids. Not the scene I'd enjoy, either. I did like the Langham for a girls night out for wine...but that's not quite what you were looking for--sorry about that. So hard to find an elegant, quiet lounge anymore.

The Nomi Lounge in the Park Hyatt is nice, but wasn't well-placed for your dinner.