Gilt Bar

A truly swank place, with some amazing looking patrons, solid drinks a truly cool vibe. My reservation was auto-cancelled after I got a reservation at Bavette’s, but they thankfully had a seat at the Library bar in the basement. Speakeasy entry and rich, red decor, I loved it. Drank a few of the Gold Rush, and headed over for an amazing steak dinner. Reserve in advance if you are not doing another Hogsalt dinner. They do have a good menu, which smelled great, for another day…

Lovely ambience, photobooth was a big plus, and the speakeasy below the restaurant was great! Celebrated our first wedding anniversary here - the staff were extremely kind! Even gave us free gelato. Definitely coming back! Food wise - loved the wagyu cheeseburger and ribeye sandwich! The salted caramel gelato was glorious.

We weren’t super hungry but the food and drinks were great. I had the Gold Rush, and we ordered the thick bacon, meatballs and one of the pastas. Would recommend them all here.

Absolutely loved Gilt Bar. We did not make a reservation, but went around 9-9:30pm for a few drinks. We luckily were able to get a seat at the bar which was perfectly fine with us. The atmosphere is beautiful and so cozy. The bartender was very attentive, welcoming, and made amazing drinks. The espresso martini was delicious, and the vodka sodas were high quality. Service was quick and we felt like we could sit there as long as we wanted to without being rushed to order another drink. There is a Photo Booth downstairs near the bathrooms, which is such a cool touch. Unfortunately the line was too long, but hopefully next time we can get a photo. Definitely will be back!

WE LOVED gilt bar! And will be back! Our reservations we made were for our marriage anniversary. And they made every effort to make us feel special from when we first walked in to when we left. Our server was Katrina and she was GREAT! From start to end of our meal! We had more videos than photos my husband had the mussels I had the rigatoni with chicken! Dessert the chocolate mouse cake I believe with Gelato Ice cream! Worth the visit! Thank you for making us feel special!

I visited this bar late on a Sunday, and I was surprised to see it so busy, which was a great sign. The ambiance seemed great inside, but I decided to sit outside as the weather was lovely. My server Katrina was excellent! Super helpful, patient, and accommodating of my needs. I appreciated her insights about the menu and I feel I made the perfect choice thanks to her. I did not try the drinks that time, but enjoyed the Salmon Crudo (so rich, and tasty) and the house salad (great too! Very fresh). Besides her helpfulness with the menu, she also gave me advice about the best tours in the city, and she wasn’t wrong! I had a great time doing these activities.

Adrian and Erin were amazing! We were in town for our engagement and they made the whole experience perfect. Food and drinks 10/10. Can’t wait to come back. Can’t stress how great the service was!

Great vibe; dark, moody, and very atmospheric. Food was extremely tasty and service was exceptional. However, i felt that the price on some of the items was a bit pricier than I would have liked. This was my first time at Gilt Bar and I decided to check it out on a Friday during Happy Hour. I asked for bread service, and also ordered the Single Wood Fired Bone Marrow off the HH menu, Spicy Orecchiette, and Chocolate Layer Cake to-go as I was too full at that point. The bone marrow was very unique as I've never had it before, and quite tasty. However, I felt that it was just a tad pricier than what I would have liked. The spicy orecchiette was good, and the chocolate layer cake is spectacular. I'd love to come back and try some other menu items, and I definitely want to look into the Library room. Total was $60 for one, but if you take off the drinks and dessert, then it was only $30.

Really friendly and attentive staff. If you’re looking for a spot to do a business deal or perhaps date night, check this place out, the bar downstairs is really cool. They also do a good espresso martini

Great place for happy hour! The deals were great - really solid wine pours for $6 and well-crafted martinis for $7. The lighting is dim and the decor is moody and reminiscent of an old time speakeasy. Limited bar seating, but we arrived at 3:45pm on a Friday and had our pick of bar seats. It got pretty busy around 4:30pm, but the environment was lively and not too loud. Highly recommend.

We just dropped by for a drink and ended up having an incredible time at Gilt Bar! The moody atmosphere set the perfect vibe for the night. The cocktails were outstanding - well-balanced, creative, and clearly crafted with care. Every drink we tried topped the last. We especially loved the Espresso Martini and the Daisy Mezscal. Victoria, our bartender, was an absolute sweetheart - friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about her craft. She gave us fantastic recommendations and made us feel completely at ease. If you want exceptional drinks paired with amazing service, this is the place. We can’t wait to come back!

The food was excellent. I rather enjoyed the carbonara. Our server was a cherry, because she was on top of it. The 100 year old cigar drink is a must. It smells like fine leather and goes down smooth. I recommend dining outside. The night time city vibes can't be beat.

Stop here for happy hour! $7 mini tinis and $8 old fashioned drinks. Head downstairs to the Photo Booth. The screen doesn’t work so you won’t know when it’s taking a photo but it’ll make for hilarious photos. 🤣

Gilt Bar is such a quaint spot with a surprisingly great patio that makes for a really enjoyable dining experience. I started off with the burrata which was packed with basil flavor. Then I had the spicy orecchiette pasta, which was light, absolutely packed with flavor, and a great portion size. I also had the wagyu double cheeseburger which was like a smash burger with just the right amount of indulgent grease and cheese. One of the best deals in River North is their $19 carafes of wine…an incredible steal compared to most places in the area. I was able to snag a reservation just an hour before going, which is a huge plus since it’s not nearly as tough to get into as some of the other Hogsalt restaurants. Service was excellent…ask for May when you go. She gave awesome recommendations and made the experience even better. Highly recommend checking this place out!

We have been dining at Gilt Bar whenever we come to Chicago for their amazing smokey buttery bone marrow, rich musky crispy mozzarella sticks and warm soft french dips (flavorful broth). They have a pretty good selection of wines as well. The service was friendly and prompt in this classy restaurant with charming old school design. They also have a happy hour menu which looks pretty good too if you looking for a light fare or just a drink before dinner.

Went here for my birthday dinner with my girlfriend. We were able to find some very reasonable street parking super close to the restaurant, which was a huge plus. The restaurant has a great ambiance, really in-line with the other Hogsalt restaurants. The hostess was super pleasant, as was our waitress. The food was all delicious. Portion sizes were great for what the prices were and I really enjoyed every dish. I specifically thought the pork belly confit was extremely good with the lentils. The waitress was super kind to give me an ice cream dessert for my birthday, which really went a long way. We forgot to do the photo booth, so looks like we’ll have to comeback. Overall, a great experience and would recommend.

Celebrated my birthday and enjoyed the ambiance, service, and food! Our server checked in often and had great recommendations! We ordered the bone marrow, which was delicious. My annoying friend who is always nauseous was skeptical but ended up really enjoying it. We had the salmon which was amazing and well portioned, we also had two pasta dishes and had more than enough to share. Overall, it was the perfect place to celebrate!

We were in Chicago for a bachelorette weekend and we were so looking forward to this speakeasy! The whole experience was incredible from the valet parking to the food to the secrets downstairs. The atmosphere: chill, romantic (depending on who you’re with, the lights are down low and it’s very nice), warm lighting that’s reminiscent of classy jazz clubs, with the dull hum of conversations surrounding you while you dine. The service: our waitress was so accommodating to our party’s allergies and sensitivities. We had one who couldn’t have dairy and was gluten sensitive, another who liked sweet drinks that are nonalcoholic, and me who wasn’t feeling well (suffering with GERD symptoms at 9:30pm during a bachelorette 10/10 do not recommend). She was so kind and understanding! The food: although I did not partake, my friends absolutely enjoyed their meals! The drinks: delicious and perfect for the occasion The speakeasy: such a neat experience!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Walking down the stairs, you are transported in time to the Prohibition era. The hallways are wooden and plastered with photo strips, and there is a Photo Booth that’s costs $5 for 2 strips (2 copies of 3 photos). The restrooms are clean and there are cheeky signs to misdirect you as to where the speakeasy entrance is. The Library is a nifty atmosphere with velvet seats and feels swanky yet confortable. Valet parking: since we used Uber and Lyft to travel around Chicago, $20 valet parking for the first 2hrs was a no-brainer. I’ve never experienced it before and it’s a must to get out of the worry of city parking. It would have cost us over $100 for an Uber or Lyft from our Air BnB to this place 🙃

Loved the happy hour! Good drinks, great service. The tartare off the regular menu was also excellent. Perfect texture and really bright flavor.

i gladly award the Gilt Bar a maximum Triple Yum (yumyumyum) score for wonderful food, drinks and atmosphere. the bread was incredibly fresh and natural tasting, the salad was a meal in itself, and the sliced rib eye was seasoned to perfection with a light pepper crust. one of the best meals I've had in Chicago!

WOW. If I could sum my experience here with one word, it would be WOW. I’m a sucker for a good moody vibey vintage style restaurant and this place definitely met that. This place is a lot bigger than I expected with many different areas, all equally vibey. The food was to die for. I’ve had a lot of misses with bone marrow so I was hesitant to try it but I’m so glad I did. The rib eye is probably one of the best I’ve had in my life. And the cocktail was perfect too. Service was excellent and they get extra cool points for their Photo Booth. I think this will become my go to spot whenever I come to Chicago.

I can always count on Gilt Bar for great food and great service. The vibe gives mature, sophisticated laid back chill. You can’t go wrong with any of the pasta dishes and you must have one of their signature martinis but they also have a great wine list. Recommendations: Mezcal Daisy, truffle mozzarella sticks and the rigatoni.

One of the most popular happy hour spots in Chicago, for good reason! I never miss a chance to experience Gilt when visiting Chicago. You'll find me waiting outside the door before open to secure a spot at the bar. The place is always packed during happy hour, no matter the day. The atmosphere might best be described as a moody lounge. The bar is dark, dimly lit and ornate. The happy hour drinks and bar bites are all fantastic. The mussels and marrow are some of my favorites. I've never had a bad experience. Food, service and energy are all great!

Absolutely phenomenal experience. The food, drinks, and service we had were impeccable. The bone marrow and steak tartare were exceptional.

Great all around experience. All dishes were superb and the ambiance was fantastic. Recommend many dishes including the bone marrow, Orecchiette pasta with spicy sausage, onion rings, steak tartare and Brussel sprouts.

Loved our visit to Gilt Bar. Dark moody atmosphere (I'm getting old, needed to use the fake candles to read the menu). Staff was super friendly, and throughout the meal they clear the platesio to prep for the next dish. Ordered the Double Smash Wagyu Burger (best burger I've ever had), first time trying bone marrow (also very good) and the Spicy Vodka Hand Made rigatoni Noodles (we kept wanting to eat more even after we were full). The speakeasy downstairs requires separate reservation with the host. Same menu, but we took a peek before we left and the vibe was awesome. Wish we would have gone down there instead for the experience. Will return on next visit to Chicago!

Deliciously sultry vibes. Service was great. The fries and garlic aoli were to die for. The creamy spinach penne was a little bland. Needed some spice or acidity. Great menu. Limited choices but still had all you needed. Highly recommend the carrot cake with coconut. Still dreaming of it

I don’t normally write reviews, but my experience at Gilt Bar was AMAZING! My boyfriend and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary, and we have never been more impressed. Our server was named Trish (I’m pretty sure) and she was very hospitable. She recommended the best food. My boyfriend had ordered one of the Old Fashioned’s and requested one large ice cube. The drink came with multiple ice cubes, and Trish switched out his drink to ensure he got what he ordered (without us asking)! We were stuck between the truffle mozzarella sticks, meatballs, and sourdough bread for an appetizer. It was our first time, so we could not decide. We told Trish to surprise us and the food runner came out with each of the three appetizers! She informed us that she gave us a little sample of each so we could get a taste of each one we wanted to try. That was so kind of her. The total for the three sampler appetizers came out to $18 which is cheaper than the truffle mozzarella sticks - amazing deal! We also ended up ordering pastas and the french dip for entrees. For dessert, we ordered the cookie skillet and they ended up bringing out a candle with ice cream for my boyfriend and I’s anniversary. I was extremely stuffed by the end and ended up taking home leftovers. Our experience was top notch and I highly recommend. We will be back!

Jasmine was a gem and provided the best service I've had in a long time. Thank you, Jasmine! We loved our entire meal - my standout was the carbonara. You can really tell the pasta is fresh. Fair warning, the ambience really is as dark as others say. Bring your glasses! :)

I think about Gilt Bar so often. The drinks were great. The food is fantastic. The salmon Caesar salad is literally something I dream about. The library is so cute and like a little speakeasy. The photo booth is such a fun cute touch

My wife and I just ate here last night for my birthday. Kat was our server, and she was also the highlight of the night. She was super friendly and attentive, and was genuinely happy to serve us on our special occasion. She even recommended some NA options for my wife (who is 8 months pregnant). Just an all-around fantastic experience. Gilt bar has been our go-to for special occasions, especially anniversaries and birthdays. The atmosphere is perfect, with great music and ambience (especially in the winter when the decorations go up!). We’ve never had a bad experience, but next time we go we may specifically ask for Kat’s section! Thank you so much for a perfect night out!

Dimly lit restaurant, perfect for a date night or girls night out. Menu is similar to other Hogsalt restaurants. Vodka Rigatoni was delicious, gluten free pasta available. Salads and side dishes are great to split between 2-3 people. Service was great, even though our brussels sprouts came out after our meal. Our waitress took it off the bill and we didn’t even ask (thank you!). They were worth the wait! Excellent happy hour, appetizer and drink options ranging from $7-12. Coming back!

Make reservations! Go for HAPPY HOUR! One of the BEST happy hours in the city. I am glad we scored a reservation during happy hour because it was insanely busy in there. Nice sultry speakeasy vibes. Lillianna P. was our server and she was on point. All of their sliders ($6.99ea) were delicious. But my favorite was the meatball one. Bone Marrow is a must for only $8.99. Teeny espresso or dirty vodka martinis will run you $7ea. Or get you a good ole old fashioned for $8. Plenty of paid street parking all around the restaurant. We will definitely be back.

We went for Restaurant Week Dinner, which had very nice menu with generous portions (took part of our main course, home) of good food. The service was wonderful, courteous, attentive and helpful. The room is loud and conversation challenging.

My parents, boyfriend, and I went out to this place for my 21st birthday. We made a reservation for 4:15 to get in for happy hour. The waitress was pleasant, although missed a few details. I understand happy hour is a busy time, but my dad asked for a full-size beer instead of the happy hour size and she brought him the happy hour size anyway. He also had to flag her down a few times to ask for another one. I had a Hugo Spritz, which I thought was great, and my mom had the espresso martini and a glass of wine. For appetizers, we got the bone marrow, a chicken slider, and mussels. My mom loved the bone marrow, my boyfriend liked the chicken slider, and my dad and I liked the mussels - they were very buttery and great, but not the best I’ve ever had. For mains, my boyfriend got the carbonara, I had the vodka rigatoni, my mom had the truffle meatball pasta, and my dad had the french dip. My favorite dish of the three was the truffle meatball pasta, which seemed to replace the truffle mafaldine pasta on the menu. My boyfriend had the truffle mafaldine pasta at their sister restaurant next door, Ciccio Mio, a couple months ago, and I must say I like the truffle meatball pasta better. The meatball is tender and the pasta has the right amount of bite, and is very creamy. My boyfriend liked the carbonara (it came with a raw egg yolk on top which we all thought was interesting), my dad liked the french dip, and I liked my vodka rigatoni. For dessert, we had the chocolate cake which was decent, and for my birthday, they brought me some ice cream - the ice cream was good, but came with what tasted like hershey’s syrup. When you’re at a restaurant that’s supposed to be as good as this one, I don’t think that should be the case. We did the photo booth downstairs after dinner which was pretty cute. It costs $5 with card - I was worried that it would only take cash. You get 2 prints per “session.” The most enjoyable part of our experience was probably the atmosphere itself. It’s dark and moody and romantic. Everyone is dressed nice and classy and I did really liked the cozy booths (we sat in one) and the lamp-lit tables (though the menu was a little hard to read). Overall, the food was good, but nothing to write home about. I feel like this place is very much overhyped on social media. If you’re going here, you come for the ambiance and possibly the photo booth and the speakeasy (we didn’t have a chance to check it out), not so much the food. Which, again, is decent, but nothing special. Still, it was a positive experience.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Gilt Bar has a really lovely ambiance that sets the mood perfectly for a relaxed evening out. The interior feels warm and stylish—think moody lighting, cozy seating, and a vibe that's both upscale and welcoming. We were lucky to get a very nice table, and the staff was attentive and friendly throughout our visit. Service overall was good in terms of being available and responsive—they checked on us often and were happy to help with any requests. That said, the pacing of the meal left a little to be desired. Our sliders arrived quite a bit before the fries and onion rings, which threw off the experience a bit. It felt like we were waiting longer than expected for the sides, which was disappointing considering how eager we were to enjoy everything together. On the food side, the sliders were the definite highlight. Both the hamburger and fried chicken sliders were absolutely delicious—juicy, flavorful, and nicely presented. The onion rings were also solid, with a satisfying crunch and good seasoning. The fries, however, were a bit forgettable and didn't really stand out. Overall, Gilt Bar is a great spot if you want a stylish atmosphere and well-executed main dishes. I'd happily return for the sliders alone, but I hope the kitchen smooths out the timing so everything arrives together. Still, the excellent service and cozy environment make it easy to recommend.

Sauces sauces sauces!!! I’ve been wanting to try this place for a while. The space is absolutely beautiful, like stepping into an old parlor. The wine was standard, I particularly enjoyed the rosé. The bone marrow was good but the caramelized onions really took it over the top. The chicken slider was also good. The SAUCES that came with the mushrooms and the onion rings were the stars of the show. So decadent, rich, and creamy. I wish I’d used more of all the toppings on my slider. The mussels were the second best dishes for me, pretty flavorful. The “French fried potatoes” were just fries lol I thought they would be a special potato dish. They were good but I don’t think they’re necessary. Staff were super funny and friendly. We interacted with Charity up front and servers Alexis and Lillianna. All need big fat RAISES!!!!!! See yall next time. 💞

My friend and I went here for happy hour and it was a blast from the great drinks and food but also a cute tavern vibe. I got espresso martini and love it. We also tried the sliders, burger and fried chicken, which are good. The mussels stood out with plump bites and addictive butter garlic sauce, which they gave you some bread to dip in. Staffs were kind and accommodating, offering coat check for my bags. Overall, we enjoyed the happy here very much!

The ambiance of Gilt Bar is phenomenal! We loved the vibe of this restaurant, and the vintage photo booth was most definitely a plus. I had the Ricotta Gnocchi, and it tasted like a warm lemon cookie turned savory in a shockingly delicious way. The only downside was the lengthy wait time (if you don’t make a reservation) but it was worth it and expected from a Chicago staple like this one!

Really is worth the hype. My table got 2 orders of the burger, vodka pasta with chicken, and French dip. The appetizers we chose was Hamachi crudo and onion rings. The onion rings were literally the best I’ve ever had. The cookie skillet wasn’t anything too special, but overall a very cool dining experience. Would recommend and go back again!