The Golden Chicken is Michigan Avenue's premier spot for Martini's or Manhattan's in a piano bar environment that years ago would have been the classic smokey lounge with beautiful female singers and patrons from the city and all over the globe.
Today the smoke is gone but the wood paneled ambience with banquettes and historic feel are in force making this martini lounge one of the best in town. You have to check out the Drake if you are in town to enjoy its place as one of the city's most opulent and historic hotels and while you are there be sure to have a drink at the golden chicken...
So I think (I hope) I came here on the wrong night. Â I think a conference was being held at the hotel. Â It was on Wednesday night and it was packed, noisy, and had many drunk people in business suits. Â We barely squeezed in to the corner of the bar and had drinks. Â I could see how the ambiance could be quite nice - dark, stately. Â No piano playing that night either.
Even though it was really crowded, bar service didn't really suffer.
If I'm in the area again I may try it a second time.
Completely classic, and exactly what a restaurant/bar at the Drake Hotel should be. Granted, I bring down the average age of patron in here by about 30 years, but the Coq D'or is quiet, hidden gem when you want an intimate evening, or even an afternoon escape. Or a place to bring your parents--it's definitely a winner for that.
Service is impeccable, and the food is reasonably priced considering your environment. Excellent selection of sandwiches and salads (and order their Bookbinder soup).
(If you are claustrophobic, note that there are no windows or natural light in the place. On a winter evening, I don't mind it, but it might make me a bit antsy otherwise.)
The Coq D'or Restaurant and Lounge is a wonderful place to meet friends. Â You can either sit at the bar or grab a table and have eighter just drinks or a meal too! Â The lighting is dark and this could serve well for a quick romantic drink or meal. The food is the famous Drake Hotel food but arrives much sooner than the full course meals in the other restaurants where one is expected to linger longer. Â The Drake Hotel is known for its Bookbinder Soup which I order whenever I am there. Â Although the dress code is casual, be sure to dress a little fancier. Â You'll fit in much better.
Review Source:The clam chowder is so go we could not stop eating it. Great drink selection selection. Go here for an upscale drinking experience. Service was very good.
Next time I'm taken hostage to the shopping district I'll be looking forward to another few pints at this fine establishment.
Ambiance: Classic, wood paneled, high end drinking spot. Listen up men, or women who don't love shopping this is a great location to get a few cold ones and great food while the gathers are out gathering.
The family's ransacking of the Drake's clam chowder supply went something like this...
1 clam chowder and drinks, part of the the family shows up from shopping, new baby in tow, we order another 2, because it's that good we add one more to the order. 1 has already disappeared. We make quick work of the other 3. The last two shoppers arrive, we order 3 more, because one bowl was never enough.
Nice little place.
Bartender is old, creepy and unfriendly.
I ordered the steak salad-
Salad was good. Â The steak was very low quality, tough and tasteless. Â Skip that for sure.
Drinks are just ok.
Odd place to see any sports as the tv sits on the bar or in a back room. Â Mostly the server was standing watching the tv............annoying.
One of a kind atmosphere. Â The bar service is so so. Â Our bartender had two speeds, slow and stop, and his drinks matched his speeds. Â Other than that, it's really a neat place. Â They have live music and drew a decent crowd. Â The prices are way too high but then again you're right in downtown Chicago.
Review Source:This wonderful, historic bar in the lower level of Chicago's fabulous Drake Hotel is a good as it gets. Â Dark wood paneling, leather booths and a warm atmosphere make this place even more special. Â Opening for business only 24 hours after Prohibition was repealed this place has served celebrities, politicians, movie stars and neighborhood regulars for 80 years. Â The bar serves every drink and every call brand you can imagine, but the bar menu lists some of the most famous patrons of the bar, and the Drake, through the decades. Â There is almost always live music in the evenings, and lots of people. Â It has just enough TVs to watch a game, but enough private space to have a conversation too. Â If you want to try the consistently good food go for the Bookbinder soup...a local favorite in Chicago by way of Philadelphia. Â For people watching, food, cocktails or lounge music, you simply cannot have a better experience than the Coq D'or at The Drake....real Chicago!
Review Source:As for my first Yelp review I have to say this is a good one to kick it off with.
Don't come here for a bargain, but if you are looking for atmosphere this place has it. This is probably the third time I have checked this place out. My parents have a fascination for the Drake and they always seem eager to spend some time here. The food and drinks are pretty good for a hotel bar (the "Bloody" seems to be a popular choice).
Today I had a bowl of French Onion Soup and we split some wings with a few cocktails. Bottom line, the food,beverages and service are a 3.5, while atmosphere is a 5. Its dark and has a great wood bar. Almost makes you forget that you are down in the middle of all the tourists. So if you are downtown on a Saturday shopping on Michigan Ave and want a nice quiet place, this will work with little complaints.
As far as hotel bars go, this one's pretty good. Â The bartender demeanor is hit or miss, but the cocktail servers are great. Â By night three, they knew my name, my drink, and were making recommendations. Â
The selection behind the bar is well curated - lots of different bourbons and scotches, and a good variety of gin. Â I'd like to see some more beer variety. Â The wine list was good.
The bar is in the Drake, so the clientele skews older. Â They seem to be talkative, so I don't mind the older crowd. Â Plus, it clears out early. Â The TVs are well placed, tuned to the sport du jour. Â
Prices are steep. Â You're at the Drake. Get used to it.
Great old timey bar with a classic fit & feel. Â Strong drinks and attentive bartenders that manage a medium-sized dark wood bar. Â Classic bar back (though a prefer a mirror) with shelves and glasses. Â Comfy barstools. Â Around the bar extending multiple directions are lower tables with leather seats. Â Lower ceilings give the Coq D'or a comfy feel. Â The crowd is a bit more stuffy, but it's to be expected within the Drake.
Review Source:My husband met me downtown after work and we headed to Coq D' Or for some drinks, appetizers and a little reminiscing (we were married at The Drake Hotel). Â While the overall experience was pleasant, I was shocked at those prices! Â My husband had the Manhattan (shaken nicely with Templeton Rye) and I had the Cosmopolitan. Â We also tried the Halibut Goujons (tasty but lukewarm at best) and the Tenderloin Carpaccio (not enough of the Santa Barbara extra virgin olive oil). Â While we were enjoying our second round, another couple got engaged. Â It is a nice place for VERY special occasions such as that, but be prepared to take out a loan to pay for your bill! Â Meet me half way on the prices and this would have been closer to 5 stars, but as it is, I rounded up to 4 from 3.5.
Review Source:Now THIS is a bar. I adore old dark, wooden, throwback bars in fancy hotels and Coq D'or at the Drake Hotel didn't disappoint. In-line with places like King Cole Bar in NYC, Coq D'or oozes money and history. There is a large bar, as well as a large number of tables in the lounge areas. We sat both at the bar and then at a small table, and service was swift in both settings. The bartender was old school in the best way, serving up killer martinis and champagne cocktails. The lounge also has live music, which is fun. Who doesn't love to hear the piano and Sinatra in a bar like this?
They offer a food menu which looked promising, but we stuck to drinks. Prices are steep, but the drinks are tasty and the ambience is totally worth it.
Stopped in for an adult beverage and a quick bite on Saturday afternoon. What else does one do when taking a break from shopping on Michigan Avenue? Â Until then, I had exemplary service in all of the establishments I'd visited...until I got to Coq d'Or. Â One would think that service would be better at such a legacy establishment. Â
I love the ambiance of Coq d'Or, but do not care for the pretentiousness with which our sullen waiter attended to us. Â It took a complaint to the manager to get things moving. Â Upon arriving, it took 20 minutes to place a drink order, 15minutes for those bevvies to show up and 10 minutes after that to even get menus! Â I couldn't believe that our waiter was moving so slowly with the place being so crowded. Â While I understand what one Yelper was saying about attire, should the Coq d'Or wish to suggest a dress code in order to get better service, I suggest that they post a sign at the door requiring gentlemen to wear sport coats, and ladies to wear hosiery and high heels.
In spite of the bad service, the Bookbinder Soup was sublime and the fries were done to a perfect crispness. Â Since I ordered a Jack Daniels on the Rocks, there was no way that ANYONE could mess that up, so the drink was decent (two stars for the food and beverage).
Should I visit the Coq d'Or again, I shall be sure to wear one of my classic Chanel suits, and have my Hermes purse proudly displayed. Â Maybe this will get our waiter to take notice...of course, I could just stay the hell out of his section. Â (Just so you know...it's the section at the very back of the establishment, across from the bar, and closest to the kitchen. Â If you want better service...pick another spot in the restaurant.)
Simply put, one of the greatest bars in the city. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it is old school. And yes, you might get spotty service if you're dressed like you picked clothes out of the hamper. However, for people who get it, there is no substitute.
If Bob, Polo or Hana are working, you're in good hands and if you've been there before, they will likely remember you. They do have beer, but the smart money is on the executive mixed drinks. Considering how much liquor is in them and the area you're in, they're not a bad deal at all. Two executives will have even the most seasoned drinker feeling pretty good.
The real beauty of the Coq, for me, is in the entire experience. I can be walking on a bustling Michigan Avenue packed with people and sneak into the Coq and feel like I'm in an entirely different time and place. The room is warm, the conversation is always great and the snack bowls are always stocked. I've never come here and not had great conversation with strangers. Never once have I been there and been disappointed.
Next time you're in the area, stop in and jump back to a time when men didn't drink 65 calorie beers, there was only one flavor of vodka and vegans didn't exist.
I like going in here for a couple late-night drinks and a snack. Â I like being left alone, so after I have what I need, I could care less that I don't see the waiter for another twenty minutes plus.
They have had live piano music on more than a couple occasions, and although I like to keep up with sports, part of me wishes that the tv's weren't  there.  Great atmosphere, well-made drinks, and decent food.
I do love this place! Every time I pass through the doors and find a seat at the bar or at one of the cozy tables, I wonder why it has taken me so long to return.
On this visit- it had been over a year since my last visit. Yet Hana at the bar recognized me and my Manhattan loving friend from the last time we were there. She quickly made room for us as the bar and the conversation picked up right where we left off. Geez, I love bartenders like Hana!
On this Friday night, a duet of piano and singer crooning out the tunes were in place- taking our recommendations and making our night even more special.
The bar snacks are still in full supply. If you are daring enough- order your drink "Executive" style which basically means you get two drinks served in a glass pourable snifter so that you can keep yourself hydrated for longer.
And make sure you engage with some of the people around you. Every time I've been here- half of the fun was talking to those seated nearby. In fact- my friend was trying to keep this night to "just us" so much so that he positioned himself between me and the next nearest patron. But to no avail. By the end of the evening- we had the entire bar somehow engaged with us. But that's half the fun of this place!
Old School all the way. But that's the charm of the Coq D'or!
We stopped in for a late lunch after shopping on MI avenue. Â The food was good, but yet, we were disappointed, namely because of the service. Â
It has a very vintage atmosphere and would be the perfect place to let your legs rest after walking around.  However, it took quite a bit of time before anyone came over to us  This occurred again for our drinks and again for our meal. Â
The food itself was good, but nothing that you can't find elsewhere. Â I tried the French Onion soup which is good. Â I had the burger and thought it was a nice presentation with the fries coming in a warmed up cup. Â It was clear that they use really good beef. Â However, after asking for mayo again, our waiter never showed up with it. Â Good thing I didn't wait for the mayo to start eating! Â
Also, the manager/someone appeared to be coming around to ask the table how things were. Â Yet, she didn't bother coming to us and I have to wonder why. Â She spent a lot of time talking with the table next to us - that table was much older and appeared to be out of town. Â Needless the say, it came off as snobbish.
It all left a very mediocre taste in our mouth and this place isn't going on the "recommended" list.
This place was really disappointing, mainly because of the service and drinks. I loved the dark, vintage atmosphere, and I cannot critique the food as we did not order any.
My husband and I each had 2 drinks. I first ordered a highball. It was made with Seagrams 7, and therefore was way too sweet. I couldn't taste any alcohol! I prefer bourbon to blended whiskey and I thought a highball was made with bourbon. Maybe I'm mistaken?
My second drink was a piña colada, because I'm such a sucker for them and the recipe looked great. However, it was definitely made with a mix and not well blended. And again, way too sweet and light on the alcohol. Very disappointing.
My husband had the cucumber classic cocktail and that was excellent. However, his old fashioned had no orange or cherry and was made with Jim Beam. Really? An $11.50 old fashioned at The Drake made with Jim Beam?
And the men's bathroom is outside the restaurant and my husband said it was filthy and smelled of urine. Â One of the urinals had a big box over it - guess it was broken? He said it looked like a college bathroom.
And to top it all off, our server was awful. My husband and I are both previous servers and bartenders, so we're usually very forgiving. This guy simply did not care about checking in with us. Ever.
All in all, our experience here soured our whole stay at The Drake.
This place is supposed to be classy, judging by the fact that its in the Drake, high prices, etc... Well I stayed at the Drake last week while on vacation. My wife and I stopped in for an evening drink and a bite to eat. One of the servers dropped the linen napkin with the flatware on the floor right in front of our table. He picked it up and hesitated until he decided (I suppose) that we didn't notice and then he set it on the table in front of me. REALLY? WTF? (and the floor was disgustingly dirty too)
It was so ridiculous that I had to laugh. Really what's the possible benefit for him to do this? When our waiter returned (not the same guy) I gave him a load of crap about it. He apologized and got me a new one. Makes me wonder what they do when the patrons really can't see.
I was lured by the cachet of the Drake Hotel, despite expecting in the back of my mind to be disappointed by a place where I might be paying more for the location and the ambiance than the food itself.
I was wrong - everything we had here was pretty tasty. Â Deviled eggs, french onion soup, Coq D'Or burger, all really good. Â My lady's special cocktail went over extremely well also, and though I can't remember which one it was, I was very impressed by the copper mug in which it was served.
Yes, I would come back here.
Noooooooooooooo . . . say this place is not closing.
This place makes me feel like I'm a sassy, zaftig dame, waiting for Don Draper to appear in a sharkskin suit and give me a few sexy asides before we go wrinkle the expensive sheets upstairs at the Drake. Yum, daddy-o. It's that kinda joint, where the bartenders still wear vests, and the service is oldskool.
Though the Mad Men fantasy in my head was abruptly decimated on this night when I noticed kids (kids?! In a bar. Really?) at the table next to us. Ugh. And a bunch of conventioneers that probably left their backwards baseball hats up in their rooms while they tugged uncomfortably at their unaccustomed ties. Hate a man who is unaccustomed to dress-up clothes.
That did not deter me, however, from enjoying a first class drink with a stellar super-Yelper and experiencing some oldskool Chicago ambiance before it . . . sadly, gets remodeled. Or something. *sigh* Why can't some things stay the same?
This is a bit of a step back in time, with a real old-school feel. Â Through heavy wooden doors is a bar is full of wood, glassware, and history. Â If smoking were allowed, I'm sure the air would be cloudy with cigar and cigarette smoke. Â The bartender even wore a vest.
Alas, my time travel was abruptly ended with a disappointing bartender. Â
I know I'm picky about my whisk(e)y. Â Give me that. Â I asked about Templeton Rye for my Manhattan, he said they didn't have it and offered up Canadian Club as an alternative. Â Sorry, it's not the same. Â If this was a classy, old-school place, they'd know the difference between rye and Canadian whiskey.
And the drink? Â Meh. Â Far too heavy on the vermouth. Â I'm a big girl, Mr. Bartender, I can handle the whiskey. Â Go ahead, pour away.
On top of that, the service was slow, especially when it came time to close out my tab. Â
It'd still go back and give it another whirl. Â Maybe I'll go the martini route next time. Â Hopefully they won't get confused and offer up Absolut if they're out of Bombay Sapphire.
The Coq D'or is indeed a fine sample of old school Chicago bar decor, and as many of the other reviewers will tell you, the Executive Cocktails are as outsized as their reputations, and deservedly so. Â An oversized snifter brimming with Woodford Reserve will warm you up on the coldest of December shopping days.
And that's all fine and good.  But the real secret of Coq D'or, my friends, can be summed up in two words:  Grilled Cheese.  The Grilled Cheese sandwich here is a transcendent experience, by far the best Grilled Cheese I've ever had.  The St. Nectaire cheese is unbelievably smooth with a nutty, smoky, fruity flavor, and bookended by thick but fluffy Pullman white bread, complete with a tomato fondue for the classic preparation.  The first time I tasted it I was not expecting anything but was floored  - it was the best combination of comfort food with luxury ingredients.  Just writing about it makes me want to go back.
However, even a humble grilled cheese comes with a price tag worthy of the Drake Hotel, so make sure your visit commemorates a memorable occasion!
My brother decided to treat me for lunch, having just gotten a nice raise, at the Drake Hotel. He's been there for business but this was my first time. Not being an aficionado of luxury hotels, I found this place impressive.
We decided to go to the Coq d' Dor restaurant,. Located on the first floor, the restaurant was very casual and had the atmosphere of an old English or early American pub. Everywhere I looked, I saw wall after wall of dark heavy oak planks. I was surprised at how dimly lit the restaurant was. If you are nearsighted, this is not the restaurant for you. You'll feel like you're in a coal mine.
It has a full bar and a couple of televisions to watch sports, news and the like as you stuff your face.
The waiter was fantastic and extremely pleasing. Waiters/servers can make or break a meal, no matter how good the food is.
The food was terrific. It was a little pricey but expected. I took advantage, in a big way, of my brothers hospitality and had a pretty good time.
The restaurant is a nice hangout for casual food and conversation. Definitely not a place to take a date or for Mother's Day..
I can't comment on the drinks or bar service, having just had a Diet Coke to drink.
The place is extremely accessible to wheelchairs. My only gripe is that the place is so dim people occasionally bumped into the wheelchair because they could not see its outline.
I was a little disappointed in the service here last night. What is happening to The Drake??
First of all, we wanted to go to the Cape Cod Room and got there at about 9:30pm. Their doors were closed! The sign clearly says they re open until 10pm, so business must be very slow for them to close their doors early!
So then we came to Coq D'or. It was very crowded, the jazz singer was doing his thing and there was a nice crowd at the bar. It was nice.
BUT... service was slow. They forgot my crabcakes twice. TWICE!
But they were really good :) Â Adam had the fish and chips and enjoyed it. I didn't try it though because it looked too greasy.
I would reserve this place for a cold and rainy/snowy evening.
Over the holiday season my partner and I spent a fair amount of time at Coq D'or with my aunt and uncle. Â This bar is classic old school Chicago and you'll know it the second you walk in the door. Â There were many pros and a few cons and I'll list them below:
-PROS
-The drinks. Â WOW...the Bloody Mary at Coq is a religious experience and my aunt and uncle introduced my partner and I to Brandy Alexanders at Coq. Â We started the day out with drinks before heading to the theatre and ended the night with a Brandy Alexander after a long day in the city. Â Yes they are expensive but worth every dollar.
-The food: The Bookbinder Soup with a shot of sherry is not to be missed. Â You wouldn't think a soup with red snapper in it would be satisfying and delicous, but it was both.
-The atmosphere: You're in the lower level of the historic Drake Hotel and you feel like you've found a place very few people know about, even though you know the place was the first to reopen after Prohibition (fact).
-CONS
-Coq is small and it can be difficult to find a seat...probably because once most people are in there they really don't want to leave.
-The service left a lot to be desired. Â The waiters and waitresses in there know they're going to making a huge tip off the huge bills so they don't really give the highest level of attention. Â
All things considered, Coq D'Or is a Chicago experience that should not be missed!
Excellent bar with no pretenses of trendiness.
This is where the bartender remembers you, the nuts on the bar are not peanuts, and the atmosphere has not changed in 50 years. Â Dark and comfortable. Â Not the place to sample wines (try Cru, two blocks west), but a classy place to relax. Â Meals served too, but we've only gone for drinks. Â If you want to confirm you're in the big city, have your cocktails here.
Go in the afternoon, take a book, order a bowl of soup and a glass of wine, read, dine, . . . order another glass of wine, read, enjoy.
When you come back, for a drink before a music event at the Museum of Modern Art, don't go too late (allow yourself some time to sip) and DO order one executive martini each.
I love bars like this. Â $18 executive martinis. Â I guess it keeps the riff raff out. Â D'oh, did I say that? Â Anyway, went here on Dad's dime and the service is excellent. Â Someone else's dime is the way to go in this place...two - three rounds of drinks for 4 people totaled $150. Â It's a great place to go once in a while, but I'd go broke making this my regular hangout. Â
When happy hour ended we ditched the 'rents and headed to Rossi's. Â The best of both worlds in one evening. Â Life is good.
Located inside the Drake Hotel. We go for executive martini's every so often (usually after brunch at Perriot ... fun to get buzzed at 1pm hehe). Great friendly staff, who always strike up interesting conversations and a fun martini menu. Nothing over the top, but I do enjoy the French Martini and my guy always gets the Chicago Blues Martini. Both are excellent. Ive also tried the Peach Bellini (yum!) and "Long Kiss Goodnight" Martini, which was a little too milky for me. (Not a big milk fan).
So fun, and definitely a treat! Executive martini's go for 18 bucks a pop, but all you need is one!
I ended up here on a Sunday for lunch/brunch after I had been out too late the night before and had severely overslept breakfast because my super fluffy king-sized bed at The Drake would not let me get out. Â I maybe a little hungover and I wanted some comfort food and a bloody Mary. Â I also was in need of something dark (no bright sun yet!) and perhaps something with a TV to watch the NFC championship game. Â Coq D'or was exactly what I needed. Â
I couldn't decide between brunch or lunch so, fortunately, I was able to have some of each. Â I chose an omelette and I also chose the clam chowder. Â The omelette was very good but, unfortunately, it was overshadowed by the fabulous clam chowder. Â It was excellent. Â My bloody Mary was pretty darn good, too, and it certainly served its purpose.
It was a nice time to go (Sunday just after noon) because it was not crowded and we were put in a nice dark spot in the back, but still had a view of a TV. Â The service was great but when we just wanted to hang out, watch TV and finish our drinks, we were left alone and not bothered - it was perfect. Â I love the cushy leather seating, the dark wood tables and the overall decor - it's like a little hideaway. Â I have very fond memories of the Coq D'or and I would definitely return.
Ah...the Drake..is there anything about you I don't love? Â I think not.
I used to come here (and to the Cape Cod) room with my dad and sister for lunch. Â I always felt like I was getting away with something being in here - it always felt so grown up. I mean, c'mon, you could get soup with booze in it! Dark, clubby, old school - great place to have a fancy drink and chat up the geriatric neighborhood regulars who always have great stories to tell once they've gotten a few under their belts.
So, the fella and I got hitched one Saturday morning and by the time we made it to the hotel, we needed a drink and some hangover curing food so we could enjoy our wedding day. Â The Coq D'or Lounge, as usual, Â did not disappoint.
Had the bookbinder soup (of course), fish and chips and a burger. Â It makes me very happy that this is one of the few places in town where they still remember to bring out the damn vinegar with the fish, bless their time-warped hearts. Â Burgers are cooked correctly, as in if you ask for medium, you actually get medium, and the sides (fries, coleslaw) are fresh and tasty. Â
The drinks? Â Cold and plentiful - you want a vodka tonic at noon? Â They're not judging - as long as you don't prance in here like Lindsay Lohan or something. Â Then, forget it. Â You'll be treated, well, exactly how you deserve. Â This place is old school - be polite, the staff appreciates it. Â One of Chicago's best bars, period.
I was with a girlfriend of mine on a Tuesday evening around 8 and mind you there's no girlish cell phone action going on here....we're two very cool chicks who frequent nice places and were simply interested to try a new bar, and had heard about their Executive martini. Â The older thin grey 'gentleman' behind the bar could not have been more rude. Â Mind you I LOVE and seek out gentlemen bartenders. Â My favorite bars all seem to be former mens' clubs. Â We went to NoMI to feel better and Stephan took care of us there.
First he ignored me and my friend and there were about 7 people in the entire bar area, second he blatently interrupted our conversation when he finally did come over and any, let alone a 4/5 star, bartender should just know better, and thirdly, when we did begin ordering our drinks he LEFT us right in the middle of ordering for the waiter's order at the end of the bar. Â We got up and left. The young gentleman sitting next to us shook his head in support of our decision and at the same time I'm sure must have realized why there were no other women in the room....because the old man bartender is a sexist pig and probably has a horrid past relationship with his mother. Â Oh, we'll go back b/c the place is amazing, and it's about the only quiet bar around, but definitely not stay if he is again the only one tending bar.