Cute date night spot
Very classy restaurant/lounge, service was great, but the seating arrangement was awkward. There were 6 tables squeezed together in one lounge area, it was a little uncomfortable. Gorgeous decor though.
Interesting place. I was drawn in by the acoustic jazz trio playing in the window on a rainy night. That was cool. Very modern metropolitan atmosphere. Pricey and borderline forced eccentricity with the food. Service was ok. Â Nice environment for reading a book with a drink, soft music, and downtown vibe.
Review Source:This is a really neat place with some stellar Champagne's but for serving such fine wine they really need to do a better job with cleaning the place. Â I will admit, and my wife will concur that I have an overly sensitive nose to bad smells. Â The place but it just had a smell of old dried champagne that was overshadowing the amazing rose champagne I was trying to enjoy. Â I'm hoping to give them another try to see if that was just an off day for them. Â
If it was just an off day for them they could get a 4-5star rating but as it stands to pay that much for wonderful champagne to have the experience marred by a smell that really indicates a cleaning problem 2 stars is the best i can give them
I'm officially adding Pops to my list of must go stops when I go to Chicago. A friend introduced me to POPs last time I was in town and let's me honest who doesn't like champagne? Not only were the drinks amazing, but  I was completely smitten with the carrot cake ice cream sandwiches served with a pomegranate infused caramel drizzle, yum!
Review Source:Visited this Friday as part of a "date night" pout with the wife.  Sitter came early so we decided to start the night right  and what better way to start the night than with a bottle of bubbly? Â
Have always liked the idea of POPS better than the reality, only because I know Champagne and can find good offerings in my basement wine cellar unlike many who look for that Yellow Label Crap. Â But each time I go, this one included, I'm reminded that it's not about the price, it's about the experience, and a wonderful one we had. Â Lucked up on the dollar oyster special a dozen of which paired perfectly with the bubbly. Â
Interesting people watching at the bar, this is a definite "go to" spot to start the evening right, or wind it down correctly.
spontaneously chose this place. it was a lovely surprise. overpriced? yes. a bit difficult to get a seat at the bar? yes. however, as im a huge fan of old fashioned & this place makes it well, brownie points. i also enjoyed their classic (sparkling cocktails). and the others drinks we tried were pretty good. i wouldnt make a special trip here as there wasnt anything in particular that impressed me. still it was an enjoyable experience. service is good - not great, and id prefer it as a late afternoon drink spot than for a night out. Â if a guy chose a spot for date night, id say select another location.
Review Source:Champagne... sparkling wine... I mean... it's expensive.
I came here with a girlfriend once and we drank way too much - our bill was ridiculous! Anyway... I heard they have awesome food, but I've never tried it.
The hosts aren't the most friendly hosts ever, but I mean... I'd probably get irritated working in a place like that too.
I think it's definitely fun to have a champagne oriented bar in Chicago, but it's not your every day thing.
Definitely not a place for large groups - I think it's more of a one and done type of spot.
My husband and I have come here several times over the years. On Sunday, 12/30, we brought 4 out of town guest here for cocktails at 9 pm.  The bar was busy, but we had no problem standing at the bar.  Unfortunately, the bartender on duty gave such appalling service that we may never visit the bar again.  The bartender was standing by us and my friend  asked him for a drink menu.  He looked at her, cocked his head, and stated condescendingly, in a minute.  Shocked, she replied, really?  He looked back at her, raised his voice, and replied, what? Not wanting to antagonize him anymore, she replied thank you.  We couldn't believe it and decided to leave.  On our way out, he shouted from the bar, bye, and waved sarcastically.  We let the hostess now the horrible treatment we received and left.  If you'd like to discuss the matter in more detail, please let me know.
Review Source:Man I love this place. I've come here with groups and had a great time with their fairly priced bottles of bubbly.
I've come here with a couple of friends to catch up and let the night lead us wherever.
I've come here on a man hunting mission with a girlfriend and have been successful.
I just love the ambience of this place. It would seem like a douche baggy join based on the location in the middle of tourist central. But somehow it remains authentic and fun. Not sure how it does it but I hope it stays that way!
We stopped by after the Charles Dickens' Christmas brunch at the Drake - December 15. Last time we were here they were located in Lincoln Park! We asked the waitress for recommendations and she was spot-on they were great. Laura tried the 007 champagne - Bollinger and it was just ok. They want $65 a bottle at Binney's . I tried one of their specialty champagne cocktails which I enjoyed - like a Manhattan made with rye whiskey. We got there around 4:30pm the bar was full but there were tables available. Within the hour they were full. Walked out at $107 with tip.
Review Source:Great place to stop in for a drink or a bottle :) I'm not a champagne connoisseur but I was definitely pointed in the right direction. My mother and I shared a bottle and some great convo all while enjoying a live band. I don't know if I'd be a regular here but I definitely enjoyed myself!
Review Source:A cute spot for a bunch of girlfriends to grab bachelorette-night-out drinks. The spot is classy, spacious, and there are lots of drink options.
Slight oversight on our part - we brought cake for our bachelorette and it was a $20 cutting fee. They had told us $2 per person on the phone which sounds like a lot less damage, but maybe that was because the reservation was for 10 people.
We got a bottle of bubbly and each tried a cocktail. They were all decent, but by far everyone LOVED the one I ended up choosing! Props to our server - I told her I like something light, refreshing, tart, possibly with a ginger flavor, and she immediately recommended:
* Hum Sling - 5 stars!
(hum botanical spirit, vermouth blank, lemon, cava, lemon twist)
The spirit is supposedly made in chicago, with ginger and cardamom infused flavors. DELICIOUS, and everyone who tried it loved it!
Full cocktail menu: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pops-for-champagne-chicago?select=aolJ0IjlhhQO_GNyLnCHzA#aolJ0IjlhhQO_GNyLnCHzA">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
Shame on Pops!
It's simple. Don't go. There are tons of better places. Drinks are over priced. Drinks are just "that". Music is "blah". Crowd is "blah" ... but worst of all, Staff is slow and unwelcoming.**
At first, my friend and I thought that we had a great night hanging out at Pops for 3 hours and with a sizable bill. Ha! But that's kinda contradictory to the rating i'm giving it, right?
Well, we did enjoy our conversations on a Sunday night with the jazz and the cocktails very much. We didn't even mind the fact that the bar staff we're uncoordinated at times. Not even when we were asked for our order by 3 different staff, while we we're still waiting on our order to be served by the barman - it did not matter that those drinks took 10min to arrive after we ordered them, and then still they forgot one, broke the cork off the wine bottle. They finally scrambled it together.
It's a Sunday. We know, Pops... you're gonna be cranky and hungover. We all are. I get it. And, little inefficiencies such as those, don't bother me, nor my friend. We were having a nice loungy sunday eve. We, *understand*, if it's your "time of the week".
But, at 1:45am, what shocked us was that the GM (the asian girl) came over to us a little before closing time and told us we had 5min to finish our drinks. That's absolutely fine and understandable by us Brits (back home, we get a 30min warning - but 5min is ok).
However, what was crazy, was that 30 sec after that, another staff member asked us to leave right there and then and drop our remaining drinks. We surely thought that the GM's decision would override his, so we notified him that *just now* she had told us that we can finish our remaining drinks (a couple of sips of wine) soon. She noticed his intervention and angrily stormed over and changed her decision and pushed away our drinks on the bar and asked us to leave, leaving no room for reason. We were not even the last people in the venue... Â In fact, her asian friends were, who were shocked by her irrational behaviour and bewildered by her actions.
1/5 - Product: anyone can pour a standard drink. No creative menu, nor any creative drinks offered. Still no "bad pours".
0/5 - Service: spoilt our evening with the GM's crazy intervention even though the little inefficiencies were "tolerable".
1/5 Music and ambiance: decent jazz on a Sunday night. but too many single old men accompanied by "gullible" girls. Not a trendy crowd.
The Drinks: great selection of champagnes and the cocktails are amazing. Bottles range from 30+ and cocktails are around 11+ which is certainly reasonable. I recommend the Framboise.
The Food: The only thing I have tried are the frites which are great, however I cant comment on the rest of the menu
The Service: Never had a problem even when the place is really busy. The bartenders they have at the main bar (usually just 1 guy) is great!
The Atmosphere: Its  a lounge so it is pretty relaxed, however the music can get a little loud at times.
Overall: great place for all occasions
This place is great for a champagne stop after a long day of shopping! Super cute bar with a great ambiance in a great location if you are around Michigan Ave. Â Food is a little lackluster though: Â mussels were swimming in a basically tasteless broth; fries were just fries; cheeses were tasty but they are served with these horrible burned tasting crackers. Â Menu prices may be a little overwhelming at first but they definitely have a few tasty bottles of bubbly for reasonable prices.
Review Source:I would rate this 3.5 stars if there was an option for a half. Â I've been to Pops a couple times, most recently for after dinner drinks for a bachelorette party (we were trying to keep it a little classier). Â I had originally called to make a reservation for 7-8 people, but was told that in order to make a reservation on the weekend, it would be a required/guaranteed $400 minimum for the bill, and you couldn't split the bill amongst multiple people. Â Needless to say, I did not make the reservation and we decided to take a chance and see if we could get a table without a reservation.
We showed up around 10:30 or so, and the 7 of us were immediately seated. Â We were at a table with one couch and two benches near the window, so it wasn't the intimate type of table you might get towards the back, but for walking right in, it was nice and I always like to people watch, so looking outside was nice.
Our server was friendly and offered suggestions. Â We ordered the $200 magnum bottle she suggested. Â It was good and she was back frequently to top off our glasses. Â Other than that, she wasn't overly friendly, but there was nothing about her service that would be a deterrent for coming back.
The decor is nice and I like the ambiance of Pops, though it can be a little loud. Â I will likely go back, but it's not somewhere that I would make a regular go to spot - more for a nice night out.
I have never experienced such miserable service as I did last night at Pops for Champagne. The server was so incredibly rude, made a face and scoffed at the bottle we purchased (assuming because it was not expensive) then proceeded to literally make fun of us just steps away. She was saying to her coworker how it was pathetic and we ordered "the worst bottle on the menu." Considering our proximity, she was not trying to be discrete about the conversation and seemed to be intentionally speaking so that we could hear her.
I was shocked and couldn't believe the absolute disrespect this person had for my friends and me. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone and I will also never return.
Jumped in here on a fiery hot day for some oysters and drinks. Â A nice, clean lined interior with some funky beats and remixes.
The Plan: order oysters and drinks til we're full or fall down.
Actual Happenings: wife ordered bubbly and I had a g & t, we then ordered a half dozen oysters from BC and PEI. Second oyster in and it was immediately evident that they were bad. I had the stomach to try one more. Off as well.
Now this is where the situation could have been saved. When we told the server the oysters were off, we were asked if we wanted different ones. He was told that we didn't want to take that chance, so we ordered the seasoned nuts. Oysters should have been taken off the bill and the nuts should have been comped.
Oysters were removed from the bill. Nuts were not.
4 drinks and some salty nuts: $50
Kitchen:
The Pan-seared Foie Gras was awful. Â It was if you deconstructed a strawberry shortcake and added a chunk of Foie Gras to it. Â
The Olive plate was O.K, but for what they charged it should have been better. Â
The Frites were actually very good, but some were undercooked and overcooked. (How can that happen is beyond me.)
The service was not on their 'A' game that night. Â When we walked in the hostess never came to seat us. Â We found two places at the bar (not the best date night situation) and the bar tender was obviously alone and in the weeds. Â We didn't order for at lest 20 minutes. Â We had to order twice.
I had the "High Sage" and she had the "Bellini". Â The Bellini was great but the High Sage tasted like the cucumber water you drink after going to the spa with gin in it. Â The bar tender kindly took it back and suggested a Cognac that was excellent. Â
We waited 45 minutes for our food. Â It's wan't even that busy.
Came here on a Saturday evening before dinner (at Sable, which is down the street if you need a nice date combo) for drinks. Server was friendly and knowledgeable. We were originally seated under an A/C vent and after my girlfriend mentioned she was cold, we were moved immediately to another table by the window which was nice. We ordered a half bottle of champagne which was the perfect way to relax before dinner!
It is worth mentioning, like most of the other reviews, that bottles and half bottles are rather pricey, so look at the menu before going so you know what you'll be in for. The crowd was more mature, trendy, and/or sophisticated, and the décor and ambiance were excellent. It was worth the money and  I would definitely recommend this place for any sort of date, whether or not it is just for drinks or not!
Great & spatious and lovely decor. Â Nice for a special occasion.
Drink lists is very well done, though I think they could add a fewer lower price points. Â The vast majority of items are over $75 per bottle which is above my price range.
Good food, especially apps but again a little pricey, especially for what you get.
Loved my server. Â He was knowledgable, prompt and nice. Â Busboys were diligent with the water too, which is always a bonus.
Rock solid, 5 stars if they packed a little more value.
Beautiful airy wine bar with high ceilings, easy-breezy, white-toned color scheme and spacious layout. Â Perfect for "getting to know you" dates or drinks with girlfriends.
Drinks listing is an impressive, deep list of champagnes, sparkling wines and some cocktails sprinkled. Â By the glass as well as by the half bottle/bottle options at all price points. Â Great snacky food and amazing staff. Â I will definitely be back.
Not sure why I din't come to this place earlier since we moved to Chicago. What a great name, atmosphere, decor and... pops! An amazing list of bubbly and a perfect place for after work or casual drinks with friends.
Quite modern, trendy and classic - in a way, very eclectic!
I would have given them an extra star if it wasn't for their annoying Fashion TV catwalk on their TV. Come on, you can be more creative than that, pops!
We went here for a friend's birthday and I was WAY less than impressed. Â Yes, so I do dislike going out in this neighborhood, so they start out down the star-scale... Â just for complete and honest disclosure.
Their service was bad, but not the worst that I've ever had... so there's that. Â The bar staff was fine but the hostesses were mega bitchy. Â They yelled at my husband twice for standing by a reserved table... that was empty. Â I mean, he'll move when people get there, did you really need to yell at him for standing next to it?? Â Me thinks not.
Their drinks were creative, I'll give them that, but they were super pricey.
The clientele was so douchey. Â There were a lot of guys in button-up shirts with designer jeans, spiky hair, giant watches, artificial tan, too much cologne, and a fair amount of them were wearing sunglasses... Â inside.... Â because it's so bright in there.
The decor was really cool though and the music was actually pretty darn good, so they get 2 stars.
I certainly wouldn't go back there unless there was a special occasion, and I would probably make sure that we had a reservation because they cater to reservations and will defend your table's honor vigilantly.
Pops for Champagne is the perfect name for this venue! Champagne! Champagne! Champagne! CHAMMMPPPAGNE! everyone in this place has a glass of champagne toasting to the end of the day, life, and friendship! its always fun and exciting with a great ending!
service: The staff is extremely knowledgable with their inventory of over 200 champagne and sparkling wine.
ALSO, FYI: currently right now 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm $1 oysters!
What a classy place! I absolutely coming here, regardless if it's an off night or not!
I've been here on a Tuesday for a girl friend's bday and we enjoyed sitting at the bar on a quiet night where we could just catch up and ask the bartender his recommendations for drinks
Fridays after work are a little more hectic, but we were able to get a seat in the back room with no issue. The people can be a little crazy (like the couple making out in broad daylight across from us), but generally everyone is looking to just relax after a long week.
Try the Bellini Coupette and Corcovado!
Expensive drams of Scotch.
I came here a couple of times for my book club meetings a few months back (before Winter).
Nothing really beats discussing books with passionate book-loveurs with a dram of single malt scotch--except of course when that dram didn't just cost you $14 (for a Glenmorangie 10? Really?!?).
Besides the cray-cray price, this place has a nice vibe to it. The patrons seem like good people without being too stuck up. Emphasis on "too".
Pops!!! I've walked passed it numerous times and finally made it in on a Thursday night and was overly excited! We walked into the place and was not greeted, stood there for a minute and then assumed that we were supposed to seat ourselves.
We sat for 10 minutes eyeing around for a server and then watched the girl sipping champagne at the bar get up and approach our high top. "Do you know what you would like?". That's how you approach us as we are about to spend $150 + on a bottle of champagne? (Cheapest bottles start at 100).
Pops does not serve your standard champagne so I asked the server to explain a little bit about the menu and what they have to offer.
I chose one of her recommendations and went with it. We received the bottle shortly after, not sure what was with the snobby attitude but it seemed common among the servers there. I was a fan of the champagne! But definitely not price worthy.
The place seemed to fill up as the night went on. I loved the atmosphere, the lit up tables set a great ambiance.
I would love to say I would be back to pops but for the amount of money your dropping for such a small amount just isn't worth it. Maybe if the service had been different id be willing to spend more.
A group of 6 of us went for after dinner drinks ranging from the ages of 45-75. We were greeted by an attractive woman who possessed an attitude greater than I have ever experienced before in the industry. I could NOT believe the rudeness this young lady showed us. Â She wouldn't let us sit in the room with live music, forcing us to sit at a table off to the room on the side. We ended up staying - despite our first impression. Our server was delightful and was able to spring us out of our bad mood and served us with a smile and lovely drinks. Kudos to her.
I have lived, wined dined in Chicago for over 20 years. With all the wonderful selections in the city, I will not be returning to this establishment.
Came in here looking for Watershed, confusion ensued and we ended up doing dinner and cocktails here instead. I wouldn't dare complain about that (well I would if I was being budget conscious that night) because Pops ended up being a very pleasant experience with some fantastic food and delicious champagne infused cocktails.
I got myself their lobster buns and shared their lamb ravioli, both were incredibly explosions of flavour in small bites, especially when you chomp down on the lamb with the accompanying yukon blinis sweetened with crusted maple...ah hardly have I tasted something that was that unexpectedly sweet and delicious.
I can't recall which cocktails I ended up ordering but I do remember they were worth the premium price.
What I couldn't shake off about Pops was how proportionality large the bar was compared to the whole area where seating was limited to the edges.
It's a great intimate atmosphere and very friendly service, can't find too much to complain about about Pops...but if you want something completely different from Pops just head on down to the basement were you will be treated with Watershed.
Wear a diaper when you come to Pops, because you may wet yourself when you get your bill.
The bar is in a great location in River North, has a really fun atmosphere... but let's get real - does anyone actually know THAT much about champagne or REALLY enjoy drinking it enough to pay $20 for a flute of "this-is-probably-going-to-make-me-sick" bubbly?
I guess if you're totally baller you may love this place. Â If it were half the price, I'd go all the time. Â It's worth checking out, but just for a pre- or post-dinner drink, not for an evening out in and of itself.
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