Very unimpressed. Walked in not even close to last call and dead, like disco. The server walked around with with what I can only assume was a stick up his...well you get the point. He would pick up drinks and move chairs, but serve us, beneath him it seamed. Any bar that's playing TNT's King Kong on its screens and trying to be trendy at the same time, fail. It's not easy to find in the Palmer, lot of people were asking where it was and just went to the Lockwood bar, which we did. Skip this place.
Review Source:I've loved this place in the past....and that hasn't changed!
We ordered the following:
Mini martini flight:
Blushing lady: PAMA pomegranate liqueur, belvedere vodka, grapefruit juice, lemon
Acai cosmo: VeeV acai spirit, grand marnier, cranberry juice, lime
Passionfeuit fruit: metal one vodka, chambord, st germain, passion fruit puree
Three drinks that made me tipsy.
Hot chocolate: hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps and whipped cream
My brother loved this! It hit the spot on a cold night :)
Creme brûlée
Berthas famous brownie: glass of chocolte milk mousse, chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, almond
Creme burlee was oh so good!
I showed up here for an event a couple of weeks ago and I enjoyed this place quite a bit. I haven't been inside of the Palmer House for quite sometime and this was the excuse I needed to get back to an old stomping ground.
The longe itself was a little dim which sets teh mood for some very intimate conversations. Very comfy seating and attractive waitresses serving drinks....what mnore can ask of a nice hotel lounge??? I tried a pumpkin martini which was ok, but I wound up doing an Octoberfest beer for the remainder of the night.
Good spot to hit up if you work near the Palmer House Hotel or inside of it and of course if you are staying there as a guest.
"When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke the furry walls."
From the comedy Get Him to the Greek, I guess it means to make the most of a situation.
Which I did. And could ALSO stroke the furry walls...purple faux fur encased in glass columns. So what gives? This place is decorated like a Mad Men fan mated with Prince. Very fifties vibe with old school celeb photos, a backlite bar with mod silhouettes, dark masculine furniture and dark wood. Kinda sexy or date vibe. Fine.
But it seems disengenous to the Palmer House, historic grand very old hotel, and the namesake Potter Palmer. It seems more logical if it was more classic.
We ordered:
Several of the martinis and signature cocktails
Good
Chicken Satay with citrus soy marinade, peanut sauce and cilantro
Boo. I did not enjoy the mix and felt the flavors clashed.
Wagyu Sliders in peppercorn
Nice meat quality and taste. The shining star.
Oysters on shell with cocktail sauce, mignonette, and Meyer lemon
Nice, salty, tasted like the sea.
It's worth mentioning the service was a bit off.
I'd go again though.
"That's the best part about a Jeffrey. It goes away then it comes back."
So the first time I actually came here it was for my cousin's wedding reception. As I was about 18 I was a tad young to enjoy the swanky scene. Since then, I've been back once-for a yelp event! The atmosphere is definitely swanky, and the drinks are made to match!
The food that was going around was delicious-whether it was the pocket fajitas, or the grilled cheese triangles.
Let's not forget about the drinks! The pumpkin spice martini was an absolute treat, and the nighttime answer to Starbucks' popular pumpkin spice latte.
The staff was extremely wonderful catering to our event. I'd be curious to go back just as a night on the town to get the full experience, but if you're in the loop and feel like getting fancy, I definitely recommend Potters Lounge.
Located in the Palmer House, it's definitely meant to be here. Â The drinks are delicious but pricey. Â This is an upscale bar in an upscale hotel so if you put two and two together it's not that surprising. Â If you are not looking to spend a lot of money, I would definitely recommend going somewhere else outside of the Palmer House and ordering the same thing for cheaper.
The food is good, I would definitely suggest their flat breads. Â
I do love the decor here, its very urban and there are tons of comfy booths and places to sit.
i luv the decor and easy-going clientel of hotel goers and businessmen
with prices in line with downtown fare...potters isnt a spot id spend all nite drinkin (unless i find a sugar daddy to come along) but i would absolutely swing by again for A drink and some smooth sippin
food is decent too & ps i luv that they serve 'treetinis' :)
This is an upscale bar in an expensive hotel. I don't know what the reviewers complaining about the high prices expected - a beer hall? I'm only giving it 4 stars because we waited about 2 or 3 minutes for a server, and then I waved-down one of the busboys (instead of passive-aggressively waiting 20 minutes) and he got a server for us. The drinks (a Martini and a Manhattan) were perfect, strong and came quickly - even on a crowded Friday. Â We now go here regularly when we are in the Loop after work. It's nice to find a bar that navigates successfully between odious hipsterism and cloying nostalgia.
Review Source:If you're staying at the Palmer House and want to know what a $14 cocktail tastes like, you can scratch that itch here. Â Especially if you're on an expense account. Â Potter's Lounge is best suited for well-to-do tourists and the out of town business crowd. Â
Bourbon warms my cold heart. Â They do have a nice selection of classic cocktails, even if the execution is a bit off. Â A Manhattan should never, ever be shaken. Â It doesn't ruin the flavor, but the translucence unique to this drink and but a few others is gone with the cloudy result. Â
Getting a drink in your hotel bar is a sacred rite. Â You'll be alright to start your evening here. Â For serious drinking, with even something of a budget in mind, you'll need to expand the radius a bit.
I'm a local and would have never thought to come here if it weren't for a YouSwoop/Groupon that I had bought. Â I'm all about trying interesting cocktail concoctions, and this place's cocktail menu delivers. Â There are a handful of cocktails to pick from, and they range from sour to sweet. Â Would I go back...I think so if only to try more cocktails. Â It is not a scene to get your groove on. Don't expect your typical lounge scene here. Â Come with your own fun posse and try the drinks.
Review Source:Sat at the bar and asked the bartender about a wine that was listed in the menu at $9 a glass. He showed me a bottle, quickly, and then poured me a glass. The bill came and it was $14.40. I understand that we have high taxes in this city, but I wasn't expecting that. When I asked the bartender about the cost, he told me that he had showed me the $13 a glass bottle of wine and I had approved it.
Pretty scammy and unprofessional.
While my fiancee and I were in Chicago staying at the Palmer House Hilton, we decided to stop in at this place on our second night in town. We ended up visiting about 3 more times during our trip. This is by far the best bar in a hotel I've ever been to.
The decor is fantastic. They've got these two massive lighted, feathered columns that are the visual centerpiece of the place. They also have a lot of neat little accents like the border above the bar with silhouettes of people enjoying cocktails. There's enough light in the place to see without it being an assault on the eyes. Lots of nice, comfortable leather seating tops off the experience.
The drinks were decent. They're priced in line with pretty much everywhere else in the area and certainly didn't taste watered down.
The only thing that kept this place from getting five stars in my book was the service. Every time we went, it was just a little too slow for my liking.
All things considered, I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice place to step out of the hustle and bustle of life and grab a cocktail.
Heads up, peeps. If you use a debit card to open a tab, they will pre-authorize $100 from your card, and then you'll have to wait X days to get the difference back. Â Had I known this, I would have paid for my drink(s) as I ordered them. If they're going to pre-auth this charge, they should at least communicate it to their patrons. Yes, imagine my horrprise when I checked my bank account the next day...
The silhouettes in the backlit border behind the bar remind me too much of a greeting card; there's just something a bit creepy about them. Otherwise, the decor is very inviting.
I'm willing to give it another try.
Potter's Lounge, while definitely having a rather sinister sounding name, is actually home to a stunning space with great drinks. Â We stopped in here after the Yelp Christmas party.
"A miserable little clerk crawling in here on your hands and knees and begging for help!"
Well, no, I didn't crawl, more like strolled in. But yeah, we needed some help - help in the alcohol department!
"Why don't you go to the riffraff you love so much and ask them to let you have $8,000?"
Whoa, whoa, whoa Potter's!!! Â Are drinks that much money? Â No, wait they seem to be average, around the $12 - $13 mark. Â And good liquor too, none of that generic crap. Â But wait...are you saying we are heavy drinkers? Â Cuz, OK, yeah, you would be right. Â
"I'm going to swear out a warrant for your arrest. Misappropriation of funds, manipulation, malfeasance... "
Ha, good try, but we paid our bill!
"Not that it's any skin off my nose."
Well anyway, it's a great place to stop in and have a drink and leisurely conversation. Â Especially now, with all the Christmas decorations, it is so very pretty and a bit like you really are in a movie. Â Can't say there are any bartenders named Nick, but keep a listen out for any bells ringing while you are there and Merry Christmas!
"And Happy New Year to you, in jail! Why don't you go on home? They're waiting for you!"
I recently attended an event here and had an amazing time. In fact I can hardly wait to go back.
In fact, a client of mine was staying at the Hilton last weekend and I sent him there to get the ahi sliders. Â He called me and told me it was the best thing he has ever had. Â I am so gald I found this place!!!
Thanks Potter's for making me look good in front of a great client.
3.5. Â Went here for cocktail hour and was surprisingly more wowed by the bites!
The cocktails are pricey considering there's really nothing special about them. Â The pumpkin martini was quite delicious, but the pear martini had too much Midori (yuck, too artificial tasting) and the hot toddy was satisfying on a cold day, but was light on the booze. Â If I'm going to spend $12 on a cocktail, I'm looking for a little more wow factor (let's be honest, these are bartenders, not "mixologists").
The passed appetizers, however, were really above average. Â I'll list in order of yumminess:
-ahi tuna slider - really well seasoned and fresh tasting, it was definitely the winner of the night
-kobe slider with peppercorn sauce on a buttered and toasted bun- need I say more?
-beef skewers - very tender and well seasoned
-prosciutto and arugula flatbread - always a winning combo
-oysters - admittedly I'm not an oyster person, but these were as expected. Â The mignonette gave a nice tang.
The decor has a cool retro vibe (save the creepy glass encased fur pillars). Â The service was also very good.
Confirming Amy's review, there is something about Potter's Lounge that makes me feel like an out-of-town businessman looking for a good time. Â With dark wood tones and comfortable seating, I enjoy the swinging 60's playboy lounge type vibe. Â Something about the place makes me want to give looks to women across the room. Â I often will try to meet people here, especially after growing my beautiful mustache. Â
Oh yeah, great drinks and bites to eat!
Gonna be honest bought the groupon for this place. Â The place has a very nice bar, and the seating looks fancy in its dark lit setting, but it's actually a very chill place, however I went when it was not busy. Â I was fortunate to make it to the $3 sliders which were really good. Â I also had the lockdown burger, the calamari, the focaccia bread, and the creme brule.
The burger was good, slim patty but it was delicious, same meat as the sliders from what I could tell. Â The calamari was salty but I enjoyed it. Â The focaccia bread was pretty amazing. Â I don't know how to describe it, it was delicious. Â Now creme brule, I am not very knowledgeable about it. Â It was not that sweet, so I am not sure if that is what they were going for. Â Very plain, but the texture was awesome. Â Soft bottom and crisp top. Â
Friendly service, good drink specials (depending on the day you go)
I suggest to make the best of it, max out on the specials unless you feel adventurous. Â Pricey but what can you expect from the Palmer House hotel downtown.
This is a very cool lounge bar located inside the Palmer House Hilton. Â We've been to hotel bars around the world, and this is one of the nicer ones we've been in that doesn't totally *feel* like a hotel bar. Â I loved all the decor, especially the backlit silhouettes behind the bar. Â Good music, perfect noise level. Â Only bad thing was that it closed at midnight on a Sat night (!?). Â We were directed to continue the festivities at Miller's down the street.
We got a couple drinks here, they were good. Â Prices were on par with other bars like this. Â I mean, it's in a luxury hotel, what else would one expect? Â It did take a good long while before someone came to take our order, but after that the service was pleasant and attentive enough.
We'd come back.
When I walked into Potter's I was expecting high ceilings, fine woodwork, and the smell of oak, but it just did not turn out that glorious. Once I did settle in to enjoy some drinks and an appetizer, I quite enjoyed myself.
The decor seems to attempt a feel of the 60's and 70's. There are pictures of entertainers and celebrities from the era hanging on the wall. My favorite was Hugh Hefner since I could definitely see him hanging out in a smoky Potter's Lounge. The chairs are comfortable and the relaxed lounge feel is in full effect.
I had the Thai Basil Bliss which was tequila with pineapple juice and some other stuff including basil. It was unique and strong, but that is what I would expect for $12. I also had a glass of wine.
We got really creative and ordered french fries with some spicy green sauce. The french fries were very normal, but the sauce was good. We scraped the sauce container clean as can be.
I probably will opt for a different lounge in the future due to the high prices and underwhelming atmosphere at Potter's Lounge, but I am glad that I went and you should too.
There is something about Potter's Lounge that makes me feel like a hooker. Â I'm not sure what it is. Â Maybe it's the looks I get from the out-of-town businessmen. Â Maybe it's the fact that it has a swingin' 60's playboy lounge type of vibe. Â I dunno...I feel kind of uncomfortable and ookey whenever I have to meet someone here. Â
There isn't anything wrong with this place, per se, it just has an overall sketchy feel to it. Â Maybe it's just me.
3.5 stars. Â Â We came in to check out a YouSwoop deal and we were pretty impressed. Â The decor is very intimate with the "old school" vibe and I liked that it wasn't so crowded to be on top of one another.
Our waiter was friendly and helpful. We tried the Palmer Fizz cocktail (they get some of the ingredients local, which I like) - very tasty! It was very unique with the Hum and ginger beer, but was smooth and packed a punch. It was so good, we both ordered a second one.
We tried some of their food as appetizers: flatbread (with proscuitto and mushrooms), garlic and herb fries, and the 3 Sliders (beef and lamb). Â The garlic and herb fries were good, but could have been a bit crispier. Â The flatbread was average, but I really enjoyed the sliders - very good meats.
Overall, pretty good and a decent location. I'd stop in again, but this isn't a place that would be a weekly spot (although definitely nice to show out-of-towners).
One of the classic hotel bars, Potter's Lounge harkens back to the Chicago of Dos Passos and Dreiser, the Roaring '20s and the postwar three martini lunch. But without having drank there then, how do I know that what I'm experiencing isn't some faux-nostalgia trip, like Mad Men but without the Mad?
It may well be just that. Except that they don't stock any rye whiskey at the bar, so if you're interested in a Manhattan you're out of luck. They'll do it with Maker's instead, which anyone will tell you isn't really the ticket. And the rest of the drink menu, which can't be called a cocktail menu in a town that has the Violet Hour or Bar DeVille or any of those other places where you can get a Serious Cocktail, is pretty standard fare. Plus those fruity vodkatini things.
In fact, the stock is what you'd find at any non-cocktail oriented bar: flashy brands with big ad budgets (hey, I found the Mad!), a limited range, and the standard lonely bottle of Canadian Club. Always sad and a little out of place and on the bottom shelf.
And the staff is about what you'd find at any decent chain restaurant (you're sitting in a Hilton hotel, remember. This isn't Potter Palmer's joint any longer; though, as the original builder of the hotel you're tenuously connected to him here). Attentive until you want the bill, polite but not deferential. They're fine, but forgettable.
Potter's selling point is really the decor and atmosphere. Where else, outside of an Ayn Rand novel, can you walk upstairs into a place that feels like its a cellar? Dark red lighting, leather and dark wood, candles, jazz and jazzy murals, the whole bit. Maybe a little overdone, which makes me question their sincerity. But if you want a quiet bar and you're prepared to compromise on your cocktail of choice while being overcharged by a few bucks, Potter's is a good choice.
To celebrate our anniversary, my boyfriend and I stayed the night at the Palmer House Hilton this Saturday. Â Being that we're decidedly more casual than posh, we chose to eat a late dinner at Potter's Lounge. Â The service was excellent, our waitress was super friendly, gave a great price on a bottle of wine they were phasing out of rotation and put up with us all night, despite the fact that we were pretty hammered by the time we left (Whoops, sorry!)
I don't know what the atmosphere is in the daylight, but at night, although the music is still demure, the lights have this red, almost clubby glow to them. Â Definitely more of a lounge/club feel. Â Now, on to the food.
I only write about places with pizza, but their herbed french fries and mac and cheese bites deserve an honorable mention. Â Well done Potter's, well done. Â
The pizza. Â Well, it's an individual deep dish pizza for $16. Â It's everything you would expect from a hotel restaurant that doesn't specialize in pizza. Â Over priced and not bad, just. . . lazy? Â I tasted three main ingredients: cheese, sauce and bread. Â Which is exactly what pizza is, it just lacks the pizzaz and kick that a great pizza should have. Â The sauce reminded me of plain tomato sauce from the store, I couldn't taste any spice at all. Â But to be fair, it must not have been that bad because after dinner (and two bottles of wine and some jack) we ordered it again for room service about an hour later.
Excellent downtown alternative for drinks.
At 6pm on an early December Tuesday night, it was full. Â And with a younger crowd than you'd expect at the Palmer House. Â Clearly Potter's is attracting a local following.
The décor is interesting, classy and expensive as you'd expect in a remodeled Palmer House, but not too hotelish.  Our service was great, constantly checking in to see what we needed. Â
The highlight was the drinks. Â Excellent cocktails. Â One of our group said it was the best Cosmopolitan she's had in years. Â I had a couple Gibsons - that's a drink you don't see often (gin, a drop or two of vermouth, and pearl onions). Â We only drank, but never got hassled to add food. Â Simply a great place to meet friends or business associates.
When we try the food maybe it'll move up to five stars. Â But for now I'll give it four.
I loved this hotel lounge. Â I liked that it was off the massive lobby so that it allowed for privacy. Â I came here for a private event. Â There was complimentary passed hors d'oeuvres. Â All were delish but some were a little too large to manage with a clutch and a drink. Â At one point, I had sauce all over my hand and champagne stem. Â Aren't hors supposed to be bite size? Â I can't complain too much though. Â The staff, which were quick to refill my glass, brought over some napkins.
Seeing as the loop is still sparsely filled with hip bars, if I am ever in the area, I might head back to Potter's for a drink.
This has become a go-to spot after work for us - this area of the loop doesn't have a ton of lounge-y spots, so I like this place. The lighting and furniture is vintage-cool. You can pretty much always find a seat during happy hour, whether your group is small or large.
I love the drinks, try my favorite - the Peacock.
The con is that I think the food menu is lacking - for a hotel of that size, they should have some more extensive options. The food I did get, goat cheese & buffalo chicken salad, was pricey for what it was and wasn't much above bar food.
This lounge is connected to the Palmer House Hilton. I used to go there with a friend after class every Thursday night since it was right down the street. I hadn't been there in a few months until my mom and sister were staying at the hotel a couple weeks back. The bartender, who had only waited on me and my friend twice at the most, recognized me immediately- guess I'm not hard to forget. Moving on.
The food was a-maz-ing. We tried the pulled bbq pork shoulder sandwich, scottish salmon sandwich, and the amish chicken club waldorf. All priced between $12-14.
I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if you find yourself downtown and in need of a tasty bite and a strong drink, check it out.
There's also a jewelry kiosk in the hotel with some gorgeous gems. Ask them about the $50 off coupon. Tell them you are staying at the hotel and need a new one. :)
Being located in the hotel I was staying at, right before I headed to the airport, I swung by Potter's Lounge to get something to eat before the flight. I ordered an Arnold Palmer which the bartender made himself and it was both very refreshing and tasty. Incredible! So much better that the canned stuff you get at the convenience store. Along with it I got a caprese salad which arrived in just over five minutes. It was pretty solid as well.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to experience more of the menu but will keep this place in mind for my next trip. The atmosphere there is pretty neat and very eclectic considering that this have this giant columns which have this weird, white pelt-kind of thing. It's really weird but that's is one of the many things which makes this place so unique.
Another great thing is how you can go there casually and get some first class appetizers, made by a refined, talented chef and a drink instead of a meal. So if your in the area of the hotel and want to swing by and grab a drink, you can. This is a lounge not a restaurant which makes it all the better.
But don't expect this place to run you for next to nothing. It is a fairly expensive joint and consequently you will have to fork over a bit more than usual for whatever you ordered. But, it will be worth it. Luckily for me, my dad paid for everything. Thanks dad!
I find Potter's to be a great place to go, after work, for an upscale drink. Â Rarely crowded, superbly made drinks and a selection of, admittedly pricey, snacks and bar food.
An interesting blend of old world Chicago, with images of famous people, architecture, etc, and a new Chicago, with modern lounge features (such as the feathered columns), flat screen tvs and, at times, club music.
The early evening lack of crowd can often mean that service is slow, or non-existent. Â If you can get past that, this place is great for a post-work drink.
Make sure you walk through the Palmer House lobby--I always do!
Potter's is one of those hotel bars (located in the Palmer House Hilton) that does a pretty good job trying not to feel like a hotel bar. Named after Potter Palmer, the founder of the Palmer House, Potter's is a good place to grab an appetizer (prepared by the fine dining restaurant's chef) and drink before or after hitting any of the theaters in the area.
The decor is interesting. There are two "feathered" columns that flank the stairs leading to the elevated bar. The first time I came here- they were not enclosed in the plexiglass that now encase them. When I asked what happened- turns out feathers are a fire hazard in a bar. Who knew?
No matter. What I also learned that they are a nod to Sally Rand who was an entertainer back in the '30's whose claim to fame was a nude body entertainer suit that she wore in the Century of Progress expo of 1933. There are also B&W pics of famous Chicagoans lining the walls which are fun to look at.
This bar specializes in retro drinks- in fact they have an entire list of drinks like Tom Collins, Pimm's Cup and Singapore Sling. Not wanting anything so fancy- we just ordered a  beer and a couple of mixed drinks. The bill was $40. I can't imagine what it would have been had they been "fancy" drinks"!
On the night I was there - the bar was a mix of conventioneers and theater goers and I suspect the price of the drinks drives the average age up as most folks were easily in their 40's and beyond.
Potter's is not a destination bar . . more like a place to grab a nightcap after the show. And that's good enough for me.
This places scares me and make me feel a little dirty. It's like a movie were the young attractive man (yes, that's me) is sitting all quietly, having a drink at this swanky bar (at least it's supposed to be swanky) and this dirty old rich man comes down from his hotel room looking for a good time and then sits next to you. He turns and smiles at you, you get this shiver up your spin. He asks if you like to have fun with his extra large eye brow raised and shows his bottle of Viagra, he says "I'm staying in room 1408", you scream and run out of the bar.... but only after he buys you a couple of drinks... I know I'm such a tease!!!
Ok the truth, this place really does scare me and does look like something out of a movie. I mean come on square glass cases (looks like something a person should be dancing in) with purple fur inside it (it's really white fur with a purple light). It's a place where you would expect to find Prince, I mean whatever that f**ked up symbol is, I mean artist formally known as (even though Prince is cool). The whole place just has an eerie feel to it. AND THEN YOU GET THE BILL #$#%$&^ how much for a drink %^%&*^* Where is that old rich guy, come back, come back!!!
They do have a nice two person seating area and the bartender was ok I guess but that's all it had going for it.
Don't ever get drunk at Potter's Lounge, because you will break the bank. Three drinks for my mom, her friend and myself = over $60. The ambiance and the environment are extravagant and elegant, so it might be worth the price to some people.
If you do splurge on a drink, take it over to the cozy seating area. The bar area is filled with cougars using $100 bills to pay for their drinks. I felt instant bum status.
The mix drink glasses are adorable and I've contemplated stealing one or two for my collection, but I just know that would make me feel like even more of a hobo when I'm in there.
It's nearly impossible to get a decent Tom Collins anymore. Â I probably sound like an 80-year-old man, but I used to love a good Tom Collins, and I stopped ordering them a few years ago because 85% of bartenders reach for the sour mix and another 14% ask "How do you make that?" Â Is there no craft left in the bartending industry?
Here in Chicago, Bandera and The Grill Room do them well. Â I'll only attempt a Tom Collins at an old-timey place that advertises classic cocktails. Â Potter's Lounge fits that bill, and I have to admit that their TC was AOK in my book. Â I couldn't watch the bartender make it, but I could tell that it was authentic. Â The first one was a B and the second one a B+. Â
I like this place, as it's sedate and tucked out of the way. Â A hidden gem, even. Â The crowd is older and well-heeled, as you might expect, although the joint isn't exclusively retro: Â they play modern electronic music and have HD TVs. Â But service is pleasantly old-fashioned, so tip accordingly. Â These people are making an effort.