Home > Chicago Bars & Clubs > Bar Review > Inside: Ole Lounge

We admit our religious practices have lapsed a bit, but when we heard a new tapas lounge was taking up residence in an old church, all we could say was, Amen. It turns out the new Ole Lounge (Click here for address, phone number, maps and more) is just located in a building once owned by a church--it was used for classes and Bible study. Close enough.

Playing off the somewhat spiritual locale, an Ole Lounge promotional card we picked up inside told bargoers: "Brace yourself for a religious experience." So we did just that on a recent visit.

Inside: Brazilian hardwood floors, custom lighting covered by branches, black glossy-and-matte striped walls, and a rich fall palate create a sexy scene. The space angles with the contour of its corner location. Parties are grouped throughout in somewhat communal seating arrangements of banquettes, high-top tables, and low-slung ottomans and couches.

The far ends of the room revolve around lounge-y seating areas, and DJs spin from a corner booth while a few flat screens sprinkled throughout pulsate with clubby computer graphics. Downstairs, the "velvet lounge" provides a place for more intimate conversations over cocktails.

Drinks: Our group of five split a few carafes of sangria, a good deal for budget imbibers. Red and white options are available by the glass or carafe ($5; $16), or you can sample a martini, margarita, paloma or mojito, including a raspberry option ($7-$8). Cervezas and about a dozen wines and a cava round out the menu; selections hail from Spanish-speaking countries such as Argentina, Chile and Spain ($6 glass; $24-$65 bottle).

Eats: Ole takes on more of a nightlife vibe than a dining vibe, though the traditional--and reasonably priced--tapas are plenty big for sharing. Look for Spanish staples such as a cold tortilla espanola made with roasted vegetable and chorizo ($7), and albondigas, hot meatballs and caramelized peaches in a rioja sauce ($5).

Our favorites included the two solomillo (filet) options: roast pork tenderloin with thyme-scented apple jus ($7), and grilled beef tenderloin with a cabrales cheese sauce and roasted mushrooms ($10). When not over-fried, the chicken and ham croquetas ($6) are a tasty treat. The patatas bravas, fried fingerling potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce ($5), were simple but just so-so.

For the brave, there's salpicon de marisco: shrimp, octopus and calamari salad in light vinaigrette served in a martini glass ($8). The tiny, purple octopus was, um, cute. But we didn't dare chomp its head off.

Finish things off with flan, chocolate cake or rioja-poached pears. At $5 a pop, everyone can make room for dessert.

Crowd: Most nights, expect a local crowd in their 20s and 30s. While Ole Lounge is a great spot for a date, ladies will also love it for a girls' night out. Show up later on a weekend evening and you'll find an eclectic group of guys and gals makings eyes over mojitos.

Service: Staff looks professional dressed all in black; with female servers in flirty skirts and tank tops. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and helpful, and we noticed other servers were similarly attentive.

Bottom line: This strip of Lincoln Avenue just north of Diversey Parkway lacks a bit of spice when it comes to nightlife and entertainment, so Ole Lounge looks ready to become a go-to spot for locals looking to heat things up. As for a religious experience? The tapas aren't transcendent, but we did have an excellent night.

[ Karen Budell is the metromix nightlife producer. ]

Originally published April 4, 2007.

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