- Photos:
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- Address:
- 401 N. Wabash Ave. , Chicago, IL, 60611
- Phone:
- 312-588-8100
- Overall User Rating:
-
(9 ratings)
- Hours:
- 2:30 p.m.-midnight Monday through Wednesday; 2:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-midnight Sunday
The hotel bar has reemerged as a destination, with new lobby lounges opening and older ones reinventing themselves. No room key required: Scenesters and young professionals are holding afterwork cocktail hours next to high-paying business travelers and tourists.
Rebar, located on the mezzanine level of the 92-story Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, bears a fitting moniker for a spot located in a building still under construction. Though the name conjures up images of steel bars used to reinforced concrete (more than 50,000 tons of which went into the Trump project), this luxe lounge is anything but rough.
We got one of the first looks at the nightspot—located just one marble staircase away from the lobby—at Thursday’s media preview party. (Rebar opened to the public last Friday.)
Inside: First, you’ll notice a curvy corridor with access to restrooms, coat check and a 25-person VIP room, complete with a window overlooking the lobby below. As you turn the corner you’ll be wowed by views that create a feeling of floating over the Chicago River. (Get too close to the glass and you’ll notice construction equipment below. Eventually, the area will become a riverwalk.) East-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows bring in light during the day and showcase illuminated buildings and the Michigan Avenue Bridge at night.
You’ll still feel like you’re in a hotel bar—there’s a subtle sterility to the space, and the upholstery features a corporate-feeling pattern. But homey touches such as glass vases and framed architectural photographs help create a cozier atmosphere.
Clusters of chairs and lounge seating dot the room, but when the wait for a drink at the main bar is three deep, we’re fans of the nearby marble standing-room-only bar.
Drinks: Potent cocktails come with hefty price tags. We sampled the Teco, Stoli Razberi, raspberry puree, grapefruit juice and champagne topped with an edible orchid ($14); and Redline, a sweet yet bitter blend of Absolut Mandarin, Aperol (an orange-flavored aperitif), rhubarb and fresh OJ ($14). Delight a group of friends with Dreams, P.I.N.K. vodka muddled with strawberries and lime and topped off with rose champagne. It’s served in an enormous stainless-steel punch bowl ($215) or by the glass with a serious stainless steel swizzle stick ($17).
Of course, this is Trump’s tower, so there’s champagne and premium spirits, including the suddenly ubiquitous absinthe, sakes by the carafe and drawing room-appropriate sippers such as bourbon, cognac and scotch. And naturally, you can order Trump’s vodka by the bottle ($300).
Food: The preview party featured passed sashimi and a sushi station. The neo-Japanese menu created by Sixteen chef Frank Brunacci will continue to evolve.
Crowd: Rebar’s bound to see its fair share of high-powered business professionals and hotel guests, but we’re guessing it’ll also host local celebs, trendseekers and curious tourists. It’s a sophisticated spot, so ladies, break out the stilettos, and guys, leave the jeans at home.
Service: Well-trained staff members wear pristine black uniforms and show guests the utmost attention. They’re so well-mannered you’d think their lives depended on it—or maybe they fear The Donald’s catchphrase: "You’re fired."
Bottom line: Whether your special night calls for romance or needs a serious business bent, Rebar suits the occasion. The views alone are worth a look—and it certainly, uh, Trumps a night at your local watering hole.
[ Karen Budell is the Metromix nightlife producer. ]
kmbudell@tribune.com
