Citizen Bar: User Reviews

Condescending Citizen
By EChang from Greektown, May 26, 2009

Overall rating:

Went here for the first time after DailyCandy Chicago published a coupon with Citizen for "half-price pizzas". I would have never gone here for pizza otherwise. We ordered 3 pizzas, all tasted pretty good - i would say a 7 out of 10 for thin crust. But come bill time, the waitress turned the "One per person" special into a "one per table" deal and had the gall to use some ridiculous metaphor saying "well, if like 16 people came in at one table and they all had a coupon, we couldn't like give them ALL a discount". Give me a break- there weren't even 16 people total in the entire place, even if you included the haughty waitstaff. Then, on their large flat screen tv, a ticker at the bottom announcing their specials stated "$5 salads" on Tuesday, but this was also changed to $6 salads at the last minute because it was a new menu or something. Then the waitress apparently had to send her other friend to give us the bill because she couldn't face us in person after we called her and the manager out on all of these discrepancies. The manager decided he would do us a "favor" by discounting 2 of the 3 pizzas. Gee, Thanks.

Rooftop is fun but the rest isn't..
By ChicagoRockSTAR from Lincoln Park/Lakeview, April 22, 2009

Overall rating:

This place thinks they're upscale, but it's kind of crappy. They're selection of alcohol is very poor... No Stoli, No Absolut, No Sky, No Effen, No Belvidere... The bartenders are good but the waitresses are horrible. Good luck getting much service at a table. I wouldn't recommend the food either. The inside is kind of depressing but the rooftop and patio are nice to hang out on during the day. So... if you decide to bother going here, head to the roof & get your drinks from the bar!

Roof Deck good views everywhere
By MarcusTsu from River North, August 21, 2008

Overall rating:

Fun time on Tuesday, typically slow nite. Katy on RoofDeck was great server. Cool drinks, prompt service and great looking crowd. Plus good to see some nice street action. Good food here. Nice clean Euro/Asian +well heeled crowd.
Atmos: 9
Service:9.5
Clientele: 9
Food: Drink: 9

Pretentious headache
By Sadie from Sadie, July 20, 2008

Overall rating:

I first went to Citizen for brunch some months ago and originally had an acceptable experience. The food was good, as were the mimosas. However, I've "attempted" to go back twice now to experience the rooftop and have been met with what appear to be apathetic employees. The first time we were told that we could not sit on the patio or even go up to the rooftop because they were reserved for functions. This was on a Friday afternoon around 4:00pm. My friend's response was, "so basically you're closed." The woman working invited us to get drinks inside, where approximately 90% of the tables also had "reserved" signs placed on them. The other experience, I attempted to go up to the rooftop yet again because they supposedly have a flat screen t.v. and my friends and I wanted to watch the Cubs. The hostess at the door stated, "I don't know if the t.v. is hooked up", and then just stared at me. This was on a Sunday early afternoon. Didn't make a move to check, just that she didn't "think" it was. I won't be back again, as there are so many other great places in Chicago that have rooftops and don't try to make their business soley off of "reservations" only.

Take your business somewhere else
By azd123 from LP, July 14, 2008

Overall rating:

I went to Citizen multiple times last summer after work and on the weekends. I never had problems with lines, and it was an overall good/fun crowd. However, they've totally killed the scene. I went there this past weekend around 10, and as soon as I walk up, the the guy at the door puts up the rope, and tried to charge 2 girls (very attractive girls) cover. I argued politely and went in, and to my surprise the bar was completely empty! Why would you form a line when you don't have business to begin with??? They do this every weekend, and it's become a pretentious and pretty boring spot. There are so many other bars, lounges and clubs in Chicago with much better music and people to spend your nights...take your business somewhere else!

Poor service and the manager doesn't even care
By Chris from Gold Coast, July 11, 2008

Overall rating:

The service in this place was just terrible. Somehow our reservation managed to get "lost" after we had checked in with the hostess stand. About 45 minutes after we checked in we went back to speak with the host again, who said there were two parties ahead of us. Twenty-five minutes later when we checked back, the host shift had changed and apparently our reservation disappeared with her. Considering we were there for dinner and drinks, this was quite disappointing. When we tried to speak to the manager, he didn't appear concerned about his staffs' lack of competency but he did not seemed concerned. Maybe there were enough other people there that our business wasn't needed. Not to worry, though, Citizen will not have to be bothered with my business again.

Do Not Plan an Event Here
By user123 from lakeview, July 7, 2008

Overall rating:

"You know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to keep the reservation, and that's really the most important part of the reservation the holding. Anybody can just take them"- Seinfeld. I made reservations for my sisters bacherlorette party 6 months ago, confirmed the reservation 2 weeks prior to the event, and re-confirmed the reservation the night of the event. Apparently this was not enough confirmation for the staff at citizen as we were told to wait upon our arrival. No apology for the wait was made, in fact it was quite the opposite. We were treated as if we were at fault for having to wait. Never in my life have I experienced such poor customer service, or such a lack of organization by the staff. Needless to say a group of about 35 people was not going to be made wait for an indefinite amount of time. We happily took our business to Martini Park, where we were all accommadated right away and treated with an appropriate amount of customer service. I cannot imagine Citizen remaining open for very long with this level of poor service.

Poor Service, Poor Attitude, Poor Place
By JB Griggs from Lincoln Square, July 1, 2008

Overall rating:

I summed it up in my title of this place. Typical bar that caters to the "if I know you" crowd. Although my friends and I got in one evening, we were on the deck and felt like that I had to be in $300 jeans and outfits to be patio. I think the place thinks its a much better bar than it is. It only allows a number of people in, then even when the bar is not even crowded, they let a line of people wait outside. Funny watching the 20-something crowd try to suck up to the bouncers....and the girls that get turned down, they throw a fit...even if they have friends inside. Food was rubbery, service was atrocious...but if you want to say you in the "Be Seen" crowd, I guess you can say you came here paying for those $15+ mixed drinks. Too many bars in the downtown area to waste your time.

Neighborhood Gem
By PT from River North, May 28, 2008

Overall rating:

I have been to Citizen over a dozen times and have always had an amazing experience. The staff is extremely friendly...always willing to serve you mimosas well before and after your bottomless mimosa brunch. Brunch is fantastic...I've taken several groups of friends who've been visiting from out of town here. Great place to watch games also..several plasmas and doesn't get too crowded. Bar scene is fantastic too especially with the rooftop and patio outdoor seating. I've had dinner here a few times as well. Food is great...especially when you can eat it in the patio area. Highly recommended.

I work in the industry and have never seen such
By dede91 from Bucktown, May 27, 2008

Overall rating:

poor management! We were a party of 8 and ordered food that never can with the exception of one meal! That does not make sense. With no one else eatting our food should have been the only thing being cooked and served. After 2.5 hours there was no food and no explanation in sight.
Get it together!