Home > Chicago Bars & Clubs > Editorial Review > Inside: Union Park

On a quiet stretch of Racine, a few blocks from the Madison Avenue lounge scene, a bright new marquee proudly proclaims that Union Park has arrived. The new restaurant-bar is owned by the same team that's struck gold with North Side faves such as Grand Central, Bar Celona and SoPo. But can this formula work in the West Loop?

Inside: Don't expect to find a cutting-edge lounge--it's essentially a throwback to old Chicago restaurants of the "Untouchables" era. The massive main room is split into a bar and a dining section with plenty of turn-of-the-century accents, such as vintage posters, molded copper panel ceilings and Tiffany-esque chandeliers and fixtures. Dark wood trims, burgundy walls and classic white mosaic-tiled columns further enhance the old-school flavor.

Sit anywhere around the large rectangular marble bar or find a seat at the surrounding suede booths or wood high tops. Or move into the dining section, where there's plenty of tables. Like sports? There are a dozen plasma screens throughout the space.

Drinks: Budget-conscious drinkers will love the $3 domestics and $4 imports, including Hacker Pschorr and Newcastle. Martinis are a mere $6. Try The Sunset, a tangy mix of mango liqueur, Skyy Vanilla, pineapple juice and triple sec.

Food: The kitchen stays open until midnight and offers plenty of pub grub at moderate prices. If you're feeling a little adventurous, try the crispy shrimp sandwich ($7.50)--shrimp cake with avocado, spinach and Creole mayo on brioche. Or go for heartier entrees ($13-$15), such as the surf 'n' turf pasta.

Crowd: Plenty of neighborhood professionals in their late 20s and early 30s lurk about. Folks there for dinner filter out around 9 p.m., leaving plenty of open tables for the drinking crowd. Score!

Dress: We saw plenty of blazers and striped shirts on the guys, but Adidas track jackets and T-shirts certainly didn't look out of place. Ladies opted for the typical tight tops. Jeans were definitely the norm on men and women.

Service: With two bartenders and several waitresses, you won't have to wait long for a drink. A friendly hostess gladly offered us a dining table, even though we were just there for drinks.

Music: DJs spin Thursday-Saturday nights. Expect a little techno followed by dance, hip-hop and even a few disco crowd pleasers.

Bottom line: It's too far off the beaten path to be a destination for most, but it's a good option for West Loop locals looking for a casual drink or a late-night nosh.

Oliver Pangborn is a metromix special contributor.

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