District Bar: User Reviews

Party!!!!
By adamLeory12 from south loop, October 5, 2009

Overall rating:

I came here with my friends...and the place was happening! great music, good looking people! and a great scene! check it out!

Delicious
By eventgirl from Magnificent MIle, October 4, 2009

Overall rating:

My husband went out on Tuesday night for the $5 burger and $3 drafts. Although the server was no where to be found for the first 10 minutes of our visit, the experience recovered and ended up being great. The district burger is one of the best burgers both of us had had in a long time. My husband's fries were tasty and the mixed greens that I got with my burger were also very good. We will definitely both be back.

Love the open space
By momma3 from Edgebrook, September 23, 2009

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Came here on an off night and was wowed by the open space. The typical neighborhood lounge is usually long and narrow, hard to manuver from one end to the next...very claustrophobic. I felt like I could breath when I went to District. The bartender was friendly and they even let me place a special order. I really wanted the short rib grilled cheese, but I knew I couldn't eat the entire sandwich, so they let me order it as a slider. Yum!!! I had a great time and was able to really "talk" with my girlfriend without screaming at her, or straining to hear what she had to say. I went to try out a new place and discovered a gem.

Great Neighborhood Place
By carera8 from Gold Coast, September 10, 2009

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The District Bar is a great addition to an already exciting neighborhood. The place has a wonderful decor, excellent food and a friendly staff. To spend a lazy afternoon by the large open window looking at a typical bustling city is truly fantastic. Some of the food is very creative ( try the corn chowder soup), the sliders are also pretty good and the wings are just as good as anywhere else in the neighborhood. For those that complain about the prices....you are in the city, at an upscale bar/lounge, try the McDonalds down the street for less expensive food.
In the evening the place converts to an exciting, music playing lounge with plenty of local patrons out on the town. I can't emphasize enough that the place is a nice addition to the local entertainment scene. BTW, someone mentioned the secret private party room behind a book case, that looks like a fun place to have a private party. Would most definitely recommend this place, at least for now. Hopefully, they will be able to keep the exciting aura of this place.

Impressive
By leong from Chicago, August 29, 2009

Overall rating:

I have been to district twice - once for drinks and another for food. Both times I thought this place was impressive and food was delicious. Food: I recommend trying the pork "wings" they are awesome. Flatbreads are tasty and chicken quesadillas are the best in town.

Not impressed
By fryklin from Gold Coast, August 27, 2009

Overall rating:

There's really not a definite theme or image to the bar, basically nothing making it unique. Typical overpriced river north-ish bar. The salads were awful. My friend and I both ordered different salads ($12/each) and both were essentially iceberg lettuce and chicken strips. Awful. The bottled wine was also very overpriced. The wait staff was very inattentive and seemed extremely frustrated when we asked to have a couple extra minutes to look over the menu (when the restaurant was basically empty). With so many other great restaurants in the area at the same price point, I can’t imagine this one will survive. Take your money to a bar like Rockit or Theory… something a little more exciting and original.

When the Lights go Down, the Trash Comes Out
By jaredmhatch from Gold Coast, August 12, 2009

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Just at dusk did I arrive at district in my pinstripe suit with super shiny uber pointy shoes. The first in my 'ountourage' to arrive I chose a table by the open to air windows to the street in the front half of the bar, olfactable musks from passing cars on their way out to a friday night via the onramp to I-94 down the way wafts into the windows along with the vague scents from District's clientele that wear personal fragrances by RoccaWear, CalvinKlein Fereinheit, and Faux Gucci Rush. The endurance of the odeur from their clubshirts outlasts the buzz from the first few drinks... the first: a full price cucumber martini, the second two: half- price specials of the night, The Razz Mojito which were def more gurrrly than a cucumber martini. But throughout my anylitical adventures with the crowd that they draw and my constant libacious sipping, 3 friends have joined me at this semi-precious table near the window. We began to order a slew of appetizers including macaroni and cheese and a blt salad, burger, chicken lollipops, and calamari and hummus. The Only plate I'd recommend out of the selection of medeiocre bar food is the Calamari and Hummus because it was fresh, not chewy like the burger, and the Hummus was Tasty Mucho with Fresh Veggies to boot!
If you're into an intellectual conversation or even so, light banter, District is difficult for the intelligentsia because of the distractions from Ba-Gillions of flat screens and the light-headed nature of the service. This being advised, (provided that you're not wearing your shiny pointy shoes and a pinstripe suit) You'll be fine. Dawn your Berwin ClubShirt, (no jacket), pre-game & chow on fries @ District Bar, 170 W Ontario and Head to the 4AM clubs around the corner.

Horrible!
By mpv from logan square, July 20, 2009

Overall rating:

Went with a group of 6 people and all of our drinks were horrible. Not enough liquor every time, even in the second round of drinks. It is safe to get only bear and wine at this place because the inexperienced bartenders can't mess it up. Also, the women's restroom had such a fowl smell we had to notify the manager on Friday night about it. I don't think we will be going to District again.

Decent Place
By angchi from Lincoln Park, June 26, 2009

Overall rating:

I stopped by for a few on a Friday after work. Postive, up beat energy in the place. Hostess was extremely friendly and service was good. The atmosphere is a cross between a lounge and upscale sports bar. There are TVs everywhere in the place. The TV's aren't the problem though. It's the fact that the volume is up so loud at all times. I was literally screaming across the table to be heard over a Washington Mutual commercial.

They have a great space for private parties with it's own bar and television. It's located behind what appears to be a bookcase, but when you pull one of the books, in Harry Potter fashion, a "secret" door opens. That was my favorite part.

We did order some food which was your typical bar food. I asked the server for recommendations and she stuttered over describing what things were good and how they were prepared until she finally fessed up to having never trying anything on the menu. Have to appreciate the honesty.

While it isn't someplace I'm eager to rush back to, I certainly wouldn't be opposed to returning.

Don't waste your time or money
By ChiGrl from Chicago, June 18, 2009

Overall rating:

Its just a poor replica of so many other places in the city. Overpriced, Service was mediocre and the food was just okay. The owner seems not to care about his customers and is more worried about the "vibe". The vibe was lame. Nothing about this place works.