Chi Bar in the Chicago Sheraton: A Typical Hotel Lounge?

Chi Bar is the hotel bar located in the lobby area of the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. My husband and I went down to Chi Bar one evening when we were staying at the Sheraton. Most hotel bars are downright rotten. But Chi Bar actually managed to be entirely pleasant from beginning to end.

First of all, because the bar is located inside the Sheraton you have an amazing view of the river, the river boats, and plenty of the city as well. The view is particularly lovely in the evening. If you go early enough, there won't be much of a crowd, and this location actually manages to be somewhat relaxing. This is really helpful if you've been traveling. Traveling can make you feel claustrophobic rather quickly. Planes, hotel lobbies, and even hotel rooms in city hotels can feel cramped or crowded. So by the time you get to the Sheraton, you might just need a break. There's a high ceiling in the Chi Bar, and silly as it sounds, there's a nice psychological effect to it. After all that cramped travel, grabbing a cocktail at Chi Bar can give you a chance to kind of breathe and unwind.

The décor isn't so bad either, mainly just because it's different from the typical "T.G.I. Fridays" type decorating. There are lots of different types of seating, not just the standard booths and stools. There's almost a mini-nightclub feel to the atmosphere, without all the drama and noise. There's a lot of decorative and multi-colored glass and a non-traditional bar, as well as some unique light fixtures.

As far as the appetizers, we ordered the cheese plate, which was nice. It was pretty standard, but it was a nice selection of cheese and crackers, and again, continued that theme of being just outside the norm for what you would typically find in a hotel. The service was great, the bartender was nice and took the time to come over and take our order. She remembered our names and checked on us frequently. This was also atypical of my hotel bar experience, so you can feel free to expect some good service.

I ordered a Mojito, and it was an excellent mix. Many places, especially restaurants, put way too much sugar in their Mojitos or too much mint. But this was done just right. I would highly recommend visiting Chi Bar if you're staying in the hotel and you want the chance to unwind. It would also be an excellent location for a quick downtown business meeting. If you want to have a fancy night out, I wouldn't go to Chi Bar. But again, if you're visiting, go ahead and visit and know that you'll have a pleasant experience.