Located inside the James Hotel, J Bar is on the south end of Rush St. and just a hop skip and a jump away from the Grand red line stop. This bar may boast hosting some well know A-listers such as Bono , but it certainly takes steps to create a feeling of celebrity status for the average Joe.
ATMOSPHERE
The silky chocolate booths and the amber glow of candles illuminates the bar just enough to take in the cozy, sexy vibes that you feel when you walk in. The music is relatively tame, mostly top 40’s club remixes, nothing too decadent, barely any techno beats and plenty of revamped favorites from the past. I couldn’t help but dance to a remix of “Like a Prayer.” (Who can?)
CROWD
The crowd is a mix of guests from the James Hotel and the beautiful people of Chicago. The bar has a lounge feel, but the dress is trendy and thoughtfully executed. It's not uncommon to glance around the room and catch men in suits and ties and women in their latest denim, heels and party shirt concoction. Many patrons dressed to impress and their attire seemed to mimic the overall vibe of this bar, sexy, sultry and classy.
I highly suggest getting there before 10 if you want to grab a table because as soon as double digits roll around, this lounge starts to fill up, fast and soon after, it was standing room only.
ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS
J Bar offers an interesting special on Wednesday nights or as J Bar would like to call it, Stiletto night. For every inch of heel you wear, you receive a dollar off of your drink and at 11p.m. a pair of designer shoes from Sak’s Fifth Avenue is auctioned off. Life doesn’t get any better than a discounted designer drink and a free pair of designer shoes!
SPIRITS
Think of the best drink that you have ever had, now forget about it. Not only does this bar get is right with its laid back lounge vibe, but they certainly have plenty of yummy concoctions for you to sit back, relax and enjoy.
J Bar offers a "deconstructed" versions of traditional cocktails: vodka, vermouth and an olive sucker, for instance. The James Hotel Martini features blue raspberry vodka, elderflower cordial and a raspberry candy-shell on the cocktail glass. Yes I am not ashamed to admitt that I did make an attempt to lick the inside of my martini glass, however I stopped when I noticed weird looks coming from other patrons.
If you are feeling a little too manly for a martini then my suggestion is the Mojito. Not only is this drink just out of this world, but it’s great to watch the bartenders hand crush limes and sugar into the glass with a wooden dowel, it’s not often that much brute force is put into a drink.
GRUB
Another great reason to arrive before ten is to try their appetizers and sweet treats. I highly suggest trying the lobster spring rolls with Moroccan sauce. The tiny spring rolls are perfectly crispy and the Moroccan sauce is paired well with the delicate lobster meat.
This is a great drinks and appetizers place to meet with the girls after work.
PRICES
J Bar charges no cover, which is a first for most of the bars in this area. The specialty drinks are around $8 to $12 dollars and their wine list is reasonably priced as well. I was not too surprised by any of the prices, I was more concerned. The drinks were so good that I soon realized I had more than a few, so let’s just say if you are not careful and become addicted to their Strawberries and Champagne Martini, it could be a very expensive night.
WHY IT’S UNIQUE
I truly hate calling this bar a bar because it’s really a super swanky lounge. It’s so small and cozy, it’s hard to find anything else like it and further more, you probably won’t. The service was excellent, the music was energetic and the drinks really were that good.
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J Bar
Written by Guest on 2007-03-26 10:25:32
 Sounds like my kind of place! Chicago what a wonderful city. Wow! No cover charge, see ya soon! Great article! |
J Bar
Written by Guest on 2007-03-27 13:07:52
 I was at J Bar the other night and this article is right on point. People should go here after work to relax with a tastey unique drink or come later to dance with chicago's good looking crowd. P.S. if you like blondes this is your bar, althought I'm not sure which ones were real! |
jbar
Written by Guest on 2007-08-29 22:55:19
very sexy place for only very sexy people. |
J bar
Written by Guest on 2007-11-14 16:01:03
What a great place. dropped in because I was staying in the hotel next door. Jessica behind the bar is ultra cool!! Trendy crowd. Reasonable prices. great decor. Go visit. |
Mojitos
Written by Guest on 2007-12-30 13:10:10
Have visited the J Bar on several occasions during recent visits to Chicago. The Cucumber Mojito was incredible...can't find a recipe for it anywhere. Trendy lounge with all the right ingredients for success. |
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