Bernard’s

Bernard’s is sophistication, darkness and seduction with an equestrian twist. Stepping into this landmark cocktail lounge, you’re immediately part of the history. The Japanese whiskey Old Fashioned stands out as a delightful twist on a classic, highlighting the creativity of the mixologists. Bernard’s is more than just a destination for fashion-inspired cocktails. Named after Bernard Heerey, a Chicago philanthropist who left a mark on the city. This spot pays homage to its namesake through its commitment to charitable causes.

Upscale cocktail bar on the second floor of the Waldorf. Quiet, dimly lit and small space provides and intimate and subdued atmosphere that was rather refreshing from most loud bars. Drinks were superbly presented with a sprits of rose water for the N°5 and a bruleed top for the southernmost. Would highly recommend for a relax drinking environment

We absolutely loved Bernard's within the Waldorf Astoria hotel on the beautiful magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago! They had some wonderful signature cocktails, as well as a nice food menu to choose from. We were just stopping in for a drink so we had the shrimp ceviche with tortilla chips and it was wonderful. We also appreciate that they had live music on a Friday night.

Bernard’s was everything I thought it would be. It’s a small cozy bar with limited seating and a great variety of drinks. Upon walking in we were greeted by staff who then walked us to our table. Once we were seated, our waitress appeared and discussed the various drink options. We finally decided on what to order and our drinks arrived shortly after. Overall it was a great experience. The music was good, the staff were attentive and knowledgeable and the drinks were delicious !

The service was great, they’re quite attentive. At no point did I feel ignored, and they maintained a perfect distance to serve. My only issue was the Negroni I ordered wasn’t chilled. For what I paid, I figured the drink should at least be chilled and the orange peel not mostly pith and not even expressed properly. I tasted the drink and it was still warm. It was built in the glass and given an albeit pretty ice cube. So I watched one of the bartenders. They were free-pouring cocktails while the jigger sat lonely on the bar. If you’re going to make cocktails at the level you’re suggesting with your atmosphere, vibe, and prices (consistent ones at the very least), a jigger is just step one. I sincerely hope that Bernard’s isn’t just riding the coattails of the Waldorf it resides in, making substandard drinks one could get at any dive bar. A beverage director worth their salt could transform Bernard’s cocktail game into one of the best in the city. If this ever happens, I’ll be glad to revisit, making sure I have the best seat at the bar.

We stopped by Bernard's for a drink during our hotel stay. Despite its cozy size, the ambiance was quite pleasing. The drinks were top-notch, and the service was exceptional. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a tranquil bar experience.

Honestly, the best experience in river north. Best drinks. Best bartender (Cassie). Great service. Fun atmosphere. I almost don’t want to leave a review because I don’t want it to be slammed. But these guys deserve the credit!

The most fantastic downtown bar - happened upon this cozy little spot the first night of our honeymoon and came back every night the remainder of our stay - impeccable service, fantastic drinks, amazing vibe. Fatina and Dana made us feel so special and their drink recommendations were exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend sitting at the bar for a perfect way to wind down the night

My Gold Coast pull up... Came to Bernards while staying at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago after the recommendation from the front desk. Not only was this one great night of cocktails in an elegant environment, the staff and bartender Fati in particular, were phenomenal. Will definitely come back when in Chicago!

Bernard's is sophistication, darkness and seduction with an equestrian twist. Stepping into this landmark cocktail lounge, you're immediately part of the history. The Japanese whiskey Old Fashioned stands out as a delightful twist on a classic, highlighting the creativity of the mixologists. Bernard's is more than just a destination for fashion-inspired cocktails. Named after Bernard Heerey, a Chicago philanthropist who left a mark on the city. This spot pays homage to its namesake through its commitment to charitable causes.

Bernard's is located on the 2nd floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. The atmosphere at this bar is classy and dark. They brought a complimentary light snack to the table while we reviewed the menu. Most of the cocktails are in the $20-$30 range. The Old Serrano cocktail was well-balanced and interesting. This was the perfect cocktail to slowly sip on. All of the staff were really kind. I would visit here again in the future.

Swung by Bernanrd's to try out their popular 'The Treasure' cocktail. We entered Waldorf Astoria and had to walk around a bit before we could find the entrance for this place. The hostess was welcoming and immediately seated us. The ambience is elegant but definitely dated. The service was fast though. The treasure cocktail came in a small treasure chest. When we opened it, it spewed out smoke to reveal the beautiful cocktail. It was even adorned with a plantain dipped in dark chocolate and covered in gold which was pretty cool. The cocktail was delicious and strong. We also got a side of chips and olives with the cocktails. Loved my experience here and the treasure cocktail is a must try. One thing to note is that the price point is on the higher side but the experience is well worth it.

Finish my evening with a couple drinks I ordered a specialty cocktail and a Japanese whiskey, and it was incredibly comfortable.

Bernard's is a quaint, upscale hotel bar in the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago. It's a beautiful space that is easy to see the exceptional attention to detail. The design and aesthetic is inspired by the men in Coco Chanel's life. French design was the inspiration behind the latest renovation of the Waldorf and Coco Chanel was positioned as their muse. It's dark and warm steeped in refinement everywhere you look. The staff is well-trained and they treat you like they've been waiting for you all day. The attention and engagement we received from the bartenders made it a memorable experience. They welcomed discussing their craft and made sure you enjoyed any of the creative cocktails in their program or anything you preferred off menu. It is definitely an elevated spot, but not pretentious. Bernard's understand service and I guarantee you will enjoy it. It is one of the hidden gems in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Check them out next time you're in Chicago. Salute

Didn't love this place. Elegant and clubby decor and clearly a lot of thought was put into the interior and the menu. But it also felt self conscious and a bit like the young staff was acting in a play about a speakeasy. They were attentive but small things - like bringing an already opened bottle of wine to our table - belied a surface level understanding of what they were trying to pull off. And the piped music was too loud and didn't fit the vibe. Sinatra or Samara Joy would have been better choices than the vaguely techno nonsense they played. Go to Bemmelman's to see how it's done.

Cozy bar tucked away at the Waldorf....never knew this existed! Just happen to find it as we looked for a nearby bar on Yelp. You certainly won't walk by it as it's concealed on the second floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. As the setting would imply...yes it's expensive. Probably best as a stop for a drink or two. It's a square room that probably seats around 40. Very welcoming host and delicious drinks. A nice small menu if you are a bit hungrier. All in all...perfect lounge vibes for good drinks and long conversations.

*This review is from the soft opening that took place in July.* Bernard's is an EXCEPTIONAL cocktail lounge. From the ambiance to the service, to the food, to the environment. This place? Incredible. We exclusively stay at the Waldorf when visiting Chicago and were so lucky to be there during the soft opening of Bernard's. Drinks: My favorite was the Treasure. It was served in a treasure chest. When you opened the treasure chest, it was smoky, and you have to lift your drink out. I loved this. It was unique. The drink was practically a high-class margarita with a chocolate-covered plantain on top. Would order this every time. Food (Nosh): Caviar Service: I enjoy caviar, and the caviar service was excellent. There is nothing more to say. If you like caviar, get it. It's worth every penny. 10/5. Lobster Pico: This was my favorite dish on the nosh menu. Fresh lobster, fresh ingredients, fresh everything. EXCELLENT. 100/5. Duck Confit Croquette: Everything about this dish was perfect. 1000/5. The Waldorf Astoria knows how to make every experience you have special and luxurious. Every aspect of our evening at Bernard's was of the highest quality. This is the place to go for a intimate, light cocktail experience.

Great stylish cocktail bar on the second floor of beautiful Waldorf Astoria offers, amazing selection of signature, cocktails, including our favorites, Smoky, old fashion, and Chanel No.5 Each signature cocktail is presented in its own very unique way. During our visit, Saturday night, a two man band played great jazz music This lounge offer high end liquors including Louis xiii cognac and some hard to find scotches.

I came here solely for their collaboration with the illustrious "proof & company". I only indulged in one drink but Twas actually pretty damn good. I had no idea this place existed. I'm extremely interested in trying several things on the menu including the truffle fries. The menu is quite impressive & extensive featuring some of my favorite spirits. This is off the beaten path & although quite small I doubt it'd ever turn into a crowded cesspool

Was here for a small birthday celebration and had a time. Located on the second floor of the Waldorf Astoria, this is a stylish cocktail lounge with a very warm and sultry atmosphere. There was live entertainment when I went and everyone just seemed to be having a ball. Yummy drinks, incredible service. I would definitely recommend for a date night or something intimate.

It's inside the Waldorf Astoria, Chicago, on the second floor, tucked in a corner. Dim lighting, plush chairs and sofas, and a general "speakeasy" vibe, which we loved. Friendly welcome and easily found a spot for us to sit and chat after a long evening out, but not quite yet ready for bed. Had sidecars, that one classic cocktail and they were VERY delicious. Great mixology. Yeah, you pay a WA price for a hotel bar drink, but it is a very good drink at least. We enjoyed one nightcap there, and then since we were guests at the hotel, we took one "to go" up to our room. Whenever we're back in Chicago, we'll be at the Waldorf, and every expectation that every night will end here.

Great place for a classic cocktail and proper atmosphere! Don't miss this place for capping off a great

Very cool little bar located on the second floor of the Waldorf. The drinks are very pricey so don't be shocked by that but enjoy the space and quality craftsmanship of the cocktails. The bartenders do a phenomenal job in there.

This place was so good! The drinks were delicious and the service was amazing. The waitress was super nice and very knowledgeable, she answered all the questions we had and suggested some delicious ones (did not disappoint) if your looking for a delicious cocktail and not a crowded place then this is the place to go :)

This bar hugs you with its cozy charm. Plush chairs and carpeted floor allow for softness of sound. Music is just right, allowing comfortable conversation. Our group of 7 fit perfectly behind a table nested against the wall while smaller parties and couples found charming spaces where no one felt crowded or left out. Service was very good and drinks were tasty and strong. Prices are high but that is to be expected from a bar in Waldorf Astoria. Delicious olives and caramelized nuts were a great touch.

Good vibes inside. 2nd floor of the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Pretty intimate. The table had a cushion bench like seat on one side and comfy chair on other side that felt a Bit low down but I was comfy lol. The drinks were great. About $20 per cocktail but good amount of alcohol and flavor. They even did this perfume spritz thing in one drink. The server checked in a bunch at first, but when it was time for the check they took a really long time to take it and bring it back. The place did get to be buzzing with people around 10pm with an upbeat vibe.

I absolutely love the decor and vibe of this bar inside the Waldorf Astoria hotel. We went on a snowy Thursday evening, and it was cozy. Sometimes the acoustics were a little funky, but I think it was just the table we were in toward the middle of the room. I could sip cocktails at a booth in this cute bar for hours!

The service and atmosphere were superb, but be prepared to spend $30 for a cocktail! They have a live jazz musician some evenings. Because Bernard's is tucked inside the hotel, you often find an easy conversation volume level.

This is an amazing bar. It's in the Waldorf, but it doesn't feel like a typical hotel bar, in a good way. Excellent cocktails, impressive whiskey selection. Not loud or stuffy.

The cocktails were fantastic, but were outshined by the service. Someone was there before we needed them, but never felt like they were hovering. Great spot for a drink in the area. Prices were average for a cocktail bar in the area - possibly even reasonable given that the bar is located in a 5-star hotel.

My wife and I stopped here for drinks after dinner. Loved the setting, the menu and the low key environment. Definitely would come back here and highly recommend "the treasure" as a drink.

Tucked away in a quiet corner on the 2nd floor of the Elysian Hotel is Bernard's Bar. An intimate, classy area to enjoy a well made drink and to catch up with friends. The dark wood tones, leather chairs, low light and wooden floors, beckon you to sit and stay awhile. The granite topped bar located at the far end of the room- has room for only 5 people- keeping with the intimate feel. And the window to the courtyard behind the bar is a nice touch. The drinks are small works of art. Order one of their speciality cocktails or one of your favorites and it is made in front of you- no bottles of premade juices or mixers. So if you want something that requires cucumber juice- the cucumbers will be pressed while you wait, the limes muddled, the soda mixer opened, for the freshest tasting cocktails. Not for the faint of wallet- martinis run around $14 and their wines by the glass start there and go up (the one we liked was in the $20 range) But the real stars here are the people who are taking care of you. Erin the bartender was amazing! Pleasant to talk to, creative with the drink making and just the kind of bartender you want to find in any bar. And no matter how nice the rest of a bar is- it's always the people that bring me back. And you can bet I will be back.

Hotel bars always make me think of shady business people who want to get laid, but are too lazy to explore the surrounding area for a piece of.. well, you're smelling what I'm stepping in. Anyway, this hotel bar had some pretty decent etherial-sounding house music, and a dark atmosphere to set the mood. There are plenty of cozy places to sit and the staff is friendly. Yes, drinks here are outrageously priced. That would be fine if this bar had some sort of something else other than a drink menu that only connoisseurs would understand. I was meeting a friend, I had not been here before and we were looking for a quiet place to catch up. I turned to Yelp to seek out dress code and an idea of what kind of drinks were served. Skimming reviews, my biggest takeaway ended up becoming my exact experience. It's a nice place. It's discrete and quiet. Like, I don't even remember windows. So if you wanted to meet a secret lover on the low, this is your spot. I also found metered parking right outside which was convenient. If I ever want to get into some salacious shenanigans, I'm coming back here.

*********************** 793 ************************* Bernard's Bar and Balsan Cafe are inside the Wardolf Chicago. The bar is keeping with the hotel's Coco Chanel-inspired aesthetic as if you visit this beautiful hotel, you would be at awe! It used to be the Elyssan fancy, modern, and new hotel the past few years in Chi town. Bearnard's Bar is a little quaint bar second floor, intimate, cozy, and offer some serious juice for wine, or spirit lover. Rich brown suede walls, velvet curtains, brown and super comfy leather chairs, sophisticated as its best. The bar is also open late on the weekend, so if you stay around this area, coming for a drink. Don't think of a hot, happening bar for hipsters, this bar is elegant, perfect spot to drop in to chill after a long day shopping. Bartender Tom can whip up some serious cocktails for you. I got to try a few drinks here and bartender Tom made it with special gins from my backyard, literally in Berkeley/Oakland. I can't believe I travel away from Bay Area to try this wonder gins by St. George. I got to try the Dry Rye, Terroir, and Single Malt Whiskey from St. George. The Arsenic and old lace gin, sweet vermouth, Cynar, tarragon was a lovely cocktail. Check out their amazing drink menu and rare spirit, think of Waldorf Astoria New York, but much better and newer version. Exceptional service each time I visit this bar, thank you bartender Tom for the educational on St. George Spirits :-) Follow them on Twitter: @balsanbernards

This is a gorgeous bar, combining modern comfort with rat pack elegance. The chairs have a great recline built in and let you lounge like the louche bourbon boozer to which you all aspire. I only caution my noble bourbon boozers to inquire as to the price of your particular poison of choice, because the pricing is not what you would expect. In particular, when I was there in February the Blanton's was two-thirds the price of Woodford ($12 to $18 a glass), which is entirely counterintuitive. i would have stuck with Blanton's had I known it was such a relative bargain. If you are staying at the Elysian, as we were in February, it is a great scene.

3.5..............................but not quite 4....sry :) A swank new lounge in the Elysian... Went here on NYE before our reservo at Ria. The doorman told us that if we werent eating at a restaurant, cover is $20 to get in here (FYI)...seems ridiculous, especially because its a very small place. We sat at the bar and had some cocktails. The service was pretty good and the vibe was bumping at 9PM. It is definitely a little pricey, but that is kind of what you are expecting....right?! I would probably only go back here if it were to be before dinner again. The lady said that they were open til 1AM that night and we were planning on going back after dinner but we had so much fun....we didnt make it in time :) I say if you are going for dinner, you should definitely stop in and check out this place...otherwise, I wouldnt waste my time...its nothing that exciting

This place exudes sexiness and class...the crowd is easy on the eyes. OUCH !!!

I like fancy hotel bars a good deal more than the next guy, but this place was almost too much even for me. It's very hard to find -- you have to walk with confidence into the Waldorf and make your way up the stairs. But it's dark, seductive, and conspiratorial, with a plausible cocktail list and exorbitant prices. Alas, for all of this you deserve a place that's quiet and has excellent cocktails. Bernard's has neither. A standing-room crowd eventually gathered and produced a loud roar that made it hard to talk. And my French 75 tasted like it had been mixed with Sprite instead of champagne.

A WONDERFUL bar tucked into the Waldorf Astoria. Cozy tables & nooks, a WELL stocked/high quality bar, a wonderful staff/bartenders, and a small but fantastic tasting menu. This is a wonderful place for after work, a nightcap or a prelude to a night out.

Where do you go when you can't into another hotel bar for a birthday party because of silly things like dress codes and douchey doorman? You come here for excellent service and cozy atmosphere. Our Saturday night started out by hanging out with some friends. Some mutual friends were celebrating a birthday at a downtown bar. My husband and I still had energy for the night while our little one was being babysat, so why not keep the party going!? We tried to get into another hotel bar to no avail. We seriously weren't scrubs or anything. Instead, we decided to call ahead to Bernard's to make sure that we could get in. The Waldorf Astoria staff were pleasant on the phone as well as in person. Once we found Bernard's, we were smitten. This is my new favorite hidden spot in Chicago. The darkly lit, velvety bar seats about 40 people tops with a small bar lining one wall. We found a little circular spot to hunker down and get a couple of drinks. The cocktails are delicious here. They have an extensive wine and spirits list as well. We got a small dessert of a chocolate mousse terrine. It was satiated my sweet tooth for sure. Our service was fantastic. Our water glasses were constantly refilled as well drink orders taken in a timely manner. I can't wait to return here for a cocktail downtown in my new favorite gem of the city.

A great place to escape just steps from the Viagra Triangle and the high end shopping district nearby. The drinks are not cheap here but the bartender is a top act, and the drinks are amazing, classic, and well prepared. You can chill in the dark chairs or head on up to the bar and take a load off. Now, it is not easy to find this place. This is the Waldorf now, so walk in, and on your left is a staircase going up. The bar is on the second floor. Again, understated is the name of the game at the Waldorf (former Elysian). Once in, it is just a great place to relax, have a drink, and chill out. Perfect.

How to describe Bernies? It's what every bar should be like -- cozy, refined and exuding class. The interior is a rich chocolate brown and the lights are turned down low -- but not too low -- to give off a luxurious vibe, that doesn't stray into pretentiousness. While the cocktails are well-crafted, the wine selection is a little lacking. Also, it's a fair bit pricier than your local haunt, but you get what you pay for. Note that gratuity is included in your bar tab.

LOVE! Cozy, Chic, Intimate...... We enjoyed some wine and cocktails before dinner. The bar was filled, but not crowded. Service was excellent. Seating was comfy. Crowd was cool.

I love this old man bar. Had a wonderful, private drink sesh with my old man! Amanda was a wonderful server. Sweet as pie.

Bernard's Bar is a very classy place. This is not the place you would go to watch the game and have some drinks with friends. In fact, they don't even have a TV. Instead, they have created a very cozy environment with elegant wood finish and casual seating arrangements. Moreover, the staff is extremely nice and makes great drinks. My favorite being the Manhattan. They used the best cherries and serve a nice dish of chips and nuts to compliment the beverage of your choosing. The bar tenders even pride themselves on being mixologist! So, if you are looking for a classy local bar or are a guest in the hotel looking for a pre or post dinner drink served by excellent staff this is the place to go. I have been nearly every night of my vacation in Chi at least to say hi to the Bernard's team. Thanks everyone! Especially Megan and Erin.

Stopped in for a quick drink inside the beautiful Elysian hotel. My friend is a regular but I had never been...I was kind of surprised. We turned the corner into this small room that was so dark you think you turned into a conference room with the lights out. Of the options in the hotel, I would say this is more of a man's bar...cigars were the only thing missing. Dark wood, dark lights, leather chairs and 98% men...my friend and I being the other 2%. The bartender Brad was insanely knowledgeable and gave us a lot of interesting history and facts about the difference between whiskey, scotch and bourbon...he really knows his stuff! For men...this place is great. Every guy in there was having a great time. For the ladies, continue upstairs to Balsan.

Bernard's is a sexy spot to pre-party in the 'hood. I was stoked to happen upon it when a friend was in town staying at the Waldorf. Leather club chairs, dim lighting, and cozy velvet covered booths tucked discreetly into the four corners of the room. Oh, and did i mention incredibly strong drinks and free salty nuts? Ding, ding, ding!! What's not to like. Perfect place to get a little liquored up before heading back to your incredibly pricey, luxurious hotel room. Or back up the street to where you live.

I love it here. If I had my way, I would live in the Waldorf, but teaching yoga may not get me there very soon. So I have to settle for visiting their bar and restaurants. Life isn't fair. But Bernard's is cozy, charming, intimate, masculine, private and tiny. It reminds me of a small RL, like you're in a man's library. I was here last weekend on a date, shocker, and it was his first time. We were one of 2 couples, it's a hidden gem to say the least. Always dead. My date commented he would bring a hooker here if he was into that sort of thing...here's to hoping he's not. But it's that kind of place. Not much of a chance of running into anyone here. The service is fantastic, almost too formal though. We were running errands beforehand, dressed very casually, and we are young-ish. No need for sir and all of the formalities, but I understand this is how they are trained. The wine is a bit pricey, maybe $18 for house Pinot, but it's the Waldorf!!! Get over it. All I've had to eat are oysters, and they were good.

Small little bar in a fancy hotel . It was a Monday when I went . Not a huge list on cocktails but not disappointed

We had some very nice cocktails at Bernard's Bar on Thursday evening. The bar itself, located on the second floor of the Elysian Hotel, was practically empty, so we were able to sit quite comfortably on a u-shaped couch in the back corner of the very dark room. The bartender was extremely attentive and helpful, particularly when it came to suggesting cocktails to fit our group's different tastes. As for the drinks themselves, that's where Bernard's Bar really shines. I always enjoy seeing drinks made with egg whites on the cocktail menu, as it suggests the bar has progressed beyond the standard Jack and Coke into something slightly more interesting. And I must say, I did enjoy my cocktails - notably the Aviator. It may not be the most happening bar in the area, but it's certainly one of the more sophisticated, and for that, I would certainly recommend you give it a try.

I met up with some friends for pre-dinner cocktails. The Elysian Hotel itself is reason enough to visit this bar. We all felt transported out of Chicago and into a new dimension of luxury and serenity when we crossed the threshold. The bar is very cozy....think cigars and brandy (sans cigars; smoking is the new hate-crime in Chicago!). The bar is fully stocked with quality liquors and wines. The menu is succinct and no-foolishness-to-be-had-here. The patrons here tend toward baby boomer/geriatric, with sprinkles of young pockets (but not too young) here and there. It's a nice break from the plastic-fantastic world of the Gold Coast. My only complaint is the back wall of the bar itself. It's a window, and when having sundowners, a lot of folks are BLINDED by the setting sun glaring through the ONE window in the room. Chop, chop, Elysian...let's get that taken care of!

oh Chicago, you never cease to amaze me... Walk into the main lobby and you are greeted by two grand wax statues, beautiful! This bar is certainly classic with a casual feel. The staff in always top notch, I believe out server's name was Christine, and she was delightful Thank you Bernard's!!

This used to be one of my favorite downtown hideaway bars. Great drinks. Classy atmosphere. Very sophisticated. Now it's filled with tables and resembles a holiday inn express. Awful.

Great bar...great atmosphere...Low key...great place to go if you are looking to impress.

Bernard's Bar is like that cool new kid that transfers to your high school in the middle of sophomore year from some place exotic like Aarhus. He listens to Miles Davis, wears Black Low-top Chucks and his favorite food is Chicken Sharwarma. He believes in universal health care and you once overheard him in line at the cafeteria telling someone that French Manicures are trashy-lookin'. Isn't he just the greatest? Like the greatest thing since Plan B?! Sigh... Your boyfriend however thinks he sucks balls and doesn't want you palling around him anymore. Fair enough! But for the record, *I* certainly liked Bernard's Bar. The Sidecar was boozy and fantastic. Nice stiff pour. Also, we had our choice of three different complimentary bar snack - fresh cut potato chips, posh olives and mixed nuts. Very generous. Grievances: it was very quiet, almost soothingly so. If I had more than one Sidecar, the "womb music" they were playing coupled with the cognac would have sent me off to nappy land. Perhaps they're trying to lull you into buying a bedroom at the Elysian! It is tempting. Based on what I've seen of the lobby and the bar I'm sure even the toilet paper holder is avant garde and beautiful. Stop by sometime... when your boyfriend's out of town, and wear your "hot boots." Naughty naughty!

Bernard gave me hope, the hookers were not harsh, but cocktails disappoint. Bernard's was marginal at best. You enter the brand spanking new building through a lovely courtyard. Its a very swank look, but definitely austere. The bar itself is small, and can be best described as nouveau riche chic. There were 3 people there when we walked in. Two "ladies" who gave the immediate impression of being working girls with the posturing and laser like eye contact. If they were not high end hookers, I'm sure you would still find that their vagina's doubled as credit card swipe machines. A big Texas yahoo sat at the bar being very, VERY "Texan". Other than that, it was quiet and borderline dull. I read that the cocktails here are quite good. Well, I'd go with 2 stars. Although a few notches up from the wretched drinks at the Peninsula, they were about 5oz each in size and just not well balanced. The cocktail list, advertised as "divine" had about five (!) cocktails on it. On the plus side, it did have a nice list of scotch, bourbon and cognac. I tend not to delve to deeply in places that now specialize in "classic hand crafted cocktails" until I watch the bartender work for a while, but this was not an option when the crowd was this light. Not finding anything too interesting on the 5 drink list, I opted for a Daiquiri, which was not on the list. The barkeep asked for a rum preference, so I put the ball back in her court by making it her call. She chose "Pyrat", a premium dark rum. Point deduction - no dark rum in a Daiquiri. Then she very diligently squeezed half of a lime into a jigger. Props for the effort, and most of all for not having a bottle of what constitutes "freshly squeezed" lime juice. (How long ago was it "freshly squeezed" is what crosses my mind when I see that little convenience.) A squirt of simple syrup was next and a quick shake with standard bar ice, and there it was, a C- grade Daiquiri. even the freshly squeezed lime could not cut through the other 2 ingredients, making it kind of "meh'. Next, I ordered a Pisco Sour from the "divine cocktail list" -of five. Ho hum. Way to much egg white for the size of cocktail gave it a slimy feel, along with not nearly enough shaking to truly emulsify the ingredients. It was doomed from the start due to the quality of the ice. A few more shakes and it would have over diluted or become a Slurpee, so it was kind of a no-win situation. This procedure did fascinate the big Texas boy that sounded like he was a player that caused the current recession. Yee-haw... It seemed that the bartender was diligently following the corporate instruction manual, but this needs a whole lot of polish to live up to its own hype. Carry on.

Bernard's Bar has the potential for five stars from me, but I can only really give it about 3.5 stars right now. I've stopped in this bar several times in the past only to walk right out because it was completely empty. Aesthetically, the bar is beautiful. Located in a small corner of the gorgeous Elysian Hotel, the space is covered with plush comfortable seating with soft accent pillows, low lighting to best present your best assets, and dark wood that adds warmth and comfort. Add some old jazz and you've got the perfect spot to sip on a delicious cocktail while snuggling up to your honey. Sounds great, right? It would be perfect if there were actual people in there! Manfriend and I arrived at 8:30pm, and there was nobody there. NOBODY. However, we were looking for a quiet spot, so we sat in a small hidden corner of the bar. As you can imagine, our bartender was pretty excited to see us! The menu features traditional as well as modern cocktails, an impressive Champagne list, as well as nice options for beer and wine. There is no food at Bernard's. You'll have to go to Ria or Balsan for that. I settled for a California Pinot Noir... sorry, I can't remember the name of it. But I do remember it being expensive at $20/glass. Yes. You read that right. It was quite delicious. Adam went for a bottle of Badoit, which the server graciously comped for us. A few people trickled in, most likely guests of the hotel, but there was never a good crowd! The Elysian is in an odd location and most people haven't even heard of Bernard's. Hopefully they'll get more traffic soon so we can hang there more often.

We would never go back here. The price of the drinks was outrageous. The service was awful, but they add in a mandatory 18% tip, so there is no motivation for the servers. It was $50 for two drinks. Do not bother going here