Licorice Lounge

I'm relocating back to the Chicago land area, and I have not been in a bar in over 11 years since my fiance passed! But I must say that I feel comfortable there and everyone is like family, and you definitely get your money's worth with the drinks! I love the atmosphere of the place! It's my cousin's favorite place to mingle, and now it's definitely one of mine as well! It's always a blessing to meet good people, because it's not too many left in this cold world!

On Mondays they've added karaoke with Showtime (which is so much fun), but the bartender literally denied making our drinks because she say they were too much work for the tip. It was a LI and I still had a tab open. I've never experienced someone at their job, not doing their job, talking about customers who want her service, and the customers had no attitude. It was so off putting. Like mind boggling... Getting a tip, telling the person who tipped you it's not enough, so just stopped making the drink, and doing work at her job.

I use to go here, it was a decent place at one time.. The music is too damn loud for a place that size. Many people I know stop going there because of it. I've noticed some of the clientele has changed.

It was pretty late when I got there last night, but the DJ was still lit! The vibe was super chill and laid back. The greeting I got while walking through the door from the bartender, was so heart felt! I felt at home. The bartender was a very pretty girl with braids, sorry I can't remember her name... but let's just say, the drinks speak for themselves! They topped my night off perfectly😜🥴 😊 thanks

This place is absolutely HORRIBLE! Booked a space for a party. Had to cut a deal with the DJ for use of his personal speaker because theirs didn't work. Booked the spot for 8p-2a. But was told at 12 we had to leave the back area. When asked why was given a reason of a 'city ordinance' and was told that we weren't ordering drinks, which was untrue. The disrespectful manner in which i was spoken to by the owner was disheartening. And it really upsets me that 'Black' local business treats its customers this way and then wonder why its more desirable to do business ont the other side of town. STAY AWAY from this dont bre the nexr horror story.

This was by far one of the worst experiences I have ever had at a lounge. From the moment I walked in the bartender was nothing but rude and distasteful. I was there for all of maybe 2hrs tops which was almost too long for the amount of money spent. The bar was completely full upon entering (totally fine that's what I was expecting on a evening at the time I arrived 10:15ishpm on a Wednesday ). Meaning there was no seats available at the bar so I stood up just about the entire time I was there. Fast forward the bar began to clear out about 11pm ( I was ready to sit down at this point so that's exactly what I did. ) the bartender then tells me I can't sit at the bar bc I am not drinking. I said okay continued finishing my conversation siting at the bar. Since when can't PAYING CUSTOMERS SIT THE BAR ! (Spent well over 100$ ) if that's not enough to get quality service then I really don't know! if that's the rule pls don't go to this place and management needs to completely review their rules and regulations for paying customers. Oh and I forgot to mention - the drinks were horrible, I enjoy a strong cocktail but the bartender clearly did not know what she was doing ! I could barely drink my drink bc it was absolutely disgusting. I asked for juice and I was given a cranberry shooter. I was very much so out done with my entire visit at this lounge. Will definitely stick to my side of town where establishments know how to treat paying customers.

Nice lil late night spot. Accidentally met the owner the night I stopped in. She was nice. A Facebook friend was supposed to celebrate her bday there. I got an invite but she never showed up so I ended up drinking alone. Sad, right. Anyway. Drinks were a hit. Pitcher deals. I watched the Lakers game. Big tvs. Chill vibe. Mainly old heads come thru.

I have this to say you can not sit at NO BODY bar and not buy a drink if that the case stay home if you coming in the Licorice lounge you have to buy a drink to sit on the bar( Essence Elms)... Second, it's NO mold in the bathroom. The bathrooms are clean daily (Taffy C). This is a lounge, stays home with all the negative. If you had a problem with the bathroom, you should have come to a manager. We have great customers that come support us every day... Thank everybody who comes out to support us 💯💯💯💯

Donna Grant is a wonderful bar owner who does her best to provide a space for safe adult cocktail mingles. I have always found her to be very accommodating.

Great vibes celebrated my birthday here for Libra season 2025 bartenders were on point music top-tier I had a ball

Nive lounge. Good people and great drinks. Older clientele that enjoys good music. Bartenders are nice but I wouldn't try them. Nice patio.

Good spot to grab a drink or few this summer on Sundays as my boys are promoting here. You can either stay on the inside or hitup the back patio where you can drink, eat, smoke some cigars while enjoying the nice weather. Music is normally rocking inside and out as they have a nice DJ. Good crowd here and no rifraf! They usually have one girl working the bar so you will have to have the drink patience in check.

Nice chill place to come have a drink The best day to go is on Tippy Tuesdays. The tacos be on deck. The bartenders are friendly also.

This place is absolutely HORRIBLE! Booked a space for a party. Had to cut a deal with the DJ for use of his personal speaker because theirs didn't work. Booked the spot for 8p-2a. But was told at 12 we had to leave the back area. When asked why was given a reason of a 'city ordinance' and was told that we weren't ordering drinks, which was untrue. The disrespectful manner in which i was spoken to by the owner was disheartening. And it really upsets me that 'Black' local business treats its customers this way and then wonder why its more desirable to do business ont the other side of town. STAY AWAY from this dont bre the nexr horror story

This was by far one of the worst experiences I have ever had at a lounge. From the moment I walked in the bartender was nothing but rude and distasteful. I was there for all of maybe 2hrs tops which was almost too long for the amount of money spent. The bar was completely full upon entering (totally fine that's what I was expecting on a evening at the time I arrived 10:15ishpm on a Wednesday ). Meaning there was no seats available at the bar so I stood up just about the entire time I was there. Fast forward the bar began to clear out about 11pm ( I was ready to sit down at this point so that's exactly what I did. ) the bartender then tells me I can't sit at the bar bc I am not drinking. I said okay continued finishing my conversation siting at the bar. Since when can't PAYING CUSTOMERS SIT THE BAR ! (Spent well over 100$ ) if that's not enough to get quality service then I really don't know! if that's the rule pls don't go to this place and management needs to completely review their rules and regulations for paying customers. Oh and I forgot to mention - the drinks were horrible, I enjoy a strong cocktail but the bartender clearly did not know what she was doing ! I could barely drink my drink bc it was absolutely disgusting. I asked for juice and I was given a cranberry shooter. I was very much so out done with my entire visit at this lounge. Will definitely stick to my side of town where establishments know how to treat paying customers.

Held my husbands last minute birthday party here. Really enjoyed the Staff, especially my bartender Jenelle. Mello, the manager/dj was the Bonb.com on the music. He played a variety of music but that house music really took me back to my college days, Lol. This will now be me & my girls go to spot for a good,strong cocktail & a guaranteed good time.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT OPEN A TAB AND LEAVE YOUR CARD!! This place has a $20 minimum for cc. My drink was $10. I had no cash on me, so I had no choice but to opened a tab. I really didn't want another drink, but I saw a friend and told her to get a drink on my tab, then close it out and get my cc. She came to me and said she couldn't. So I went in. How come the bartender gave my cc to someone else that had left. How come she gave the girl's card who had my card to the girl that was supposed to get a drink on my card to her. Then the bartender was trying to give me someone else card to me before she figured out her fk up. When I told the manager she acted like it was no big deal. She said it was an honest mistake. I said an honest mistake that could have cost everyone a lot of money. She made 3 mistakes and those are not mistakes, that's carelessness. The bartender was supposed comp the drinks but she walked away and never came back to resolve the issue. She started serving other ppl and acted like I wasn't standing there here waiting on her. . I just left. Im sure this hasn't been the first time this has happened. Thank God I knew the girl who had my card and she lived down the street. I was able to get my card back and give her hers.

The place is clean. Great environment Great food and great fun. I had a good time last night The Empire Finale viewing party

Had a great time here last week while I was home visiting for The 4th of July holiday. I walked in listening to the sound of 80's Pop Music! It was so cool, and unexpected! The music just got better and better all night!

I have spent a lot of time at this bar and have witness the mistreatment of customers on several occasions. A number of times I saw the bartender, Tay overcharge customers who she thinks are too drunk to notice. This matter has been brought up to management by different people and this behavior has not been addressed of corrected. The register does not print out a detail list of what is charged and can never explain the charges. In the mist of a pandemic when people are trying to support BOB this treatment of customers is unfair and is theft. This is not a coincidence that this ONLY occurs during this bartenders shift and often. Apparently the owner condones this behavior because after MANY complaints it still continues. This is sad that we can't support one another without being ripped off.

By far this could be a great little southside hangout IF THE OWNERS ACTUALLY CARED. they are too busy treating it like its their private little hang out. Invest in your place and the customers will come. always out of the beer you like. some drinks are too $$ for this hole in the wall. inside is drab nice tvs. It's like a grave yard in there.no people. The bartender drinks with the customers,handles cash and puts fingers into the glass and the lemons etc,yuck, show little professionalism, behind the bar is dirty,drip stains down the wall. is this suppose to be sports bar or lounge. they could offer chips..even if you have to pay for them..salty chips equals more drinks equals more $$ for yall. the best thing in there is the DJ, he does a great job but looks drunk most of the time. would have given it zero but the dj got the 2 stars.

Loved it. Comfortable and a great place to escape to grab a few drinks without the crazy crowd.

Nice neighborhood bar. It's small and when crowded it's very uncomfortable. Limited seating too.

I stayed at the Licorice Lounge while on Business in Chicago and it served its purpose. Great location in fact the best, if you are a runner and/or want to run along the Lake as it is very close and easy to get onto the running path from the bar.