Pops for Champagne
Wine bar · Near North Side ·
Champagne bar with an extensive list, refined bites & cocktails
![Pops for Champagne by Pops for Champagne [Official Photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62622506/pops.6.png "Pops for Champagne by Pops for Champagne [Official Photo]")
Champagne bar with an extensive list, refined bites & cocktails
"Unsurprisingly, champagne is the focus at this wine bar that’s been around since 1982. And while most people come here for Happy Hours filled with glasses of rosé or post-dinner dates to argue the merits of brut vs. extra brut, we like grabbing a seat at the large bar and trying one of the bubbly cocktails. Get some charcuterie or fries to go with your prosecco blood orange negroni, or really go all out with some caviar and pretend you’re a wealthy divorcée." - veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen
"As the name suggests, Champagne is the focus of this corner fixture, which opened its doors more than 35 years ago. River North denizens and visitors alike will find one of the largest collections of sparkling bottles. If the selection process ever seems daunting, turn to the team (many of whom have been there for decades), who can also offer guidance and food pairing recommendations. Make a reservation through Tock." - Ashok Selvam
"A popular downtown spot for wine lovers, bachelorette parties, and group gatherings, Pops For Champagne celebrated its 40th anniversary and has made the corner of State and Ohio a drinking destination with a second incarnation and a basement bar called Watershed. I note that Pops — once billed as “America’s longest-running Champagne bar” — originally opened in Lakeview in 1982 at the corner of Sheffield and Oakdale; founder Tom Verhey closed and remodeled in 1991 and added a sibling bar next door, and the Lakeview and North Shore locations closed in 2006 to set the stage for a River North debut. The Vaheys sold the bar in 2018 to Craig Garofalo and Andy Poch, who have gradually left their mark (doing away with the dense “leatherbound menus”) and who remain hopeful that new programming and the recent 40th birthday celebration will help Pops emerge from the pandemic strong after a period of Zoom wine tastings and stop-start restrictions." - Ashok Selvam
"Just because Pops is a bubbles bar doesn’t mean that the River North Champagne lounge doesn’t offer natural wines. Wine director Michael Seward helms the grower-focused list, with about one quarter of the wines veering natural. He suggests trying Domaine Tillardon, Pét-Nat Rosé 2018 ($62): “This vineyard is organically farmed since the beginning, with vines up to 80 years old. Farmed by horse and plow in a beautiful vineyard in Chenas, France, this sparkling wine is soft and balanced without the typical funk that can be found in most normal pét-nats.”" - Kat Odell
"Chicago’s original bubbles bar is, of course, offering a sweet little Champagne deal. Through the end of the year, pop in for 2004 Louis Roederer Cristal for $48 a glass (note: 2004 vintage will not be listed by the bottle), or Egly-Ouriet Brut Grand Cru for $26 per three-ounce tasting or $38 for a five-ounce glass." - Kat Odell