The Cabin at Upstairs at the Gwen

Beautiful luxury hotel with a wonderful staff. It is a great location and is attached to a nice (somewhat high-end stores), close enough to walk to Navy Pier and Millennium park. The staff all around were fabulous. My family really enjoyed our whole entire experience. Very sleek, sexy decor in the hotel. The bar had great drinks and staff (shout out to Ian!), Jan (I think that's her name was so helpful, and my man Marco as the downstairs doorman was so helpful to us giving us tips on how to get around. I want to stat here again and I hope you will love it too. The rooms are roomy too.

A great Chic Hotel. Stayed here for the first time to mix things up and a romantic weekend. The location is spot on and staff are amazing, via phone and then live. Love the atmosphere and overall vibe this place has. Many amenities, eats and then local. Pet friendly rooms reasonably available, though we ultimately opted for the dog sitter. Wonderful stay and great experience!

Sweet gem of a hotel right in the middle of where you want to be! The bar/restaurant had really great menu options and great dining not to be overlooked! Rooms were very nice. I dont say this about others, but I miss their shampoo and soaps!

Absolutely gorgeous rooms and common areas. The staff are incredibly polite and helpful. The food was very good and the hotel has a great location for walking to pretty much anything you'd like to do.

The bar was perfect for a large, last minute group. We took a bachelorette party here and they were great! Drinks are very expensive but are definitely an experience worth having. The venue is super stylish with a nice atmosphere.

The Gwen is chic and modern throughout. It has managed to retain that new feel. The rooms are a good size, and the separate shower is a big plus. The only negative we had was the food, we only ordered dessert, but it was terrible, unedible!

THIS hotel though!!! Let me pick my jaw up off the ground! It's absolutely perfect!! The location is awesome. Parking garage in the basement was so easy to get to, park, and find your way around. Having the Mall right underneath it was really nice.

Great hotel with many amenities. Spacious rooms with a very contemporary look. Hotel staff is very friendly as knowledgeable about local attractions.

Upstairs at Gwen offers an unforgettable experience, with the highlight being Michael's incredible hospitality. He made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The view is simply to die for, giving you a breathtaking panorama of the city that sets the perfect mood for a night out. The drinks and cocktails are reasonably priced, and the flavors do not disappoint. We were particularly amazed by the flatbreads--each bite was packed with flavor! The couch section is wonderfully comfortable, allowing you to relax and take in the stunning Art Deco design that surrounds you. It's a true gem of a place, combining atmosphere, style, and taste in one amazing spot!

Rooftop was not well maintained. Sofas were very dirty and sitting was not comfortable with enough space to keep food. Being a rooftop of such high end restaurant there was no vibe. Food was good.

I can only speak to weekend brunch, but here are some things about it worth sharing. 1) The rooftop view is incredible, and the tables/stools are very nice. Overall just a classy yet fun vibe. 2) Server Mandy was a delight. She brought my husband some lemon slices when he wasn't feeling great, and gave us menu recommendations that we immediately trusted. 3) 10:30am on a beautiful Sunday morning = tons of space, yet it wasn't empty. I'd love to try the tipsy tea party or some of their other special events in the future, as well as dinner. Note: we stayed at the hotel, which was also a 5-star experience.

This is an awesome rooftop bar located inside The Gwen hotel; they offer good drinks and a cool ambiance. Service is great and the drinks are delish. Can sit outside for a view or indoors for some privacy. Been here a few times and it's always a hoot.

Vibe is still great, services is . . . not. Came with a friend the other day for drinks and light bites. She had already ordered a drink when I got there, and I will say as soon as I sat down the server was there to take my order. And he did return not too long after we finished our first round. However, from there, service was nonexistent. At one point, another server walked by and said he was taking over for the other server, so we gave him our drink orders. Right after that, our original server came by to take our drink orders . . . huh? Then yet another server came by at one point. We sat around for at least 20 minutes with empty glasses, trying to get someone to bring us our check. We flagged down a serve to get it, and she flagged down server #2 to get it. We still waited about 10 minutes. Drinks were good (still high priced), and my friend really enjoyed the papas bravas (I had come from dinner so was too full to eat!). But the service really put a damper on the evening.

The hostess was so kind! Literally so friendly and we talked about horror movies she's the best! We sat down at the gorgeous gorgeous fireplace in the middle of the terrace. Our service on the other hand required us getting up but once they figured out who our waitress was all was well! Good drinks! Expensive but you're paying to be on a nice roof!

Gorgeous swanky spot for unexpectedly good food and cocktails! Located about 10 (?) floors up, at the lobby level of the Gwen hotel. I've never had a problem getting a spot without a reservation. It's enough of a well kept secret that even on a Saturday night we were seated right away with no trouble. Lovey ambience and decor. I think people maybe don't try this place because they think it'll be a standard hotel bar -- but it's one of my favorite spots for some bites and cocktails if I'm around Miracle Mile! This time around I tried their spanakopita and it was DELICIOUS. I'm still thinking about it days later. That pillow-y soft feta and honey combo is like a dream. Olives/almonds appetizer was tasty as well. My partner always gets their burger when we come here; devoured before I got a photo. As always, fun cocktails and an extensive booze list! Great views from the deck and fireplaces were lit. We'll be back.

Second time visiting upstairs, first time on the balcony. The views alone make this a great spot for pre-dinner drinks, dinner, or an evening nightcap. Missed out on food because of a storm. But really appreciated the swift proactive service to move all of us inside as a storm rolled in. Definitely will put at the top of my summer rooftop list!

Nice bar lounge with meh food and even more meh service. Our server, Claudia, could not be bothered. Smh.

What a beautiful cocktail bar. On a bright, sunny spring afternoon, it was so perfect. The Gwen hotel has always been a special hotel to me, but I'd never spent time on the terrace. With a friend in town, I decided to finally go there. It would have been too cold for me, but there were fire pits, heating lamps, and tables with fire to keep you warm. Because of these warming features, it's open yr around. I need to come back during the winter and go curling up here. A winter date night idea. The drinks were quite good. Pretty in Pink had pink grapefruit and pomegranate and I could have ordered several more of those. Especially because my friend liked my drink so much, he kept taking sips of it. Hey, order your own. He ordered the Last Thyme. His was good and I don't even love gin, but I wanted to order more Pretty in Pinks. Calories be damned. It was early and we had 3 more bars to go to though. I need to come back when I can order freely off the menu The tuna tartare was good but very small. Not a great choice before a night of drinking and on a previously empty stomach. To be fair, it *was* listed on the "small plates" section of the menu. They weren't kidding. It was small. And $22. But it was good. Loved the caviar on top. He had the good sense to order fried chicken before our night of fun. -the Chicken Milanese. Dressed generously in arugula and manchego and fried to a beautiful golden brown, my only complaint is that it was a just a tad bit dry. Still good though. I had reservations here a few weeks ago, but canceled because it was pouring rain. I'm so glad I experienced it first on a perfect spring afternoon instead.

Solid spot to come for a cute meal and/or drinks during patio/rooftop season. I came here with some friends during the summer. The "rooftop" is cute, with good views, decor, and some nice photo ops. We made reservations on a Sunday, and were able to be seated right away; it didn't seem very busy at all which was surprising. Our wait staff was kind, attentive, and helpful with guiding us through the menu options. We ended up ordering bottles of rose for the table, so I can't comment on the cocktails. The only thing I was disappointed by was the food. They have a lot of promising options on the menu. I was able to try chorizo skillet and the pork belly fried rice. The effort was there, but unfortunately the flavor was lacking. The chorizo skillet ended up getting doused in hot sauce. For a dish topped with a mound of "chili crisp", the pork belly fried rice was also disappointingly bland. I did get a side croissant and that was my favorite part.

We came for the rooftop, which we were told there was a wait for so opted for bar-seating in the interim. There are some decent options, albeit on the pricier side. The service took quite a while to make the drinks and even recognize that we had not yet ordered. We started to notice that others that arrived after us were being sat outside and we came to find out that our table was given to the wrong person. This was rectified rather quickly. I appreciate the high-tops and the space is fine. The view really just fine-not much to look at. Worth popping into if you're in the immediate vicinity but otherwise can probably skip.

Came here as a first time thinking it was going to be great since the name is known. Big mistake! Service was absolutely terrible. Sat on the rooftop for a nice dinner and our server only offered us one drink, never came back for apps, entree and never offered us the dessert menu. We had to keep waving the server down for everything! Also tried getting assistance for wine and he recommended a spicy wine which was not even close to what I wanted. Every time food or a beverage was dropped at our table they (server and assistant) would take a look at the table clearly seeing we needed more water and would walk away instead. If I'm paying for service I expect better performance. This was not it. I guess that's why servers always expect bad tip from colored people so they choose to not give the attention to specific people when they see them. Expect little to no tip with this poor performance. The host was the only nice person in this establishment. Even the bartender rolled his eyes at me when I decided I wanted to sit at a table instead. So unprofessional.

While I was in town for a conference, I stopped at upstairs and ordered a drink on the, rooftop patio while waiting for my to go order. I ordered the golden hour which is a gin cocktail. It's a part of their seasonal menu and it was amazing. I then ordered the turkey sandwich and bourbon, brownie to go. The sandwich was to die for the bread was so delicious the seasoning amazing I highly recommend. And that brownie first off gorgeous presentation second extreme chocolate goodness!

This was the last stop of my anniversary celebrations with my boyfriend! We were staying at the hotel (which was awesome by the way - that's in a separate review!) and wanted to end our night at their rooftop bar/restaurant. We originally had reservations for outside, but it was just too dang cold (thank you Chicago weather!) so we asked if we could sit inside instead. It was an easy fix and we were sat at a half booth type table in the corner. This terrace itself is so luxe, dimly lit, and definitely has an intimate/posh vibe and look to it. Our server was nice, although she didn't come around often. The cocktails were okay, too. I got the Spring Margarita, which wasn't necessarily bad, it just wasn't what I was expecting and wasn't too smooth going down. My boyfriend got a simple vodka soda lime and it didn't taste like any alcohol was in it. We also ordered green tea shots and they were huge, which was great ;) Overall I'd definitely return to check out the food and the outside once it's warmer out. I loved the ambiance and hotel and the food looked tasty. You'll see me back here again!

A group of us came for afternoon drinks on a Saturday. It was pretty crowded but there was seating at the bar. The drinks were good i tried a mint julep for the first time and really enjoyed it- very refreshing and different flavors. Doesn't taste like you're drinking alcohol, very herbaceous flavors. Definitely recommend! I hear the wings are !

Pleasant. Efficient. Nice ambiance. Came here on a busy Thursday afternoon when the weather was unseasonably warm. The hostess found a spot for us outside. We had drinks and appetizers, which were good - not outstanding but good. The service was efficient and a manager was walking around checking in on everyone.

Reservations do not guarantee a spot on the rooftop. We were seated inside which feels like a hotel lobby. Cocktails were terrible. I would skip this spot.

Not recommended. Went for lunch mid-week. Ordered a salad. Only one other party there. 40 minutes later no food. Back to work.

Amazing view with the fire place to give it the warmth and aesthetic we needed on our winter night. The young lady at the front was also very polite and helpful. The reservation went smoothly and I would definitely return for some food the next time, since the drinks were awesome! Tip: Try the espresso martini!

We went here during fall. The outdoor patio was empty because of the cold weather so we sat inside. I didn't really like the ambience, the place didn't feel very welcoming. The service was fast though. We orders the burrata and the fried Brussels sprouts. Both were decent. We then got the Campanelle Pasta which was delicious! We finished with the Opera Cake which was dense but very delicious. I think this place is mainly for people staying at the hotel. I am sure it is fun during summer, but my experience was mediocre.

Nice view, cute rooftop that wasn't extremely packed or hard to get into. Had some champagne and appetizers for a snack. The fire pit in the middle can be a walk in spot if you don't have a reservation and keeps you warm on a cool night!

The food was fantastic. There was both indoor and outdoor dining. The rooftop seating had very nice city views. It was a perfect spot for a business luncheon. The staff was regularly attentive to all the customers and very polite.

The food was decent. Overpriced but you are downtown, so to be expected. The rooftop view was mainly of other buildings. So you are outside but there isn't much to see. The seating was good for lounging but not for eating. Which was a little awkward. Not on my list to return to but it wasn't all bad.

Amazing view. Service was okay, we had a reservation but it still took them a while to seat us and take our orders. I ordered a Bloody Mary and it was okay, not spicy at all. I also ordered their spicy margarita which wasn't spicy, it just had tajin on the rim. This drink was better than the margarita. Keep in mind there was a $15 per person fee for booking online. Overall it was nice and a fun experience.

We arrived 30 minis late for our reservation. They still accommodated us. The burger had 2 patties some in the party enjoyed it and others did not. Men. S. Women. The drinks were good. The 5 star has been withheld due to the slow time of refilling water drinks and Locating a waiter. However when the staff were present they were friendly and helpful. The view was nice overlooking the downtown area.

Ahhh patio season is upon us and I gotta say that mama is happy. Sit down, have a drink, and enjoy some incredible Chi town views. Upstairs at the Gwen delivers on that department. Its not uber high up as it is located on the 5th floor of the hotel, which is coincidentally the lobby but it allows you to see buildings all around. Every couch set up is accompanied by a fire pit. Thats a plus in my book as it probably makes this rooftop useful all year round. My only ding on the decor is the fact that the couches make it impossible to eat and you are required to hold your plate while you chew on your brunch dishes. Great segway to the food as it is incredible. So.damn.good. the corned beef hash was out of this world. The chilaquiles were delish and the lox bagel was generous and fresh. Also their potatoes were a league of thier own. I believe that they were boiled and later fried and coated with a sauce of some sort. Dreaming of those potatoes. I will be back. Cant wait till next time.

Really love this patio but had an unfortunate experience service-wise last time I went. We called ahead and they said they could accommodate us outside but when we arrived they said someone showed up for their reservation they thought was a no-show so we got stuck inside. Not the worst thing in the world. Except that we proceeded to stare out the double doors at multiple open tables that sat vacant the remainder of our stay. Our server literally seemed like he wished he was somewhere else. A pet rock has more charm and personality. He didn't even ask if we wanted to order food. We had to flag him down to put it in. The worst part was they ended up bringing us two plates of the same dish, even though we clearly ordered one, and then tried to make us feel bad about it like it was our fault. Our server was clearly pissy. Everyone is allowed a bad day but there's no need to take it out on everyone around you. Honestly, if the breakfast sandwich had looked more appetizing and was less astronomically expensive for what it was we may have just rolled with the punches. The Creole Old Fashioned was good.

I really enjoyed my visit for cocktails Upstairs At The Gwen. We had a late lunch at Joe's and decided to head across the street for an after lunch cocktail. I had never been to their lounge/bar/restaurant. You enter on Rush Street and take an elevator up. I must say, the initial entrance is unimpressive. Once upstairs, the lobby is lovely. The bar area is open and spacious. It opens out onto a rooftop patio that looks gorgeous for any season. On our February visit, the outdoor area is decorated to look lodge-y. There are a ton of fireplaces, a cute pink moose and a curling lane. Muted earth tones inside, create a very relaxing atmosphere. We sat at the bar and loved the Winter Olympics themed cocktail menu. The bartenders were very happy to impress us with their incredible talents. They were friendly and attentive too. Overall, our experience ended up being a great impromptu visit on a late Saturday afternoon.

Decided to take advantage of the good weather and check out a rooftop bar. Unfortunately, the view isn't as great as I thought. For drinks we ordered the Manhattan, Malala, and Ode to Durango. For Dinner we got the burger. The burger was seasoned really well, but the fries were a bit overcooked. The Manhattan was decent. It's very boozy which is to be expected, but it was bit unbalanced. The same could be said about the Malala. It was sweeter than I expected, I suggest putting it in an old fashion glass with less ice. The Ode to Durango was the best in my opinion. It's similar to a tequila old fashion but a bit sweeter. I also want to shout out our server Michael. He was super nice and gave us complimentary champagne since we were celebrating. I recommend coming here if you're looking for a relaxed rooftop for drinks and a meal.

If I could give a lower amount of stars I would. The curling game that my family came for does not function properly. The stones curve almost immediately to the left or right making the game near impossible to play correctly. Not on ice, it's on plastic.

Cocktail only review: My husband and I did a staycation at this hotel earlier this month and got drinks here before going to bed. We sat inside and liked the large selection of cocktails to pick from. I believe that they actually had more cocktails on their menu in person than what is shown on their website. The bar and the hotel in general has a chic art deco vibe. I haven't tried the food yet, but the cocktails we had were delicious. Definitely a place on my list to check out again.

Cute rooftop, good cocktails, and food. Upstairs at Gwen has a slight upscale feel with a few fire pits around cushy seating, string lights across and a bar in the middle. I went at and off time for Monday and it was a little chilly outside- but got in and was able to move my reservation when I needed too but I could see not being able to do that on the weekend or warmer evenings. All to say- if possible- I would get a reservation in advance. The view is only ok- here. If you're facing the right way you can see some neighboring skyscrapers but mostly you are enjoying being outside with a nice drink here. Drinks: I ordered the zigzag and my friend and I both loved it. The thyme was sold out so my friend got the Dear Frida- it was fine but not either of our favorite. Food: I was with a vegetarian and we wanted to try a couple things so we split two appetizers and an entree and that was plenty of food for us. And it was nice they had enough vegetarian options for us to choose - we had the roasted brussel sprouts which were cooked well and good. I wish they had more of their toppings on them because they were bigger in size and I wanted a little more of the toppings. The chickpea falafel was really good as was the vegetarian pasta. Service: our waitress was attentive and nice to work with for our meal. Pricing: was what you'd expect in downtown Chicago. The cocktails were right around the average $16 mark.

The decor here is just so stunning. The service itself is slow but the ambience is perfect for a date night or girls night out even. The prices are a bit high but for the quality of the food and the environment it's worth it. The drinks are also very good! I loved the hibiscus lemonade. To eat, I had the Gwen Burger with fries, large portion and all cooked perfectly and was delicious. My sister had the wings (very good, meat fell off the bone) and we all shared the tabbouleh appetizer (VERY good). It's a great spot in the city, there was ample seating and I'd definitely go back.

Upstairs at the Gwen is an absolute gem of a hotel bar. The drinks, vibe, and service is above bar. We absolutely love coming here after work, on the weekends, or post shopping at Nordstrom's. They can make any drink on or off menu no questions asked. It doesn't matter who you come with - your going to have a great time! The also have really start food. Pre-Covid they had a really tasty snack mix - hopefully once this catastrophe ends.m, we can get back to normal, but the hummus and wings are really tasty if you're looking for a snack while having a drink. They make a killer old fashioned - they are definitely in my top 10 in the city. I also love their whiskey sour and aviation. Like I said - on or off menu - they are great bartenders and know how to make great drinks!

We made reservations to come here and paid a $75 "deposit." We took the elevator up to the roof top and were taken out to our fire pit. We had a large couch with about 3 chairs and blankets available to us. The rooftop was gorgeous with multiple fire pits, string lights, and a view of the city. The waiter was nice and the ambiance was excellent. I was less impressed with the drinks..but that could have been on me for ordering something I wouldn't like. The drink I ordered ended up being 90% whiskey, with a tiny dash of pomegranate. We had better luck with drinks when we went with the seasonal offerings instead. Once the bill came, it was our bill minus the $75 deposit.

We stayed at the Gwen and had a really nice time both having drinks on the rooftop and with breakfast in the morning. Service is a bit lagging and takes a while to place and receive orders. Food quality and ambiance is great.

What a fabulous time at the Gwen upstairs last night. We had dinner across the street at Joe's and decided to have a night gap at the Gwen. The bartenders were amazing and crafted some awesome cocktails for us! It was fun watching people outdoors curling on the rooftop on a cold Chicago night!

VERY nice lounge and bar area with unique cocktail and appetizer options. The hostess/greeter was a bit cold and not really welcoming but the server was terrific. Outside there is a gorgeous terrace with comfy seating areas and fire pits and fire pit tables and CURLING! Yes curling like in the Olympics. It's smaller than "official" and not real ice, but I'm going back to try it anyway. What the heck do we know about curling in Chicago anyway?! A good simulation would be fun.

Crispy seasoned chicken wings and excellent juicy steak! This rooftop is just a reminder on how wonderful Chicago is!

We enjoyed a graduation brunch here with several other families, and it was so nice. We sat outdoors and luckily had good weather. We had a long booth and several chairs around one of the fire pits. There was a good variety of food options, and our group covered most of the options. The churro waffle, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches were all delicious. There were some nice drink options as well - mimosas, lattes, etc. Service was a little slow, but given that we were a larger party, that was understandable. My daughter had heard about brunch at the Gwen for quite some time, so we were glad to finally check it out!

Very nice ambience and rooftop view of the city. Service was just okay, but the food made up for it. We ordered the pasta shells and the grilled beef short rib which were both good. I wasn't a huge fan of the cruller donuts. Definitely a great vibe for rooftop drinks and conversation.

This is probably one of the most underrated rooftop in Chicago. I like rooftops, but recently, many have been so crowded and difficult to make a reservation. Then, I stumbled upon this place. The vibe was really nice, the food was great and reasonable, and the drink options were nice too. They even had bottomless mimosa for a very affordable price ( I think it was $25? Not certain though). The best part was that it was not crowded at all! The rooftop was huge, but there were maybe like 4 tables being served including ours. It was very quiet too. The only things lacking were the river view and the shade at the table I got seated. I did end up with a sunburn... but there were many tables with shades, so be sure to ask for those!

Such a hidden vibe! If you want to hang out low key with friends or a date, bring them to the hotel Gwen's rooftop. Super cute space! Indoors there is a huge bar with tons of seating with huge doors that lead out to the rooftop outdoor dining lounge area. The patio has very retro like bright colors and modern seating. Came here for dinner and drinks. I tried the Manuel mezcal drink. It was refreshing but I needed a bit more of a kick. I moved to my fave, kettle one with tonic and lime. For dinner we started with: Burrata on bread which was topping with balsamic vinegar and strawberries. Nothing to see here it was just ok. Hummus which was delicious and the octopus. The octopus was Amazing! Highly recommend. We shared the scallops and the skirt steak. The skirt steak was seasoned well and the scallops were delicious. I would dine here again. Great service and friendly staff.

A favorite little hidden gem of mine . Located on Michigan Ave .. you can enter through the shops at Nordstrom . There are a few things I love here : the avocado toast and breakfast potatoes and the old fashioned . The lobby is chic and busy with music and usually a great mix of people . Sit out on the terrace all year round and enjoy their specialty cocktails .

This place is a little secret spot that I just recently found out about. Love the decor of the inside, it's absolutely stunning. The rooftop portion is very calming with a little fire going. The food was decent but the drinks stole the show. They're strong but very flavorful. I can't remember exactly the name but it was the one with rum and maybe Jamaican in the name? Anyway definitely a must go to summer patio!

Best afternoon drink after all day shopping with the girls. I have to comeback and try the restaurant because the menu selection looks really good.

Given the hype and expectations of this place, I was somewhat disappointed. We went here the other day for drinks and it turned out to be an "OK" experience. The Old Fashioned with Mezcal that I had was not good at all. It was like drinking water. Absolutely no flavor. I heard from my friend that the other / normal Old Fashioned is actually much better. Well... something I can keep in mind for next time. Additionally, food-wise, we were supposed to have dinner here, but there were absolutely zero vegetarian food options. Not counting things like hummus and gnochi, etc. Kind of strange for a place to put that little effort into serving a fast-growing segment of vegetarian or plant-based eaters. This is 2021 after all and not 1980. Lastly, the service was surprisingly slow. Not horrible, but just not great. Of course, the outdoor space is really nice. I give them stars just for having that. Beautiful space up there and of course a beautiful city surrounding that.

My friend and I went in because he said they have a good happy hour. We arrived at 4pm and there was no host so we sat ourselves. There were 2 bartenders talking to each other and 4 staff members in the corner ignoring us. After 20 minutes no one ever came over. I walked to the hotel concierge and told him what happened. He was very apologetic and offered to get someone for me to talk to but at that point I just wanted to leave. It's supposed to be a 5 star restaurant but hardly is. We went to the Langham and they were more than happy to have our business. Very disappointing. They won't be open long if that's how they treat their customers.