The Darling

"It has a homey ambiance; plus, complimentary slippers and a bottle of champagne are served on arrival." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"The Darling, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar known for its romantic ambiance and live performances, closed after four years. The business has been purchased by a hospitality group that plans to revamp the location." - Ashok Selvam

"We don’t want to spoil all the cool little surprises the Darling has in store for you once you’ve entered the hidden library for drinks and dinner. It’s on the first floor of this two-level West Loop building, and it’s quite the tempting gem. Burlesque performers appear spontaneously, and their costumes are so elaborate that you’ll feel underdressed no matter what you’re wearing. That’s only half the fun. The other half is experiencing the elaborately dressed cocktails as well as indulgent, shareable platters of seafood, flatbreads, or miniature desserts." - Audarshia Townsend

"West of Randolph and Halsted, West Loop cocktail bar the Darling has been hosting diners in 14 private greenhouses." - Naomi Waxman

"Pre-pandemic, we’d go to The Darling in the West Loop for drinks, live performances, and to sit inside a space designed to look like Luigi’s Mansion. Now you can come here to have cocktails and small plates in their “rose garden.” That’s the name of their outdoor patio area that’s filled with private greenhouses that you can reserve for two to four people. And while the little shelters are actually pretty warm (like a....greenhouse), they do have blankets in case you get cold." - adrian kane