Watershed Bar

We only had drinks- but the atmosphere and bar staff was fabulous! Definitely a hidden gem! Alan, JT and Collin were very nice !

Idk it’s like a Chill dead poets society atmosphere with comfy chairs and a Midwestern (upscale) basement vibe — some say 👀. I enjoyed the not so “secret” entrance. They have unique drink menus with themes like The Good Place. Bonus: truffle popcorn and games and a funky cool Bart red bands Logan — he gives the tastes.

A cool basement bar under Pops Champaign bar on the corner of State and Ohio. Upon entering Pops tell the host you want the Watershed, you'll be directed to go to the right back side and take the stairs under the big "W" You'll be treated to a very relaxed atmosphere and drinks.

I had a wonderful experience here Thursday evening. The bartender and backing staff were incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. High quality and tasty cocktails along with a small yet versatile selection of snacks. Pleasant atmosphere that’s dimly lit and tastefully decorated. I plan to return and recommend to friends!

The Watershed is a warm and welcoming space in the basement of the Pops bar. It has a speakeasy vibe. Our bartender, Colin, was super efficient and friendly. He was helpful and informative with regard to the beer selection and got very creative with the alcohol free cocktails for me! We also tried some bacon wrapped dates with a dill and goat cheese spread from upstairs which was pretty yummy.

Went here for a friend’s birthday and had the best experience! Drinks were great and the service was phenomenal. Our waitress Maggie was the best! Highly recommend

my fiancée & i's favorite bar in the entire city. drinks & food is so good and people/staff are so personable and funny. great place

Unlike their neighbors upstairs watershed understands their customer base, and what it takes to welcome their customers. The servers/bartenders are down to earth, friendly, and most of all relatable. They can make a stiff consistent drink every time. Their knowledge on their selection is adamant. The decor is a little uninspiring, but the kicker is that’s the beauty of it. It is suppose to be a retro basement that leaves little awe. Will definitely stop by every time I️ am in town.

My husband and I met at the Watershed ten years ago and he decided to surprise me by taking me back. Right away, I was blown away by the hostess Maggie who took her time with us and explained how to order and made suggestions. We grabbed a booth and had excellent service from JT right away. I had a lot of questions about the cocktails and he made amazing suggestions and was right on the money with my taste. Dishes were amazing especially the open Banh Mi and the Tuna Ceviche! All dishes came out in a timely manner. Water was never empty. Logan found out about our occasion and personally came over to congratulate us and made it very special for us. My husband a former server has a high bar for service when we go out and he was very impressed! Thank you, JT, Maggie, and Logan for making our night the best it could be!

TLDR: Meh. The booze, service and truffle popcorn were great but we were here on a Saturday night and the table next to us was a large group of early 20-something kids, so naturally it was super loud. Grandpa's chill basement quickly turned into a college frat party. Note: it's not quite the speakeasy people make it out to be.

Had the most amazing experience at Watershed! The servers worked together very well and were happy to get something even though they weren't "our server". The drinks were great and the staff was happy to answer any menu questions, almost seemed like they encouraged questions. We were really impressed and have already made reservations to go back with some family next month!

The service was a nightmare. I was in a party of 6 and we were celebrating a birthday. As we were indulging in lovely conversation, the glasses-wearing bearded server decided to sit next to us without asking and try to engage. Fine. We kept it cordial. He had a good knowledge of the cocktail menu and we decided to take his suggestions. Once he departed to take our drinks, that's when a roller-coaster started. The birthday girl wanted to take pictures in this aesthetically pleasing venue. She takes out her 80's Kodak camera and snaps a couple of pictures of our crew. Flash. The server, irately, shouts at us to turn off the to "turn that fucking flash off the camera!" He says that he is susceptible to seizures. The birthday girl apologizes and explains that the camera doesn't allow for no flash. He snaps back and says "There is an off button!" My friends become so disappointed that this man is yelling and cursing at the lovely birthday girl. She becomes so uncomfortable that she wants to leave. No one has even took a sip of their drinks yet because we were confused if we were welcomed. We didn't know that this man was susceptible to seizures. Had we known, we would've gladly accommodated our server to keep him in a safe space and to continue with our birthday festivities. But the language, unprofessionalism, and anger were uncalled for. So we decided to leave. As we were contemplating the decision, one of our crew wanted to make sure to try to smooth things over. He's non- confrontational guy who believes everyone is redeemable. He decided to gently explain to the server that we meant no harm and that we will explore another bar. The server, while in conservation with my friend, starts screaming and making aggressive gestures with his hands. This is when our party decided that flight is better fight. We all stand up and attempt to walk. The server uses himself as a human blockade and prevents our non-confrontational friend from leaving, saying "Someone is going to pay for these fucking drinks!" I reply no and tell him he needs to let our friend go. That's when he shouts at me "Come at me bro." Most of our party is upstairs by this time and I see my friend blocked from joining the rest of us. I go to the server, look him eye-to-eye, and seriously asked "How you want this to play out? Because I'm with whatever you're trying to do." He looks at me and says "Fine!" He moves from blocking the doorway. We went to Freehand after and had a more welcoming experience. Never again.

I'm always looking for a good speakeasy and I found another one! Watershed is a perfectly dark, swanky, comfortable night spot located in the basement below Pops For Champagne, on the corner of State and Ohio. We were greeted and escorted downstairs by cheerful staff and met with the question, "chess or scrabble"? Well...scrabble of course! We were led to a lush leather seating area surrounding a large swivel scrabble board! How fun and unexpected! The cocktail menu was fun and features seasonal drinks, classics, beer and wine that our group thoroughly enjoyed! What a great little find! Oh....and I won Scrabble

On the night we went, the prohibition style speakeasy downstairs had a menu that was created to play off the show "The Good Place." I watched enough of this show with my wife to know it's about people trapped in an afterlife they initially think is heaven, but turns out to be hell. I could not think of a more appropriate metaphor for our experience at The Watershed. From the immediate and pungent smell of urinal cakes, the rude staff, the overpriced (and terrible champagne), to signature cocktails so disgusting we thought we were just as likely to be on Ashton Kutcher's "Punk'd" as we were in The Good Place. The experience was so bad it was good, if only because we were laughing about the absurdity of it all the entire time. Fork this place.

The drinks and staff were amazing! Great space for a late evening sip with your boo!,

My wife and I came here for a night cap. We found the place on Yelp(obviously). I'm not sure what to think of the ambiance, it was a little off. That aside the old fashions were delicious.

Increíble food. Try their shakshuka. Drinks are amazing. Best bartenders in the city.

I mean wtf is this place? Not sure what makes this a speak easy... I'd call it a basement bar and with an aroma of urinal cakes and bubble gum. To round out the experience we ordered a watershed Janet and a glass of wine...Like I've had bad cocktails before and this one by far is the winner... you could not pay me to drink it. Also, the staff seemed nice or high probably both. Yeah just don't.

Fantastic cocktails and even better bartenders. A must go in Chicago, whether you're a local or from out of town

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I came here with friends for a fun night out, and Watershed DELIVERED. First green flag was that the owner complimented my friend's Taylor Swift hoodie. He then let us queue some songs to listen to, like the juke box king he is. My other friend got a life-changing cinnamon toast crunch martini. Mike the bartender was so sweet, fun, and attentive. The fried pickles and cheese curds were also chef's kiss I can't wait to come back to Chicago and visit again!!

Totally Funday Sunday place to hang out at, if you want to continue a lost bubbles weekend Watershed is a downstairs bar, underneath Pops for Champagne. Definitely a cool place to have drinks, chill out and catch up with friends. Of course they have bubbles, so this is a win win for me. Service was great. Our server was attentive and on top of things. My favorite part of the night was being able to make requests for songs I wanted to hear. The whole appeal of this place is the fact that they play vinyl records, but the turntable was out of service. No matter, they had Spotify, which worked for me. I got to hear everything I request with the exception of one song (due to lyrics, Sucker for Pain from the soundtrack of Suicide Squad...respect that), but no worries. We are frequent patrons of Pops, but this is the first time we have done Watershed. Gotta say I enjoyed it more just for the chilled vibe. Don't get me wrong, I love Pops for the variety of bubbles. But for a place to just chat and drink bubbles, Watershed is it for me. You are probably wondering why I can't do that in Pops....I can. However for me, Pops is my church for bubbles. Watershed is just a cool hangout to drink, listen to good music and chat.

This place is right across the street from my new apartment, so my girlfriend and I went over to it last Thursday. We got some drinks and ordered the cheese curds. I had to run across the street to my apartment because my neighbor had called me to tell me my dog had gotten out... the bartender probably thought we were on the worst first date of all time after I ran out. She tried to console my girlfriend haha. So I get back to the bar and my cheese curds had gone cold, they graciously fried another half order for me when I asked if they could heat it up. They don't have a microwave! No chef Mike in the back. We got another few drinks (try their current tequila cocktail), and the night became pretty great thanks to the ambiance and the service. We'll be back soon.

Cool spot in the basement of Pops. We only had drinks but good times were had by all. I noticed a lot of couples and could definitely see it as a great place for a date or small groups. I like that there are all types of seating too. Luckily, it wasn't very busy on a Sunday night so we had no issues with service. The menu is pretty extensive, with tons of cocktail options plus beer and wine. I had a gimlet but also tried the moscow mule. Both were good but nothing special. Prices were comparable to other places around River North but atmosphere was more laid back. I was into it!

DO NOT GO HERE! Ordered an old fashion and was served something with mezcal and cold brew coffee? Asked if I needed to pay, giving the bartender an opportunity to make it right. Guys seemed to take joy in knowing they were screwing us on our drinks. Will never go back.

We were visiting from out of town and stumbled across the place. It was super easy to find with reasonably priced drinks. But honestly, I think the best part was getting to meet and chat with Logan, one of the owners. He was very personable and kind. I highly recommend!

The bartenders definitely made the experience. Such a relaxed atmosphere and fun to hang out with friends. Loved having some games available. We helped Kenny Loggins have a saxy day!

One of the best hidden gems yo'll uncover here in DTC. Keeping a lounge tucked inside another popular restaurant seems to be the way to go nowadays with trendy and chic spots like Watershed. I came here with a few friends after a long day of Pokemon Go Fest hunting, and needed to knock back some whiskeys to get my mind off the hellish lag that plagued the game. When my friend took me here, I was in awe. This dark, ambient lounge with open seating really made me rethink the spots I had gone before in Chicago. We stayed here for some delicious drinks and appetizers. Their cheese curds were sensational and are a must try in my book! Every drink we had was refreshing and stiff, so don't be shy and try a couple. Service was attentive and always looking out for us even as the lounge was looking a bit dim. Great snacks and beverages make this a spot I'd like to come back again and again.

This is one of the most unique places in the city. My favorite place to stop by after work. The drink menu is so creative, the food is delicious, the vibes are great and the best part is the staff.

I went here with my friend for a drink and we had the best time! We stayed for almost 3 hours, the atmosphere was so amazing. The energy was so positive and fun! The bartender, servers and the host where super friendly and down to earth. The cocktails were unique and absolutely delicious. the location of the bar/restaurant made us feel like we were in a trendy speakeasy! I would 100% recommend this place if you're looking for a fun, artistic atmosphere, craft cocktails and beer and just a good time!

Enter through Pops for Champagne, find the W, walk down the stairs and you will discover Watershed. Boyfriend and I were able to get a seat on a comfortable couch. House cocktails were $11 each so we decided to try the Fresh Hell, Why Don't You Like Me?, Soup to Nuts and You Never Know. I definitely liked the cocktails here better than Pops but none of them blew my mind. The one downside to this place is that it can get LOUD, they could really benefit from sound absorbers.

I was so excited to try this place, but the space was just a bit awkward and service subpar. We came in a group of 8 or so on a weekday. There were maybe two other small groups there, so the place was pretty empty. Some of the chairs and sofas looked super comfy but spaced far apart. We wanted to move them closer together but were told not to. That's fine coz we still found a nook that worked for us. Still the lighting was a bit bright and there was not much music in the background. For a group of 8, we were a bit concerned that we might be too loud. Drinks wise - I personally loved my drink, the Manhattan no. 6.9. A friend of mine didn't love hers and wanted a different drink. Our server appeared pretty offended and unwilling to help her find something she would like. She eventually said they could just make my friend a drink with ingredients she would like, but in a pretty annoyed way. The drink turned out to be decent, but the experience wasn't the greatest. With so many awesome lounges and speakeasies in the city, Watershed won't be getting a return visit from us.

This bar is one of the best for cocktails, and ambience that I have ever been to! Great service and vibe!

The pizza cocktail was a lifetime memory, the conversation was riveting, and the sparkles were on point. If I had to give a rating out of 10, I would have to give it a 12. Hands down, an evening worth spending.

Logan was such a charming & authentic host. it seemed his wealth of knowledge was infinite. we learned so much!! Michael was the perfect level of nerdy: about beverages & about television and about life. We loved his banter. The cocktails are amazing riffs. With unique narratives. Try this spot!

I love this place. It's downstairs under Pop. Came here a couple of times for a quick drink with friends. Great service. Great drinks. Good vibes! What more can you ask for? I will be back for sure!

Very rude bartender that seemed like he didn't want our business. Cocktails were fine but this place is not worth your time unless you're looking for bad service.

Love this place!!! The cocktails are incredible, the service is fantastic, the music is *chefs kiss*. I'd go back just for the fried pickles alone. Mike and Logan were incredibly attentive to our party. 10/10 experience!!!

It's not really a hidden bar. When you arrive and show your ID, the hostess points the way to the staircase entrance. But we did come on a Friday night, so perhaps that's not the norm. It didn't seem very handicap-friendly although I didn't make a full effort to search for an elevator. I had sprained my knee before the trip, and had to limp up and down the stairs. When we arrived, it was around 5:30pm so it wasn't packed. We grabbed a table, and immediately someone came with water. Super friendly staff, very attentive, and didn't make us feel rushed even though we were just two people hogging a booth meant for four. Husband ordered the tequila mule, and I had the sparkling rose. Both were good. Unfortunately we had just eaten at Eatly so we didn't get the chance to try out their food, but the prices looked affordable and portions seemed large (in comparison to everything else in the area). I liked how relaxing this place felt. It was like being in someone's downstairs living room. No one here was really dressed up, so I felt a little better about the fact I was only in yoga stretch pants, tshirt, and hoodie.

Extremely overpriced drinks. For 15 dollars I expected a bigger glass, heck or even just a drink in a glass! The cocktails were in plastic wine glasses and the waitress couldn't even remember our order of 3 drinks. The waiter kept trying to kick us out even though it was only 8pm and we weren't being loud and haven't been sitting around for longer than an hour (we didn't even finish our drinks yet). Two stars because the cocktails were decent and pretty strong and the bgm quite solid.

Very chill spot downstairs from Pops For Champagne. My friend and her colleagues wanted to go somewhere after dinner and I looked across the street and thought hmmm...I've never been to Watershed. Walked across the street and into Pops and then proceeded downstairs. Very nice crowd and luckily we were able get seating that accommodated our group of 7. We all liked the dim, intimate setting with comfy seating and exposed brick, fancy bar decor. We had lots of bubbly at dinner so I decided to stay close to that so I got a sparkling rose which was good. I figured since I was in a cocktail bar, that I would order an old fashioned...was ok, but probably would have been better if I hadn't drank a total of 2 bottles of bubble beforehand lol! Good date spot or good spot to bring a group of friends that enjoy cocktails. I like!

Watershed is a cute place below Pops for Champagne. Use the same entrance as Pops, then head towards the back then down the stairs. On a lovely Saturday night, we got the last table in the spot so it does fill up around 9pmish. Watershed has a very lounge like atmosphere - dim lighting, a bunch of tables around for groups or pairs or cushy couches, and some low chill music playing. They have a variety of cocktails, hard liquors and bottled/canned beers with a page of wines and just 2 beers on tap. Though I was sad there wasn't more on draft (and I wish they had told me what was on draft, I thought all was bottled), they had a good bottled selection. They divided up their beer selection by state and all of it was from the Midwest, mostly Illinois, so that was nice to see. I had drank everything they offered from Illinois but found a couple from other states to try. Prices are decent-ish...ranging from $6-8 for most bottles. Service was okay though nothing overly friendly. We'd sometimes sit with empty drinks for quite some time before being checked up on and able to order another. Overall, decent place for a couple drinks before heading to dinner or a night out on the town! I'd make it more of a stopover though than a destination spot.

Speakeasy. Down the stairs at pops for champagne. I've always found a place to sit every time I've been here so it never seems too busy to me. Dimly lit, wooden accents, booths against the wall, large sofas and chairs. Makes it feel cozy, intimate, and old-timey. Good strong cocktails. I think they were $15 each. Their old-fashioned here is quite good. It's definitely less loud and flashy than your other river north places, so it's a nice respite to grab a drink and chill

What a cute spot! It's secluded in the basement of the restaurant, but a pretty lively atmosphere when you get downstairs. Enter in through Pops for Champaign door and follow the W down the stairs. I met a friend here for drinks after work on a Friday and it was packed, but we were able to get a table. Going off the recommendations of our waitress I went with the "you never know" whiskey based drink. I believe it was Apple whiskey and it was light and refreshing. I didn't order food, but my friend tried the oysters (tiny) and the chicken wings. She said both were good. I will definitely be back :)

Go into Pops Champagne bar and head down the stairs with a "W" over the door. This place is cool. I had the "I'm a businessman" bourbon drink w/absinthe. Served in a classy cut crystal glass, it was so good. There is low light, candle light, bites to eat, and expert cocktail making. The prices were fair for this part of town. The server was cordial and really knew the drink list well, it's nice when the service staff understands the art behind the bar. There is a 8 seat bar area, the rest are cozy couches, tables, and group seating.

Such a cool bar! The upstairs champagne bar has an entirely different vibe, but we didn't spend time there. Downstairs, there are lots of comfy seating options. I liked that I could sit in a low seat at the bar! Lots of fancy, well-made drinks that you couldn't just make at home. Bartenders were nice and attentive. Definitely recommend for a laid-back night of delicious cocktails.

PRO: -Chill ambience and wait staff -Unique cocktail options -LOVE the music that was played closer to closing (think 90s/00s RnB: Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, etc.) CON: -Limited seating so you may have a wait depending on time of night OVERALL: One of my new favorite go-to spots for drinks/night-cap. Was able to snag a primo spot on a couch. Enjoyed the music and the atmosphere. They do a great job of keeping the crowd at a minimum for a more relaxed environment. Reminds me of hanging out in someone's living room. PRO TIP: Location is in the basement/under the Pops for Champagne bar.

Been here a few times. Good service and drinks. Had the flatbread which was tasty. Has a speakeasy feel would love if it was more traditional secret entrance style! But maybe that's just me! Eclectic furniture is interesting I like the couches and booties for seating.

A very rustic, upscale lounge yet it is meant for casual gatherings. I have visited once and it has immediately became my go-to spot for late night drinking. It's most likely the only place where I do not have to blush while asking, "Why don't you like me?" If you don't understand what that meant, just go take a look at their cocktail list. It's a mix of hum botanical spirit, garmer's gin, Leopold tart cherry, lemon, and soda. And as you drink away, it would not hurt to nibble on something. Go for the truffle fries!

Their hours aren't what they say they are. I went at 11pm on a Thursday night, and was told they were closed when it says it's closed at 2 am. So make sure you call before driving and wasting time to a "closed" bar!

It is downstairs from pop champagne. Just walk to the back and down the stairs. They have a great selection of beers and bourbons. They do try to source locally in be neighboring states. You can try whiskies which you will rarely find anywhere else. Good place to wet for pre dinner drinks to just to start night.

I like that this bar is underground. I kind of like to imagine it as a secret amongst people in the know. I like the blend of beer and cocktails this place has. I've I'm drinking in the river north part of the city it's my bar of choice. Got a New York sour and Point Special ale. Caught up with a close friend. It's not a giant bar but they do OK job of waiters taking orders from the table if you're not sitting by the bar.

Stopped by for a cocktail on Friday night. It was a nice basement bar below pop champagne. I was unimpressed with the cocktail menu. Didn't have many unique choices. In addition, only one server was working so it took a while to get served. However, we were able to get a table by walking in by 8:30pm so that was nice. It was pretty filled and loud. By the time we left there was a long line to get seated.

Nice little "speakeasy" we almost missed if we didn't ask for its location... ‍ Tucked downstairs of Pops champagne bar, nice spot to grab a drink and lounge...

A small, intimate atmosphere in the basement of a wine bar. Classic cocktails with unique interpretations at prices that would be low in most American cities but are dirt cheap by Chicago standards. If you're in the neighborhood, it's definitely worth popping in.

Nice, comfortable, dimly lit cocktail bar that will make you feel warm & cozy during a Chicago winter. It's located in the basement of Pops for Champagne Bar and for first-timers, you will likely need to be shown what direction to head in to find this. We came around 5 pm on a Friday night & had a pick of any couch, chair, table, seat at the bar that we could possibly find, but within 30 minutes the place was filled up! While the bar is geared more towards whiskey/scotch drinkers (and it definitely passes my husband's test for good whiskey bar), it also has numerous options for the non-whiskey drinker (like myself), as well. I found a delicious mixed drink to start off with and ended with a nice (and affordable) glass of bubbly! It's a great hidden bar that I will definitely come back to!

This bar is kind of hard to find. It's hidden away in the basement of the bar above it, but that just adds to its cool atmosphere! The drinks here are really good and reasonably priced for a downtown bar. The cocktails are particularly good! I got a Moscow Mule and it was well made and served in a nice glass. Overall, I recommend this bar!

On a mission to find a fab whiskey bar in Chicago, I stumbled across Watershed and after some research, thought to give it a try. I don't know where to begin. I'm floored!!! Step down the stairs and you'll enter an old English style, dark & cozy world of exceptional cocktails. Their cocktail names are bound to get your attention as they are quiet humorous- 'Why don't you like me?', 'I'm a businessman' to name a few. Coming to the highlight of the evening- I conveyed to my server that I was new to bourbon and would appreciate some suggestions. 5 min later I'm presented with flights of 5 bourbon's 'labeled'- & Guess what- On the house!!! Mind blown!!! And hence Im introduced to my fav bourbon- from a small batch called Rowan's creek. Their selection of whiskey's is exceptional. One of the best in Chicago in my opinion. So are their cocktails- worth every buck- couple I tried were Crick in my neck, daiquiri and few more I was too happy to remember the names of. I've suggested this bar to all my friends ever since and will continue to do so. Very romantic, lovely spot!

My friend recommended this restaurant and I'm so happy I got a chance to try it! It was one of the best meals I had while I was in Chicago. I went on a weekday night and the restaurant was pretty empty and the ambiance was nice and relaxing. It is located in the basement of Pops for Champagne. I went with some coworkers after work and we ordered the French Fries, Cheese Curds, Duck Confit, Shrimp, and Wings to share. Everything was delicious but the French Fries and Cheese Curds were my favorite! The French Fries were the best French Fries I've ever had! They were super crispy and came with yummy dipping sauce. It was my first time having Cheese Curds and I'm so glad we ordered it! They were like mozzarella sticks but the batter surrounding the cheese was crunchy and so much tastier! The Shrimp was small considering that it was around $15 and the wings were comparable to Buffalo Wild Wings. The Duck Confit was good and tasted like Chinese Roast Duck to me. My friend recommended the Risotto and Pain Perdu. I never got to try these dishes but if you ever try them, let me know how they are! I went back on a Friday night and the bar was crowded and there was a wait. I ordered the You Never Know cocktail per the waitress' recommendation for a sweet drink and a side of fries to share. The fries a little too hot but I still enjoyed them. The You Never Know cocktail was good and I would recommend it if you prefer sweet drinks.