The Violet Hour

4.6

181 Reviews

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 35 times today

Experiences are available.

Great for creative cocktails
Good for special occasions
Romantic

This James Beard award winning bar program, serves seasonally-driven libations amongst candlelit tables and a sprawling marble bar. Centrally located in the heart of the vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood, surrounded by delicious restaurants and boutique shopping. Cocktails are inspired by trailblazing head mixologist Toby Maloney.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Dining Bar
Hours of operation
Daily 5:00 pm–1:00 am
Phone number
(773) 252-1500
Website
http://www.theviolethour.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
The Violet Hour would be thrilled to host your next special event. Events are organized in "cocktail party" fashion with passed drinks and appetizers available from our seasonal menus.

Location
1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Neighborhood
Bucktown / Wicker Park
Cross street
N Milwaukee & N Damen
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
- 1 minute walk from Damen Blue Line Station - 1 min walk from Damen & Milwaukee North Ave Bus Stop
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

The Fireside Experience
$100.00 per person
Prepaid
Oct 20, 2023 - Mar 22, 2025
Indulge in a flight of 3 bartender-selected favorites from The Violet Hour's exclusive back-catalog of cocktails paired with each beverage's origin story. Enjoy reserved VIP seating at the hearth of our beautiful fireplace as our team leads you through each handcrafted beverage.

What 181 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.4Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Chicago / Illinois
Cocktail Bar

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Violet Hour is highly praised for its inventive cocktails and "fantastic service." Guests enjoy its intimate, romantic atmosphere and attentive staff, with standout experiences like the "Fireside Experience." The speakeasy vibe and expert mixology make it a top choice for visitors seeking an extraordinary night out.

181 Reviews

J
Jenna
VIP
Milwaukee
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Fantastic drinks, great service - but I wish they would update their space and the music. They have a great opportunity to be sexier… it’s the same as it was 10 years ago.
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J
Jorge
Chicago
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
I have been there a few times and I like it. Just this last time drinks took a little longer to arrive but nothing too serious.
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A
Abigail
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Really creative cool cocktails and a fun atmosphere. Very cozy. Not impressed by the food personally but would go back for the vibe and the drinks.
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N
Nat
VIP
London
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Was excited to revisit as it’s been a while. The magic is definitely gone. Not sure if it’s a new layout or lighting, or the vibe from the staff or all of the above. We would have loved to stay longer and have a second cocktail but the server was simply not attentive. We sat waiting with empty glasses for a while and ultimately flagged someone down for our check so we could spend our hard earned money elsewhere.
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K
Katie
Chicago
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Drinks were amazing, food not so much. Loved the vibe, but could have been more comfortable seating.
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P
Patrick
VIP
Chicago
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Just over rated. Confrontational from the start. Took forever to get service and even longer for an over priced cocktail. Meh…
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M
Michael
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience! Drinks are very well made. The food all went well with the drinks. It was a little expensive, but you do get what you paid for. The ambiance was second to none.
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g
gray
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
something that set the Violet hour apart from other cocktail lounges was simply how attentive our server was. she walked by a few times and she recognized that we were in the middle of a conversation it was very respectful to not interrupt rather waiting for the perfect moment to approach us in between conversation and ask if we needed anything else it's the small details like that that make an establishment is great as the Violet hour.
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P
Paul
Chicago
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on January 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Ambience was nice and drinks were terrific. Service was great as well.
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L
Lydia
Chicago
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We booked the Fireside Experience for my husbands birthday. Sydney was an excellent host for the evening. She worked with the bartender to curate the perfect cocktail dough based on our personal preferences. Brandon from Nashville was the bartender who made all of our drinks. Every single drink and detail presented to us was PERFECT!!!! The intimate seating in front of the fireplace was such a great vibe. I highly recommend this experience and will be returning again.
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FAQs

The Violet Hour offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (773) 252-1500.

The Violet Hour is rated 4.6 stars by 181 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 35 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Additional information

Cross street
N Milwaukee & N Damen
Neighborhood
Bucktown / Wicker Park
Hours of operation
Daily 5:00 pm–1:00 am
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Dining Bar
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
- 1 minute walk from Damen Blue Line Station - 1 min walk from Damen & Milwaukee North Ave Bus Stop
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.theviolethour.com/
Phone number
(773) 252-1500
Private party facilities
The Violet Hour would be thrilled to host your next special event. Events are organized in "cocktail party" fashion with passed drinks and appetizers available from our seasonal menus.

The Violet Hour

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Experiences

The Fireside Experience

Menu

What 181 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does The Violet Hour offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Violet Hour restaurant rated?

Is The Violet Hour currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information