Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
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GUIDE imbibe underneath it all THE ONLY WAY IS DOWN AT THESE SULTRY SUBTERRANEAN NIGHT SPOTS. BY MEG MATHIS The Bedford W hideaway's moniker loosely icker Park's supper-club- inspired den in the historic Home Bank & Trust boasts a thoughtfully crafted cocktail menu; admire the original vault room's floor-to-ceiling lockboxes while sipping on the signature Cucumber Cooler, or try the Pimms Cup & Tonic with lemongrass and basil tonic. 1612 W. Division St., 773-235-8800; bedfordchicago.com Curio T he intimate lounge beneath Gilt Bar is reminiscent of a bygone speakeasy, with tufted leather banquettes, glowing candlelight, and a libation list that ranges from chartreuse cocktails to tiki drinks. The formerly cash-only club now accepts credit, making it even easier to get a drink down low. 230 W. Kinzie St., 312-464-9544; giltbarchicago.com Double A M ixologists Tad Carducci and Paul Tanguay create drinks like the Spaghetti Western with London Dry Gin, Campari, Cointreau, maraschino, and blood orange at this exclusive 65-seat lounge below Latin hot spot Mercadito. 108 W. Kinzie St., 312-329-9555; doubleachicago.com DiSotto Enoteca S cott Harris's Francesca's tradition thrives underneath Streeterville; the cavernous 138 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM translates to "underground wine bar" and delivers a well-curated selection of French and Italian whites and reds. 200 E. Chestnut St., 312-482-8727; disottoenoteca.com The Office A t able at Next is easy to get compared to the 20 sought-after seats at this invitation- or reservation-only speakeasy in the basement of adjacent watering hole Aviary. Headed by mixolo- gist Jason Cevallos, the separate menu features $20 cocktail combinations like Cognac, tonka, quassia, smoked black pepper, and vanilla bean. 955 W. Fulton Market, 312-226-0868; theaviary.com SUB 51 F riday and Saturday nights see Chicago's trendsetters spilling into the private space below HUB 51 for exclusive bottle service. DJ Spider and Chris Kennedy have been known to take the helm of the club's state-of-the-art Funktion-One sound system. 51 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-0051; hub51chicago.com Suite T his Old Town hideaway offers a sweet spot for celebrating with house specialties like the Whiskey with Sour and martinis such as the Pop Star martini with Ketel One Citroen, watermelon liqueur, and Champagne complete with a Pop Rocks trim. cocktails like The Hummer and The Bombay General. The hidden hot spot also showcases up-and-coming local musicians for its First Listen program on Thursday nights. 56 W. Illinois St., 312-644-7600; theundergroundchicago.com Watershed T he 1,500-square-foot space tucked below Tree Studios features exposed limestone foundations and focuses on regional products within the Great Lakes watershed. The Dwight Yoakam–inspired cocktail Smoke Along the Track offers a spin on the old-fashioned with Lion's Pride Whiskey from Koval Distillery. 601 N. State St., 312-266-4932; watershedbar.com MA screen televisions and 48 beers on tap, this Streeterville sports bar is the next best thing to watching the Bears at Soldier Field. Cocktails like the Honey Hot Toddy and Captain's Spiced Cider will make braving the elements more bearable. 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 312-642-0700; timothyotooles.com/Chicago The Underground T his River North destination nixes the velvet rope attitude so everyone can indulge in The Bedford serves classic cocktails near an original bank vault. 1446 N. Wells St., 312-787-6103; suite-lounge.com Timothy O'Tooles Pub W ith more than 60 HD flat- DOWN THE HATCH Pops for Champagne's beverage director W. Craig Cooper mixes things up at Watershed. What is the atmosphere at Watershed? I was inspired by bars in Prague and Krakov, Poland; they're downstairs because it's so cold. Here, we went for this "rich uncle's ski lodge" look. What is a trademark of your drinks? Every cocktail comes in its own signature colored glassware from the '50s and '60s. We know what everyone's drinking based on their glasses. Where is your favorite spot? The first booth in the corner against the wall. Watershed guests feel right at home with regional products in cocktails.