Encore Liquid Lounge

Too expensive for what you’re getting, but a great place to feel like a sophisticate, petite or not. Really friendly staff.

If you aspire to live your life like a «Mad Men» character (read: day drinking pro) this is the place for you.

As many of us Loop office slaves know, there are a lot of lunch options, but nothing that really stands out! (Except to-​go places such as Cafecito, Naansense, & Blackwood BBQ) Encore is a great place for a simple, relaxing lunch. With many sandwich and salad options, there is something for everyone. Service is quick and efficient, so you never have to wait long in case you have to report back to the office. I’ve been here about five times now and have never taken more than an hour for lunch.
Some highlights include the special grilled chicken, provalone, & asparagus sandwich, the carver station sandwiches, and the southwest salad. Also, the free cookie at the end of the meal is a nice touch! I’m sure this place is pretty great for happy hours post-​Chicago Broadway show, as well. Again, while it doesn’t blow me away, it is a steady, consistent option for lunch in the Loop.

My, I do love a nice hotel bar, though this one has its own entrance; so it doesn’t quite transport me to another place. But when I met my friend at Ogilvie Station, it came to mind that Encore, after several years, deserved an encore, and it was as chill as I remembered it. On a Friday evening around 6 pm, we were able to snag a nice table for two and the music was low enough to have an intimate conversation, like one wants to do sometimes.
A well-​crafted Manhattan and then another, and we left the work week behind in a hurry. I like the layout, because the tables are far enough apart to be private, yet there was still enough energy in the place to be lively. Perhaps it’s the round shape of the place, rippling out from the circular bar in the center. How egalitarian. Maybe the UN should have a meeting in here with martinis all around and they could come to an agreement on something.
Excellent service from the server – took a couple minutes to get the bill, but no time at all to get the first and second drinks. Nice to know some people have their priorities in order.
We already had dinner plans, and I haven’t tried the food here in the past, but it’s not something I’ve thought of much; because it’s always nice to have drinks at one place and reservations at the next.

Thank you travelzoo for opening our eyes to this amazing gem.
A friend and I dined here yesterday with the travelzoo lunch special (two entrees and two soft drinks for 19 dollars).
Can you say hip? This place takes you back in time and has a real speak easy kind of feel.
I ordered the smoked salmon sandwich and my friend ordered the grilled tuna wrap.
Each came with chips, and a choice of fruit or wasabi cole slaw.
Okay so here is where i turn into «that guest» With me being a vegetarian for years, and not eating any fish, I was confused with what smoked salmon was, I thought it was going to be grilled salmon. (yes I am an idiot)
The sandwich came out, and I was shocked. So much salmon. My vegetarian days were creeping back to me, and I just couldn’t eat it.
So, I just ate all the chips and fruit, and put my sandwich to the side. My friend noticed I wasn’t eating the sandwich, and told me to say something… but no «I will not be that person, I will not be that person» kept repeating over and over again in my head. I work in the food and beverage industry, and didn’t want to be «that guest».
Our waitress, Chanita, noticed that I didn’t eat any of it, and offered me something else. I kept saying no, it was my own fault, there was nothing wrong with my order I’m just an idiot and didn’t realize what I actually ordered. (Blonde moment)
She kept insisting to get me something else, even offered me the grilled salmon sandwich they had.
We finally agreed on me taking a half of caesar wrap to go. I get home and they gave me a full wrap with chips!
This place knows customer service. I want to thank Chanita for being so sweet to me, and again, working in food and beverage, I really didn’t want to be «that person». She made sure I didn’t feel that way at all, she also welcomed that travelzoo with open arms. (Bonus points since some people can get snotty when they see you are using a discount)
The only reason I am not giving this place 5 stars is because without the travelzoo it would be a little pricy for lunch (up to 18 dollars per entrée). But hey! It’s in a hotel and in downtown Chicago, so it’s expected.
Can’t wait to come back for happy hour!
Bravo Encore!

Food is OK, minimal vegetarian selection. Drinks on the other hand are quite good. Service throughout the restaurant stinks, so don’t hold your breath waiting to be checked on… you’ll turn blue in the face. :(

Went there on a Saturday evening. Wasn’t crowded. Sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly and attentive. Drinks were re-​filled promptly. I ordered a glass of wine so not sure about the quality of the mixed drinks.
Think it was mostly the hotel crowd hanging out there. I would go there again.

Encore is located inside the Allegro, and is open late night for those catching a late dinner.
I flew into the city late and wanted to grab something to eat around 9:30 pm. Luckily Encore was open, but was more of a lounge by that time so the kitchen was slow — took about 40 minutes for my to-​go BBQ chicken pizza and salad. The food was mediocre, but at that point I was just ready to eat anything.
As a lounge, it seems like a better place to check out — some cool booths were scattered around making a little semi-​private space for groups.

Rafael and Jimmy made the dining experience perfect. Stopped in for apps and a couple of cocktails before the show (TPOO). My wife and I shared two items. Louisiana crab cakes and porky pig belly sammy’s and they were very good. Will surely go back again next time we go and watch a show next door.

I just gotta say, best crab cakes ever. No joke.
I stopped by during St. Patrick’s weekend, because I was looking for somewhere quiet to eat. Most places in the area were closed, completely empty, or too rowdy for me. I found Encore to be a perfect spot. The space has plenty of options when it comes to seating. The bar is in the center, where I originally started. When business started picking up, I moved to the dining section which was very comfortable and a nice switch in atmosphere. Not that I couldn’t have stayed at the bar, because it did look like a lot of fun… I was more interested in breaking down my script and eating something light and that exactly what I did.
And it was great!
The staff, food, drinks were all top notch! I love that they’re bringing in my favorite cider, Angry Orchard, and can’t wait to try the ahi tuna which was my second choice. Next time!

Three stars for good salad options for a sit down loop lunch. Fourth star is for the bonus chocolate chip cookie they give you at the end of your meal!

I love the loop as there are so many cool places! This is a gem of a little hotel bar. The atmosphere is sleek and down right sexy!
The bartenders were excellent and quick with a recommendation. The crowd was relaxed and friendly too!

Hotel bars are usually a little cheesy… And that’s what you get here. I think the name says it all, right? Liquid Lounge. That said, the bar is actually just fine. Nothing amazing but the bartenders were really kind and the servers were plentiful on a busy night.
While I normally drink cocktails I opted for a glas of wine. Reason being, the guys next to me ordered Old Fashioneds. My absolute FAVORITE cocktail… and they did it horribly wrong. Muddled Maraschino cherries? Ick! Not to mention a lack of bitters leaving the cocktail orange instead of a nice amber/​light brown color. I couldn’t help but notice that the man was also disappointed with his drink and asked for something else. He was polite about it though because no one was actually trying to make the drink wrong, I think the bartender just wasn’t too clear on how to make it properly.
I loved Hotel Allegro (upstairs) and if I stay there again, I wouldn’t be against re-​visiting. But stick to something easy here like a gin and tonic or house wine.

Very trendy, futuristic-​like. Love the circular bar. We went one night but they were working real hard to be closed by 11, even though the place was full. They said they heard there were some bachelorette parties coming and so they were trying to get last call out and all packed up so they could close before the girls show up. I heard that, looked around and thought «this seems like the opposite of a business»
Otherwise I liked the place.
OH, also, my martini glass was not chilled like it properly should be.

I used to fight for a spot at Stocks & Blondes for an after-​work beer. It didn’t matter what day you dragged your sorry ass in there, it’d be packed anytime after 4:30 p.m. Many times I’d end up next to the window of the first room next to a group of brodudes talking about brodude things.
Then one day I decided to swing into Encore, which is literally around the corner from my building. What was this? Ample seating? Great music? Bar bites? No wait for a drink? A lovely beer list? Wow. I’m talking La Fin du Monde and Alpha King. Left Hand Milk Stout and Bells Two Hearted Ale. The food options are all right, though I wouldn’t go back to get dinner again. I’m so tired of small plates in the Chicago dining scene that I could throw a million small plates at a wall in retaliation.
But go for the beer. And the nice service. And the very strong cocktails. At $ 12 a martini, it’s not too bad of a deal for the loop.

Very Eclectic Drink & Food Menu
So its Christmas time, and you try to fit in lunches, or after work cocktails with those colleagues you value during the holiday season to wish them well. An attorney who works for me picked Encore. I had never been there before, and am not a fan of the adjoining hotel. I was pleasantly surprised. The drinks were reasonably priced for a downtown establishment, and the menu of cocktails & beverages was substantial. The food was generously proportioned and unique in some respects. For example, Shrimp Corn Dogs! You MUST try them. Outstanding.

This bar has a cross between Alice in Wonderland and a subversive Clockwork Orange thing going on. In other words, fantastic interior.
Was here for a corporate Xmas party, so drinks were freeeee. .. but I understand they’re a bit pricey. I’d come back, it looks like a good after work hangout.

What an unexpectedly pleasant lunch! A friend and I decided to treat ourselves to a long-​ish lunch, and boy am I glad we did. Encore may not be, since we were belly laughing ourselves to tears over a ridiculously funny spam e-​mail, but this isn’t about them. Oh wait, actually it is.
Encore has a pretty extensive lunch menu and you can also do a combo with a half sandwich and a side salad or cup of soup which is what I opted to do. For $ 13.25, I got half a tenderloin sandwich which was great, a cup of chili ($ 1upcharge from the $ 12.25 combo price), housemade chips, and a side of fruit. I ate every bite, I think. Clean plate club!
The place was a little packed but they were good at managing the flow. Always good to have another place in the Loop.

Not even a whole block away from the job so it should be a no-​brainer that this be my go to spot for afterwork drinks. Actually I have been here only 3 times in the 3.5 years I have worked so close to it.
Usually a suit & tie crowd or at least slacks and shirts. Drinks can be a little expensive here so maybe thats the reason I don’t frequent. All 3 times I have been I have stumbled out in a drunken state, so I definitely recommend this joint if you work nearby.
By the way, this place is connected to the Allegro Hotel

Encore Liquid Lounge is slowly becoming my go-​to place for lunch near my office where you can sit down and be waited on… and not wait a grillion years for a table. I think this is mainly because ELL is generally viewed as a venue for pre-​theatre cocktailing or after-​work drinks. Who knew they also have a pretty sweet lunch menu?
I’m a huge advocate of the Encore Combo, which is a half sandwich or wrap with a cup of our soup of the day or house salad. With that combo, you also get TWO sides including house made chips and your choice of wasabi slaw, fresh fruit or cottage cheese. I’d recommend going for the cottage cheese. I’m a total weirdo and really enjoy dipping my house made chips in my cottage cheese for the perfect combination of salty/​creamy deliciousness. Sort of like a healthier French onion dip… but not. I know I’m totally digressing here, so I’ll move on.
My favorite sandwich option is the chicken fajita wrap filled with grilled chicken, sweet peppers, onions, tomatoes with monterey jack cheese and guacamole dressing. Tell me that doesn’t sound awesome. It is. Delectable and awesome.
Service is always on point and the check is always delivered swiftly. While I’m discussing the check, I should forewarn that this is not the cheapest lunch option in the area. The Encore Combo will run you just over $ 12, but keep in mind it’s a lot of food and yummy food at that. Sometimes it’s okay to splurge a bit on a weekday lunch.