Photo: Courtesy of The Revel Room.
Even with a surplus of hot bars in this city, it’s not always easy to find the perfect first-date spot, let alone a bar that isn’t filled with football on all 20 flat-screen televisions. Don’t get us wrong — we all love a good sports bar (or any excuse to inhale nachos, wings, and beer), but once in a while, a girl needs some plush leather booths, perfectly crafted cocktails, a stellar beer menu, and lighting that makes everyone a Betty.
Thanks to owners Matt Eisler and Kevin Heisner (of Trencherman and Bangers & Lace), along with the team behind Five Star Bar, we have the venue we’ve always dreamed of: The Revel Room. This sexy Wicker Park bar (formerly Empire Liquors) brings the ever-evolving neighborhood a cozy, chic, and comfortable place for everyone to hang. Keeping it all in the Heisler Hospitality family, the partners brought on Ronnie Higgins (former bartender at Bar Deville) to head the cocktail menu while Ria Neri (beer connoisseur from Bangers & Lace) will revolutionize the beer selection, focusing heavily on canned beer. The bar features endless seating areas, from the adorned burgundy booths to the secluded back room with walls lined in Victorian-inspired art. Looks like we found your new go-to spot for those upcoming chilly fall nights.
The Revel Room, 1556 North Milwaukee Avenue (at North and Damen avenues); 773-278-1600.