Hyatt's Red Bar oozes with hotel chic
A combination of classy and sporty serves up Hyatt Regency O'Hare's newest addition to its lobby level, an energy-charged lounge called Red Bar. Walking in, you can clearly see how it got its name. Red couches and leather seats circled around center podiums give the club a look that's both relaxing and upbeat.
Motif: Chic and sporty says it all. You can sip one of Red Bar's signature martinis while relaxing on elegant leather sofas or belly up to the curved bar and catch the game on one of 21 plasma TV screens. And that's just the bar section. Red Bar's dining counterpart is a loungey restaurant area featuring booths of the same comfort and style. Slide in here for appetizers and refreshments, each of which has a definite Italian theme.
Crowd: Since this is a hotel, not to mention the lobby of a hotel, you'll most likely be exposed to tourists and travelers visiting family, or people finding their way to expos and conventions, so the surrounding atmosphere here is somewhat if not consistently active. The place itself might not get too crowded during mid-day or afternoon as people are generally out and about, but you generally don't have to worry too much about a wait either way. And just in case you're wondering, Red Bar maintains a no-kids-allowed policy.
Service: The staff on hand is used to serving groups, so they're quick to accommodate patrons with a bunch of friends. Want to split an entree with two or three people? They'll most likely accommodate with separate servings. Courteous and friendly, the waitstaff tends to treat people as though they were among their guests -- even if they're not.
Liquid consumption: There's a good variety of beer and wines as well as margaritas, martinis, scotch, cognacs and tequilas. Try a creamsicle martini!
Sounds: Twenty-one plasma TV screens all around the bar are always turned on to the latest in news and sports, so you're sure to have some background noise to add to your leisure conversation, as well as the occasional hoots and cheers. Sports fan or not, the lively atmosphere will make you feel a part of it.
Food: The mostly Italian menu gives way to appetizer choices ranging from fontina and risotto fritters in spicy marinara to the classic chicken wings in three flavors. Red Bar boasts a wide selection of pizzas from classic pepperoni and fun barbeque with smoked chicken and my personal favorite, Hawaiian. There are also salads, sandwiches and burgers.
Price: This isn't a fast-food place, plus it's part of a hotel, so expect the drinks and main-course meals to be a little on the pricey side. Appetizers range from $6 to $11 and main meals from $11 to $13. Depending on your drink, cocktail prices can span $11 and $13 as well. The same goes for that teeny yet powerful shot of Patron Silver.
Parking: While this is a hotel with plenty of parking space, you just might need to hunt down an open one. It's not like one of those little pubs on the street where you have to drive over to the next bar and worry about those "take-out parking only" sort of deals, but be wary of these kinds of signs anyway, especially spots reserved for staff and employees of the hotel.
Overall: I personally like bars that are inside hotels. They're roomier and hidden, and it makes the whole experience more relaxing, like a private party just for you. Whether you're traveling or not, Red Bar treats patrons like hotel guests, even if you're just a tourist in your own town, and there's nothing wrong with that! This dressed-up sports bar lets you feel at once cool and casual, fun and active.
INFO:
Red Bar at Hyatt Regency O'Hare
9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, (847) 696-1234, ohare.hyatt.com
Hours: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday