Good spot for after dinner drinks in Chicago?
 

Hello. Mrs. Dingo and I will be staying at the W on Dearborn next week. We're having dinner Friday night at Gene and Georgetti's and would like to find a nice bar for an after dinner cocktail. We're not in to clubs or loud music. We'd love some jazz or even just a piano bar. Any suggestions on something in the general area of where we'll be? We're not that familiar with Chicago.

Do you mean the Westin on Dearborn? If you are, then Bin36 is across the street from the hotel and that is a nice place. Actually, I like the bar in the Westin, too. Around the corner is a place called Andy's and they have jazz. It is not a nice, loungy type place, but it is a cool spot to hear some music. Not sure what is around the restaurant.

I'll second Andy's for Jazz. For piano bar, I'm partial to the Redhead, 16 W. Ontario (and State), about 5 blocks or so north of the Westin (if that's indeed where you're staying).

Andy's is mostly smooth jazz which is fine if that is your thing, serious jazz can be found on Grand Ave at the Jazz Showcase. http://www.jazzshowcase.com/

Drinks in the evening along a window on the 96th floor of the Hancock building is a wonderful way to sip your favorite drink. DO NOT eat at the 95th restaurant, very poor and mucho $$$.

I had it mixed up. We're at the Westin for the weekdays, and the W on Adams over the weekend. Bin36 looks to be mostly a wine bar. We'd like to have a margarita and mixed drinks.

Are Jazz Showcase and Andy's close by to the W?

Jazz Showcase and Andy’s are both the same distance away, about 1 1/4 miles from the W City Center, north of the river.

Thanks everyone. If there are places closer to the W I'd love the suggestions.

Unfortunately, the W City Center is in the heart of the business area called "the loop". There is not a ton of stuff nearby that will be open on the weekends, let alone later in the evening. Cabs are a plenty, so don't let distance stop you. The W itself has a fun bar called Whiskey Blue.

You will be not far from Randolph St., which is considered Restaurant Row, however, while there are a ton of restaurants (all of which have a bar area), there are not a ton of bars just for the drinking. Maybe Fulton Lounge? http://www.fultonlounge.com. Also, Greektown is close and there is a place called the Green Room, http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...0,163475.venue, you may want to try. Both are kind of swanky and sound like what you want. Not sure of the noise level in either place.

No need to worry about proximity - taxis are plentiful and inexpensive.

Like others have mentioned, your best bet will be to cab up to the area by the Westin (River North), much more in the way of bars there.

Heck, if you can change your stay around, I would stay the Westin over the weekend. Much more to do that way. There is the theater district in the loop and plenty of restaurants, but little in the way of nightlife.

Thank you everyone for your help. I think we'll try to hit the Redhead for a drink and then venture on from there. Thanks folks!

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the bar in the W on Adams.