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minibar Reviews List
minibar
In the heart of Halsted Street is minibar, a full-service bar in a hip, "hotel lounge" envioronment. Designed by 2004 Vox/Out award winner Kaufman Segal Design, minibar welcomes you with beautiful lounge seating and dazzling bar features.
minibar's cafe enhances our mighty drink menu with a concentration on wines from around the world! Furthermore, you can fill up on a gourmet menu filled with bruschettas, cheeses and paninis brought to you by our own Stu Zirin. His culunary expertise has been the talk of the town for years. His famous gourmet dinners have consistantly been featured in many Chicago magazines and local papers.
See more minibar details
minibar's cafe enhances our mighty drink menu with a concentration on wines from around the world! Furthermore, you can fill up on a gourmet menu filled with bruschettas, cheeses and paninis brought to you by our own Stu Zirin. His culunary expertise has been the talk of the town for years. His famous gourmet dinners have consistantly been featured in many Chicago magazines and local papers.
31 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 31 reviews
5 stars
(16)
4 stars
(13)
3 stars
(0)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- great for brunch(21)
- vibrant bar scene(18)
- good for groups(17)
- hot spot(15)
- neighborhood gem(10)
- late-night find(7)
minibar Reviews List
Review 1 for minibar
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Open, but no one was there!
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"It's probably not fair to only give one star since we didn't end up eating here. We would have liked to but the restaurant didn't seem to be open for business. (Open Table, you should offer a "not applicable" option for reviews!)
We arrived for our 7 p.m. reservation about two minutes late. The door was open but no one was there to greet us. In fact, there wasn't a single soul around. There were boxes on the floor that looked like they had been just delivered. We called out to see if there was someone in the back but no one answered. It was a little spooky!
After hanging around awkwardly for a couple of minutes, we left and went to a different restaurant."
Dined on 5/03/2013
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Review 2 for minibar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Late Night Food & Fun Dancing
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had tapas late night after a show at Sinzation, and the staff was very accommodating. Shout out to Zachary, most adorable and genuinely sweet person and waiter ever! Only negative - music so loud my ears are still bleeding today."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find
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Review 3 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Everyone was really nice!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Everyone was really nice! Our waiter, Dante, was awesome! Food and beverages were great!"
Dined on 04/21/2013
2013
Special Features: great for brunch
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Review 4 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent choice for brunch!
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Minibar was a great find! Had brunch with a small group of friends while visiting Chi-town. Service was excellent and mimosas were perfection! We will definitely be returning on our next visit to Chicago."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 5 for minibar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This is a great place for
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This is a great place for friends, out of town guests, and whomever you want to feel like partying with on a Sunday at noon. The food was better than expected, even three types of salads! And the service was excellent, friendly and fun. Great mimosas. Highly recommended."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 6 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I've come here a couple times
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I've come here a couple times for their brunch ($20 buffet and bottomless mimosas). They're very accommodating of large groups, and they were able to seat people with us that were past our reservation limit. The waiters were very friendly and attentive. I wouldn't come here on a night out but definitely the morning/afternoon after definitely!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 7 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Came from out of town to see
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Came from out of town to see Blue Man Group and found minibar for preshow brunch. TJ and Jarred were excellent. Super friendly and outgoing, they made us feel welcome and like old friends from when we walked in the door until we left. Food was limited but excellent. I will be craving the bacon until I someday pass this way again."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2013
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Review 8 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Started out doing brunch earlier
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Started out doing brunch earlier on Sunday and I understand it was busy but our server was not very attentive. We were there for about 4 hours and our waters weren't even refilled once. We later on moved to the other side of the bar and everything changed completely. Our server Rico was amazing...so friendly and attentive...he was very communicative with us with every last detail...the other staff was a delight as well...Brian at the door was also very friendly and entertaining always with a smile on his face...I will ask for Rico anytime I go back"
Dined on 03/17/2013
2013
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Review 9 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great place for brunch!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"We had an amazing time- the staff especially Donte was super friendly and welcoming."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch
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Review 10 for minibar
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The best part of the brunch
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The best part of the brunch was the free flowing mimosas. The buffet had ~6 food options and at least 3 of the 6 were consistently empty.
A good place to go for drinks, but don't expect too much from the food option!"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, hot spot
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Review 11 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Was at minibar with a friend
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Was at minibar with a friend on Friday night and we had a fantastic time -- GREAT SERVICE, excellent food and drinks recommendation. The whole place just had fun, not fussy vibe. I liked the tomato and baked goat cheese, and the table next to us was raving over the gnocchi (yes, it's the kind of place where the table next to you feels free to ask what you just ordered and they tell you what their favorites are.) Place got crowded but we never once felt rushed to leave."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for minibar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Overall, it was a great experience
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Overall, it was a great experience as always with Minibar. The music was just a little too loud for 11:30 AM."
Dined on 01/13/2013
2010
Special Features: great for brunch
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Review 13 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best Brunch Value in Lakeview!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great place for brunch - good buffet and bottomless mamosas for $20. How can you beat that?? it's the best brunch value in Lakeview and the ambiance is pleasant. Service is friendly and oftentimes the owner is there to greet you with a smile."
Dined on 02/10/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, hot spot
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Review 14 for minibar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tasty cheap dishes to share!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Tasty cheap dishes to share! Wait staff slow (10 minutes to pour glass of wine?!). Would go back again when not in a rush."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 15 for minibar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
They accommodated our large
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"They accommodated our large group last minute. Food and service were amazing! Will DEFINITELY go back!"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 16 for minibar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This is my favorite brunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This is my favorite brunch in the City. Great food and unlimited mimosas. However, the music was waaaaayyy too loud this past Sunday. I get that even for brunch, it's a party atmosphere. However, I certainly don't want to be at a full blown nightclub at 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon. We would have loved to stay longer, but the music was just too obnoxious."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for minibar
Based on the average of (15) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic