Don't leave Chicago without visiting this Rooftop Bar!
Michael Agee
A Five-Star Stay with a Side of Truffle Popcorn and Heart
Just wrapped up our Chicago trip and honestly, staying at LondonHouse made the whole experience feel like first-class all the way (minus the cramped airplane seat that got us there).
Let’s start with location—it’s prime. After walking all over Chicago in what can only be described as "Satan's breath" level heat, the LondonHouse became our sanctuary. We found ourselves silently chanting “please let us make it back to the AC” on repeat—and when we did? That chilled lobby hit like a glass of ice water to the soul.
But what really made this stay unforgettable was the people.
Edward, the concierge, wasn’t just helpful—he was a legend. I swear he never slept. He was always there, somehow one step ahead of us, always making sure we were good. The man doesn’t just do his job—he lives it. He even surprised us with a box of gourmet chocolates and a handwritten note that honestly made us feel like celebrities or royalty... or both. That kind of thoughtfulness? You can’t fake that.
Ashley and Sean at the front desk greeted us every time like we were old friends. And those free bottles of water? May not sound like much, but in that heat, they were liquid gold. Perks like that actually mean something when you're walking 10 miles a day trying to "experience the city" without melting.
And then there’s Ocean Prime inside the hotel, where we met Reed and Adam, the dynamic duo behind the bar. Forget Adam & Eve—we had Adam & Reed, and they’re the kind of people you want to be friends with. Reed made sure I got my late-night truffle popcorn fix (which should be sold by the bag, by the way), and Adam was so quick and attentive behind the bar that if bartending were an Olympic sport, he’d be a gold medalist. These two weren’t just good at their jobs—they were genuinely good people. You feel it.
Happy hour was stellar, the truffle popcorn addictive, and the service across the board was warm, thoughtful, and polished without ever feeling fake.
Bottom line: If you're headed to Chicago and don’t stay at LondonHouse, you're just doing it wrong.
Natalie Frakes
Had a great afternoon tea here!!!
This is one of the only spot in the cities that offers afternoon tea during the week. I work a lot of weekends so it was a bummer to see most of the “high tea” services are on FSaSu only. But not here at Bridges! They do some weekdays too!
Now, I will say, it's a bit of a unique atmosphere since it's right there in the hotel lobby. It sometimes felt a little like we were having this fancy tea party right in the middle of a bustling thoroughfare, which was a little weird but also kind of amusing! It certainly didn't detract from the overall experience, just added a quirky touch.
The tea itself was fantastic. We both picked different blends from their impressive selection, and they were perfectly brewed and absolutely delicious. But let's talk about the food! The tiered stand that arrived at our table was a work of art. The savory sandwiches were so fresh and flavorful – I especially loved the variety of fillings. And those scones! Oh my goodness, they were warm, light, and served with generous dollops of clotted cream and jam. Pure perfection. The pastries and sweets were just as exquisite, each one a tiny, beautiful masterpiece.
The service throughout our visit was truly top-notch. Our server was so attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. It really made us feel well taken care of.
All in all, despite the slightly unusual lobby setting, it was a truly fantastic afternoon. Bridges at London House offers such an authentic and high-quality afternoon tea experience right here in Chicago. If you're looking for a special treat, a relaxing few hours with friends, or just a little slice of charm, I wholeheartedly recommend it. We left feeling completely content and already dreaming about our next visit!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rhonda Jones
Such a lovely afternoon tea with beautiful tea blends, delectable treats, an awesome view, stunning ambiance, and delightful service by Roshan. Now, I want to stay at LondonHouse, my next visit to Chicago!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Stephanie D. Cruickshank
We spent a lovely afternoon in the bridges lobby bar enjoying the tea service. Our server Rohan was attentive and pleasant.
The offerings were amazing in taste, and presentation. Along with a spectacular view it was a wonderful way to start my birthday week.
Ethan Walshe
Probably more of a 2.5. Went for the afternoon tea, and for how expensive it was the experience was pretty lacking. Two people without alcohol worked out to $250 after tax and a pre-included 20% tip. The food was absolutely nothing special. Additionally, the dining area was just sort of next to the check in desk for the lobby. It felt cheap and was incredibly overpriced.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Aleksandra Lemiesz
Will NOT come back. My boyfriend and I were not impressed with the Afternoon tea.
Getting to the location was fine, but very confusing when inside. Turns out that the afternoon tea is located in the lobby, right next to the check in desk. That was the first red flag.
Second, I showed up 5-10 minutes before my reservation and was told to wait until the host comes. And was NEVER approached when the host showed up. And other people were seated before me.
Next, I was placed at a table in the corner….right next to the bar where all the servers are taking orders and socializing. And since I was in the corner….I feel like I was the last one to receive my order.
Once I did receive my order….I was not impressed with the quality and quantity. (I have done afternoon tea at other locations, and the quality and quantity was much more impressive). Honestly felt more like a money grab photo op than anything else.
Sitting in the corner, next to the servers, I also felt rushed. The servers kept looking at the clocks, and reminding each other of the time, and how they need to slowly get ready for the next afternoon tea rush.
Finally, there is a 20% service charge……..
Will not be coming back. Not worth the money. Very disappointing.
Michelle Enriquez
Excellent afternoon tea service. We walked in for galentines. The menu was flavorful and the servers were friendly and attentive. We would gladly return again.
Hanna Keller
We had a wonderful experience at their afternoon tea, great and friendly service plus delicious tea and small bites. They say on their website that they don’t consider dietary restrictions but when I told them I was a vegetarian they brought me my own tiered tray with meatless substitutes for everything that usually comes with meat, and it was very good. We took my mom as a birthday present and she loved it, but come with an empty stomach since you may want to try everything on the tiered trays and you’d be surprised how full you can get.
They also have big windows where you can see some nice views of the city. The only thing that may be bothersome for some is the fact that the restaurant opens up to the lobby and people are constantly checking in and out at the front desk in the background, but it didn’t hinder our experience very much.
Overall a nice afternoon tea experience and I highly recommend!
Great views and exceptional service. We did the holiday tea service and loved it.
Claudia
This is definitely a fun experience with great Company! My friend and I came here as a girls date/treat ourselves Experience, and we loved it!
The presentation of the food items are really fun, creative, and it was definitely a cute way to try different foods.
I would say maybe out of all the items we ate there was maybe 1-2 items that we liked less than the others, but I think that’s just based on OUR Taste a preference.
My friend had the cherry blossom tea, and I had more of a spiced tea (can not remember the name at the moment.)
We did get to take really cute pictures of ourselves there and one of the staff offered to take a picture of us together, which was the cutest.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get seated by the windows and we were closer to the reception area because when you walk to the area there is a mini lobby and concierge/check-in area right next to the open area of the restaurant which threw me and my friend off . So I did feel a little weird as people were sitting just behind us waiting which was distracting. Again, just things that were either out of their control at this point. I definitely felt like when I faced the direction of the windows at the restaurant It was cute and amazing but once I would turn left, I’d be looking at a busy lobby area of some kind.
Note: on Google maps it does says Bridges lobby Grill.
So if you can request to be seated by the window, definitely ask.
All in all me and my friend were really excited to finally go and have this fun experience at least once.
Gilberto Moran
Great experience made memorable by our attentive and thoughtful waiter Jax, his service went above and beyond. The tower of finger food and desserts and scones served alongside fruit infused teas just really made a cold December day feel like Christmas will go again just to experience the service of Jax.
Raleigh Mann
Booked Afternoon Tea for my Friends Birthday, its a complete Money Grab. Save yourself frustration and Book elsewhere
Isabel Liss
While it is true that they present a beautiful tower, I have to say this tea was very disappointing. The service started out good, but fell off as the tea wore on. The scones weren't good, and the tower itself had none of the traditional tea sandwiches like egg salad or cucumber. In fact the focus on vegetarian options was a little strange. In addition the bathrooms here are completely jank, long line, smelled of vomit and diarrhea. At the end of our tea we waited more than 20 minutes for our check with no one checking in on us. Only to see our waiter dressed to leave his shift without having given us our check. At $90 a person I expected much more.
Don't leave Chicago without visiting this Rooftop Bar!
A Five-Star Stay with a Side of Truffle Popcorn and Heart Just wrapped up our Chicago trip and honestly, staying at LondonHouse made the whole experience feel like first-class all the way (minus the cramped airplane seat that got us there). Let’s start with location—it’s prime. After walking all over Chicago in what can only be described as "Satan's breath" level heat, the LondonHouse became our sanctuary. We found ourselves silently chanting “please let us make it back to the AC” on repeat—and when we did? That chilled lobby hit like a glass of ice water to the soul. But what really made this stay unforgettable was the people. Edward, the concierge, wasn’t just helpful—he was a legend. I swear he never slept. He was always there, somehow one step ahead of us, always making sure we were good. The man doesn’t just do his job—he lives it. He even surprised us with a box of gourmet chocolates and a handwritten note that honestly made us feel like celebrities or royalty... or both. That kind of thoughtfulness? You can’t fake that. Ashley and Sean at the front desk greeted us every time like we were old friends. And those free bottles of water? May not sound like much, but in that heat, they were liquid gold. Perks like that actually mean something when you're walking 10 miles a day trying to "experience the city" without melting. And then there’s Ocean Prime inside the hotel, where we met Reed and Adam, the dynamic duo behind the bar. Forget Adam & Eve—we had Adam & Reed, and they’re the kind of people you want to be friends with. Reed made sure I got my late-night truffle popcorn fix (which should be sold by the bag, by the way), and Adam was so quick and attentive behind the bar that if bartending were an Olympic sport, he’d be a gold medalist. These two weren’t just good at their jobs—they were genuinely good people. You feel it. Happy hour was stellar, the truffle popcorn addictive, and the service across the board was warm, thoughtful, and polished without ever feeling fake. Bottom line: If you're headed to Chicago and don’t stay at LondonHouse, you're just doing it wrong.
Had a great afternoon tea here!!!
This is one of the only spot in the cities that offers afternoon tea during the week. I work a lot of weekends so it was a bummer to see most of the “high tea” services are on FSaSu only. But not here at Bridges! They do some weekdays too!
Now, I will say, it's a bit of a unique atmosphere since it's right there in the hotel lobby. It sometimes felt a little like we were having this fancy tea party right in the middle of a bustling thoroughfare, which was a little weird but also kind of amusing! It certainly didn't detract from the overall experience, just added a quirky touch.
The tea itself was fantastic. We both picked different blends from their impressive selection, and they were perfectly brewed and absolutely delicious. But let's talk about the food! The tiered stand that arrived at our table was a work of art. The savory sandwiches were so fresh and flavorful – I especially loved the variety of fillings. And those scones! Oh my goodness, they were warm, light, and served with generous dollops of clotted cream and jam. Pure perfection. The pastries and sweets were just as exquisite, each one a tiny, beautiful masterpiece.
The service throughout our visit was truly top-notch. Our server was so attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. It really made us feel well taken care of.
All in all, despite the slightly unusual lobby setting, it was a truly fantastic afternoon. Bridges at London House offers such an authentic and high-quality afternoon tea experience right here in Chicago. If you're looking for a special treat, a relaxing few hours with friends, or just a little slice of charm, I wholeheartedly recommend it. We left feeling completely content and already dreaming about our next visit!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a lovely afternoon tea with beautiful tea blends, delectable treats, an awesome view, stunning ambiance, and delightful service by Roshan. Now, I want to stay at LondonHouse, my next visit to Chicago!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
We spent a lovely afternoon in the bridges lobby bar enjoying the tea service. Our server Rohan was attentive and pleasant. The offerings were amazing in taste, and presentation. Along with a spectacular view it was a wonderful way to start my birthday week.
Probably more of a 2.5. Went for the afternoon tea, and for how expensive it was the experience was pretty lacking. Two people without alcohol worked out to $250 after tax and a pre-included 20% tip. The food was absolutely nothing special. Additionally, the dining area was just sort of next to the check in desk for the lobby. It felt cheap and was incredibly overpriced.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Will NOT come back. My boyfriend and I were not impressed with the Afternoon tea.
Getting to the location was fine, but very confusing when inside. Turns out that the afternoon tea is located in the lobby, right next to the check in desk. That was the first red flag.
Second, I showed up 5-10 minutes before my reservation and was told to wait until the host comes. And was NEVER approached when the host showed up. And other people were seated before me.
Next, I was placed at a table in the corner….right next to the bar where all the servers are taking orders and socializing. And since I was in the corner….I feel like I was the last one to receive my order.
Once I did receive my order….I was not impressed with the quality and quantity. (I have done afternoon tea at other locations, and the quality and quantity was much more impressive).
Honestly felt more like a money grab photo op than anything else.
Sitting in the corner, next to the servers, I also felt rushed. The servers kept looking at the clocks, and reminding each other of the time, and how they need to slowly get ready for the next afternoon tea rush.
Finally, there is a 20% service charge……..
Will not be coming back. Not worth the money. Very disappointing.
Excellent afternoon tea service. We walked in for galentines. The menu was flavorful and the servers were friendly and attentive. We would gladly return again.
We had a wonderful experience at their afternoon tea, great and friendly service plus delicious tea and small bites. They say on their website that they don’t consider dietary restrictions but when I told them I was a vegetarian they brought me my own tiered tray with meatless substitutes for everything that usually comes with meat, and it was very good. We took my mom as a birthday present and she loved it, but come with an empty stomach since you may want to try everything on the tiered trays and you’d be surprised how full you can get.
They also have big windows where you can see some nice views of the city. The only thing that may be bothersome for some is the fact that the restaurant opens up to the lobby and people are constantly checking in and out at the front desk in the background, but it didn’t hinder our experience very much.
Overall a nice afternoon tea experience and I highly recommend!
Just a beautiful views!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great views and exceptional service. We did the holiday tea service and loved it.
This is definitely a fun experience with great Company! My friend and I came here as a girls date/treat ourselves Experience, and we loved it!
The presentation of the food items are really fun, creative, and it was definitely a cute way to try different foods.
I would say maybe out of all the items we ate there was maybe 1-2 items that we liked less than the others, but I think that’s just based on OUR Taste a preference.
My friend had the cherry blossom tea, and I had more of a spiced tea (can not remember the name at the moment.)
We did get to take really cute pictures of ourselves there and one of the staff offered to take a picture of us together, which was the cutest.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get seated by the windows and we were closer to the reception area because when you walk to the area there is a mini lobby and concierge/check-in area right next to the open area of the restaurant which threw me and my friend off . So I did feel a little weird as people were sitting just behind us waiting which was distracting. Again, just things that were either out of their control at this point. I definitely felt like when I faced the direction of the windows at the restaurant It was cute and amazing but once I would turn left, I’d be looking at a busy lobby area of some kind.
Note: on Google maps it does says Bridges lobby Grill.
So if you can request to be seated by the window, definitely ask.
All in all me and my friend were really excited to finally go and have this fun experience at least once.
Great experience made memorable by our attentive and thoughtful waiter Jax, his service went above and beyond. The tower of finger food and desserts and scones served alongside fruit infused teas just really made a cold December day feel like Christmas will go again just to experience the service of Jax.
Booked Afternoon Tea for my Friends Birthday, its a complete Money Grab. Save yourself frustration and Book elsewhere
While it is true that they present a beautiful tower, I have to say this tea was very disappointing. The service started out good, but fell off as the tea wore on. The scones weren't good, and the tower itself had none of the traditional tea sandwiches like egg salad or cucumber. In fact the focus on vegetarian options was a little strange. In addition the bathrooms here are completely jank, long line, smelled of vomit and diarrhea. At the end of our tea we waited more than 20 minutes for our check with no one checking in on us. Only to see our waiter dressed to leave his shift without having given us our check. At $90 a person I expected much more.
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