Cozy place for a night cap (while drinking their drink Night Cap)
Cuda M
A perfect quiet, cozy corner of the city to hide away in with a good book on a cold night. I relaxed next to the fire with the full-bodied, Oxford Landing Cabernet and thoroughly enjoyed myself (and every sip). The staff was kind and attentive, I will happily be returning. Reservations are not required, I was able to walk-in and have a few seats to choose from, but it doesn't hurt to make one if you're eating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daisy Powers
Perfect bar to unwind chill ambiance and nice crowd.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awbrey Moffett
I will forever and always love this place !!! Ive been here a few times and it's just incredible!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claire Mae Elizabeth Grange
I enjoy my whole experience. The multifunctional area is beautifully inspirational.
The chef makes a beautiful and generous ham and brie sandwich with greens inside a unique and fancy old hotel. I wish for pleasant experience, good eating spot, and beautiful food photo. I enjoy having my own space to naturally and intentionally sit, eat, and take creative notes. 🛋️ 🪵 🪑 🐷 🧀 🥬 📝
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sue Basko
Under new management, with a requirement to buy something. This seems better and more fair to those who work there. We went as a family group for breakfast. We got the Classic breakfast, almond croissant, and different coffees. The drip coffee was delicious and the other coffees looked pretty. The Classic breakfast is two eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and potatoes. Perfectly cooked and beautifully served. We sat on a couple of couches with a big coffee table between us. It was a lovely, quiet location for a peaceful gathering. SADLY, they got rid of the wonderful oak library chairs and put in modern upholstered chairs at the library table. This is a great loss to the ambiance and culture of the room. I hope they bring back the beautiful chairs!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dianne Blackburn
The Lounge now has The Drawing Room The food. ⁸
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nick Schrombeck
Starting 2025/3/1, The Drawing Room no longer allows people to study for free. You must accept a menu and order something from a server. This is an unfortunate outcome as many Chicago residents that have considered The Drawing Room a 3rd place and one of the last free places to study in peace in The Loop. Like the rest of the economy, it seems that The Chicago Athletic Association can't cover their costs and must change their decades-long policy. I don't see myself patroning this establishment any longer due to this cost enforcement, when before I was glad to opt-in and order a drink or some food.
Isabella Bryant
Stopped by the Drawing Room at the Chicago Athletic Association for a chill evening. The space is gorgeous—dark wood, big fireplaces, and comfy leather chairs. I had the spinach artichoke dip and a glass of red wine; both hit the spot. Service was friendly but a bit slow, probably due to the crowd. All in, I spent about $30 before tip. Great spot to unwind downtown.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Yu Zheng
Such a good place to hang with friends. Very bougie; very classy
A host here told me the drawing room is no longer open to the public and you have to stay at the hotel in order to be there. So l left. I used to like this place when I visited Chicago so if you're staying here it's probably alright.
Everyone else be warned you will be told to leave once the staff are done interrogating you and discover you didn't pay the hotel to stay there. In the friendly Midwest 😆
Anastasiia Korostil
I love this place! Everyone was really nice. Mariia is the best! God bless Mariia
Rafay
The Drawing Room is a lounge within the Chicago Athletic Association complex, and they also serve cafe-style food items as well. The ambience was very cozy and rustic which I loved, the environment was very studious and perfect for getting some work done. I ordered their cookie which was also quite good, dare I say a little overpriced… Nonetheless, a great time and will be visiting again.
Sydney Sheppard
I have been going to the Drawing Room for years, but there has been a change in management that has made the place much more exclusionary. You can no longer bring Shake Shack upstairs even if you purchase drinks, which I always have. It is no longer as welcoming and friendly. I imagine it will not have as much as business now that it’s not the same. It’s no longer a unique third space welcoming locals and tourists alike to traditional networking, socializing, studying, work from home, etc.They’re trying to be a bougie restaurant, which is honestly a-dime-a-dozen here. Will not be going back.
Cozy place for a night cap (while drinking their drink Night Cap)
A perfect quiet, cozy corner of the city to hide away in with a good book on a cold night. I relaxed next to the fire with the full-bodied, Oxford Landing Cabernet and thoroughly enjoyed myself (and every sip). The staff was kind and attentive, I will happily be returning.
Reservations are not required, I was able to walk-in and have a few seats to choose from, but it doesn't hurt to make one if you're eating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Perfect bar to unwind chill ambiance and nice crowd.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I will forever and always love this place !!! Ive been here a few times and it's just incredible!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I enjoy my whole experience. The multifunctional area is beautifully inspirational.
The chef makes a beautiful and generous ham and brie sandwich with greens inside a unique and fancy old hotel. I wish for pleasant experience, good eating spot, and beautiful food photo. I enjoy having my own space to naturally and intentionally sit, eat, and take creative notes.
🛋️ 🪵 🪑 🐷 🧀 🥬 📝
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Under new management, with a requirement to buy something. This seems better and more fair to those who work there. We went as a family group for breakfast. We got the Classic breakfast, almond croissant, and different coffees. The drip coffee was delicious and the other coffees looked pretty. The Classic breakfast is two eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and potatoes. Perfectly cooked and beautifully served. We sat on a couple of couches with a big coffee table between us. It was a lovely, quiet location for a peaceful gathering. SADLY, they got rid of the wonderful oak library chairs and put in modern upholstered chairs at the library table. This is a great loss to the ambiance and culture of the room. I hope they bring back the beautiful chairs!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Lounge now has The Drawing Room The food. ⁸
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Starting 2025/3/1, The Drawing Room no longer allows people to study for free. You must accept a menu and order something from a server. This is an unfortunate outcome as many Chicago residents that have considered The Drawing Room a 3rd place and one of the last free places to study in peace in The Loop. Like the rest of the economy, it seems that The Chicago Athletic Association can't cover their costs and must change their decades-long policy. I don't see myself patroning this establishment any longer due to this cost enforcement, when before I was glad to opt-in and order a drink or some food.
Stopped by the Drawing Room at the Chicago Athletic Association for a chill evening. The space is gorgeous—dark wood, big fireplaces, and comfy leather chairs. I had the spinach artichoke dip and a glass of red wine; both hit the spot. Service was friendly but a bit slow, probably due to the crowd. All in, I spent about $30 before tip. Great spot to unwind downtown.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Such a good place to hang with friends. Very bougie; very classy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Weird space, dark vibe - no thank you. We left.
Atmosphere: 2
A host here told me the drawing room is no longer open to the public and you have to stay at the hotel in order to be there. So l left. I used to like this place when I visited Chicago so if you're staying here it's probably alright.
Everyone else be warned you will be told to leave once the staff are done interrogating you and discover you didn't pay the hotel to stay there. In the friendly Midwest 😆
I love this place! Everyone was really nice. Mariia is the best! God bless Mariia
The Drawing Room is a lounge within the Chicago Athletic Association complex, and they also serve cafe-style food items as well. The ambience was very cozy and rustic which I loved, the environment was very studious and perfect for getting some work done. I ordered their cookie which was also quite good, dare I say a little overpriced… Nonetheless, a great time and will be visiting again.
I have been going to the Drawing Room for years, but there has been a change in management that has made the place much more exclusionary. You can no longer bring Shake Shack upstairs even if you purchase drinks, which I always have. It is no longer as welcoming and friendly. I imagine it will not have as much as business now that it’s not the same. It’s no longer a unique third space welcoming locals and tourists alike to traditional networking, socializing, studying, work from home, etc.They’re trying to be a bougie restaurant, which is honestly a-dime-a-dozen here. Will not be going back.
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