Went last night with friends and had reservation. Not full at all- but we were kind of rudely told after 1.5 hours that our reservation was over and had to leave- even with many empty tables and space. Felt kind of off-putting. We had 8 drinks and food- so not just taking up space so being asked to leave was really a buzz-kill! I don't think we will be going back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Joe Schmo
Jazz was wonderful, she was able to accommodate our large group even after adding 2 additional people to the reservation! Great conversation and great presentation of some of the items they have to offer before we got around to ordering.
I enjoyed the menu items I had tried and will definitely be back to sit at the bar & try more of the selections they have to offer.
Cool ambiance, cool staff, overall good way to start out a Saturday evening in downtown Naperville!
Thanks, Jazz & Team!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Donuts, Absinthe Fountain
Maria Faulisi
I made a reservation months in advance for my partner’s birthday. We had been to the Northcott a few times before and while the drinks aren’t my favorite my partner likes the atmosphere. We had to book reservations far out for previous visits.
The week before our visit I received an email confirming “my cancelation”. Panicked, I called and the manager answered. She said she was planning on calling me to let me know that the owner decided to close that night. I assume for a private party.
I was upset and shocked. She offered to reschedule us for anytime except the date I needed which was my partner’s actual birthday. She offered to book a reservation for the Saturday immediately following the day I had reserved. So I took it and asked to be seated at the couches since we had never been seated there and it looked nice. She agreed to.
When we showed up we were taken to a regular table and no one mentioned the issue or apologized in person. We didn’t even get a comped drink. Reading some of these reviews I think much has changed at this location and I don’t plan on going back. It seems to be owned by classless trash.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Gabriel Rodriguez
At one time, this was a go-to location to take out of town guests for cocktails and ambiance. My latest visit drastically shifted that perception, as the overall vibe was far less 'speak easy' and more of a generic cocktail bar. The door used to remain closed and hidden, the noise levels within the establishment rivaled some dive bars, and while the cocktails were good, the Tea-Pot cocktail shared with my company lacked Dry Ice (which wasn't mentioned they were out and drastically defeated the effect one pays for). It's still a good cocktail bar at the end of the day, but it is just that, 'Yet Another Generic Naperville Cocktail Bar', and that was wildly disappointing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Robbie Sonnemann
What a great place for drinks - Sorry we did not try any food. Drinks were amazing & the staff was brilliant. Atmosphere and watching the bar tenders work their magic was outstanding. You need reservations!! Your date may need a wrap AC was great but there was a chill to the room as it was 90 outside that day.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Sang Meong Lee
We made a reservation, showed up on time and told to wait. The host led us to a tiny table with two people already sitting at it and told us we could sit with them shoulder to shoulder. We saw four stools at the bar and we asked the host if we could there. The host said we cannot because those were reserved. So we left! Why couldn’t we sit at the bar? We had a reservation. I guess for this place having a reservation does not mean you will be seated. Who are they holding those empty stools for? I really do not understand. We are not going back to Northcott ever again.
Abhishek A
My wife and I only came for pre-dinner cocktails here in July 2024, so we cannot comment on the food, which appears to be from the Empire Rooftop kitchen. Reservations are strongly recommended (mandatory?) for Northcott Liquorette. FYI, the venue is not handicap accessible to my knowledge, as you have to walk up a flight of stairs to reach the speakeasy. We had the "Soft White" and "A Rose for Emily" cocktail. The latter was amazing! I especially love cardamom and rosewater. I'm unsure why they keep the room so cold, however. We were both freezing!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Chapa
Definitely a nice spot for a speakeasy experience, the bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable. Enjoyed the private feel and atmosphere. I’d definitely recommend it and would like to return to try more of their drinks and food.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Annabelle Thompson
Loved loved loved. The atmosphere is great and the drinks are superior. Will definitely return. We only had the fried doughnuts but they were super yummy.
A fun treat for friends' birthdays in this intimate speakeasy. The absinthe fountain and tea kettle are unique drink experiences you can't get most places, so definitely take advantage. They have some food menu items but it's also possible to order from the Empire menu until a certain time. Make a reservation otherwise you'd be lucky if a table is free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom Snyder
Great cocktails and small
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christian B
A cozy bar experience with various craft cocktails that change seasonally. The service varies, but is generally good and professional. If they ever have a menu you disagree with, you can simply ask for standard cocktails (ie. Old fashioned) and you will get a great version of one.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Donuts, Tea Kettle
Madalyn
We were there for their New Year’s Eve event and there was one poor guy scrambling to serve every table. We paid $125 each for what?? No party favors, shorted us a bottle of champagne, the music they played was drowned out by the band downstairs, Christmas decorations still up. Basically just a place to leave our coats while went downstairs where the tables were littered with party favors. Also started the countdown one minute early. Was still a good time but just because we were all making fun of how bad the service was. Also the drinks were disgusting. From the speakeasy bar AND the downstairs bar.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Sydney Sozio
Came for NYE for the second time and it was horrible. We were ignored all night after paying $140 per person just to be there. Originally our reservation for 5 was sat at the bar instead of a table. We asked multiple times to be helped, and we're still ignored. When we asked for the bill they had charged us for multiple things we hadn't ordered or gotten. Would not recommend, I can't imagine what their service is like normally when this is supposed to be an elevated experience.
Went last night with friends and had reservation. Not full at all- but we were kind of rudely told after 1.5 hours that our reservation was over and had to leave- even with many empty tables and space. Felt kind of off-putting. We had 8 drinks and food- so not just taking up space so being asked to leave was really a buzz-kill! I don't think we will be going back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Jazz was wonderful, she was able to accommodate our large group even after adding 2 additional people to the reservation! Great conversation and great presentation of some of the items they have to offer before we got around to ordering.
I enjoyed the menu items I had tried and will definitely be back to sit at the bar & try more of the selections they have to offer.
Cool ambiance, cool staff, overall good way to start out a Saturday evening in downtown Naperville!
Thanks, Jazz & Team!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Donuts, Absinthe Fountain
I made a reservation months in advance for my partner’s birthday. We had been to the Northcott a few times before and while the drinks aren’t my favorite my partner likes the atmosphere. We had to book reservations far out for previous visits.
The week before our visit I received an email confirming “my cancelation”. Panicked, I called and the manager answered. She said she was planning on calling me to let me know that the owner decided to close that night. I assume for a private party.
I was upset and shocked. She offered to reschedule us for anytime except the date I needed which was my partner’s actual birthday. She offered to book a reservation for the Saturday immediately following the day I had reserved. So I took it and asked to be seated at the couches since we had never been seated there and it looked nice. She agreed to.
When we showed up we were taken to a regular table and no one mentioned the issue or apologized in person. We didn’t even get a comped drink. Reading some of these reviews I think much has changed at this location and I don’t plan on going back. It seems to be owned by classless trash.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
At one time, this was a go-to location to take out of town guests for cocktails and ambiance.
My latest visit drastically shifted that perception, as the overall vibe was far less 'speak easy' and more of a generic cocktail bar. The door used to remain closed and hidden, the noise levels within the establishment rivaled some dive bars, and while the cocktails were good, the Tea-Pot cocktail shared with my company lacked Dry Ice (which wasn't mentioned they were out and drastically defeated the effect one pays for).
It's still a good cocktail bar at the end of the day, but it is just that, 'Yet Another Generic Naperville Cocktail Bar', and that was wildly disappointing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
What a great place for drinks - Sorry we did not try any food. Drinks were amazing & the staff was brilliant. Atmosphere and watching the bar tenders work their magic was outstanding. You need reservations!!
Your date may need a wrap AC was great but there was a chill to the room as it was 90 outside that day.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
We made a reservation, showed up on time and told to wait. The host led us to a tiny table with two people already sitting at it and told us we could sit with them shoulder to shoulder. We saw four stools at the bar and we asked the host if we could there. The host said we cannot because those were reserved. So we left! Why couldn’t we sit at the bar? We had a reservation. I guess for this place having a reservation does not mean you will be seated. Who are they holding those empty stools for? I really do not understand. We are not going back to Northcott ever again.
My wife and I only came for pre-dinner cocktails here in July 2024, so we cannot comment on the food, which appears to be from the Empire Rooftop kitchen. Reservations are strongly recommended (mandatory?) for Northcott Liquorette. FYI, the venue is not handicap accessible to my knowledge, as you have to walk up a flight of stairs to reach the speakeasy. We had the "Soft White" and "A Rose for Emily" cocktail. The latter was amazing! I especially love cardamom and rosewater. I'm unsure why they keep the room so cold, however. We were both freezing!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Definitely a nice spot for a speakeasy experience, the bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable. Enjoyed the private feel and atmosphere. I’d definitely recommend it and would like to return to try more of their drinks and food.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Loved loved loved. The atmosphere is great and the drinks are superior. Will definitely return. We only had the fried doughnuts but they were super yummy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Donuts, Absinthe Fountain
Rudest doorman ever.
Restaurantji Recommends
A fun treat for friends' birthdays in this intimate speakeasy. The absinthe fountain and tea kettle are unique drink experiences you can't get most places, so definitely take advantage. They have some food menu items but it's also possible to order from the Empire menu until a certain time. Make a reservation otherwise you'd be lucky if a table is free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great cocktails and small
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A cozy bar experience with various craft cocktails that change seasonally. The service varies, but is generally good and professional. If they ever have a menu you disagree with, you can simply ask for standard cocktails (ie. Old fashioned) and you will get a great version of one.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Donuts, Tea Kettle
We were there for their New Year’s Eve event and there was one poor guy scrambling to serve every table. We paid $125 each for what?? No party favors, shorted us a bottle of champagne, the music they played was drowned out by the band downstairs, Christmas decorations still up. Basically just a place to leave our coats while went downstairs where the tables were littered with party favors. Also started the countdown one minute early. Was still a good time but just because we were all making fun of how bad the service was. Also the drinks were disgusting. From the speakeasy bar AND the downstairs bar.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Came for NYE for the second time and it was horrible. We were ignored all night after paying $140 per person just to be there. Originally our reservation for 5 was sat at the bar instead of a table. We asked multiple times to be helped, and we're still ignored. When we asked for the bill they had charged us for multiple things we hadn't ordered or gotten. Would not recommend, I can't imagine what their service is like normally when this is supposed to be an elevated experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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