The Bureau Bar

Needed to find a bar within walking distance of McCormick place at 5 pPM on a Saturday. Our map program found the Bureau. There was only one guy at the bar, obviously a regular. Both he and the bartender were engaging, talkative and very friendly. I would recommend this place for a nice afternoon stop.

I visited this bar last weekend and I can say that it is very small with limited seating. I approached the bar and waited patiently but the bartender never asked to help me. She just stared and tossed her dirty hair weave and waved to the men as they entered… So I can definitely say it was poor service! After a while, my friend and I found a seat and the waiter came over. He made us 2 weak, watered down drinks and he had a terrible attitude as well. 10 dollars for watered down drinks and bad attitudes … No thanks!

Good place to lay back and catch up with friends. Very small but great music and people. The drinks are priced pretty high and the music is good. Limited space so it can become overwhelmingly crowded.

Stopped in here for two Manhattans before dinner at Acadia, next door. I showed up around 5:45 and the place was empty and stayed empty until the time I left at 6:15, aside from the owner, the burly bartender and his back. The Manhattans were OK but I shared a nice conversation with the bartender which made me feel at home. I explained that I showed up early for a dinner and found them on Unilocal and asked what kind of clientele they draw. The bartender said it was a mix of local residents, sport fans, club hoppers and «promoters.» I’d go back for sure if I was in the area for a drink and I’m curious to see how it is during the later hours.
Looking at previous reviews, it appears they had a rotten bartender. The big burley tatt’ed up guy they have now is quite pleasant so don’t judge this place by their bartender now.

Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU! I really appreciate you accommodating our group, especially at the last minute. I love your place, the staff was great. Look forward to making many visits to your bar.

Hidden Gem in the south loop. Any review below 5 stars does it no justice.
My glass never went empty… not Once! Mikko the bartender has impeccable timing when providing service. Love how she interacts with the patrons.
Such a great place to listen to music and partake in a positive welcoming ambiance.

Miko — this is the name of the worst bartender ever.
I’ve had people look at me like they wanted to cut my throat before. This is the first time a bartender gave me this look because I asked for a drink. Oh, and yes, I asked for a drink because she never asked me if I needed one. She gave me a look so hateful when I ordered a drink, I asked the busboy for a glass of water out of fear. I eventually mustered up the courage to ask for a second drink and her vile look got worse. My friend asked for a margarita. He almost apologized for bothering her. The margarita tasted horrible because she added the ingredient of hatred. He waited to see if she would ever offer to get him a second drink. 30 minutes later, he asked for another one with less disgust in it. Miko’s look pierced his request with an evil never seen before. How dare we ask a bartender for a drink? I realized she was like this with everyone at the bar. I never once saw her ask anyone if they needed anything. I never once saw her lips move in an upward direction where it’s known to most of us as a smile. She gave me my tab pretty quickly. I’m sure it’s because she wanted me to get the hell out. That’s the best thing she did all night. I didn’t want to spend a second longer in Satan’s toilet. We left… forever.
Miko is living proof — anyone can get any job.
I’m tempted to have my Unilocal review mailed to the bar.
*Update*
This is a message the owner sent me on 06÷27÷15:
«I am owner of the Bureau Bar and would like to know why if the service was that bad and the drinks that bad why would u stay and ask for another drink. Makes no since and you obvisouly don’t have anything else to do because most of your post are negative. Get a life»
After reading the OWNER’S response to my Unilocal review, I’m only further convinced how awful this establishment is. I hope this helps reveal to potential guests the true character and quality of the people involved with this business.

The atmosphere is comfortable and intimate, the owner is a good guy, which is why it was not a problem to pay for overpriced drinks. However an immature bartender with no idea of what customer service means will keep me from patronizing this business a second time.

The female bartender was extremely rude. From the start, her attitude was one where she gave zero @ucks about anyone. My friend and I walked in just to have a a drink, and when we asked for it, she acted as if it was the biggest burden! Terrible service! Will never come back! negative stars would be a better rating.

3.5 Stars
I had been meaning to check this place out and my friend was djing and told me to come through. The setting is small and very intimate. Most people appeared to be regulars. Lol. Not that you need this experience but I like the DJ room still allowed you to look out towards the bar and interact with the patrons.
I can’t speak to the drinks cause i wasn’t having any after this weekend. Lol. I like that you can order food to be delivered. Only bad part of the night (which this had nothing to do with the bar) is when we placed an order for a pizza at Giordano’s. Everyone was getting there order except us. When our friend called to check they said they thought our order was for the next day. WTF!?! Lol… all in all good place to mingle with friends and I met a couple cool new people.

ONLY order drinks here if Mechelle is behind the bar. Otherwise, just sit back, enjoy the music and the vibe… with a glass of water.

Its small space that’s conducive to intimate conversation for few people. That has its appeal and definite use. However that is very specific and limiting. Yhe drinks were on point. The staff were serviceable. I can’t say they were great or poor because all I needed was a drink in my hand, which they provided. Also, the drink did its job! Not watered down or too much ice used. Prices are reasonable.
You and a friend wanna chill? Need to ave a serious conversation? Don’t wanna be seen? This is the spot to ho to!!!

The Bureau Bar is one of my favorite South Loop hangout because it is intimate, warm and and comfortable like meeting at a good friend’s house. A perfect place to meet up for drinks with a small group or even for a date.
The staff is very friendly and service oriented. There are TVs on-​site so the bartenders will take request if there is something specific you want to watch. Some nights there is a DJ to add to the ambiance.
The Bureau is NOT a place to go for specialty mixed cocktails. They have bartenders, not mixologists. So only order basic cocktails or the speciality cocktails that are on their menu.
The owner is great and is always welcoming and accommodating should you have special requests or groups coming in.

I went with friend for a late drinking night. It is such an inconspicuous place. When you step in, it’s very intimate and there’s a casual upscale vibe (if that makes any sense). I also felt like I was in someone’s living room for a cocktail party. I got a dirty martini and it was very good. There aren’t a lot of seats available, but I didn’t mind.

Bureau Bar is a very interesting spot in the South Loop. My wife and I went after work one weekday and decided to stop in for a drink. The place is small and decorated with local art. Very cool feeling and atmosphere.
The bartender was also a very nice guy. We ordered a few specialty cocktails and were disappointed in both drinks.
With some love, this could be a great spot. Please upgrade the drink menu!

Very low key, cozy place with an urban feel to it. The drinks are okay; stick with simple mixes or choose a beer. The best thing about this place is that you are allowed to order in food. Be sure to check out what specials they have for the day.

Came over for a friend’s bday last night.
I was starving so I was hoping they served food here. I found out quick that they did not. They do allow you to order from a nearby Mexican restaurant that is pretty good.
The place itself isn’t that big, but it is quite nice. They have TVs as well as bookshelves that come equipped with books… lol The bartenders are pretty nice, personable people which is quite important.
Decent chill spot!

I want this bar to succeed. I anxiously anticipated its debut last fall, and I’ve walked by it countless times because I live down the block. I’ve peered in the window from before it opened until now. Yet I only went inside for the first time last night.
Why? I think it’s because I haven’t been able to figure it out. At first I thought it was a lounge, and I guess to some degree it is, but they have TVs on the wall that almost always seem to be playing sports. The décor looks lounge-​y and they have an excellent beer selection, yet the chalk sign on the street advertises macro beers. (Miller? Bud? Coors? Who remembers – I don’t.) Right under the name, «The Bureau Bar,» which once again connotes «lounge» to me. And it’s very small and cozy, where I would expect people to be sipping something a little more special and more-​profitable for the business.
Inside, I did find it to be pretty comfy, though we only stayed for a drink. I think the trendy little stools would have made it difficult to stay for too long. The waitress we had was very friendly and attentive, though she mentioned up front that they didn’t have a drink list. Very strange if they’re going for a lounge feel. One big plus: mixed races and ethnicities, both clientele and staff. We need more of that in this otherwise great city, and some places in the South Loop are at least trying.
In the end, I guess I thought of The Bureau Bar as being in its adolescence: it’s at that awkward phase where it doesn’t yet know exactly what it wants to be and is a little uncertain of itself. I plan to go back; but I hope it leans toward what I first expected – more of a lounge, even if they occasionally turn on the sports for a big game. (No problemo with the Hawks being on for the playoffs last night).

Hmmm…
The South Loop is in desperate need of new bars, so I was hopeful when I heard about this place opening up. Unfortunately, unless they get their act together, not really going to add much.
No drink menu? I get that you have only «just opened» a few weeks ago, but that seems like one of those things you get in order BEFORE you open. Instead, I was just pointed to a row of open wine bottles sitting on the bar top. And a shelf of liquor — the bartender, who was very nice and friendly, pointed in the direction and just said «I’ll make whatever you see.»
Surprisingly small — very limited seating. Maybe two high tops, a few couches around a fireplace, and a small bar. Just a cramped layout.
Tiny rocks glasses — I know you, old bartender trick.
On a Friday night around 9, there were maybe a dozen patrons or so in there. Seems like a place that’s ok if you just need a place to grab a drink and head elsewhere, but not gonna hold my breath on this one lasting.

Quaint locale neatly couched between South Wabash and South Michigan on 16^th. Upon entering, a distinguished gentlemen (like a scene from the Cotton Club in Harlam Nights) dressed to the nines complete with a trench coast, suit and tie with a stern yet welcoming demeanor said, «come in»… We did. The décor was fitting for SLoop types: clean and modern with a neighborhood feel. The «jury is still out on the service». There seemed to be a disconnect with the loud-​ish, hipster personality type behind the bar and the sophisticated first impression of the gentlemen at the door and the pleasant décor. Still, as a 16^th Steet resident, I will pop in from time to time.
More importantly, I want to officially welcome The Bureau Bar to the SLoop and much success and prosperity!