The Violet Hour opened on Damen Avenue in 2007 and effectively defined the modern Chicago cocktail scene. Toby Maloney brought the Milk and Honey New York approach to Chicago and the bar has been ranked in the World's 50 Best Bars list ever since. The room is theatrical: heavy curtains, dim warm lighting, leather banquettes, and a long bar with a brass rail.
The cocktail menu is one of the most considered in America. Drinks are organized by spirit and the build is precise. The Juliet and Romeo — gin, lime, mint, cucumber, rose water, Angostura — is the bar's signature.
The crowd is mid-thirties Chicago professionals and visiting cocktail enthusiasts. Pair with Billy Sunday in Logan Square for a complete Chicago cocktail evening.