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All the United States Illinois Chicago The Violet Hour
Gastro Obscura

The Violet Hour

A speakeasy takes on Chicago's drinking culture.

Chicago, Illinois

Added By
Lizzie Boyle
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CAPTION
  star5112/CC BY-SA 2.0
Exterior of the speak easy   whitneyinchicago/CC BY 2.0
  star5112/CC BY-SA 2.0
  star5112/CC BY-SA 2.0
  star5112/CC BY-SA 2.0
  star5112/CC BY-SA 2.0
The entrance to the Violet Hour   Sean Davis / CC BY-ND 2.0
The door to the Violet Hour   Edsel Little / CC BY-SA 2.0
  Edsel Little / CC BY-SA 2.0
  Edsel Little / CC BY-SA 2.0
  Edsel Little / CC BY-SA 2.0
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Due east of the former location of Idful recording studio, one spies an unusual facade on Damen: a wall of rough-hewn planks, covered with a changing array of murals.

This is the Violet Hour, which in 2007 introduced speakeasy style and the nascent “cocktail culture” to this hard-drinking town. A smashing success, the Violet Hour’s exquisite high-end cocktails were designed by acclaimed New York City mixologist Toby Maloney, and its employees have gone on to open numerous posh establishments throughout the city. The Violet Hour is a recipient of the 2015 James Beard award for outstanding bar program.

The lack of clear signage is a Violet Hour trademark, as is the long line to get in at most times. Their $13 sippers provide an excellent tonic with which to mull over the changing nature of urban spaces.

Related Tags

Unique Restaurants & Bars Cocktails Bars Speakeasies

Know Before You Go

The Violet Hour is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Final seating is one hour before closing time.

Community Contributors

Added By

lizzieboyle

Edited By

allisonmarach, ashbrasch, notoriousFIG, Michelle Cassidy

  • allisonmarach
  • ashbrasch
  • notoriousFIG
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

May 23, 2013

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Sources
  • https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/2015-james-beard-award-winners
The Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, Illinois, 60622
United States
41.908901, -87.677415
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