Bureau Bar and Restaurant — Restaurant in Chicago

The Bureau Restaurant and Bar: Where the Vibe is Always Right

Some places serve food and drinks. Others curate an experience. The Bureau Restaurant and Bar? It does both—with style, soul, and just the right amount of swagger. This is not your run-of-the-mill lounge or sports bar. It’s a shape-shifter, an avant-garde hotspot where the energy morphs depending on who walks through the doors. One night, it’s giving sultry, low-lit speakeasy vibes with a soundtrack smooth enough to make you cancel your next day’s plans. Another, it’s a full-blown celebration, where the drinks flow effortlessly, and the DJ reads the room like a seasoned mind reader.

The Music: The MVP of the Night

Before we even get into the food and drinks, let’s talk about the vibe—because, honestly, that’s the star here. The Bureau understands that music isn’t just background noise; it’s a main ingredient in the experience. The playlist moves seamlessly from classic R&B to hip-hop, Afrobeats, and house, setting the pace for the night. Whether you’re catching up with friends over dinner or ready to hit the dance floor between cocktails, the beats make it impossible not to nod your head—or get all the way up and move.

The Drinks: No Notes, Just Perfection

Flawed libations? Not here. The cocktails at The Bureau are balanced, creative, and made with intention. The bartenders know their craft and execute with the kind of precision that makes you sip slow just to make the moment last. Whether it’s a handcrafted old-fashioned or a vibrant specialty cocktail, every drink is an experience—smooth, strong, and served with a little flair. And if you prefer straight pours, the selection of spirits is just as impressive.

The Staff: Like Family, But Without the Drama

The service here? Unmatched. The Bureau’s staff operates with the kind of warmth that makes you feel like you’ve been coming here for years, even if it’s your first time. They move with efficiency, but never at the expense of hospitality. Whether they’re recommending the perfect drink or just checking in to make sure your night is on point, they do it with a genuine, effortless charm.

The Food: A Playground for the Palate

If the drinks are perfect, the food is where things get fun. The Bureau’s menu doesn’t play it safe—it experiments, surprises, and sometimes even challenges your expectations. This isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a place to experience flavor in unexpected ways. Some dishes feel like instant classics, while others push boundaries—but that’s the beauty of it. You can tell the kitchen is having a good time, and that energy translates to the plate.

A Venue That Adapts to You

What makes The Bureau truly special is its versatility. Date night? It’s got the ambiance. Game night? The energy shifts seamlessly into a sports bar feel, where cheers and high-fives are part of the experience. Birthday party? The staff makes sure you feel like royalty. No two nights here are the same, and that’s exactly the point.

Final Verdict: A Must-Visit, Every Time

The Bureau isn’t just a restaurant or a bar—it’s an atmosphere, a mood, and a good time waiting to happen. Whether you come for the music, the top-tier drinks, the warm hospitality, or the playful approach to food, you’ll leave already planning your next visit. Flawless cocktails, feel-good energy, and a vibe that adapts...

Complete TRASH. With all the horrible reviews about security, why is this place still open?? The 6' 5" ish security guard with locks needs to be fired. Tonight Jan. 28th My friend and I decide to check out Bureau Bar after a fashion show and getting ramen. I don't "club" anymore, so I really don't know what their vibe is late at night. The line was long and it is cold and raining, so I went around the crowd to understand if they were still letting people in, it was about 1:50 AM. Two or Three younger women were in front of me right by the door, pulling on the door and aggravating the security guard. I step back to get out of their nonsense. The 6'5" security guard decided, with all his force, to shove the women down to the ground, one woman fell down, another woman fell back and pushed me back. I lose my step and fall into the street, on my back and side. Two other women were thrown down to the street in all the chaos. I couldn't get my balance because the ground was wet, it was raining out with mud everywhere. Meanwhile, when I was attempting to get up, I see the 6'5" security buffoon continue to beat on this girl, shove her to the ground, pushing her and her friends. Nobody who works at Bureau Bar is trying to deescalate the situation and ask the women if they are ok. NOBODY who works at Bureau Bar asked me if I was ok! NO one. I literally did nothing but stand in the wrong spot. And since no one bothered to check on me, an innocent bystander who got pushed and shoved to the ground for no reason, I called the police on this security guard, 3 times. I have dirt and gravel all over the back of my coat, my right dress sleeve is full of mud, my right hand scratched and muddy, broken gel nail overlay I JUST had done earlier on Saturday, and ripped stockings and scratches on my right calf (photo). That's how much force this security guard used. Trust and believe this review is going on yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. If my back continues to hurt later on Sunday morning, I will also be calling a personal...

Came here on a Saturday with a group of 9, during dinner. The combination hosts/bouncers kind of give you a weird vibe at first, but the place has a great atmosphere and the staff are generally friendly. They were able to seat us fairly quickly, which was great. We were told that it wasn't as busy as it normally would be.

It took some time for our waitress to show and that trend would continue through our visit. She was friendly, but made herself VERY sparse throughout the night. I didn't see her waiting on other tables, I just didn't see her period.

Similarly once we placed our orders, the wait was longer than I would have expected. However, once the food arrived, it was very good. Everyone in our party was happy with what they received.

There was one missing item which didn't get delivered during our meal and my item was missing ingredients. When I sent it back, she said she would have it remade. Considering how long we waited, I told her just to add the missing items to avoid a delay. When she brought it back, they had indeed added the ingredients, but also reheated the dish (which included lettuce). The now-slimy, soft lettuce aside, the food was good.

My final "complaint" was when it came time for the bill. At no point were we asked how we would like the checks split. In fact, we were told that isn't something they normally do. We waited at least 30 minutes for our waitress to split checks and make corrections, but it was all eventually taken care of.

Ultimately, as much as I may have complained here, this is still a 4-star review. We enjoyed ourselves and we enjoyed the food. With a different waitress (or once she's had a bit more experience) I'm sure everything would have been even better. If we're back in Chicago, we would definitely give this place another try. I'd recommend...