Offshore Rooftop — Restaurant in Chicago

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2023 Hubby and I were invited back to offshore being given a voucher to rectify the Mother’s Day fail from the review below. All and all they were kind and handled us well. The food is good here and the drinks are ALWAYS delicious. The atmosphere was a little chilly and the hostess tried her best to accommodate us because of it. The manager came by and introduced himself and said he was aware of us coming. Sean (the General manager) was extremely attentive via email to ensure this review was properly addressed. I appreciate all the effort they put into having us try them again. Thank you. If you’ve never been to Offshore. The view is to die for. It’s worth a try. I live by the motto I’ll try anything once. Except offshore… I tried them twice😆

PICTURES FROM 2nd visit: -PIZZA (B+) -SALAD (B-) nothing special -Espresso Martini (A+) -OYSTERS (A)

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I had been eagerly anticipating my visit to the Offshore restaurant at Navy Pier, ever since my husband's company hosted an event there. The enchanting view from the venue had me hooked at first sight. So, I booked a table for Mother's Day 2023, intending to share a memorable meal with my daughter, sister, and mother.

We arrived early at 1:05 PM for our 1:45 PM reservation, and the host graciously allowed us to sit at the bar until our table was ready. The bartenders, Vincent and Jasmine, were absolutely stellar - attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Vincent even suggested we might prefer to stay at the bar, an offer we should have accepted in hindsight.

By 1:40 PM, I noticed the restaurant clearing out and asked my daughter to check on our reservation. Sure enough, our table was ready. However, from that moment, our experience took a downward turn. Although we reached our table at 1:45 PM, no one greeted us for a long time. Despite asking three different staff members to find our waitress, we were left waiting in silence.

At 2:05 PM, after 20 minutes of waiting, I had to call out to a waiter clearing a nearby table to get some attention. Given the premium prices of the drinks, I expected a warm welcome at the very least. This lack of attention was a disappointment, especially on Mother's Day, a day meant for relaxation and celebration.

The waiter who wasn't initially assigned to us took our order and returned shortly to inform my sister that her choice of wings wasn't available as it was on the dinner menu. She settled for steak and eggs, scrambled. However, the waiter returned to clarify her order again, even though he had just noted it down.

When our food finally arrived, the eggs were poached, not scrambled. Strangely, another waiter brought the wings that were supposedly unavailable. We also never received the six oysters we ordered. Open Table had promised a bouquet of flowers for all mothers dining at Offshore on Mother's Day. I only spotted these bouquets when I was at the host stand, voicing my concerns about the poor service and indifferent attitudes of the staff, with the exception of the two bartenders.

It's a shame because the food and drinks were truly exceptional, and the bright ambiance with the stunning view made for a potential perfect dining experience. However, the service was deeply lacking, a 2 out of 10 at best, and that too mainly thanks to Vincent's efforts.

On special occasions such as Mother's Day, I believe it's crucial to ensure top-notch service. We felt ignored and neglected, despite shelling out more than $250 for a brunch for four. At that price, a simple greeting from the waitress within five minutes of seating should be a given.

Unless required for a company event, I won't be returning to this establishment. It's unfortunate because the potential for a splendid dining experience is there, but the service...

Offshore Rooftop – Navy Pier’s Hidden Gem in the Sky

Tucked away at the very end of Navy Pier sits Offshore Rooftop, one of Chicago’s best-kept secrets and an absolute must-visit if you’re looking for stunning skyline and lakefront views paired with a relaxing, upscale vibe. Whether you’re a local or visiting Chicago for the first time, this place delivers a memorable experience before you even sit down.

Atmosphere & Views

The first thing that strikes you about Offshore is the location—perched atop the Festival Hall at the east end of Navy Pier, it offers unmatched panoramic views of both Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The entire venue is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, giving it a light, open feel while still protecting guests from the wind or chill on cooler days. It’s absolutely beautiful, especially around sunset or on a clear day when the lake stretches endlessly and the city lights begin to glow.

There’s a blend of indoor and outdoor seating, chic furniture, and tasteful design elements that elevate the experience. Despite being a rooftop bar, it doesn’t feel crowded or chaotic—there’s a sense of calm and spaciousness that’s rare to find in Chicago.

Drinks

We didn’t order food during our visit, but we did enjoy a couple of mocktails, and they were surprisingly excellent. I had the piña colada mocktail—creamy, tropical, and perfectly balanced. It was refreshing without being overly sweet, and it honestly didn’t feel like it was missing alcohol at all. My guest had a lemonade mocktail, which was equally delicious—bright, citrusy, and incredibly refreshing.

It’s clear that the bartenders put just as much effort into the non-alcoholic options as they do their cocktails. These weren’t just afterthoughts—they were crafted, flavorful, and perfect for a relaxing afternoon by the water.

Service

The staff was friendly and attentive, offering great service even though we were only there for drinks. We didn’t feel rushed, and the team was helpful in explaining the drink options and making us feel comfortable. Sometimes rooftop spots can feel a bit too trendy or cold, but Offshore strikes the right balance—elegant but approachable.

Tips for Visiting • Go during golden hour or sunset for some of the best views in the city. • You can skip the food and just get drinks, and you won’t feel out of place. • Enter through Entrance 2 at Festival Hall and take the elevator to the third floor—it’s a bit tucked away but well worth the search. • Be ready for photo ops—the entire place is Instagram-worthy.

Final Thoughts

Offshore Rooftop is more than just a place to grab a drink—it’s an experience. From the views to the drinks to the design and service, everything feels thoughtfully curated. Whether you’re on a romantic date, out with friends, or just want a quiet place to sip a drink and soak in the beauty of Chicago, this rooftop delivers.

Would I go back? Without a doubt. Next time I’ll definitely stay longer—and maybe even...

I ate here awhile ago and put off writing a review because I was just trying to forget about it, but I'm here just in case I can warn someone else! First of all, the view and the atmosphere is really great. As a former server, I am SO lenient towards service issues, but this was such an uncomfortable experience. It took our waitress 15 minutes to notice we were sitting there despite the fact that she was standing very close to us the whole time, and she wore sunglasses throughout the entire interaction and didn't look in our direction more than once. We had to flag her down to order our food, which made me so uncomfortable because I hate doing that. She wasn't the most uncomfortable part though. The man dropping off our food came by with eggs benedict, which we hadn't ordered, and we told him that wasn't our plate. He sighed and turned away without another word or without checking on the other plates. A moment later he came back with our server, looking very irritated, and asked again who got the eggs benedict. We told him again that it wasn't ours, but it seemed like the rest of the plates may be ours. I tried to apologize for the misunderstanding but he ignored me, dropped the plates, and left. I swear he actually rolled his eyes. We saw him talking with the bartender a minute later, and the bartender actually looked over at us and shook his head- I was so mortified, but it also wasn't our fault, we didn't want to take someone else's food! The food itself was just fine- we paid like $6 for a side of hashbrowns that ended up being a singular hashbrown patty you can buy in bulk from Trader Joe's for $3.99, and my french toast was fine, but so one-note sweet I gave up halfway through to save my appetite for other, better stops later. They also pre-factored in an 18% tip; we wouldn't have given less as I know how important tips are for people, but it felt fishy that the servers clearly didn't care about us because they already knew they were going to be tipped. I don't know, it's worth a try for the scenery I guess, but you can also just walk down the pier and eat somewhere much better for much cheaper than this- we will definitely not be returning. The man at the host stand was wonderfully...