The Violet Hour

Has anyone been to this bar/restaurant/speak easy in Wicker Park? I want to go this Saturday but I don't know if you need reservations or if they even take reservations. I was trying to search information and did not find much.

Sorry I'm new and forgot to search for previous discussions on this. But, I still did not see if you could make a reservation or even needed one. If someone could assist, that would be great.

I've gone twice without a reservation on a weekday. Please keep in mind that it's mostly a bar with an elaborate drink menu but basically only a few bar snacks for food. I would call them and ask if you need a reservation.

please go over to 'something to drink' and you'll find lengthy posts including a fantastic one from our intrepid kansas city member, aarondeacon. i think i read that they had no phone number, therefore, probably no reservations. if you're going on a saturday, expect crowds. the way it works, they don't let you in unless there is seating available for you. so civilized. if you have a cell phone, they'll take your number and call you when there's space. since they are heavily modeled on speakeasies, no address, no name, and possibly no phone number. also they open at 8pm. justjoan

Hi. I was at the Violet Hour on Saturday. It is a great place to relax, and definitely a welcome addition to the city. Here are the facts:

- they do not take reservations. If you arrive at 8, as we did, you will have a pick of seats. When we left close to 10 to go to our dinner reservation, there were 4-5 people waiting outside the door. Not bad.
- some write-ups have made a big deal about no signage. However, the place is easy to spot since there is a sign for valet parking. The valet guy is standing very obviously outside the door. It's not as hidden as people make it out to be.
- it is cocktail focused, and I do need to commend them for making a mean sidecar, which is my drink of choice and which I measure a lot of bars (and mixologists/bartenders) against. However, they do have a small plates menu conceived by the chefs of Avec (at least that's what I think the menus said). We had a fantastic devilled egg with pork belly, and an ok chorizon croquettas.

It is a great place and definitely worth patronizing and supporting. Have fun.