Upstairs at The Gwen

4.0

256 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 26, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 21 times today

Experiences are available.

Great for creative cocktails
Great for outdoor dining
Great for scenic views

Experience the premier terrace in River North, located on the 5th floor of The Gwen, a one MICHELIN Key hotel, nestled along the iconic Magnificent Mile! Savor creative cocktails and indulge in delicious small and large plates crafted by Executive Chef Matt Jergens, all while enjoying the warm ambiance of our firepits and the stunning backdrop of towering skyscrapers. Our candlelit indoor lounge and bar offer the perfect setting to unwind, relax, and embrace the good life!

Join us on the weekends for Chicago's liveliest, most unique tea service, Tipsy Tea! Featuring scrumptious savory and sweet bites, bottomless beverages, a DJ spinning, and a special themed menu every month, this is one pinkies-down tea service you will never forget!

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Cocktail Bar, Afternoon Tea
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 7:00 am–1:00 am Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 7:00 am–2:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–5:30 pm
Phone number
(872) 271-6010
Website
https://www.thegwenchicago.com/dining/upstairs-at-the-gwen/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Matt Jergens

Location
The Gwen Hotel, 521 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Cross street
Between Grand Avenue and Illinois Street
Parking details
We do not validate parking.
Public transit
CTA: Red Line Train ("Grand" Stop)Bus: 147, 148, 151, 145, 146, 3, 157, 29, 65
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Gwen's Winter Curl & Chill
$25.00 per person
Prepaid
Nov 23, 2024 - Mar 9, 2025
The magic of winter awaits at Upstairs at The Gwen! Celebrate the holiday season with Gwen’s Winter Curl & Chill. Enjoy a lively game of curling, then unwind with a curated menu of festive delights. Indulge in boozy hot chocolate, mulled wine, and holiday-inspired cocktails paired with seasonal treats—all crafted to keep you cozy and warm. +Your $25/person admission includes access to the curling court and firepit table for 1 hour along with a featured seasonal treat. +Please ensure to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Our rink is artificial, not made of ice; however, the surface still may be slippery. +Please ensure to arrive on time to maximize the most of your 1 hour experience.
Martha May's Merry Tipsy Tea Party
$70.00 per person
Prepaid
Dec 7, 2024 - Dec 29, 2024
Celebrate the season in whimsical Whoville style at The Gwen’s Grinch-themed Tipsy Tea Party this December. Sip on festive tea-infused cocktails while enjoying festive tunes from a live DJ. Indulge in a seasonal tea tower brimming with delights such as Who-Spanakopita, Mount Crumpit Pfeffernüsse, and Sweet Cindy Lou’s Panna Cotta. Embrace your inner Martha May and celebrate the holidays with playful elegance! +To reserve, please select one add-on per guest. You are welcome to upgrade packages upon arrival. +Please ensure to arrive on-time for your reservation to maximize the most out of your 2 hour experience. +We require 2 days notice in order to receive a full refund in the event you need to cancel your reservation.
"Dripping in Pink" Tipsy Tea Party
$70.00 per person
Prepaid
Jan 4, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025
Get ready to sip, savor, and sparkle at our "All Things Pink" Tipsy Tea Party from January to March! Treat yourself to an afternoon of pure pink perfection, where tea-infused cocktails meet delectable tea tower treats, all served up to the sweet sound of live DJ beats. +To reserve, please select one add-on per guest. You are welcome to upgrade packages upon arrival. +Please ensure to arrive on-time for your reservation to maximize the most out of your 2 hour experience. +We require 2 days notice in order to receive a full refund in the event you need to cancel your reservation.

Creole Maple Old Fashioned$15.00
dickel rye, clemente rhum, maple syrup, orange & angostura bitters
Barrel-Aged Negroni$18.00
florence field gin, sweet vermouth, campari
The Redeemer$19.00
novo fogo tanager cachaça, heirloom pineapple amaro, lime, grapefruit bitters
The Eugene$19.00
starlight bourbon, disaronno amaretto, cherry bark bitters
Henny Fizz$19.00
hennessey vs cognac, blackberry, lemon, simple, prosecco
Barrel-Aged Black Manhattan$19.00
bhakta 1928 rye whiskey, tuvè black note amaro, cherry bark vanilla bitters
Barrel-Aged Negroni$19.00
starlight gin, sweet vermouth, campari

Seasonal Tarot Specialties

The Magician$20.00
casamigos reposado tequila, orgeat, stirrings ginger liqueur, lime, pumpkin spices, all spice dram
Temperance $18.00
dos hombres mezcal, licor 43, bertoux brandy, cold brew, fire bitters
The Fool$18.00
captain morgan rum, butterscotch liqueur, cream soda
Judgement $19.00
ford's gin, apologue celery root liqueur, sweet vermouth, lime bitters
The Emperor$20.00
basil hayden bourbon, heirloom génépy, cointreau, lemon
Strength$19.00
wheatley vodka, apologue aronia & persimmon liqueurs, lemon, egg white

Lux Classics

Tommy's Margarita$18.00
corazón tequila, agave, lime +add some heat and ask for it spicy!
Paper Plane$20.00
whistlepig 6 yr piggyback rye whiskey, aperol, amaro nonino, lemon
Bee's Knees$18.00
barrhill tomcat gin, lemon, honey syrup
Hemingway Daiquiri $18.00
plantation 3 stars white rum, luxardo maraschino, lime, grapefruit
Vodka Gimlet$18.00
grey goose vodka, lime, simple
Penicillin$20.00
glenmorangie X single malt, lemon, honey, stirrings ginger liqueur, laphroaig 10 yr single malt

Spirit-Free

Hot Honey Paloma$15.00
seedlip grove, spicy honey, grapefruit juice, grapefruit soda
Mate$15.00
lyre’s amaretti, pineapple, orange, lemon, almond bitters
Liar Lyre$15.00
lyre’s italian orange, soda, lyre’s amalfi spritz
Prickly Pear Limeade$15.00
jalapeño-infused seedlip garden, prickly pear syrup, lime
Cracker Jack$15.00
butter-washed lyre’s amaretti, popcorn demarera, molasses bitters
False Spring$15.00
seedlip spice, lemon, three cents aegean tonic, cucumber-mint soda
Athletic Brewing Non-Alcoholic Beers$9.00
Upside Dawn Golden Ale, Run Wild IPA
Grüvi Bubbly Rosé$15.00
275ml bottle
Grüvi Mocha Nitro Stout$9.00
335ml can

Bottles & Cans

Bottled Beers$9.00
Blue Moon, Bud Light, Budweiser, Coors Light, Founders All Day IPA, Goose Island 312, Goose Island IPA, Guinness, Lagunitas IPA, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois
3 Floyd’s Zombie Dust, IPA, Munster, Indiana $12.00
3 Floyd’s Gumballhead, American Wheat Pale Ale, Munster, Indiana$12.00
Dovetail, Vienna Lager, Chicago, Illinois $12.00
Half Acre Pony, Pilsner, Chicago, Illinois $12.00
Moody Tongue Chocolate Churro, Porter, Chicago, Illinois $16.00
Off Color Brewing Apex Predator, Saison, Chicago, Illinois $12.00
Off Color Brewing Dino S’mores, Imperial Stout, Chicago, Illinois $12.00
High Noon Hard Seltzer$14.00
Lime, Passionfruit
Vandermill Hard Cider$9.00

Draft Beers

Casa Humilde Cerveceria Maizal$12.00
Mexican Lager
Revolution Brewing Fistmas$12.00
holiday red ale
Buckledown Brewing Belt & Suspenders$12.00
IPA
Solemn Oath Brewing Lü$12.00
kölsch

White & Rosé

August Kessler 'R', Reisling, Mosel, Germany$15.00
Borghi Ad Est, Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy$16.00
Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand$17.00
Domaine Régis Jouan, Sauvignon Blanc - Sancerre, France$20.00
La Crema, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, California$18.00
Talbott 'Kali Hart', Chardonnay, Monterey, California$21.00
Louis Jadot, Chardonnay, Burgundy, France$20.00
Château d'Esclans 'Whispering Angel', Rosé, Provence, France$20.00

Sparkling

Bariano, Prosecco, Veneto, Italy$17.00
ISC 'Ombre' Brut Rosé, Sparkling Rosé, Utica, Illinois$18.00
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee 1785, Brut Reserve, Champagne, France$27.00
Nicolas Feuillatte, Brut Rosé, Champagne, France$300.00
Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label, Champagne, France$220.00
Veuve Clicquot, 2012 La Grande Dame, Champagne, France$600.00
Dom Pérignon, 2012 Brut, Champagne, France$800.00

Red

Cambria 'Julia's Vineyard', Pinot Noir, Santa Maria, California$20.00
El Domodor, Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain$18.00
Viña Cobos 'Felino', Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina$20.00
Tenuta Scersce 'Nettare', Nebbiolo, Rosso di Valtellina, Italy$22.00
Unshackled, Cabernet Sauvignon, California$20.00
Ferrari Carano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, California$19.00

What 256 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.0

4 based on recent ratings

4Food
4.1Service
4.1Ambience
3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Upstairs at The Gwen offers a beautiful rooftop setting with "excellent cuisine" and "outstanding customer experience." Guests enjoy the vibrant ambiance, "fantastic" staff, and cozy fire pit tables. While some reviews mention slow service, the "attentive" and accommodating team, particularly during themed events like Tipsy Tea, often make up for it.

256 Reviews

J
Joey
West Palm Beach
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
This restaurant is all about faking being fancy. The decor and carpet are in shambles, the restaurant space is actually a bar in the lobby (if you’re not on the patio), and the food was bland and not well-cooked. Don’t eat here. The patio is pretty and would be nice for cocktails (though the manhattan is not one I would recommend).
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V
Virginia
Denver
13 reviews
4.0
13 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
It was so fun to try curling at the Gwen. It wasn’t crowded & the staff was great. The only negative was that the outside heaters were not on.
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K
Kelly
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing! Would do again in a heartbeat. It was beautiful
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P
Paula
Sacramento
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Did the outdoor curling for an hour and we each had a cocktail. Very enjoyable experience!
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M
Margaret
Chicago
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The tea was a disappointment. Food and ambience were both mediocre, especially for the price.
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C
Carol
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our tea was incredible! The staff took amazing care of us. We were thoroughly impressed that the host told our server where we were traveling from…such good communication and it made it so personal. Kayla, our server, ensured we had such a fun experience. From recommending teas, to suggesting places to visit in Chicago, she took outstanding care of us. I don’t generally write reviews, but Upstairs at The Gwen was one that deserves it. From the details in the setting and (adorable menu booklet!) to the delicious food and amazing staff…it was a great afternoon!
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S
Sheila
VIP
Chicago
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Honestly such a disappointment! For holiday tea we were in a random room, it was hardly decorated, the food was awful, there was a loud dj, hardly any decorations. It was such a waste of money! Next year I will pay more at a hotel that does holiday tea regularly and knows the level of service tea customers expect.
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M
Marie
New Orleans
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Looked nice. Service was great. Drinks were good. Typical hotel bar though
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D
Dennis
VIP
Chicago
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
It was good all the way around and very convenient as it was cold outside and we didn’t have to leave here!
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A
Angela
VIP
Indiana
4 reviews
2.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Curling was fun and the space is great. Service wasn’t great - had to go looking for waitress to order food and then manager came out to say food that is on the Chill and Curl menu isn’t available until 2 pm. Why is it on the menu for the activity if not really available? Tip was automatically added and included 20% of the price for Curling and not just 20% of the food and beverage.
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FAQs

Upstairs at The Gwen offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (872) 271-6010.

Upstairs at The Gwen is rated 4 stars by 256 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 26, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 21 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

The Gwen Hotel, 521 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Between Grand Avenue and Illinois Street
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 7:00 am–1:00 am Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 7:00 am–2:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–5:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Cocktail Bar, Afternoon Tea
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
We do not validate parking.
Public transit
CTA: Red Line Train ("Grand" Stop)Bus: 147, 148, 151, 145, 146, 3, 157, 29, 65
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Matt Jergens
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.thegwenchicago.com/dining/upstairs-at-the-gwen/
Phone number
(872) 271-6010

Upstairs at The Gwen

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Gwen's Winter Curl & Chill

Martha May's Merry Tipsy Tea Party

"Dripping in Pink" Tipsy Tea Party

Gwen's Signature Cocktails

Creole Maple Old Fashioned$15.00

Barrel-Aged Negroni$18.00

The Redeemer$19.00

The Eugene$19.00

Henny Fizz$19.00

Barrel-Aged Black Manhattan$19.00

Barrel-Aged Negroni$19.00

Seasonal Tarot Specialties

The Magician$20.00

Temperance $18.00

The Fool$18.00

Judgement $19.00

The Emperor$20.00

Strength$19.00

Lux Classics

Tommy's Margarita$18.00

Paper Plane$20.00

Bee's Knees$18.00

Hemingway Daiquiri $18.00

Vodka Gimlet$18.00

Penicillin$20.00

Spirit-Free

Hot Honey Paloma$15.00

Mate$15.00

Liar Lyre$15.00

Prickly Pear Limeade$15.00

Cracker Jack$15.00

False Spring$15.00

Athletic Brewing Non-Alcoholic Beers$9.00

Grüvi Bubbly Rosé$15.00

Grüvi Mocha Nitro Stout$9.00

Bottles & Cans

Bottled Beers$9.00

3 Floyd’s Zombie Dust, IPA, Munster, Indiana $12.00

3 Floyd’s Gumballhead, American Wheat Pale Ale, Munster, Indiana$12.00

Dovetail, Vienna Lager, Chicago, Illinois $12.00

Half Acre Pony, Pilsner, Chicago, Illinois $12.00

Moody Tongue Chocolate Churro, Porter, Chicago, Illinois $16.00

Off Color Brewing Apex Predator, Saison, Chicago, Illinois $12.00

Off Color Brewing Dino S’mores, Imperial Stout, Chicago, Illinois $12.00

High Noon Hard Seltzer$14.00

Vandermill Hard Cider$9.00

Draft Beers

Casa Humilde Cerveceria Maizal$12.00

Revolution Brewing Fistmas$12.00

Buckledown Brewing Belt & Suspenders$12.00

Solemn Oath Brewing Lü$12.00

White & Rosé

August Kessler 'R', Reisling, Mosel, Germany$15.00

Borghi Ad Est, Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy$16.00

Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand$17.00

Domaine Régis Jouan, Sauvignon Blanc - Sancerre, France$20.00

La Crema, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, California$18.00

Talbott 'Kali Hart', Chardonnay, Monterey, California$21.00

Louis Jadot, Chardonnay, Burgundy, France$20.00

Château d'Esclans 'Whispering Angel', Rosé, Provence, France$20.00

Sparkling

Bariano, Prosecco, Veneto, Italy$17.00

ISC 'Ombre' Brut Rosé, Sparkling Rosé, Utica, Illinois$18.00

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee 1785, Brut Reserve, Champagne, France$27.00

Nicolas Feuillatte, Brut Rosé, Champagne, France$300.00

Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label, Champagne, France$220.00

Veuve Clicquot, 2012 La Grande Dame, Champagne, France$600.00

Dom Pérignon, 2012 Brut, Champagne, France$800.00

Red

Cambria 'Julia's Vineyard', Pinot Noir, Santa Maria, California$20.00

El Domodor, Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain$18.00

Viña Cobos 'Felino', Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina$20.00

Tenuta Scersce 'Nettare', Nebbiolo, Rosso di Valtellina, Italy$22.00

Unshackled, Cabernet Sauvignon, California$20.00

Ferrari Carano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, California$19.00