People Lounge
1560 N. Milwaukee

The Basics

Where you’ll find it: 1560 N. Milwaukee, just south of the Milwaukee, North and Damen intersection. (773) 227-9339.

When it’s open: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday-Friday; 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.

Reservations: Strongly recommended for a Friday or Saturday.

What you’ve heard: I hadn’t heard much about it until I suggested it to a bunch of friends, and three or four of them said that they “loved People Lounge!” When we actually went, it was so fun! ... Out of this world tapas. … Reasonably priced and a good location. ... Great tapas and awesome atmosphere.

Visual Aids

First impressions: Charming window front with a lot of tables for two and then a few tables that could accommodate bigger parties with longer wooden tables and benches. It had a warm, cozy and unpretentious feel right away. ... The open atmosphere was very inviting. ... A modish version of those traditional Chicago tapas hot spots, mixing a new, young vibe with the long-established dishes everyone wants to share. ... I loved the openness of the place as well as the European feel of the furniture.

The atmosphere: It was filled with a number of people who appeared to be in their 20s or 30s mingling at the bar and enjoying the sangria and tapas at the tables. ... It was definitely busy. I didn’t see any tables open when we arrived (except for ours). The people were diverse but had a common vibe of being chill, happy and up. It had a cool crowd and seemed very laid-back. ... The artwork was pleasing and intriguing at the same time. ... Right now, there are pieces by a man named Cleveland Dean or “Q.” Fortunately for us, he was there that night, and we were able to talk to him about his work, which was great. ... Nice, clean ambiance.

The Experience

At your service: The service was great — our server was very attentive. We drank a lot of sangria, and it seemed like the food just kept on coming. ... The hostess and waiter were welcoming and very accommodating. When we arrived 10 minutes after our reservation time, she greeted us with a smile and a “no worries” attitude. ... The host was fabulous. He was very informative and attentive to the likings of the people who were at the table. He was full of great recommendations. ... Our waiter made it more upbeat and gave a lot of energy.

Get your drink on: The red sangria was tasty. It could have used more fruit in it though. The white sangria was also good with the unique addition of champagne! ... I really enjoyed the red sangria. The fruit was pretty good for this time of year, and as I somewhat mentioned before, the sangria did its job.

Menu variety and prices: The restaurant offers Spanish cuisine in the form of tapas, mainly. The prices are outstanding for the quality of food you get, and I really like food. I think there’s a nice variety of choices, but if you’re a veggie, not so sure. ... The variety was wonderful, with some unique twists to traditional tapas. From the long-established goat cheese and marinara to sea scallops and bacon, every taste palate was inspired. ... There was a great variety at affordable prices. For all of the tapas we ate and the sangria we drank, I could not believe how affordable it really was. ... We stayed pretty traditional, never looking at the menu, but it seemed a little pricey at the end of the night. Maybe too much sangria?!

Description of what you did decide on: We started off with some calamari and cheese plates. They have a skirt steak dish that is incredible. I think it’s slow roasted for hours and is extremely powerful in flavor and beautifully tender. The chicken skewers were a great surprise to the taste buds with a quality kick. ... The scallops wrapped in bacon were really pleasing to the palate and had diced tomatoes with a white bean puree that complemented the rich taste of the scallops. We also had flavorful shrimp that had a side of savory couscous. Overall, the food is very good. There was no way we could even think about dessert after all that food came! ... Skirt steak — mmmm — juicy and marinated impeccably. The sea scallops were cooked perfectly, with a touch of bacon for flavor. For a tapas restaurant, the calamari was flawlessly prepared — lightly breaded and fresh tasting. ... I loved, loved, loved the skirt steak. A must try. Everything else, from the calamari to the shrimp to the sea scallops, was fabulous as well. Its presentation made the cut! ... It was presented very well. Everything tasted right on to what I expected. Really liked the spicy potatoes.

Something that caught your eye: Besides working there, most of the servers and bartenders are artists, which is always nice to hear. The staff was very accommodating and extremely nice. ... I think the entire environment caught my eye. It was very inviting from the time we walked in until the time we left. ... The open, clean design created a welcoming restaurant, and the staff made you feel like a local celeb! ... I thought the place drew in a good crowd and was very comfortable, not stuffy or snobby.

What you’ll tell your friends: Try People Lounge for its great food, incredible prices and fantastic … well, PEOPLE! ... If you’re looking for a new place for tapas in a great location, it’s worth a try. ... With a fabulous atmosphere, waitstaff and especially the tapas, this place is a must!! ... Great for group dinners or even a romantic date — sharing dishes makes everything more fun!

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