Bar of the month

Relax Lounge
1450 W. Chicago Ave.

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 1450 W. Chicago Ave., about two blocks east of Ashland in Ukrainian Village or West Town, depending on your frame of reference. (312) 666-6006.

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

Peak time: It just opened, so the peak times have yet to be determined, but it gives off the type of feel that has you thinking it’ll be a favorite on weekend evenings, especially late, but also a good spot to stop in after work for a cocktail or two.

What you’ve heard: Classy, upbeat lounge in a neighborhood that needed a new spot. ... Try the milkshakes that weren’t made for kids. ... Brand new and definitely worth a look. It’ll be hard to leave.

History in short: Originally set to open last winter under the name Pharmacy, the owners were forced to alter their approach and go with Relax Lounge, but they kept a lot of the marketing ideas from the original concept of having a nice lounge combined with some of the principles of an old-school pharmacy and coke-and-a-burger diner.

Visual Aids
First impressions: A modern, fun lounge with plenty of marketing leftovers from the original theme of Pharmacy, such as chemistry beakers used to hold candles and giant medical crosses — including a neon green one that serves as the can’t miss sign outside. ... Small, candle-lit tables and retro leather couches line the walls all the way through this long, sleek room. ... Famous rock photographer Paul Natkin has a nice collection of some of his best shots of the Rolling Stones and other groups on the walls. ... Lots of shades of gray and brown, and a back room with an exposed brick wall, couches and ample open space for groups to gather. ... Some of the best features are a long line of red light fixtures hanging just above the bar and communal sinks outside of the bathrooms.

The atmosphere: Ukrainian Village has a cool new lounge that has plenty of original ideas and a good-looking crowd, all the while managing a laid-back vibe (hence the name “Relax”). ... There are some classic rock-and-roll themes going on here, but the actual music can vary greatly when the DJ is spinning. ... It looks like the kind of place that will be hopping soon on Saturday nights.

What you’ll tell your friends: “This is just a chill lounge. It’s not a club, where you have to listen to that thumping bass music. You can order a greasy burger and some great fries and sit back and hang with your friends because there’s plenty of seating along the walls.”
— Nate

“For being brand new, it sure brings a great crowd. Word travels fast. We had a super-good time. If you have a larger group, there’s plenty of space to spread out in the back. Make it your own little party back there. We’ll be back. It’s worth a cab ride and then some.”
— Kristie

The Experience
At your service: Some bars aren’t sure how many people they will need when they’re new to the neighborhood, but Relax has come well-prepared to keep people happy. Three bartenders are slinging drinks when most bars would have two, and waitresses and busboys are there seemingly at every turn. ... Parking, it should be noted, isn’t nearly as difficult in the surrounding neighborhood as one might expect, and valet service is offered during busy times.

Get your drink on: On draft, they’re not messing around with the weak stuff you drank in college. Instead, it’s Guinness, Smithwicks, Fuller’s London Pride, Three Floyd’s Gumball Head, Staropramen, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Hacker-Pschorr and Goose Island 312. Plenty of options in the bottle as well. A full bar and well-trained bartenders can lead to some wonderful specialty cocktails, mixed up to perfection right in front of you.

Menu variety: In following with the keep-it-simple routine of pharmacies and diners back in the day, Relax offers a grand total of three things on the menu, but they do them right: burgers, hand-cut fries and milkshakes.

Daily specials: Sunday: “Tea Dance” from 2 p.m.-2 a.m. with $5 specialty martinis by Three Olives vodka. Monday: “1,2,3 Mondays” means $1 burgers (dine-in only), $2 PBR bottles, $3 Jameson shots. Tuesday: “Bourbon, Blues and Dusty Grooves” — DJ Uncle Reno and $4 Jim Beam cocktails.

Who you can expect to see there: It’s a younger crowd, dressed well but bordering more on the casual side. The mature patrons don’t look like they’re part of the post-college scene. ... Lots of groups wedged in together on couches, but couples and singles are prevalent checking out the atmosphere as well.

It’s a good spot to … “discover something new and modern in a great, interesting neighborhood. ... relax and lose yourself in a retro leather couch and a martini, or mingle and enjoy an active, friendly crowd. ... bring a group and all sit together. They make it easy to congregate, yet not feel stuffy. ... have a great martini or a milkshake blended the old-fashioned way — with a kick. ... catch some great rock-and-roll classics or a DJ ... people watch because there’s a great energy to the place.”

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