Behold Chicago's Newest Rooftop Bar, Hidden Behind Nordstrom's Off Michigan Ave.

Circa and Upstairs At The Gwen are open

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel May 17, 2016, 4:36pm CDT

Via New Rooftop Bar Opening on Mag Mile With Prosecco Popsicles [ECHI] and The Gwen Chicago [Official site] | Photography by Marc Much

Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

The competition for swankiest hotel bar continues to heat up in downtown Chicago, as The Gwen unveiled its two new spaces earlier this week. Yes, the public's excited about those Prosecco popsicles served on the roof at Upstairs At The Gwen. But the hotel doesn't want guest to forget about Circa, the hotel's new restaurant.

The restaurant's on the fifth floor. Management says the Art Deco meshes with the focus on 1930s cocktail culture, hence the cocktail carts which are available via reservation only. Outside there's an island in the middle of the roof surrounded with seats. Hopefully that firepit won't be used for warmth anytime soon, as summer will eventually arrive.

The McGraw-Hill Building became a Chicago landmark in 1997, and besides being home to Nordstrom's, it now houses The Gwen. Check out the photos below.

Circa, 521 N. Rush St., (312) 645-1500, breakfast served 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays; 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends; lunch served 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Uptstairs At The Gwen, open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.