A Lincoln Park French Bistro Has Added a New Cocktail Lounge

A Lincoln Park French restaurant has converted its private room space to a cocktail lounge that debuts this week. Chez Moi will open Ooh La La on Thursday at 2100 N. Haslted St. The drink list features classic French cocktails, beer, and wine.

They’re trying to bring a speakeasy atmosphere to the restaurant, trying to get diners to arrive early before their meal for a drink or linger after desert for a nightcap. There’s a “secret” doorbell on the side entrance with a strobe light on the inside to inform staff that customers are at the entrance. The interior features 20 comfy, plush seats and no reservations.

Chef Dominique Tougne has whipped up a special bar menu of warm marinated olives, caviar, flatbreads, charcuterie, cheese, and gougères. They’ll still use the space for private events, and overflow, but wanted to offer customers something new in this highly-competitive restaurant industry. The neighborhood bistro opened in 2012.

The restaurant’s big into its loyalty program, and they will extend that to the bar. Patrons will be able to use a “time-clock machine” in the lounge area to punch their cards and accumulate rewards.

Check out the full drink menu below. Ooh La La opens on Thursday in Lincoln Park.

Ooh La La, 2100 N. Halsted St. (entrance on Dickens), (773) 871-2100, opening hours are 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.