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South Side rooftop bars are a rare breed, but VU Rooftop Bar opens today to fill that void and give customers beautiful views of the city from the 22nd floor. Atlanta hospitality group Concentrics Restaurant Group operates the bar that’s a few blocks away from McCormick Place. The group has some Chicago experience, having launched Cibo Motto in 2011 inside the Wit.
Inside are three bars and a solarium with retractable windows for all-weather fun. If it’s rainy and customers don’t want to sit on either of the two patios, there’s a private karaoke room to keep the party going.
Peking duck tacos and Moroccan leg of lamb are the menu’s heavy hitters. But the focus is on small and sharable plates. Drink wise, VU knows its environment. There are a pair of hot cold-weather cocktails that patrons can sip on during Bears season. They can even sip their drinks while standing outside and gazing at Soldier Field.
The building is at Michigan and Cermak, right across the street from Wintrust Arena. There aren’t a lot of dining and drinking options nearby, so VU could be a boon for McCormick Place convention goers. The public can officially check out the views starting this afternoon when VU opens.
VU Rooftop Bar, 133 E. Cermak Road, (312) 528-0191, open 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; weekend brunch goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
