A vibrant bar and restaurant right on Michigan Avenue, offering full views of the city from our indoor seating and patio area. Our modern American food menu is complemented by a great craft beer list, seasonal cocktails, and an upbeat atmosphere. Just north of Millennium Park and steps from the Theater district, Sweetwater is the perfect destination for lunch, dinner, after-work drinks, and late night celebrating.
All your brunch favorites (and one BIG Bloody Mary) are available every Saturday and Sunday. Sweetwater is known among the restaurants in downtown Chicago that offer an upbeat atmosphere, friendly service, approachable menu, full liquor bar, smart wine list, and great beer selection. Sweetwater Tavern and Grille offers modern American classics with a twist and a huge variety of beer, wine and cocktails.
All your brunch favorites (and one BIG Bloody Mary) are available every Saturday and Sunday. Sweetwater is known among the restaurants in downtown Chicago that offer an upbeat atmosphere, friendly service, approachable menu, full liquor bar, smart wine list, and great beer selection. Sweetwater Tavern and Grille offers modern American classics with a twist and a huge variety of beer, wine and cocktails.
Services
GS: Gluten Sensitive - There is no gluten in this recipe, however, items may be prepared with the same equipment as items containing gluten, so we cannot guarantee there is never slight cross-contamination. While we do have procedures in place to minimize cross-contact with other gluten-containing foods, these items may not be suitable for our guests who are highly sensitive to gluten.
Sweetwater offers a private dining room for cocktail reception style parties of up to 25 guests or seated events for up to 22 people. We provide semi-private event space for up to 125 guests, and can accommodate full restaurant buy-outs for up to 300 guests. Host your networking event, corporate party, family dinner, or social event in Chicago with us!
Reviews (27)
Chosani Mbewe
Feb 01, 2022
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Love this place. Their salmon is amazing but their crab fondue is out of this world. Been here twice for dinner and will probably be back. Though they should introduce more options to their dessert menu. They only have 3 items and given I’ve been there twice already, means next time I’d have tried the last one. But otherwise great place, great ambiance, no music blowing your ear drums. One can sit and have a delightful conversation. It’s great.
Angela Jam
Jan 09, 2022
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What an awesome experience! Food and drinks were really good. The house salad was awesome, the steak we had was perfect. Everything was cooked well and tasted good. One thing we also noticed right from the get go, everyone from the hostess to the waiter were super nice and accommodating. Thank you again
Daniel Lopez
Jan 02, 2022
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We came here after the Christmas Tree Lighting and it was packed! Surprisingly we were seated pretty quickly and service was nice and welcoming. I got the Golden Honey Margarita to start and it was nice and strong with a hint of sweetness. My partner got the Cranberry Mojito and it was so delicious. To eat I got the Sunny Side Up burger, it was very juicy and cooked perfectly. My partner went with the Southwest Chicken Wrap and she too thought it was delicious. We both loved the fries they were perfectly salted and had a nice crisp and fluff to it. A solid place to grab a bite, prices are fair
Michael Costello
Dec 28, 2021
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Joseph H.
Dec 27, 2021
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Great spot for some late night eats. Both times My wife and I have visited, it was later in the evening after some celebration or other nearby. The food has always been tasty, though the service this visit was less stellar.
I got the Nashville Chicken Salad and a side of the popcorn chicken. The wife got the pork belly. Both dishes were tasty and arrived promptly.
We will undoubtedly return in the future after another evening of fun.
I got the Nashville Chicken Salad and a side of the popcorn chicken. The wife got the pork belly. Both dishes were tasty and arrived promptly.
We will undoubtedly return in the future after another evening of fun.
Hanna Page
Dec 21, 2021
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Have returned here for the cheese curd appetizer time and time again. Also, the burgers never disappoint. The picture above is the Sweetwater burger with tater tot side.
There are currently clear plexi dividers between tables, staff are masked, and diners are expected to wear a mask when not eating or drinking.
There are currently clear plexi dividers between tables, staff are masked, and diners are expected to wear a mask when not eating or drinking.
Lisa G.
Dec 21, 2021
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Darartu M.
Dec 16, 2021
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Ruby M.
Dec 11, 2021
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Great food and amazing service! I'm so bad at ordering things I like over and over again. I took a chance and ordered the Shrimp and Grits. Blown away with incredible flavors. The Bang Bang Shrimp is one of my favorites along with the Cobb Salad. Sweetwater is everything you'd hoped a restaurant should be.
Kyla W.
Dec 04, 2021
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Really great service, there was no wait, & we were sat promptly. I got the Herb marinated salmon salad and my friend got the southwest chicken salad. The thing that was unique about the southwest chicken salad was that they shredded the chicken. Another thing that I love was how they cut up the cucumbers and onions in the spinach herb marinated salmon salad. Chipotle lime dressing on the herb marinated salmon salad was phenomenal. I wasn't a huge fan of the citrus vinaigrette that was given.
The bang bang shrimp was really good too. We ate it all! Great portion sizes as well. Very clean
The bang bang shrimp was really good too. We ate it all! Great portion sizes as well. Very clean
Gordon Freeman
Nov 26, 2021
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Sema T.
Nov 17, 2021
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Stopped in for dinner and a nice place to do some work while in town for a conference. Despite facing a dinner rush, the staff sat me in a 2 person booth rather than making me sit at the bar, which was very generous. Granted, they seem to have a great amount of interior seating space! They were very attentive without being overwhelming and I enjoyed all interactions.
Paired with a nice atmosphere (and it's really a cool atmosphere), I ordered soup and a stuffed burger, and I was very pleased. I do wish they'd have warned me that the inside of the stuffed burger was scalding and I should
Paired with a nice atmosphere (and it's really a cool atmosphere), I ordered soup and a stuffed burger, and I was very pleased. I do wish they'd have warned me that the inside of the stuffed burger was scalding and I should
Jojo G.
Oct 25, 2021
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Liddy B.
Oct 20, 2021
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Service here was decent. I was able to sit outside, the patio area is really nice until the 🐝s come out. The food was really good, I particularly like the cauliflower bowl, it was absolutely amazing! The food took a long time to come but everything was good. I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door and the restaurant was very clean
Itzel C.
Sep 11, 2021
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Monica H.
Sep 05, 2021
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It's clear they are short staffed as they are not seating at 50% of the tables. We waited 15 minutes for a table - no big deal. We went to the bar we're served right away. We got a table and have been seated over 40 minutes and we are still waiting on 2 beers. These are canned beers so no tap to change. After an hour we are still waiting on that beer. No water refills. We still don't have food.
Great location. Outside seating is a plus but the service was not good at all. We understand they are short staffed but it should not take an hour to get a drink or a refill on water
Great location. Outside seating is a plus but the service was not good at all. We understand they are short staffed but it should not take an hour to get a drink or a refill on water
Meryl F.
Aug 28, 2021
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The first time I went here a few years ago, I found Sweetwater Tavern and Grille to be unique since they were one of the few bars/restaurants in Chicago that served Pimms Cup (best cocktail drink ever). I was disappointed to find out during my recent visit, they no longer serve this drink. There was a bit of a wait for a table because some servers were on break so we sat in the bar to order some drinks. Their beer selection was average although kudos for carrying a Sofie. The bartender was sluggish and took a long time to bring our two order of beers. We were then seated to our table about 15 minutes
Dale D.
Aug 27, 2021
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We sat at the bar and ordered a couple of drinks. My wife got a PG and did not like it at all. I ordered a sour I have never had. Did not like it.
We needed some food so we got their nachos. I realize I ordered nachos but even nachos can be good. Not these! I did eat them cus I needed food.
The bartender didn't really seam happy. Maybe a bad day but definitely added to our bad experience.
If your going to eat some "not good for you food"your better off grabbing a slice of pizza for $6 instead of going in here.
We needed some food so we got their nachos. I realize I ordered nachos but even nachos can be good. Not these! I did eat them cus I needed food.
The bartender didn't really seam happy. Maybe a bad day but definitely added to our bad experience.
If your going to eat some "not good for you food"your better off grabbing a slice of pizza for $6 instead of going in here.
Beki Winchel
Aug 20, 2021
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Justin B.
Aug 06, 2021
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Close to the bean and art museum. Easy walking distance.
It's a decent place to eat. A good place for casual dinners. I honestly think you should disregard some of the 1 star reviews. Plenty of space inside and outside. The service was good.
The food tasty, hot and fast. Highly recommend the steak and Kung pao cauliflower. My wife's meal was way better than mine.
It's a decent place to eat. A good place for casual dinners. I honestly think you should disregard some of the 1 star reviews. Plenty of space inside and outside. The service was good.
The food tasty, hot and fast. Highly recommend the steak and Kung pao cauliflower. My wife's meal was way better than mine.
Vanessa E.
Jul 23, 2021
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I stopped by Sweetwater tavern for a quick bite before a boat tour and I was impressed with everything! I told the waitress we needed to leave within an hour and she had the food out fast and it was very good! Great staff, food was exactly what we needed and bathrooms were pretty clean. The nachos are definitely worth a try. Made our boat tour on time!
Paul Cheema
Jul 19, 2021
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Went here for lunch. Staff were very friendly. Food was average, 6/10. I had steak medium rare but it may as well have been rare. The fish tacos were good.
I would rate this place little higher but their cutlery was very dirty. I tried three different sets before found a clean set. All the forks and knifes had food dried on them. Not ideal.
I would rate this place little higher but their cutlery was very dirty. I tried three different sets before found a clean set. All the forks and knifes had food dried on them. Not ideal.
Dinger Chat
Jul 12, 2021
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Nicola P.
Jul 09, 2021
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First time dining take-out from here and the food was alright. It tasted good, but the temps for the proteins were off, so that's my real problem with the food.
The kids chicken tenders were really soft, I was able to bend them when I tried to break them in half. They were cooked, but just barely.
The herbed marinated salmon was a very large portion, but super rare in the middle, very pink and wet. I did like the spinach & was happy they put the dressing on the side (I forgot to ask for it on the side).
I was looking so forward to the Kung POW Cauliflower with shrimp, but the shrimp
The kids chicken tenders were really soft, I was able to bend them when I tried to break them in half. They were cooked, but just barely.
The herbed marinated salmon was a very large portion, but super rare in the middle, very pink and wet. I did like the spinach & was happy they put the dressing on the side (I forgot to ask for it on the side).
I was looking so forward to the Kung POW Cauliflower with shrimp, but the shrimp
Lashay B.
May 16, 2021
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Was looking for a spot to watch WNBA games and they accommodated us and we got a table right near the tv. We just had apps and a couple bars, the apps we got were the cauliflower, bang bang shrimp and Buffalo chicken egg rolls. They all were pretty good, a little on the Spicey side, wouldn't recommend all three is you're not into Spicey food. Overall great experience the waitress was efficient and very informative!
Alexandra A.
Nov 12, 2020
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Love this place!! I'd walked by it in the past and was super interested in trying it out and it exceeded expectation.
I made a reservation here for brunch, and their menu for food and drink was extensive which I really appreciated. They have a bunch of really unique mimosa options, and I knew I had to try one, so I went with the Paloma mimosa. It was so good!!
The food was also incredible - we ordered the Baja fish tacos and the cinnamon roll. The fish tacos normally come with tortilla chips, but I asked for fries and got them for no extra charge. The cinnamon roll is huge! And soooo good
I made a reservation here for brunch, and their menu for food and drink was extensive which I really appreciated. They have a bunch of really unique mimosa options, and I knew I had to try one, so I went with the Paloma mimosa. It was so good!!
The food was also incredible - we ordered the Baja fish tacos and the cinnamon roll. The fish tacos normally come with tortilla chips, but I asked for fries and got them for no extra charge. The cinnamon roll is huge! And soooo good
Averie V.
Oct 19, 2020
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We decided to try this place out upon recommendation of someone we ran into at our hotel around the corner.
We were looking for somewhere to relax, get some food and drinks, and hunker down for a few hours to watch a baseball game and this spot was perfect.
Our waitress was really funny and provided great service.
We tried their burgers, nachos, fish tacos, and spinach dip and all were tasty.
We also tried a handful of their local sour beer options and all were really good.
We definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for a good chill place on the mag mile
We were looking for somewhere to relax, get some food and drinks, and hunker down for a few hours to watch a baseball game and this spot was perfect.
Our waitress was really funny and provided great service.
We tried their burgers, nachos, fish tacos, and spinach dip and all were tasty.
We also tried a handful of their local sour beer options and all were really good.
We definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for a good chill place on the mag mile
