Bar Review

Neighborhood: West Loop

Affordability: ★★ 1/2

Ambience: ★★★★

Service: ★★★

Drink Quality: ★★★1/2

Overall Rating: ★★★1/2

Tucked in the basement underneath Smyth, The Loyalist seems to be the more introverted sibling of Smyth.  It has a darker, moody, contemporary aesthetic with a cozy vibe.  We came here later on during a Friday night and it was relaxed.  There were just a few people by the bar so it wasn’t crowded, which I appreciated, especially in the West Loop.  The music was eclectic and they played music ranging from The Cure to Girl Talk, which was a wonderful treat.

The bartender service was decent but I felt that they were more excited about closing.  The cocktail menu had many delicious sounding options.  I had the Invisible Man, which has mezcal, a hint of cinnamon, and shaved ice.  It was very refreshing but felt a tad bit too sweet considering that the smoky Mezcal flavor should have been more prominent.  My drinking companion had the Nighthawk, which had Japanese Whiskey, bitter almond, cherry and white pepper.  The flavors were complex and unique but I also felt like this one was a bit too sweet considering how the scotch flavor should have been more intense.

I like that The Loyalist is a low-key bar for the West Loop but I wasn’t really impressed considering the pricy cost of the cocktails for only descent cocktail quality.  I have not had their food so I cannot speak to that.