Chicagoist: Interview: Toby Maloney, The Violet Hour

pawplusshoe

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:00:54 -0600

I had a drink there called the Briar Patch (Gin, blackberry syrup, and something else), and the bartender also made me a Moscow Mule when I made a special request--both drinks were off the chain. The lighting is good, music is good, and they don't allow people to stand and loaf around--you gotta have a chair. They'll seat you--like its a restaurant. That's nice.

RalphWiggum

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:46:30 -0600

Hotwater30, I agree completely. The place is a real gem in this city.

hotwater30

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:59:41 -0600

Violet Hour truly is a great place. Relaxing atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and excellant drinks. Not a place I could afford or want to go everyday, but definitely worth checking out. The prices are really no more expensive than a top shelf cocktail elsewhere: about $11.

Rob Christopher

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:11:34 -0600

Oh, man, I'm so glad that I don't live close to VH or else I'd go all the time. And be broke. Let's face it, this is just the best damn bar in the city. However, when Trader Vic's reopens next month, there'll be some competition. TV approaches things a bit differently, of course; but arguably TV and Don the Beachcomber paved the way in the 30's and 40's for bars like VH, Milk & Honey, etc. by creating establishments with cocktail menus at their center.

Spook

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:48:07 -0600

I could fall both ways on this and that dudes wool suit and hat don't help. But as its also a Terry Alexander thing'O . I'm gonna have to check it out. I've passed by it a number of times. Alexander does some cool sh*t( like Danny's) that attracks cool people instead of alot of dumb yuppies. And I know folks that work for him and he seems to treat them like valued people, which always gold stars in the Book of Spook

Stealth

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:37:02 -0600

It's a bar, right?