Behind The Stick: Cocktails And The View Astound At Rebar

By Paul Leddy in Food on Mar 29, 2013 3:00PM

Walk into most cocktail bars and you may find yourself walking into a dimly lit room where the only light, it seems, comes from candles. There is nothing wrong with this, of course, it can give a nice cozy feeling to the evening and set a nice mood. However, there are times where the scenery can become as integral to the experience as the drinks and ambience.

Located on the mezzanine level of the Trump International Hotel, Rebar (the name references the 50,000 short tons of reinforcing steel, aka rebar, that the concrete building contains), has some of the most breathtaking views of the city and the Chicago River. Seating is arranged so you can sit back, relax, and take in the sights.

That’s not saying that the most interesting thing about Rebar is the view. Bartender Joel Rund is doing some interesting things with his cocktails as well. A perfectly clear ice cube in his Hirsch Gupta Cocktail is actually a rosemary and smoke infused cube. I will admit that hearing “smoked ice cube” made me first think of Portlandia, but I soon discovered that the ice not only helps dilute the cocktail slowly, it also helps to slowly infuse the cocktail with a delicate rosemary and smoke flavor.

With a view of Chicago in front of you and an interesting cocktail in your hand, all that you have to do is sit back and be reminded of how beautiful our city is.