Rooftop Bar Avec in Chicago

Bar Avec: a Mediterranean garden on the rooftops of River North

A green terrace on the 8th floor

At 640 North LaSalle Drive, the restaurant Avec River North occupies the base of the building; its rooftop bar, Bar Avec, sits on the 8th floor. The space, about 110 square meters, combines a bar sheltered beneath a metal frame, hung with wicker pendant lights and string lights and set off by white screens filled with flower pots, and an open terrace lined with beds of hostas and small trees that provide shade. All around rise River North's residential towers and the white facade of the neighboring Godfrey Hotel, with the downtown skyscrapers as a backdrop.

Iberian-inspired small plates and cocktails

The menu, exclusive to the rooftop, takes its cue from the seaside cafés of Spain and Portugal. The “snacks” trio ($36) brings together hummus, raita, smoked fish dip, olives or almonds, served with bread from Publican Quality Bread, seeded crackers and crudités; then come the bluefin tuna crudo ($24), the chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates ($22), a nod to Avec's menu, shawarma-style fried chicken ($36), the cheeseburger ($16) and falafel-spiced fries ($8). House cocktails are $16 ($20 for the Golden Oldie with rye whiskey), alongside European wines by the glass, local beers and non-alcoholic cocktails at $8 to $10.

The rooftop can be booked for private events on request.

Practical information

This open-air rooftop is open in the warmer months, from spring to fall: it's best to check that it's open before heading over. Posted hours: Monday through Thursday from 5pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 11pm, Sunday from 2pm to 9pm. Reservations can be made online (OpenTable). Chicago station on the “L” (Brown and Purple Lines) is about 320 meters away, and Grand station (Red Line) about 450 meters.