Bar Mar

4.7

45 Reviews

$50 and over

Spanish

Top Tags:

Fresh oysters piled on mounds of sparkling ice. Ceviches that taste of the ocean. Chef José Andrés’ brilliant renditions of iconic seafood classics like fried calamari and lobster rolls. Located at the Bank of America Tower in Chicago, Bar Mar is a true celebration of the bounty of the sea, with modern takes on classics you know and love, festive cocktails, and a bright, beautiful space that interweaves the nautical with the elegant.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jan 26, 2023

10:00 PM

Booked 47 times today

Experiences are available.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 820-6602
Website
https://www.thebazaar.com/location/bar-mar-chicago/
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
110 North Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Parking details
None

Experiences

Restaurant Week Menu
$25.00 per person
Jan 20 - Feb 5, 2023
Lunch Only

What 45 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.8Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

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Filters

MP
MichaelP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service, near-impeccable timing on the pacing of dishes for our group of five. Service staff were present but not overbearing, and the food was wonderful. Highly recommended.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Grand Rapids
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Celebrated a friends 25th birthday here. Service was truly amazing! The ambiance is instagrammable. I’d recommend sharing with the group to try more!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The burger was amazing!
M
Michal
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Some of the best service I've had at a restaurant in Chicago. Great cocktails
CT
ChiTownSam
Chicago
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice seafood tappas-style restaurant with excellent and unique drinks. We did the "ultimate tasting experience" and were pretty full by the end of it.
AK
AlexisK
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was amazing—the octopus and lobster roll specifically was the best I ever had! I was a little surprised that in my reservation I wrote we were celebrating a surprise engagement, but they didn’t offer a complimentary glass of champagne or anything, most places do something small as a congrats. Nonetheless still an awesome experience. Would definitely recommend.
K
Katie
Washington DC
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Bar Mar is outstanding! Such a fun dining experience. The cocktails and attention to detail make this feel like a real event, instead of "just dinner" - go as soon as you can!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Bar Mar provided a great experience. We enjoyed the tasting menu and reminisced on our last trip to Barcelona. We discovered dishes that will be enjoyed on future trips. Enjoy!!
GC
GregC
Chicago
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The chefs at Bar Mar take the dining experience to a new delicious level.
CM
ChicagoMatt
Chicago
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The staff and food were all fantastic!
LC
LaurenC
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall3food5service5ambience3
I am not a large person, nor a short person. But the high top chairs at our table were impossible to sit in
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
Nice atmosphere, the culinary experience took me back to Spain, will come back here again 🙌🏼
OT
OpenTable Diner
New Orleans
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Jose Andres restaurants - always great food, knowledgeable and attentive service. Ask for Darma, she’ll take great care of you.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful cuisine and service.
DM
DavidM
Chicago
22 reviews
vip
4.0
22 reviews
Dined on December 16, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience3
The server's demeanor was a bit off -a little too superior and not enough listening. It was difficult to explain to the server my wife didn't eat red meat and to substitute a fish course for the meat main. The service was rushed initially - several courses were served simultaneously, not allowing the unique flavors of each dish to be distinguished. When we asked to slow the service down, we still received the next course before we were able to complete the course on the table. Then service stopped entirely for a while before it resumed at a slower pace than was reasonable - almost as if to punish us. The food was excellent. The flavors were subtle and the plating was elegant. The lobster roll (the aforementioned pescatarian substitution, was overfilled with succulent lobster and was a real treat. We've been to many Think Food Group restaurants in several cities and normally the cuisines is paired with excellent service. That was not the case at Bar Mar at this meal. Maybe it was an off night, hopefully it's not a new trend. Nonetheless, it's worth the trip to try Jose Andres' creative take on classic seafood done his way.
AU
AnthonyU
Chicago
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 16, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Outstanding food and venue. Service was odd with timing of dishes, but absolutely worth your time and money. One of the best meals in recent memory.
EL
EmLange84
Chicago
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
great service, food was outstanding and fairly priced, decor is really interesting and makes for a fun night out
J
Jennifer
Chicago
13 reviews
vip
3.0
13 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2022
overall3food3service2ambience5
The Bar Mar space is amazing as are the cocktails. This was my third time at the restaurant, but the first during the winter when all of the glass doors to the patio were closed and it was super noisy. We couldn't hear or understand our waiter at all. We were told to order everything at once and that the food would be spaced. It was not at all. There was no flow. Just not acceptable for a restaurant of this caliber or price. Some of the food was spot on, others unremarkable. Again, not acceptable for a restaurant of this caliber or price.
m
m5000
Chicago
19 reviews
vip
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience5
Waiter a bit pushy in upselling the expensive menu
OT
OpenTable Diner
Miami
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding! Will be back
ML
MarlonL
Chicago
15 reviews
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
A party of 3 for dinner and two of us had the tasting menu which was amazing. One in our party requires no sodium meals. We've been to Bar Mar before and because of this need we were in contact with the manager a few days prior to guarantee some salt free options. Upon arrival our server guaranteed there were several options and they would be able to accommodate our request. Well, that was not the case. There were 2 options for the salt-free request. We would have appreciated being told that there were only 2 options rather than one in our party watching us eat each course and them leaving hungry. Just be up front about what you can and cannot do.
BK
BrinsleyK
Orlando
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We always love going to Bar Mar. Delicious bites and amazing drinks that are sure to impress friends from out of town. Service is always top notch.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 3, 2022
overall3food3service2ambience5
Service was not great except for Sommelier was fantastic!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 3, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
Made a reservation on open table for 9 pm. They told us our table was not ready and could not tell us how long it would be because they were waiting fir people to leave. What’s the point if a reservation? I have eaten at many high end restaurants in Chicago, nyc, LA, etc where they offer to move folks sitting at a table to the bar or elsewhere when the table is needed. We ended up eating at the bar. The hostess showed up about 9:40 to inform us our table was ready. Unacceptable. Bartenders and service at the bar was nice but not the dining experience I had planned.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
vip
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 3, 2022
overall3food4service1ambience5
We waited for over an hour for our table after the reservation time.
M
Mooresmiles
Milwaukee
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely delicious. Hot spot. Beautiful atmosphere.
J
Jim773
Las Vegas
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good service, great food, fun environment, good front door greeting/service.
s
stephloveschicago
Chicago
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was wonderful! The drinks were unique and delicious and the food was beyond! We will absolutely be back!
JD
JeromeD
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience4
First of all, excellent venue, stunning design and finally a quiet place to have dinner (not easy to find sometimes…). Food is definitely on the gourmet side and an interesting tribute to Spanish gastronomy (having lived in Spain, I think I can relate to that). What I personally missed was the generosity (I.e. size of the servings) which is part of the Spanish way of fooding, even more so when going for tapas. Service was okay, even if at some times we felt a bit unattended. All in all I recommend…. Yet would love to see some tuning on the few things above.
RS
RobinS
Chicago
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2022
overall3food3service2ambience2
The atmosphere is very lively and chic. But, I think the food is just average and is very overpriced for what you get. Also the service was very slow.
FB
FoodieBG
Chicago
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fun great night Expensive for the amount of food But a fun memorable experience
s
susanm
Indiana
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall3food1service3ambience4
Our dinner was not good. The Hamachi cone was teeny tiny and tasteless. We had the pulled chicken and it was dry and we felt like we were eating a bat wing. The Rossejat was overcooked and stuck to the cast iron skillet so we could not scrape most of it off the bottom of the pan. There were four or so unimpressive (ie small) shrimp on top. The ambiance was pleasant and cheery. The cocktails were good. Service was ok. My friend got sick after eating dinner and we had raw oysters for another appetizer so maybe she just got a bad oyster. I felt fine and we shared all the other plates.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had an amazing experience!!! I believe our servers name was Deben, sweetest person ever! The entire staff was so friendly, the food was phenomenal and the atmosphere was perfect for our celebratory dinner date. Can’t wait to go back!
AR
AdamR
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent plates to share, we ordered several courses and each was great. More on the pricey side, but worth it as a treat.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Louisville
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A very satisfying dining experience on every level. Highly recommend
AG
AdrianaG
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The staff at Bar Mar made our anniversary dinner so special!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food, service and atmosphere were all outstanding. Highly recommended! The ceviche oysters were the best, very inventive.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great waitress and the food was good.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The entire experience was phenomenal. Highly recommended.
E
Eliz
Chicago
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
This one is a favorite. Service is hit or miss but the food and ambiance keep us coming back.

FAQs

Bar Mar is rated 4.7 stars by 45 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jan 26, 2023

10:00 PM

Booked 47 times today

Experiences are available.

110 North Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

Additional information

Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm
Cuisines
Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None

Website
https://www.thebazaar.com/location/bar-mar-chicago/
Phone number
(312) 820-6602

Bar Mar

Make a reservation

Additional information

Experiences

Restaurant Week Menu

Menu

What 45 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Sort by

Filters

FAQs

How is Bar Mar restaurant rated?

Is Bar Mar currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information