Amazingly Themed Cocktails on a Posh Rooftop that are Right Out of Mario Bros

by Kara Machowski

Photo Provided by Apogee Lounge

It is only appropriate that a bar which serves a Mario Bros. inspired cocktail would be perched high in the sky. Apogee Lounge is located on the 26th floor of the Dana Hotel & Spa and has seriously raised the bar with a drink list from former Boka barman Benjamin Schiller (The Sixth, Berkshire Room). You may recognize Benjamin Schiller from past projects where he worked with not only Boka, but also GT Fish & Oyster, Girl & The Goat and while he was named “Best Mixologist” at the Jean Banchet Awards, he also finished first in a mixology competition hosted by Bon Appétit. His humbleness certainly prevails as he asks to be called “just a bartender”, when he’s certainly much more. Apogee lounge offers drinks from all over the map, fabulously furnished cocktails by a master mixologist whose expertise ranges from creating single drinks to larger than life sharable goblets that satisfy two, four or even more.

The Dana Hotel brought in Fifty/50 Restaurant Group (Steadfast, The Berkshire Room and The Sixth) to revamp the 9-year old Vertigo Sky Lounge. Chicago based design firm, blocHouse, transformed the atmosphere into a posh space with a single, long marbled bar, gilded accents, mid-century chandeliers, brass inlay and dark wood trim. With three walls encased in floor to ceiling windows and low lounge chairs, you feel as if you are sitting on a cloud, high above the city in a luscious lounge. The outside space offers a second bar and has a floor that is adorned in faux grass and additional plush couches with an absolutely stunning view of Chicago.

Mr. Nice Guy (serves two): The Apogee Lounge drink list is nearly out of this world with cocktails that come with exciting presentations, like the Mr. Nice Guy, which served in an actual glass ‘bong’ and is a truly smoking drink. It’s made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, dehydrated blackberry, pineapple, white oak and lemon sage that infuses smoke inside of the chamber. To drink, you simply remove the glass slide at the base that cups the burning sage and pour yourself a refreshing serving. ($38)

Mr. Nice Guy

The 1-Up (serves two): This specialty is bestowed in a large, spored, ceramic, toadstool mushroom-cup that may leave you with the perception that you’re being served by James Franco’s mixologist. The 1-Up is composed of Sipsmith gin, Chartreuse, Absinthe and is embellished by a handful of oregano. ($28)

Photo by Top Chicago Eats

The Oracle (serves six): This mesmerizing drink is truly a piece of art. The punch bowl and serving glasses custom made by Ignite Glass, located in West Town, which actually has electrodes that appear like lightening bolts pulsing through each piece. It is made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Aperol, basil and elderflower. ($400)

The Nymph: Don’t feel like you have to order a colossal cocktail because they also serve scrumptious single refreshments. The beautiful Nymph has vodka, sparkling rosé and hints of cucumber and elderflower along with an edible butterfly that rests on top of a flower encased in ice and a raspberry powder sprinkled on top. ($15)

The Nymph

221 B: This drink pays homage to the actual residence of a very mysterious fictional character, let’s see if you can guess along the way. It is infused with Ford’s Gin, Aperol, Pimm’s No. 1, Aprium and tangerine. This specialty drink is embellished with strawberry cotton-candy, topped with a basil powder and a hint; its served in a fantastical handblown, glass pipe. Have you figured it out the mystery? Well, it is the address of none other, than the renown detective, Sherlock Holmes. ($14)

Apogee’s opulent lounge is without a doubt one of Chicago’s favorite new rooftop bar with it’s extravagantly themed cocktails. Also, do you want to impress the staff or someone you’re meeting there? Know that Apogee is pronounced (ap-uh-jee),

which is known to be the highest point in development; the climax or culmination as well as the point of orbit where an objet is furthest from the Earth. We know you’ll enjoy your trip.

Apogee Lounge

2 W. Erie Street

Thurs. Fri. & Sun: 5pm-2am

Saturday: 2pm-3am