The Signature Room at the 95th

The Signature Lounge is one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Go up in the winter evenings for happy hour or during the daytime for afternoon drinks on the weekend. The view is spectacular, the bar itself upscale feeling, and if you tip well, the service pretty darn good. The mixing can be hit-or-miss, so I always settle for a nice Bailey's on the rocks, which always satisfies. A great experience if you take the time to relax and enjoy. more

This lounge was simply mediocre and were it not for the view from it's choice position on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building it would not have been worth the trip or the $24 parking. Given it's prestige and many review's on this website maybe my expectations were too high but I have been to many a lounge/bar where the service is great and atmosphere is as nice as the associated restaurant. While I have not been the the restaurant on the 95th I can say my companion and I experienced the following negatives....1) we were given no guidance on seating. The lounge has a couple of sections and initially you may think there is just the small front room. We basically just roamed all over until we found the back room. 2) The fryer was broken so they literally did not have over 1/2 of the items on the menu 3) Our server was not attentive and we had to go to the bar for refills. I think that is enough said. The view is exceptional and really the only reason to go. Pros: View Cons: Service, Parking as with anywhere downtown Chi is expensive more

Never thought I would have the nerve to go up 96 floors, but I am so glad my family talked me into it. People say it is something you ""MUST "" do while in Chicago....how true that is. The view is awesome, best view IS in the ladies room. There can be a wait at times if you go later in the evening after 10pm. We usually take the first seat available and table hop until we get as close as possible to the windows on the left side of the room. Don't expect your waitress to carry your drinks if you are a table hopper, why would you?? Drinks are pricey but it is worth it for the atmosphere. Nice place to go either before hitting the clubs or after a nice dinner out. Very romantic, as we saw several couples each visit , getting engaged, celebrating anniversaries, honeymoons, etc.. Do not be in a rush while there....just enjoy all the excitement and views. Pros: View, atmosphere, ambience Cons: Pricey drinks, can be crowded and noisey. more

You really are paying for the view. I think it is a much better view than the Sears Tower and the Sunday brunch is decent enough if you go hungry so you can eat enough. Lunch and dinner otherwise is very expensive and each item is pricey for what it is. I have been here for work and visitors who wanted a view but I can honestly say that compared to the large number of excellent restaurants in Chicago, the individual entrees are not impressive and sometimes it is hard to get the waitstaff's attention. more

You really are paying for the view. I think it is a much better view than the Sears Tower and the Sunday brunch is decent enough if you go hungry so you can eat enough. Lunch and dinner otherwise is very expensive and each item is pricey for what it is. I have been here for work and visitors who wanted a view but I can honestly say that compared to the large number of excellent restaurants in Chicago, the individual entrees are not impressive and sometimes it is hard to get the waitstaff's attention. more

This was my first visit to the Signature Room in Chicago and I was extremely pleased! I ordered the lobster bisque, filet mignon, and the banana trio for dessert- all were very impressive. The staff was very friendly and we were seated promptly. The restaurant has amazing views of the city and I strongly suggest you do whatever you need to do to get a window table. This restaurant is very romantic-we could see the fireworks going off at Navy Pier and there were THREE wedding proposals while we were there. Can't wait to go back to Chicago and my new favorite restaurant! Pros: Excellent food, staff, and views of the city- great date place! Cons: None! more

This was my first visit to the Signature Room in Chicago and I was extremely pleased! I ordered the lobster bisque, filet mignon, and the banana trio for dessert- all were very impressive. The staff was very friendly and we were seated promptly. The restaurant has amazing views of the city and I strongly suggest you do whatever you need to do to get a window table. This restaurant is very romantic-we could see the fireworks going off at Navy Pier and there were THREE wedding proposals while we were there. Can't wait to go back to Chicago and my new favorite restaurant! Pros: Excellent food, staff, and views of the city- great date place! Cons: None! more

Best view in the city! Save yourself some money and get a better view by going for lunch. The buffet is... more

Best view in the city! Save yourself some money and get a better view by going for lunch. The buffet is only $13 and is top notch food. Dinner is m... more

Best view in the city! Save yourself some money and get a better view by going for lunch. The buffet is only $13 and is top notch food. Dinner is m... more

My fiance and I were at the Signature Restaurant before we went up to the Lounge. The restaurant was great, the food was superb and the service was excellent. The lounge, however, pales in comparison in terms of service and food. After having such a great time at the restaurant, we were both psyched up for the lounge. We ordered 2 drinks from a very limited drink menu and dessert - molten chocolate cake. When my dessert came, the ice-cream was halfway melted.. and when I cut open the cake, it wasn't molten or flowing or any of that sort.. it was a chocolate Sponge cake, which wasn't a big deal at first. When the waitress came over to check on us, I pointed it out that it wasn't molten, to which she replied, ""oh yeah it's supposed to be like that"". Come on, I've tried molten cake at more places than I can count with my fingers, I even know how to make it myself.. please don't BS me and tell me that a sponge cake is the same thing as a molten chocolate cake. A simple acknowledgement of over-baking or whatever would have been more polite. Soon after, a table opened up by the window and we wanted to shift.. so we asked the waitress if we could do so. She replied nonchalantly that we should inform her after we move, then turned and walked away. She did not even offer to help us move our drinks or dessert - something I would expect from a top-notch bar/lounge. Additionally, there were plenty of kids running around, which was noisy and unromantic. The restaurant was great, but the bar.. stay away. Pros: Great view. Cons: BAD service. more

I've been here before and had an exception time. But my experience this past Father's day started out horrible. We had to check in at the 96th Floor and then walk down to the 95th floor. My Grandmother walks with a cane and I had a baby stroller. We thought easy enough we can take the elevator down one floor. Wrong. We ended up all the way back in the lobby of the Hancock Building. It was obvious that the elevator host hates his job. When we told him the scenario he replied in a snotty way w/ I can't do anything from here see a Manager upstairs. When we went upstairs the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. They said, hold on we'll figure it out. By then we just carried the stroller down and my grandmother held tightly to the railing. I asked them what they did with handicapped people. No response. The food isn't anything spectacular. It's good, but not to die for. I pretty much paid $85 per person for the view and aggravation. My advice is to go to the observatory deck and get some good grub elsewhere. There are so many other nice restaurants. Pros: the view Cons: the service, for a fine dining restaurant they let a lot of people in with jeans very tacky more

I've been here before and had an exception time. But my experience this past Father's day started out horrible. We had to check in at the 96th Floor and then walk down to the 95th floor. My Grandmother walks with a cane and I had a baby stroller. We thought easy enough we can take the elevator down one floor. Wrong. We ended up all the way back in the lobby of the Hancock Building. It was obvious that the elevator host hates his job. When we told him the scenario he replied in a snotty way w/ I can't do anything from here see a Manager upstairs. When we went upstairs the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. They said, hold on we'll figure it out. By then we just carried the stroller down and my grandmother held tightly to the railing. I asked them what they did with handicapped people. No response. The food isn't anything spectacular. It's good, but not to die for. I pretty much paid $85 per person for the view and aggravation. My advice is to go to the observatory deck and get some good grub elsewhere. There are so many other nice restaurants. Pros: the view Cons: the service, for a fine dining restaurant they let a lot of people in with jeans very tacky more

Highly recommend for visitors! Before you go, grap a visitor borchure "The Hancock Observatory", which... more

Highly recommend for visitors! Before you go, grap a visitor borchure "The Hancock Observatory", which gives information about the buildings y... more

Highly recommend for visitors! Before you go, grap a visitor borchure "The Hancock Observatory", which gives information about the buildings y... more

I always have out of town guests and I always bring them to the signature lounge. You can't beat the view or the ambience. I personally like the appetizers, and ever though the drinks are a little pricey it is definitely worth it to hang out up there and chat with your friends for awhile. If you have out of town guests this is definitely a must do. Just go up there, have a drink and enjoy. And if you are a lady, check out the view from the ladies room, its awesome! Pros: the view and atmosphere Cons: service can be a little slow more

So we get to the John Hancock building on Feb 17 2007 and they just had a fire inside the building!! We came back an hour later and they allowed people up to the Signature Lounge. And of course, it's all about the view... not the drinks. $8 for a heiniken? But it's well worth the trip just for the view... Pros: View View View Cons: cost of drinks more

This is probably one of the best places to visit in Chicago. I try and come everytime I visit Chicago. Ive probably been there about 5 times myself. I definatly recommmend. Great view, great food, drinks, music, environment. All of that. Great Place. Pros: Great Place more

This is probably one of the best places to visit in Chicago. I try and come everytime I visit Chicago. Ive probably been there about 5 times myself. I definatly recommmend. Great view, great food, drinks, music, environment. All of that. Great Place. Pros: Great Place Cons: None more