Modeled after a speakeasy and tucked underneath the popular River North restaurant Gilt Bar (230 W. Kinzie St.), Curio opened in mid-June as a welcome spot for sipping hand-crafted cocktails and admiring some Prohibition-era décor. We’re told that the cash-only lounge, which features 29 craft cocktails, doesn’t get busy until after 11:30 p.m. Our photographer dropped by Friday night and caught a small but stylish crowd lounging on the luxurious leather couches—and checked in with some focused barmaids as they intently crafted the drinks.

 

Photography: Jeff Schear