M Lounge bills itself as a martini bar, but that title doesn’t do this welcoming place justice. Filled with soft leather and suede couches and a vibe that’s equal parts relaxed and upbeat, this spot is like hanging out in your chic friend’s living room. There are TVs playing the local teams and nooks for conversations — the owners boast that over a dozen couples have gotten married after meeting here — but the music is the real highlight. Free live jazz, blues, or R&B was featured every Tuesday and Wednesday before the pandemic and is scheduled to return in the spring. In the meantime, DJs spin lively R&B and hip-hop sets, along with current soulful hits.
![Sexy Sangria Martini at M Lounge](https://www.chicagomag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/C202202-Best-Neighborhood-Bars-M-Lounge-Sexy-Sangria-Martini.jpg)