Bella Lounge

If it weren’t for the out of town guests in tow, I would’ve been out of this particular area post haste, right after the dinner at Blue Agave. But alas, a few folk had to go back to the hotel they were staying at and partake in some illicit’s…the rest of us went to Bella and knocked back a few and waited to meet up.
Obnoxiously BRIGHT sat at the bar, it was ridiculous. They must use some sort of industrial strength lights, where the jiggawatt is off the Richter; totally unnecessary. The over-​sized, tatted up bartender was playing billy big balls in disguise and clearly needed his attitude kept in check for such an authoritative position held… that and overkill X 2 on the sweet vermouth for my Manhatten, this place was falling and falling quickly. Mercifully, we only stayed for a few and left for greener pasture.
Final note: If we hadn’t gone through /​walked by this area of bars and seen for myself, I honestly would not have believed that this whole element of State & Division whack jobs still existed. Dear. Lord. Have. Mercy. Stay away. Faaaar away.

I have only been to Bella once, but had an awesome time! I do attribute that to the group that I was with – it’s not where but who you’re with that really matters, right? Thanks, Dave Matthews…
Anyway, one friend and I had dinner while we waited for the rest of our friends to arrive. My meal was surprisingly very good – a chicken marsala special. I have actually found myself craving it a few times since. We sat in the front and the windows were open, so there was a nice breeze and some good people watching.
As for the rest of the evening, it was a hosted reception for some brand of vodka or another. It was pretty easy to get a drink (or three – the bartenders were just throwing vodka at us), and then they also gave my group free bottle service later in the night in the basement. The ‘VIP’ room is made to feel like the back of a limo, but really it was just hot with too many of us packed into it. Everyone ended up getting ridiculously drunk and every single one of us made out with at least one random person at the bar that night. I guess that’s a sign of a good time? Ha.
Good looking staff, mostly good looking patrons, and a great time. Though I live close by, I rarely go out in this area of the city. I haven’t been back since, but it’s on my to-​do list.

I’ve been having a hard time finding a lounge that I really like outside of hotel bars and Violet Hour. A friend of mine suggested Bella Lounge.
The décor is pretty, but there are four plasma screen TVs showing various sports games. It was like they were trying combine a sports bar and a chic lounge.
Cheesy staff. Standard fru fru cocktail menu. I don’t do pink drinks.

Went here for drinks at 8pm on a Saturday night this past weekend. It was DEAD. Even after spending a good hour and a half here, no one else seemed to want to come our way.
The food was decent– crab cakes were small balls and were fairly fishy, the fried shrimp, was more fried than shrimp and the lettuce cups were pretty good. however, they serve three pieces of lettuce with the chicken mixture in it. Don’t expect to do your own.
They were out of blue cheese for the Dirty Birdie Martini, yet they didn’t bother to tell my friend and server her a regular martini. I had to go ask where the cheese was– isn’t that weird?
They did try to make amends about 20 minutes later by bringing out three olives with blue cheese in them. But where did this mysterious cheese come from? Were they just being lazy before?
We left and went to Rush street to find some other trouble to get into.
I feel no need to go back and see if the scene changes.

Killing some time in the Viagra Triangle before meeting up with someone, I decided to step into Bella, what seemed like a swanky, upscale lounge. Unfortunately, my experience there did not reflect the atmosphere it attempted to create.
I was greeted by a friendly hostess, who directed me to the bar. The bartender was somewhat abrasive at first, and then it became clear he was taking drink orders from all the men around me before he’d get around to me. Not that I expect the best service, but at least like acknowledgment that I am PAYING you to get drinks for me, assuming I will tip you.
The club is beautiful, with a class VIP section, and the decorating is soft and elegant, with large drapes separating the club’s front glass windows from the rest of the Division St. noise blasting outside.
I would come back there if the employees treated the place (and its customers) with the respect the environment calls for.

I’ve only been here for drinks later in the evening, so I cannot attest to the food or ambiance during the early evening hours… however, after 11pm this place is SKANKY… and not in the good/​fun/​woo-​hoo skanky way… There are obnoxious girls fighting and puking in the restroom (which would be entertaining normally, but I realllly had to pee!) The bar area is packed with nasty guys in suites sitting around trying to pick out the drunkest girl in the room. I accidentally tripped (totally sober, I’m just clumsy) and probably three guys started approaching, kinda like when sharks sense blood in the water… very disturbing!
The music was the only thing that wasn’t horrible, good DJ…

Well, well, well, How many wells does it take to make a river? After 85 reviews, I thought I would take a stab at Bella.
People Watching=A
Booze= B
Food=B–
Staff=C+
Location=B
One interesting piece of info, is you will have a DIFFERENT experience each time you go there. On average, its OK.
Another tidbit, Todd has left and so have the comps. it’s still worth a visit now and then.

I went there for a friend’s 21^st birthday, the eve before she turned 21. About 20 of us had dinner and drinks there.
The food: Chicken Pot Pie — filling but had, maybe, 3 or 4 little cubes of chicken and barely any veggies. They don’t bake it in a crust, they just put a biscuit in the bowl. The flatbread pizzas are huge, and definitely enough to share between two people. The crabcakes were tiny, and you get two for $ 14. I would probably never order them there again. I’ve had better at upscale restaurants and some chain restaurants.
The drinks: They have a nice martini menu with a nice variety. They also have a full bar (as can be expected) and can, basically, make you anything. They do not, however, carry coke products — so if you mix your drinks with pop, you better like pepsi.
The crowd: I noticed one thing — people are either very trendy-​ly dressed, or underdressed. There were ladies wearing jeans and «fancy» t-​shirt and guys in jeans and polos. There were also ladies in super high heels, mini skirts, leggings, with their hair and makeup perfectly done. It’s definitely a great place for people-​watch.
The music: While we had dinner, a friend had to ask them to turn down the music once because, even though it was before 10 pm, we couldn’t hear each other. The music, overall, is really nice. It’s a combination of 80s, 90s, and current dance. There are plenty of remixes of rock songs as well.

It’s all about the group that you’re with… I’ve heard about Bella and was hesitant and somewhat apprehensive because it’s just north of the V-​triangle. thinking, this place is going to be a little lush, lots of scensters and probably a somewhat mixed crowd. I don’t wanna, as I stomp my feet…
Luckily the party started early and we had a roped off section of the upper bar (yes. VIP is the way to go.) open bar and a blast. The night started with drinks and ended with new friends being good friends, old friends meeting new friends and pictures to prove it.
Did I see the rest of the lounge, not particularily, but I do want to mention, the bathrooms were clean, the attendant friendly and it never really got to be overboard… but being self contained in an area probably kept the riff-​raff out and it’s hard not to have fun when you know everyone, as in 2-​degrees from kevin bacon…
Will I go back, most likely. with postive emotions, why not.

I have no idea how I have missed this place before, but on a recent Thursday night– I had the opportunity to check this place out for the first time.
With the warm weather– the Bella Lounge was a perfect place to meet with friends to catch up. The windows to the street were open and while not being outside– left you with the impression that you were. There was no line and the bouncer gave us only a cursory nod upon entry.
Lots going on in this place to watch– be it a playoff game on the TV or more interesting, the games that were going on with the couples at the bar. It seems some of the Viagra Triangle crowd must have stumbled a few blocks north. Very interesting!
The service was good– there were plenty of bartenders on the night we were there. The atmosphere was trendy without being over the top. I was surprised at how many people were in the place.
So my overall rating? Good for a first visit– but I think I need to go back…hmm…maybe tonight for another vodka/​soda or sapphire martini. See you there?

Chic trendy lounge with bottle service and BAR FOOD?!
Yes, bar food. This is the place to come if you want to drop $ 230 on a bottle and order some wings. My friend has been fond of the food here and finally convinced me to go. They must have changed things up recently. Frankly, I have never seen a more out-​of-​place menu. The bars are trendy and hip and the menu is old-​school bar food and I just don’t get it.
Seriously. What are they thinking?! Since when do martinis and pulled pork sandwhiches mix?
I would definitely return for drinks at the upstairs bar before it gets crowded, so mid evening is my sweet spot. (And my husband says there is some tail walking around, so he liked it)
There is no way I would go back for the food. You can find average wings and sandwiches at every other bar in town at moderate prices, so no to Bella Lounge and their schitzophrenic menu.
And another thing. They have a bathroom attendant. I understand that this is something that some *fancy* places have. But there is nothing I hate more than feeling like I have to give someone a buck for a freakin paper towel that I am perfectly capable of dispensing myself. Now that I think about it, I’m knocking them down to two stars for the bathroom attendant.

My rating is the result of a five-​star experience at Bella Lounge that was followed by a barely-​three-​star one.
The first trip was last May. Seven of us made reservations for 11:30 (the latest we could get) on a Friday night. We were a little late, but they were accommodating. The evening was, in a word, fabulous. Attentive servers, insanely good flatbread pizza and an incredibly fun, eclectic DJ. To make the eventing truly surreal, an older couple that was dining in one of the booths came over to us as they were leaving and gave us a bottle of champagne that they opened but didn’t drink … uh, it was a $ 600 bottle of Dom Perignon. That pretty much solidified my love for all things Bella.
But then I went back in November and … eh. The servers were still friendly, the flatbread pizza was still delicious. But the music was bland, dull techno beats, and the atmosphere just wasn’t as fun and vibrant.
I still consider this to be my go-​to spot for a trendy bite to eat before hitting the town with a big group of friends, but it’s no longer our one-​stop-​shop for a Friday night out.

One time I went here and I was probably really drunk and the boys we were with were all «LET’S GET A TABLE!» and I was like «Great» and then they got a table which consisted of lots of bottles of vodka and everything else and I got really really drunk because I lost track of how many drinks/​refills I’d had.
Regardless, I had a good time and Derek Jeter was there and later I got sick.
So…I guess it’s fun here? I don’t remember. But I’m guessing it was fun because I had to leave work the next day due to the worst hangover of my life. Not that a hangover is a good gage of how fun something is, but you know what I mean.

Loved the interior! It’s completely awesome inside Bella Lounge! It was pretty packed here on a Saturday night… AND we got here around 1am! I loved that it reminds me of a NYC bar. Pretty reasonable prices for this type of lounge — $ 7 for a jack and coke! Great place for peoplewatching. I’ll def come back here when I don’t feel so underdressed! ;)

I went for the first time this Saturday and was not impressed. coat check wait was a bit long. Maybe if the coat check wasn’t directly at the entrance but a little out of the way, the entrance area wouldn’t be blocked and crowded.
It was not terribly crowded but crowded in the areas where people need to walk through like the steps to the raised bar. Why do people feel the need to block the walkways when there is plenty of room to stand around somewhere else??? Also, two dress extremes here. I saw girls/​guys dressed up nicely for a night out but also saw guys in Bears jerseys and tennis shoes. I love the Bears, but I wouldn’t rock a jersey at midnight on a Saturday night at a lounge. Service was actually not bad and drink prices seemed reasonable for a club/​lounge.
I can’t comment on the food because I was there late for a friend’s birthday for drinks. What made this place fun was the group of people that I met up that night but I felt indifferent about the venue itself.

Most of the main course items are $ 20-​$ 35. They’ve got burgers and flat bread pizza, $ 10-​$ 15. They’ve even got a kids menu.
The portions are large and filling. I had the Calamari appetizer, they prepared it «lightly» fried. I think it could’ve been, fried more. It was tasty nonetheless.
The Filet was succulent & sides were very agreeing to my tummy. (Potato chunks and misc. veggie.)
Salads are huge. Had a few Makers Mark cocktails, $ 8 for a shorty.
Desserts sounded tempting, but the dinner was filling enough.
I was surprised that at this Posh looking place, would use Bacardi for Mojito’s and desserts. Bacardi is a cheap ass rum. Sooo many better silver rums, guys. get a clue.
For two, with drinks, salad and dinner I spent about $ 70 + tip. Its a nice place, food is good and you won’t mind spending it.
No A1 sauce. wtf!
Thursday night after 10pm, the vibe was nice. Most of the crowd were composed of sexy ladies and men over 29.
Guys. if you are dressed down, don’t just walk on by looking in, its not a zoo, have the balls to just walk in and see what happens, these women don’t bite. But, some definitely look like, you’d have to pre-​qualify with some money.
I thought the music was way too loud, it was good, just too loud. Alot of people are talking, not dancing, lets turn the speakers down a few notches.

I’m glad that I got a chance to try Bella Lounge (thanks Unilocal!) It is a nice alternative to the craziness of the nearby Rush/​Division area. I liked the décor of Bella Lounge and it seemed really quiet and peaceful… until Unilocal showed up! Heh!
The party area (or was it the VIP area) was very nice. Spacious with comfortable couches and chairs everywhere. The bartenders that were working the night of the Unilocal party were so nice and worked so hard to serve everyone. The hostesses were very nice as well. I would classify Bella Lounge as a trendy place that would ordinarily make me feel uncomfortable, but the staff was so nice that I didn’t feel that vibe at all. Also, the appetizers at the party were very good.
I would probably go back and have dinner at Bella Lounge or would pop in for a drink with all of my tourist friends who always want to go to Rush/​Division.

Bella Lounge is a pretty swanky place whether you are in the restaurant, the bar, or the VIP lounge. The dining area has a design that is somehow cozy and modern at the same time. The bar area heats up in the evening as the energetic crowd gets thirsty. Unilocal hosted a swell party here and we were treated to a selection of tasty appetizers (great stuffed mushrooms !). The capacity crowd of Unilocalers was also introduced to some excellent Aperol drinks. I guess I will have to come back for dinner sometime.
Here’s a toast to Andrea and Elizabeth (and to Aperol and Bella Lounge) for another great Unilocal get-​together! Keep ‘em coming!

Very cool and classy place. I’ve seen Michael Jordan here twice!
Be prepared to stand most of the night. No dance floor. Music is great mostly top 40. This is the place to be and to be seen.

Well.
I can’t speak for the food here since I didn’t eat.
It was a Saturday night crowd and not quite as packed as I would have expected based on other reviews. There was no line out front and getting in was no problem even for a group of four guys & no ladies at nearly midnight.
Atmosphere inside was nice but the place is a bit poorly laid out. Management was doing a good job however, keeping the flow of people moving despite some pretty severe bottlenecks getting from one part of the place to another.
Lots of pretty girls of all shapes & sizes. Probably there were lots of pretty guys of all shapes & sizes too but I wouldn’t have noticed — just not my thing.
There were a few people that seemed a bit too fabulous for themselves but most of the crowd still seemed to be living on planet earth.
Minus 1 star for the drinks. Not cheap — 7 bucks a round for my poison. A little on the steep side for something that you wouldn’t exactly call stiff.
Also, somebody, somehow, got sick right in the middle of the bar?!? I sure hope that this was a freak thing. I haven’t seen (or smelled) something like that at an establishment of this nature in a long long time. You could even argue that the place should get one less star for this as well but I’m going to give the benefit of the doubt.
Why is it that some people don’t know when to cut themselves off?
–G

The few times I’ve walked into Bella Lounge I felt like I left Chicago behind for LA! If you are a fan of super trendy hot spots Bella Lounge is for you. It is a good place to meet for drinks during the week (when it’s not as crowded) and a great place to throw a party. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised by their food. Their flat bread pizza was great! Overall my experiences at Bella have been positive… now if only I was greeted by Los Angeles weather when I left the bar?
Edit 1÷10÷07:
I’m changing my review from 4 stars to 3 star. I used to be a huge fan of Bella lounge– I even hosted a Unilocal party here about 6 months ago. I’m not sure if they’ve changed management, but I haven’t been impressed during my recent visits.
They also used to be a great place for a private party, but these days they don’t have their act together. I was trying to organize a bday bash for one of my friends and they kept giving me wrong information about pricing and all the details. They even went back on their word after I had signed a contract and made a deposit for the party… not cool. After a few frustrating calls with them I decided to take my party elsewhere.
Hopefully they’ll get their act together soon because I have noticed there is no longer a line at the door.