HotelChatter

Meanwhile upstairs in Rebar, or the loungey bar area which features black & white images of the building's construction, the windows facing the river haven't yet been properly sealed from the -6 winter temperatures, and patrons are being corralled on the opposite side of the space. Cocktails are as we expected, $15 each but can reach $195 is you dare order a pitcher. Sipping on the "pumpkin pie" and "sweet cin," we were surrounded by a crowd averaging 55 years old and female; shocking since we didn't expect a Trump building to attract women, but Ivanka's involvement probably helped.

A few $9 bowls of edamame and some $13 bulgogi appetizers later, the genius of the muted decor revealed itself. The Trump International Chicago is out to modernize the Trump image, not coat it with yet another layer of fanciness. The lack of trendy furniture and daring design brings it back to Chicago conservative, ensuring that even suburbanites who stop in for a drink will feel comfortable. After all, the greatest focus is placed on the windows and their view of the bridges crossing the Chicago River. During warmer days, we can absolutely imagine the more mature set grabbing pre-dinner drinks here while scoping out the pleasure craft below. For us young whippersnappers and our mid-winter cocktails however, it was just alright.

For more images, visit the Flickr set.