Wine Tasting At Chicago Metropolitan Lounge?

[seat38a]

Was watching this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gg7CN4QoDFA

Around mark 55 seconds, the guy explains and shows wine samples being given out inside the Metropolitan Lounge last Summer. Can anyone elaborate further on the wine and what looks like cheese and cracker setup in the lounge.

 

[winne5]

I only saw it once a few months back but there were a few wines to sample.

I had the equivalent of one glass overall.

As for the cheese, it was a typical cheese cubes and cracker display. It was a small bite selection-I wouldn't say that could fill you up but it was still a nice touch.

The items were out for a limited amount of time in the afternoon. After a certain point, wine and snacks are removed.

 

[tim49424]

It starts daily at 12:30 and runs for an hour. In addition to the wine and cheese, a variety of veggies are put out and they are available for much of the afternoon.

 

[the_traveler]

You are given coupons for a second wine sample. (You can get 2 wine samples per person.) they also have a selection of cheeses, fruits and other light foods. They do this since the first meal on all the western trains is dinner. I believe it runs from 12:30 to 2.

 

[seat38a]

Thanks for the info. Wow, I'm surprised that this never got the axe when the other wine and cheese aboard the trains were cut.

 

[RalphCT]

Thanks for the info. Wow, I'm surprised that this never got the axe when the other wine and cheese aboard the trains were cut.

The wine tasting at the Metropolitan lounge started AFTER the lounge was moved to the newly restored area at Chicago Union Station. This move occurred well after wine tasting and other amenities had been deleted from trains.

 

[seat38a]

Thanks for the info. Wow, I'm surprised that this never got the axe when the other wine and cheese aboard the trains were cut.

The wine tasting at the Metropolitan lounge started AFTER the lounge was moved to the newly restored area at Chicago Union Station. This move occurred well after wine tasting and other amenities had been deleted from trains.

Let me rephrase, I'm surprised, that they even started wine tasting with all the crap that has been cut.

 

[Anderson]

I think it's because while the legislation banned free wine on the train being funded with Congressional money, nobody said anything about in between trains.

 

[Deni]

I still don't understand why the Metropolitan Lounges don't have cash bars. Particularly annoying since they ban outside food and drink now in CUS.

 

[tim49424]

There is a cash bar in the great hall.

 

[Lonestar648]

Is the Wine Tasting sponsored? That could be a way a to get around giving out free wine.

To have a cash bar in the ML, Amtrak would have to obtain a liquor license.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I'm surprised that they even started wine tasting with all the crap that has been cut.

Same here, although presumably this benefit is tied to the third party that runs the lounge rather than coming from Amtrak directly.

I still don't understand why the Metropolitan Lounges don't have cash bars. Particularly annoying since they ban outside food and drink now in CUS.

Not only that, but moving the ML forced a popular indoor bar out of the station and out of existence.

Is the Wine Tasting sponsored? That could be a way a to get around giving out free wine. To have a cash bar in the ML, Amtrak would have to obtain a liquor license.

Unless I'm mistaken Amtrak already has a liquor license for serving and selling on the train in every state they serve. Maybe they should park a Sightseer Lounge or Cross Country Cafe along one of the unused tracks and turn it into a stationary bar car? I'd certainly give it a try. Might be a fun way to start your trip early.

 

[zephyr17]

I think it's because while the legislation banned free wine on the train being funded with Congressional money, nobody said anything about in between trains.

Plus Mica is GONE!

 

[Tennessee Traveler]

It should be noted that the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago is now operated by outside contractors and not by Amtrak employees. The only Amtrak employees are the receptionists at the entrance. While talking with one of the Amtrak receptionists early one morning she explained that she nor any of the other Amtrak employees are allowed to do anything in the actual lounge like adjust tv, set out snacks, cleaning, etc.. The wine service is thus operated by the contracted company and no relation to the former wine and cheese tastings on Amtrak trains.Also the restrooms and shower facilities are off of the reception area outside of the contractor maintained lounge.

 

[Deni]

There is a cash bar in the great hall.

But you can't buy a beer and take it in the ML, that's the problem.

 

[Lonestar648]

There is a cash bar in the great hall.

But you can't buy a beer and take it in the ML, that's the problem.

Liquor License laws prohibit this in most cases.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

There is a cash bar in the great hall.

But you can't buy a beer and take it in the ML, that's the problem.

Liquor License laws prohibit this in most cases.

In TX you can bring your own hard liquor to a beer bar by law. Perhaps IL allows you to bring your own beer to a wine bar or whatever license the ML has?

 

[Deni]

There is a cash bar in the great hall.

But you can't buy a beer and take it in the ML, that's the problem.

Liquor License laws prohibit this in most cases.

Not in Chicago. And in the old ML I could buy a beer and take it in.

At the train stations here in Chicago you are allowed to buy beer to go and can take it on the commuter trains, and you can walk around the station with it. The place you can buy beer in the Great Hall is just a cart, you buy a drink and walk around with it. It is the same at the airports here, you can buy drinks from a bar or cart and walk around anywhere in the airport with them.

 

[Deni]

I still don't understand why the Metropolitan Lounges don't have cash bars. Particularly annoying since they ban outside food and drink now in CUS.

Not only that, but moving the ML forced a popular indoor bar out of the station and out of existence.

*Supposedly* that's not the reason the Metro Deli and Bar closing. The ML is across the hall from the old Metro so it wasn't to make room for the ML. I had heard it closed because that's where they were going to move the ticket windows but the ticket windows moved to across the hall from there as well, next to the ML. So I'm not sure what they kicked Metro out to make room for at this point.

 

[Seaboard92]

Could park a lounge and a heritage diner on one of the unused track and open up a bar. Which would be very similar to what the Rock Island did with their cars as they reached a need for an overhaul at La Salle Terminal. They also did it because of a union agreement with the dining car waiters and chefs. But it would be unique. Washington Union Station actually would be the best terminal to experiment with that because of how many tour groups do dinner in the terminal. And a unique dinner place would potentially do well.

 

[seat38a]

Ok so this is interesting. The lounge itself at CUS is no longer Amtrak's property. Had no idea about this.

 

[MikefromCrete]

Ok so this is interesting. The lounge itself at CUS is no longer Amtrak's property. Had no idea about this.

The operation of the lounge is apparently contracted out, the lounge itself remains Amtrak property.

 

[zephyr17]

Ok so this is interesting. The lounge itself at CUS is no longer Amtrak's property. Had no idea about this.

The operation of the lounge is apparently contracted out, the lounge itself remains Amtrak property.

As is all of CUS.

 

[rtabern]

I still don't understand why the Metropolitan Lounges don't have cash bars. Particularly annoying since they ban outside food and drink now in CUS.

Not only that, but moving the ML forced a popular indoor bar out of the station and out of existence.

*Supposedly* that's not the reason the Metro Deli and Bar closing. The ML is across the hall from the old Metro so it wasn't to make room for the ML. I had heard it closed because that's where they were going to move the ticket windows but the ticket windows moved to across the hall from there as well, next to the ML. So I'm not sure what they kicked Metro out to make room for at this point.

We were wondering this too the last time we were down there. Why did Amtrak kick out the restaurant-bar that was there? Ticket counters didnt go in there as they were supposed to. Spot has been sitting vacant for I believe 2 years now with nothing going on except tickets for Polar Express. Major lost revenue for Amtrak. Last I heard it will eventually reopen as small stores.

 

[NorthShore]

Perhaps they also attempted to extort greater rent out of Metro Deli for space?