Vol. 39 is on the second floor of the Kimpton Gray Hotel on LaSalle, a wine and cocktail bar with stacked books, low lighting, and a pace that doesn't rush anyone toward the door. It's the kind of place suited for a conversation that goes longer than expected.

The cocktail list is classics-informed and the wine selection is curated rather than encyclopedic. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 4 to 10pm weeknights, 4 to 11pm on weekends. Given the location in the financial district, the after-work crowd is predictable but the room absorbs it quietly.