The bi-level restaurant-and-bar trend continues. Above the quiet, Latin-inspired restaurant Ronero and through a rum-barrel door, you'll find Esco Bar (738 W. Randolph St., West Loop), a dark speakeasy with Colombian flair.

With a name that plays on the most infamous Colombian of all time (a painting of his death hangs in the hallway), the space has the vibe of a megaclub but the size of a cocktail bar, with 100 seats around small tables down the length of the room. The DJ spins Latin beats, accompanied by a bongo drummer. And though you can order tableside cart cocktails (some of which come in giant copper flamingoes), many imbibers spent most of their time on the dance floor.

Here's what we saw when we stopped in.