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Looking for the scoop on coming-soon spots? Check out our new feature, The Countdown for news on in-the-works spots, from Tantrik to Small Bar.
OPENING SOON
Meze
This leather sofa-laden lounge in the West Loop opens Saturday. Share pitchers of sangria (red, white and a seasonal specialty such as cider-spiked sangria for winter) and ease into the evening with down-tempo global tunes. Though the lounge’s Greek name refers to appetizers, the flavors on the small-plates menu stray beyond the Mediterranean, from vegetarian Thai rolls to chipotle-spiced patatas bravas.
Cabalo
A nice space on a quiet stretch of Chicago Avenue in Humboldt Park, this address proved a challenge for short-lived Nxxt and Cat’s Meow, so it’s hard not to wonder how this — shall we say eclectic? — spot from a first-time bar owner Josef Laszlo (Cabalo is his teenage nickname) will fare. He hopes to open by the end of the month with a DJ and dance floor in the basement, and an American-and-Eastern European menu hinging on burgers and his Hungarian father’s sausage recipes.
JUST OPENED
Big Star
This honky tonk bar in the former Pontiac address features whiskeys, tequilas, cheap beer and tacos from a handful of the talented folks behind Danny's Tavern, Blackbird, Avec and the Violet Hour.
Purple Haze
Former Risque Cafe neighbor Purgatory Pizza is now flaunting purple walls and flying the Northwestern flag. Look for a dozen burgers and funky bar food (we hear the Golden Grahams-crusted chicken fingers already have a loyal following) backed up by a bottled beer list that’s brief and basic compared to the 100-plus poured next door.
Double A (pictured)
The a la carte cocktail menu at this small lounge located below River North’s Mercadito features exotic cocktails ($13-$14) rivaling the hand-crafted creations at the Drawing Room and the Violet Hour. An open layout allows bartenders to shake up drinks such as the Daisy Lighting (Death’s Door white whiskey with curacao, hibiscus, egg whites and flamed chile sugar) right in the middle of the lounge instead of behind a traditional bar. Reservations accepted by e-mail only (victor@doubleachicago.com) for parties of five or more; space for walk-ins is very limited.
6 Corners Sports Bar
Wicker Parkers, meet your new spot for watching sports and getting sauced, thanks to a decent stock of beer and a mix-and-match menu of bar snacks and a dozen-plus dipping sauces.
Pitchfork Food & Saloon
This Irving Park saloon from the folks that brought you Waterhouse and Rebel is serving up beer, Bourbonade (that's bourbon-spiked lemonade) and brisket-topped buttermilk biscuit sandwiches.
Pasha
Summer's over, but the sangria's flowing at this West Loop lounge and eatery, where local Latin fave Bandaleros will be in permanent residence -- the band and manager Ron Levine own the place, after all.
Lincoln Hall
The owners of Schubas have opened this music venue, restaurant and bar in the former 3 Penny theater. Expect the exact same type of bands Schubas books, but a slightly larger music room, with a mezzanine level to boot and a separate bar area with full kitchen.
New Line
This neighborhood bar and grill from the owners of Daily Bar & Grill and Southport Lanes has taken up residence in the lounge half of former West Loop restaurant Powerhouse. Sink into a booth beside photos of vintage trains (a nod to the building’s original use powering rail lines) and order up saucy wings and hand-formed burgers till late.
RECONCEPTS & RENAMINGS
The Beetle
Longtime favorite The Black Beetle Bar & Grill reopens after new ownership gave it a facelift (new paint, freshly waxed floors, aa new menu of affordable burgers, pizzas and appetizers).
The Embassy
West Loop ultra-lounge Theatro, which switched its name from Veil just before opening earlier this year, has ditched the theatrical theme and changed its name again.
The Rockbox
Formerly known as The Rockhouse, nothing's changed at this Lincoln Park bar but the name. And any day now, the sign out front.
Queens Tavern & Bistro
Boystown eatery Cornelia's is reconcepting, adding a wing and burger-slinging bar in back.
Looking for the scoop on coming-soon spots? Check out our new feature, The Countdown.
Missed something? Check out our 2009 archives.
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Lisa Arnett is the metromix nightlife and shopping producer. lmarnett@tribune.com. Updated Nov. 19, 2009.
