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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.
NOW OPEN
Corner 41 Bar & Grill
The neighborhood bar and grill in the former Cy's Steak and Chop House address has traded its chops and steaks for more affordable burgers and sandwiches. They’ve kept one thing from the former concept: the well-loved ribs.
The Southern
Chaise Lounge has traded its white-washed South Beach look for Savannah flair after reopening as this Southern-inspired bar and eatery. While Chaise was known mostly for its alfresco appeal, a new interior by designer-about-town Kevin Heisner plus heart-warming comfort food and affordable cocktails ($6 martinis down from $8-10) will give reason to hibernate here for the winter.
Small Bar
After months of delays, the Lincoln Park location of this well-loved bar is now open. A grand opening is set for Feb. 26. Expect the same emphasis on reclaimed and recycled materials, from antique clocks to tables made from the building's wooden floorboards. The selection of brews (225-plus) will be just as vast, while the food menu of tasty bar snacks will be identical to the Division Street location.
Revolution Brewing
Logan Square's long-awaited brewery is now pouring pints of Iron Fist pale ale, Eugene porter and other original creations. If you like what you're sipping, join the brewpub's mug club for $25 and score a growler, discounts and invites to future beer tastings. The food menu aims to please vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike with everything from house-smoked tofu sandwiches and tempeh reubens find a home alongside pulled pork-topped burgers and fish and chips battered with the brewery's Iron Fist pale ale.
Lockdown Bar & Grill
Ever bite into a burger and say to yourself, “Gosh, I wish I were at a rock concert?” We haven’t, but the three guys behind this Ukie Village prison-themed beer and burger bar apparently have. While you fill up (try the Death Sentence, a double-patty monster with caramelized onions, cheddar and bacon), watch DVDs of three live concerts a night (tonight it’s Dio, Nine Inch Nails and Incubus) complete with (what else?) a smoke machine and laser light show.
The Exchange
Lava Lounge relaunches as this old-timey drinking den with more conversation-friendly beats and more space to sit and sip. Serve your crew Claret Punch (a citrus blend with Bols Genever) from vintage punch bowls or order from mixology consultant Peter Vestinos’ craft cocktail menu, featuring Half Acre’s small-batch soda spiked with Death’s Door vodka and a pair of “In the Ring” cocktails facing off against one another (up first: two takes on the negroni).
Rehab
Remember Rehab, the martini lounge attached to Circuit that closed back in ’04? It’s reopening in Boystown with a funky mod-meets-modern look. An affordable cocktail list pimping the three M’s (that’s margaritas, mojitos and martinis) is in the works for a debut later this month.
Longman & Eagle
This Logan Square spot feels more like a restaurant in the early evening, but the bar crowd ramps up as the hour grows later. Considering Empty Bottle’s Bruce Finkelman and Pete Toalson comprise half the ownership team, we wouldn’t be surprised to see DJ gigs here piggybacking off other bookings around town. For more, read our First Look.
MORE UPCOMING OPENINGS
Wolcott’s
Opening as soon as the liquor license arrives, this casual tavern on the corner of Montrose and (could you guess?) Wolcott will be serving up comfort foods such as meatloaf and mac ‘n’ cheese and pints of beer to wash ‘em down. Expect the capacity (75) to double with the debut of sidewalk seating this spring.
Looking for the scoop on coming-soon spots? Check out our new feature, The Countdown.
Looking for more new bars? Check out our 2009 archives.
Follow us! Keep up with bars and clubs news on Twitter.
Lisa Arnett is the metromix nightlife and shopping producer. lmarnett@tribune.com. Updated Feb. 5, 2009.
What other people are saying...
Puma127 from Lincoln Park - December 28, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Anyone been to Big Star? Sounds great!
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