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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 Pasha to The Red Canary to The Bad Apple.
NOW OPEN
The Terrace at Trump
This outdoor lounge perched on the Trump Tower’s 16th floor terrace is your new post to drink pink—or at least that’s what the staff, pimping a rosé-heavy wine list, would like you to think. Take in an impressive view of the Wrigley Building and Chicago River from practically wherever you sit, whether it be on L-shaped couches or bistro tables surrounding a metal sculpture lit with votives. Nautically themed cocktails such as the Anchor’s Aweigh, a cucumber-watermelon-mint concoction, sound thoroughly summery—and are expectedly pricey.
Harry Caray's Tavern
While this new HC outpost is currently under construction at Navy Pier and won't open until this fall, it's quietly launched a summer patio operation, serving a few sandwiches and salads. Not a bad spot to hit up for a hurricane or a mai tai if stranded here with out-of-town guests.
OPENING SOON
Clutch
This casual bar and eatery aims to open in early July near the intersection of Grand and Ogden avenues. Giving a nod to the building’s former lives as a gas station and then an auto detail shop, two garage doors open onto a 60-seat triangular beer garden. Owner Matthew Harris (who also runs Matilda in Lakeview) says they’ll serve up simple drinks and fun fast food such as a super-cheesy cheeseburger and deep-fried hot dogs.
Cedar Hotel & Cafe
The owners of River North club Manor and Wicker Park hang The Fifty/50 have combined forces to breathe new life into the prime-time patio space in front of the historic Cedar Hotel with this casual, come-as-you-are bar. Forget what you remember (or don’t remember) from wild nights at Melvin B’s and Cactus, the spots that used to operate here. From our latest peek in the window, the space has been completely gutted, walled with cedar planks and filled with new furniture.
RECENTLY OPENED
Square Bar & Grill (pictured)
Take your basic bar and grill, add a dash of whimsy and you’ve got Square, outfitted with colorful wooden wall hangings and a bar made from reclaimed bowling alley planks. We especially love its microbrew spin on the traditional bucket o’ bottles, mixing picks such as Left Hand Brewery’s Milk Stout and Metropolitan’s Flywheel Lager.
6 Degrees
Though this homey neighborhood bar opened earlier this month, the most noteworthy offerings just debuted, such as margaritas made "skinny" with agave nectar and a bloody mary dubbed "flaming" thanks to a kick from Sriracha chili sauce ($7-$9).
Roof
Boasting sleek sofas, fire features and a telescope for scoping the view, this indoor-outdoor rooftop cocktailing destination resides on the top floor of Loop hotel The Wit. Read our review here.
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
This cozy, 50-seat Humboldt Park bar filled with second-hand furniture and local artwork features a tasty bar bites alongside a lovingly selected menu of, as you might expect, wine and beer.
Looking for the scoop on coming-soon spots? Check out our new feature, The Countdown.
Missed something? Check out our archives.
Lisa Arnett is the metromix nightlife and shopping producer. lmarnett@tribune.com. Updated June 29, 2009.
