There’s nothing hotter than getting nice and sweaty at a good rock show. But when your favorite band’s not in town and a live show’s not in the cards, you still need a place to feel the music and have a drink.
Now you can rock out any night of the week at recently opened West Town hang Five Star Bar & Grill, where an old-school element meets modern touches. From the looks of its first Friday night, this packed neighborhood bar easily could become a destination spot. We checked out Five Star to see if the bar earns its stripes.
Inside: Quilted, black leather panels; large, cushy booths; and oversized mirrors flank the west wall. A 75-foot bar wraps along the opposite side of the room. But one of the best features of the space is its 14-foot floor-to-ceiling windows opening on to the sidewalk.
Stenciling on the deep purple back wall creates a neo-antique pattern, but a nearby nook–equipped with a collage of band posters, a Silver Strike bowling game and a pool table–lends a dormroom-ish air to the area. Flat-screen TVs show the games, but we’d prefer to see some videos and rock footage as well.
Vintage Sailor Jerry tattoos cover the walls of a semiprivate room outfitted with a leather, wrap-around banquette, and a stripper pole and platform (intended to be “tongue-in-cheek,” according to the owners). We’re told several fun-loving bargoers have already delivered, uh, performances.
Tunes: A soundtrack of indie rock, punk, rockabilly and metal sets the scene. DJs spin in a corner booth on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, while Tuesdays take on a roots, funk and soul twist. On other days, you’ll be treated to a handpicked selection featuring more than 1,000 rock songs from the owners’ collections.
Drinks: Get in the rock ‘n’ roll frame of mind: Five Star’s a beer and bourbon joint, stocking 30 bourbon varieties ($5-$22), as well as a bourbon-based cocktail menu (coming soon); look for sippers like the Kentucky Kiss, made with Jim Beam, fresh lemon juice and honey syrup ($9). Not a hard drinker? Choose from 14 draft beers, including Bell’s, Rogue Dead Guy Ale and PBR (for those of you craving hipster cred). Cans also are available; specials go for two bucks Monday through Wednesday.
Food: Think standard bar bites with a playful twist. We sampled breaded chicken fingers with honey mustard and barbecue sauce ($8), plus a trio of mini-sandwiches ($6; choose from burgers, cheeseburgers and pulled pork). We weren’t wowed, but the pulled pork was tasty enough to leave us craving a larger helping. We filled up on the Sid & Nancy sandwich: smoked turkey, Muenster cheese and honey mustard on thick Texas toast, served with handcut fries ($8.75). That was a hit!
Service: It may sound old-fashioned, but damned if it doesn’t make a difference: Service with a smile would have been nice, and a little more eye contact from the bartenders too. That said, the bouncers were incredibly friendly, both when we arrived and when we left. And the behind-the-bar gals seemed to lighten up as the night went on and we ordered more.
Crowd: Laid-back locals, hipsters and a few artsy types. Of course, on its first major weekend, this newbie did draw a sizable crowd of scenester barflies checking out the buzz.
Our star rating: We’ll round up and give a generous 4 stars out of 5 because we’ll be back, for sure. We were definitely diggin’ the vibe, and rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay. So please, Five Star, don’t fall prey to the pretension that often overshadows spots aiming for an edgier attitude.
– – –
INSIDE
Five Star Bar & Grill
1424 W. Chicago Ave.
312-850-2555
———-
kmbudell@tribune.com
