From sure-to-be-a-scene patios to no-frills neighborhood hangs, read on for your up-to-the-minute report of what’s new and on the way around town.
OPENING SOON
The Terrace at Trump
401 N. Wabash Ave. 312-588-8030
Opening on Monday, 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 rose-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 lantern-lit flower garden. Nautically themed cocktails such as the Anchor’s Aweigh, a cucumber-watermelon-mint concoction, sound thoroughly summery — and are expectedly pricey ($14). Enter through restaurant Sixteen and be prepared to wait your turn, as reservations are not accepted.
Clutch
459 N. Ogden Ave. This casual bar and eatery aims to open June 25 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
1112 N. State St.
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
2849 W. Belmont Ave. 773-267-0123
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 ($20 for 5 bottles, available starting next week).
6 Degrees
1935 N. Damen Ave. 773-904-8812
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). On Wednesday, the bar revealed its much-anticipated take on the horseshoe, an open-faced sandwich made with a choice of meat topped with cheese sauce and fries ($12). Can’t handle it? Try the half-size pony shoe ($8).
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lmarnett@tribune.com
