New on the scene: Bars
There may be a lone fancy lounge or two in this month’s new bar openings, but it’s the casual neighborhood establishment that really reigns.
RECENTLY OPENED
Division Ale House
1942 W. Division St. 773-384-6886
This Irish-inspired pub adds yet another choice to the Division Street buffet of sidewalk seating options. We’re not sure why they bothered with a cocktail list of 30-plus martinis and specialty shots such as the Mexican Cosmo or Dirty Pirate Hooker; most everyone’s ignoring them in favor of Guinness or Harp. You will too when you lay eyes on the tabletop beer towers, equipped with a Lazy Susan-like rotating base and an ice core to keep cool.
Cole’s
2338 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-276-5802
This Logan Square tavern joins neighbor the Whistler in its mission to serve up free local music. Stop in during this weekend’s opening bash for craft brew drafts, indie talent kicking it on the stage in back and an art exhibit in correlation with the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival.
Dream
1750 N. Clark St. 312-932-1750
When we heard Krem was reconcepting under new ownership, we had our fingers crossed for a more casual, post-beach hang. But new lounge Dream is just as polished as its predecessor, draped in yards of sheer fabric and hoping to lure Lincoln Park fashionistas with cheesy cocktails such as the Escada Colada and Rodeo Drive Drop-tini.
REOPENING THIS WEEKEND
Yak-Zies
506 W. Diversey Pkwy. 773-327-1717
Two years (to the day) after closing its doors, this legendary hangout reopens Saturday to show off top-to-bottom renovations. A party for family and friends will dominate from 2-8 p.m., so your best bet is to arrive after, or wait until next week’s series of themed opening parties for past patrons: If you drank at Yak-Zies during the ’60s or ’70s, come Monday; ’80s and ’90s on Tuesday; and 2000 or sooner on Wednesday.
ALTER EGOS
LuxLounge
18 E. Bellevue Pl. 312-642-3400
This is Luxbar’s new name for its upstairs bar, previously used for parties or weekend overflow. Open Saturdays only for now, it’s shooting for a house-party vibe with an all-female staff tending bar and manning the night’s playlist from a laptop set up on a couch.
Mary’s Rec Room
5402 N. Clark St. 773-784-6969
Andersonville favorite Hamburger Mary’s has opened a next-door annex with a sportier look and an on-site microbrewery to boot, pumping out its own varieties of beer such as the summery pink lemonade-flavored Dandy Shandy.
———-
lmarnett@tribune.com
