Three New Chicago Bars To Watch This Year

By Anthony Todd in Food on Feb 24, 2016 7:33PM

There have been some notable bits of bar news floating around this week. Let's dig into the most interesting.

First, the Annex at GreenRiver is now open, and Chicago Magazine has photos. GreenRiver, you may recall, is the fancy cocktail bar/restaurant in Northwestern Hospital that we loved last year. Now, in addition to the huge cocktail selection in the main restaurant, they've opened a small adjacent bar, The Annex. It's got even more complicated drinks, a small food menu and only about 20 seats, and if our love of GreenRiver is any indication, it's going to become a quick favorite.

North Center is getting a fabulous cocktail bar of its own (to match Lincoln Square's new destination bar, The Sixth) next week. DNAInfo reports that The Victor Bar, a Parisian-inspired spot owned by a trio of local lawyers, will open next week. The atmosphere is intimate, the cocktail list is small but exotic, and they are serving desserts from Amy's Candy Bar up the street. What's not to love?

The former Beechwood Inn space in Wicker Park, which has sat vacant for eight months, has been taken over by the Pioneer Tavern Group, reports Eater Chicago. The group, which owns Lottie's, Frontier and the Pony Inn, will open Mae Bell Tavern & Grocery in the space. Executive Chef Brian Jupiter, of Frontier, will be handling the food. No opening date yet, but good to see the space will be back in action again.