Dont Fret Is Bringing Back His 'Conceptual Watering Hole' Pop-Up, At Publican Quality Meats

By Stephen Gossett in Food on Jul 18, 2017 8:00PM

The phrase "conceptual watering hole" would normally strike fear in our hearts and send us scurrying to the nearest Old Style-signed corner dive. But in this case, don't fret. This one's actually all about those corner dives, plus it spotlights one of Chicago's great pop visual artists—one known for a healthy sense of irony.

That's, well, Dont Fret, whose handiwork can be seen all over town, whether wheat-pasted on the side of buildings, spicing up Pitchfork Music Festival, or adding local flavor to a Chicago-set Netflix series.

Dont Fret, along with Dark Times partner Kate Brankin, is teaming up with Publican Quality Meats (825 West Fulton Market) for the return of the Light Times pop-up collaboration, on July 21 (5:30 to 11 p.m.). It'll be a backyard drinking installation that's "based in the deep culture of Chicago corner bars."

Expect to see:

Kielbasa and Adobo sausages ($10; comes with a bag of chips)
Shots of Malort ($2)
Beer on draft from Pipeworks Brewing Co. & Old Style
Two-packs of Kielbasa and Adobo sausages for sale at our butcher counter (comes with a kickass Dont Fret label)
Art and swag by Dont Fret

We say "expect to see" all those things because Dont Fret has exhibited a bit of a prankster streak in the past when it comes to these "conceptual watering hole" announcements. But this all sounds like it fits the mission; and it's probably safe to say you can expect some good food, good art and a celebration of Chicago's historic bar culture.

Tickets are available here. They cost $10, which also gets you a "hefty pour" of Old Style.

Dont Fret is also throwing a one-night-only group exhibition at an apartment show in Wicker Park, on July 29. Follow him Instagram for the day-of location reveal.

Photo via Dont Fret's website.