Cal's Bar Closing At Year End
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 20, 2012 3:00PM
The owners of Cal's Bar, one of our favorite dive bars in the South Loop, announced they'll be closing at the end of the year. As Gapers Block's Andrew Huff noted in August, there was uncertainty over the tavern's future for months as the building the bar resides was sold and the new owners hadn't indicated if Cal's continued existence was part of their plans for the property.
Opened in 1947, Cal's was a weathered, unchanging presence in a South Loop that has transformed from a dilapidated part of downtown into prime real estate in the past 15-20 years, was a favorite watering hole for bike messengers, office workers and fans of cheap drinks and was one of Chicago's stalwart punk rock clubs.
Cal's will close with a free New Year's Eve show featuring Mercy Mercy, The Demerits and The Larroquettes.