“There are about ten bars within a three-block radius of my house, all Big Ten sports bars,” said Delarosa. “I think people will come over [for The Barrelhouse Flat.] Will they stay afterward and party at Mad River or Halligan’s? Probably not.”
Cole, of The Barrelhouse Flat, is optimistic. “I honestly feel like there’s quite a big population in Lincoln Park, so there should be a lot of pull from them,” he said.
History repeating?
In the dining and nightlife biz, Lincoln Park has been a popular alternative to downtown for decades. Restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You opened its very first venture, R.J. Grunts, on Lincoln Park West 40 years ago in 1971, and famed chef Charlie Trotter is currently in his 25th year of business of his fine-dining mecca on Armitage Avenue.
“There were a few little clothing shops and the Old Town School of Music and not much more,” Trotter said of the neighborhood at the time he opened his restaurant. LISA ARNETT, REDEYE
New and coming-soon in Lincoln Park
Recently opened:
Aug. 23: Morso, eclectic fare @ 340 W. Armitage Ave.
Oct. 10: 2 Sparrows, gourmet cafe @ 553 W. Diversey Pkwy
Oct. 24: The Barrelhouse Flat, throwback cocktail lounge @ 2624 N. Lincoln Ave.
Oct. 25: Butcher & the Burger, customizable burgers @ 1021 W. Armitage Ave.
Coming soon:
Balena, rustic Italian restaurant @ 1633 N. Halsted St.
The Monkey’s Paw, whiskey and craft beer bar @ 2524 N. Southport Ave.
Naked Pizza, health-centric pizzeria @ 953 W. Diversey Pkwy.
For more details on these bars and restaurants, log on to metromix.com.
