New Bars: An Oldie and a Newbie
New bars pop up in Chicago faster than ramps in spring, so it takes a special bastion to stand out from the herd. Two such newcomers include a revamped classic and a clandestine cabaret –The California Clipper and Bordel Puncheon Club & Caberet.
What’s old is brand new again at the new iteration of The California Clipper, a Humboldt Park classic that has been anchoring the Augusta and California intersection for decades, fueling locals with its consistent array of hard liquor and snug booths. The man responsible for the renaissance is Brendan Sodikoff himself, the tireless restaurateur whose portfolio is rapidly expanding throughout the city. His recent acquisition of the beloved Clipper saw the bar close for a month-ish for renovations and polishing. Said polish entailed spiffing up the red booths, adding a shaved ice machine, a tobacco shop, and a bible-sized menu of cocktails and spirits. Flipping through the old timey comic-like menu, guests can pick from bar signatures, ice cream drinks, tall cocktails (think: Pimm’s Cups), shots, and loads more. While updating the wares, Sodikoff manages to retain the throwback nostalgia feel of the former speakeasy, maintaining the feel of a bygone corner bar where Capone might hide.
Division Street in Wicker Park is primarily regarded as sports bar territory, but a bold new entrant is poised to shake up the formula. Bordel Puncheon Club & Cabaret is a new drinking and entertainment den tucked away above tapas-focused Black Bull. The secretive bar fuses mixology and artistry in one luscious space, bookended by stages for burlesque performances, live jazz, and flamenco. In between marveling at the performances, guests can partake in Bordel’s lively libations, which run the gamut of punches, swizzles, aperitifs, stirred cocktails, and more, all of which are designed to recall Prohibition-era drinking. While the Clipper skews Americana nostalgia, Bordel recalls an illustrious era of Parisian bohemia, emblazoned with baroque wallpaper, velvet couches, a piano, and a large mural crafted by local artist Erik DeBat.
The California Clipper
1002 N. California Avenue, Chicago
(773) 384-2547
Website
Bordel Puncheon Club & Cabaret
1721 W. Division Street, Chicago
(773) 227-8600
Website
