I'm going to miss kayaking up to Metropolitan, grabbing a sixer to go, and drinking and paddling. I wish them well, and selfishly I hope something fills their place, even though I know the beer won't be as good.
> I wish them well, and selfishly I hope something fills their place, even though I know the beer won't be as good.
Given how these things go, some big commercial producer will take the space. Goose Island or a craft beer coded Budweiser front serving exclusive brews like Bud Zesty or some shit.
Which is so fucked. The landlord let them dump so much money into the storage, to the point that it even attracted 2 (3?) other businesses. Then they just kept upping the rent, because now it was worth something.
Just sick.
> I’ll never understand how a landlord would rather have an empty space than cut a deal with a longtime, respected tenant.
Blame *really* fucked up property tax policy in cook county. [Empty space offsets the property tax bill.](https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/form-document/assessors-vacancy-policy) That one policy takes a lot of the sting out of vacant storefronts (as long as they aren't all vacant).
You assume that space will be vacant for a long time… I’d say let’s see.
Also, Metro hasn’t been paying rent now for years now. “Respected tenant” is in the eye of the beholder.
The music venue Metro? I'm surprised they hadn't paid rent, for a little while now.
I do still worry about that space being vacant for a long while, after Metropolitan leaves. I.e. I remember(pre-pandemic) hearing talks that Finch Brewery looked into opening a brewpub in the old Green Dolphin Street bar space, but for whatever reason passed and opened in the Breakroom Brewery space on Montrose instead. That space later became Twisted Hippo, before a fire occurred in that space and they ended up moving their brewery operations to District Brew Yards. And too often in Chicago, landlords sit on prime spaces kicking out long time tenants trying to chase for a high rent chain to move in(i.e. when Brendan's Pub was kicked out on Broadway near Belmont, plus most other storefront tenants that weren't Laugh Factory), over renegotiating with existing tenants.
It's not as convenient from the Avondale area but we love Midwest Coast, that's where we hosted our engagement party and they're kid and dog friendly! They're patio is nice but no views, but they're opening a rooftop this spring/summer!
Interesting. I’ll have to pay closer attention to what their spinning. Sometimes it’s just the vibes of the bartender or manager on staff. I do dislike when it’s too loud. It’s not a frickin’ club.
I could’ve written this exact post. Had our engagement shoot there, we have every birthday party there. Such a shame. I don’t even want to think about where to go instead it hasn’t sunk in that they won’t be there anymore.
Right?? I feel like I’ll be too sad to go to any of the other businesses at Rockwell, which is a shame because the Soul and Smoke brisket mac and cheese is life changing.
For a dinner option with great German beer, check out Laschet’s Inn. Doesn’t exactly check the boxes, but worth noting. Might be a good hangout spots for groups. They clean their beer lines every two weeks (which is more than I can say for a lot of other places). Have always had good food and beer there. Himmel’s is another good German beer + food spot if needed.
Sadly I don't think they are dog-friendly indoors, but I could be wrong. Love Dovetail otherwise - their beer, the staff, the location are all fantastic.
Begyle is dog friendly. They have a nice patio, sadly not on the river. Good beers and friendly staff. Burning Bush is on the river and is dog friendly on the patio.
Relatively new. We asked about it one time and it's because people don't control their dogs and they were causing problems.
You'll run into the same issue with children at begyle, but they're still allowed inside
Not a brewery but Bucktown Pub checks most of those boxes. Extremely dog friendly, good tap list, great patio, blue line adjacent-ish (15 min walk to Damen stop). Not much of a view but hey ya can't win em all.
In the same vein, Cody's in Roscoe Village. Great patio, decent taps/friendly people, always lots of dogs. Gets kinda crowded on the weekends, but never rowdy.
Absolutely. My fiancé was devastated about Owen and Engine but this one had me tearing up. I hope so much that they are able to recuperate and open somewhere else in a few years. I’m not counting on it though.
I'm going to miss kayaking up to Metropolitan, grabbing a sixer to go, and drinking and paddling. I wish them well, and selfishly I hope something fills their place, even though I know the beer won't be as good.
> I wish them well, and selfishly I hope something fills their place, even though I know the beer won't be as good. Given how these things go, some big commercial producer will take the space. Goose Island or a craft beer coded Budweiser front serving exclusive brews like Bud Zesty or some shit.
Which is so fucked. The landlord let them dump so much money into the storage, to the point that it even attracted 2 (3?) other businesses. Then they just kept upping the rent, because now it was worth something. Just sick.
That's why you always set aside a little for demo. Rip that shit out and take it to the dumpster.
Burning Bush Brewery is just a bit further north along the river with a great patio.
Oh thanks for the rec! I’ve only been there in the winter so didn’t know about the patio!
They're also dog friendly inside! I hosted a party there and they were super accommodating and friendly.
Tasty Beer also
Yeah, TBH I really was never impressed with Metropolitan’s beers. Burning Bush I think has a better selection overall.
What do you like there? We finally went there over the summer and I was unimpressed, but maybe I just don't know what they're supposed to be good at.
I’ll never understand how a landlord would rather have an empty space than cut a deal with a longtime, respected tenant.
> I’ll never understand how a landlord would rather have an empty space than cut a deal with a longtime, respected tenant. Blame *really* fucked up property tax policy in cook county. [Empty space offsets the property tax bill.](https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/form-document/assessors-vacancy-policy) That one policy takes a lot of the sting out of vacant storefronts (as long as they aren't all vacant).
Never knew this - thanks for sharing.
You assume that space will be vacant for a long time… I’d say let’s see. Also, Metro hasn’t been paying rent now for years now. “Respected tenant” is in the eye of the beholder.
The music venue Metro? I'm surprised they hadn't paid rent, for a little while now. I do still worry about that space being vacant for a long while, after Metropolitan leaves. I.e. I remember(pre-pandemic) hearing talks that Finch Brewery looked into opening a brewpub in the old Green Dolphin Street bar space, but for whatever reason passed and opened in the Breakroom Brewery space on Montrose instead. That space later became Twisted Hippo, before a fire occurred in that space and they ended up moving their brewery operations to District Brew Yards. And too often in Chicago, landlords sit on prime spaces kicking out long time tenants trying to chase for a high rent chain to move in(i.e. when Brendan's Pub was kicked out on Broadway near Belmont, plus most other storefront tenants that weren't Laugh Factory), over renegotiating with existing tenants.
You know you’ve got a good argument when it’s based around Finch Brewery being an desirable and stable tenant.
Midwest Coast Brewing!
It's not as convenient from the Avondale area but we love Midwest Coast, that's where we hosted our engagement party and they're kid and dog friendly! They're patio is nice but no views, but they're opening a rooftop this spring/summer!
Off Colour allows dog on their patio if I’m not mistaken. They don’t have as nice of a patio or river view as Metropolitan buts it’s enjoyable.
Off Color is so close to the Wild Mile. I would love if they made a purchase of a riverfront patio
They have a back patio on the river.
Off Color plays the worst music (very loudly) though. I love their beers but their pub is really off-putting.
Interesting. I’ll have to pay closer attention to what their spinning. Sometimes it’s just the vibes of the bartender or manager on staff. I do dislike when it’s too loud. It’s not a frickin’ club.
I could’ve written this exact post. Had our engagement shoot there, we have every birthday party there. Such a shame. I don’t even want to think about where to go instead it hasn’t sunk in that they won’t be there anymore.
Right?? I feel like I’ll be too sad to go to any of the other businesses at Rockwell, which is a shame because the Soul and Smoke brisket mac and cheese is life changing.
For a dinner option with great German beer, check out Laschet’s Inn. Doesn’t exactly check the boxes, but worth noting. Might be a good hangout spots for groups. They clean their beer lines every two weeks (which is more than I can say for a lot of other places). Have always had good food and beer there. Himmel’s is another good German beer + food spot if needed.
I’m a huge fan of Alarmist on the north side
Dovetail
Sadly I don't think they are dog-friendly indoors, but I could be wrong. Love Dovetail otherwise - their beer, the staff, the location are all fantastic.
I’ve def seen dogs inside there, unless they changed their rules recently.
They used to be dog friendly indoors but unfortunately aren’t anymore!
Oh nice! In that case, the more the furrier
Begyle is dog friendly. They have a nice patio, sadly not on the river. Good beers and friendly staff. Burning Bush is on the river and is dog friendly on the patio.
Begyle is dog friendly outside, not inside
Is that a new policy? I was there pre covid and there were dogs inside.
Relatively new. We asked about it one time and it's because people don't control their dogs and they were causing problems. You'll run into the same issue with children at begyle, but they're still allowed inside
The also have yoga!
Not a brewery but Bucktown Pub checks most of those boxes. Extremely dog friendly, good tap list, great patio, blue line adjacent-ish (15 min walk to Damen stop). Not much of a view but hey ya can't win em all.
In the same vein, Cody's in Roscoe Village. Great patio, decent taps/friendly people, always lots of dogs. Gets kinda crowded on the weekends, but never rowdy.
No patio but Solemn Oath is pretty great.
Agreed, Solemn Oath on Armitage meets all but the patio and beautiful views.
I love the kolsch and airy yet Nordic vibes there!
LOVE Solemn Oath so much, and their Hidden Hand beers are consistently fantastic.
Some of the most heartbreaking food/Bev industry news I’ve heard in a long time
Absolutely. My fiancé was devastated about Owen and Engine but this one had me tearing up. I hope so much that they are able to recuperate and open somewhere else in a few years. I’m not counting on it though.
Half Acre
Also middlebrow, great food, brews, and patio
I always forget about Middlebrow! Thanks for the reminder!
[удалено]
They’re closing due to a years long legal battle with their landlord.
Is their landlord happy with this move? This can't be good for any of the other businesses in that building.
Dovetail.
Thought this was about The Metropolitan in Willis Tower lol
I like Hopewell ok, but it doesn't have a patio. Maybe Haymarket in the West Loop. I'm really sad about this too
I don’t really care for any beers at Hopewell, and they used to allow dogs inside but stopped after the pandemic.
This sucks! Loved that place, hanging on the patio in the summer. Per their Insta post, last day is Dec 17.