LGBTQ bar Meeting House Tavern to open in Andersonville
By GRACE WONG, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Mike Sullivan and Mark Robertson wanted to create a space where people could lounge, play darts, drink beer and hang out with friends. But more importantly, they wanted to open a bar where everyone would feel welcome, especially people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning.
They created that environment at nearby The SoFo Tap, and hope to do the same with Meeting House Tavern, which takes over the duo’s previous project in the space, Cantina 1910.
“Chicago is one of the most open, accepting and diverse cities in the world, but that doesn’t mean that people can’t feel like they’re not comfortable or should be expressing themselves in a certain way,” Robertson said. “It’s about creating that environment for them to be their true selves. It’s not as simple as being gay. Maybe you want to wear makeup and a wig and maybe you dress in heels as a man but you’re not transgender. We provide a venue where you can do that and no one is going to blink an eye.”
This will be reflected in everything from the body-positive staffing to the entertainment programming to something as simple as the flags flying outside the tavern. If someone is making another customer uncomfortable because of that individual’s sexual orientation, race, or any other reason, Robertson said the staff is trained to ask them to leave.
“No one should feel like they can’t come here and not be their true self,” Sullivan said.
As mentioned, entertainment will be inclusive, like a “drag-in” movie night with Sofonda Booz, who will do special performances and host games during showings of cult classic movies, and Saddle Up Wednesday with Cowboy Dan, who will be spinning country music all night.
Don’t expect craft cocktails because the drinks at Meeting House Tavern will be straightforward and value-driven, Robertson said. There will be Miller Lite, Lagunitas IPA, Daisy Cutter and Modelo on tap as well as some seasonal offerings on rotation. There will also be a few frozen cocktails that are “easy to understand and drinkable,” Robertson said.
For those looking for a bite to eat, the bar will not be serving food, but has a relationship with Hutch next door, which will be providing a special tavern bites menu that can be delivered.
The bi-level space will have interactive games like pool, arcade games, shuffleboard and darts on the top floor and more lounge space with couches and chairs on the bottom floor. Windows that open to the sidewalk and a rail where people can stand will create an indoor-outdoor environment, Robertson said.
“It’s a place where people can gather and meet new friends and most of all, have a fun time,” Sullivan said. “We wanted a bar that is more active than a lot of bars and allow guests to choose their own fun and have all these options in one space.”
Meeting House Tavern is slated to open in late June or early July.
