King of Cups

King of Cups, a Royalty-Themed Cocktail Lounge, Opens Thursday | Eater Chicago

"A medieval royalty–themed cocktail lounge with a tongue-in-cheek vibe is opening in the former Sterch’s space, debuting to the public on Thursday, May 9 with a grand opening celebration through May 11. The 1,000-square-foot room seats about 60 and leans into an aristocratic Rococo look—gold-and-maroon decor, an elevated throne, ornate-framed royal portraits and rotating monitor images of monarchs ranging from Queen Victoria to Elvis and Lady Gaga—while intentionally aiming for an unpretentious, cultural alternative to nearby frat bars. Beverage director Danny Jahnke created a 20-drink menu featuring plainly named ingredients (watermelon, beets), swizzle-style tiki cocktails with crushed ice, and inventive options like banana-infused mezcal, apple-infused scotch and a bell pepper margarita that can be heightened with a habanero tincture; zero-proof cocktails will also be available. Programming includes live music every Thursday, performances by local singers, acrobats and classical burlesque (explicitly no stripteases), daily tarot readings and a weekly cocktail class run by Devin Kinder of Hollow Leg, whose students will contribute a monthly “secret” drink. Food is limited to upscale bar snacks—stuffed olives, charcuterie—and rotating treats from neighborhood vendors, as the owners pitch the concept as Chicago’s first “spirit bar,” playing on both mixology and the renewed interest in tarot." - Naomi Waxman