Broken Hearts

Inside Broken Hearts, West Loop’s Reborn Dive Bar, Now Open | Eater Chicago

"Heisler Hospitality — the Chicago company behind Sportsman’s Club, Estereo, and Queen Mary — has long mixed corner-tavern domestic cans with deep cocktail programs and shown mastery in catering to diverse crowds. After the surprising closure earlier this year of Nights & Weekends (which opened in November 2021) because the bar was dead during the week and weekend patrons wanted more of a dance-party vibe, Heisler’s director of operations Jeff Donahue explained, “We don’t do nightclubs, that’s not our bread and butter.” On Friday, December 6, Heisler opened a new West Loop spot at 1009 W. Lake Street with a more rustic feel: exposed brick and weathered wood, the bar relocated from the center of the space, and additions that include a pool table, a stage in the back, and a photo booth. “You can sit and talk,” says the bar’s GM Anthony Mitchell. “It’s a place where you can watch live music; it’s comfortable.” The name nods to local hero John Prine and his song Souvenirs. Drinks are kept simple with shot-and-beer combos and a variety of beers, but specialty cocktails are on offer and taken seriously: “We don’t carry shit if you’re going to get a drink, it’s going to be well made,” Mitchell says. The stage will mostly feature local acts with the potential for national touring bands if demand grows; the goal is to channel alt-country much like the Empty Bottle. Programming starts with karaoke on Thursdays and a femme- and queer-focused DJ dance party weekly called Pink Pony Sundays. The bar is open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m." - Ashok Selvam