Danny’s Tavern, Beloved Bucktown Bar Since 1986, Closing Permanently

The candle-lit dive was known for its dance parties and wildly popular Smiths night, which often drew lines around the block.

Hannah Alani

10:13 AM CST on Nov 5, 2020

Credibility:

BUCKTOWN — Danny’s Tavern is closed for good, co-owner Michael Noone confirmed Thursday.

The dive bar at 1951 W. Dickens Ave. has been a Bucktown staple near the corner of Damen and Dickens avenues.

It was opened by Danny Cimaglio in 1986 and sold in the ’90s to Noone and Terry Alexander, who eventually went on to start One Off Hospitality, one of the city’s most popular restaurant groups.

The candle-lit dive was known for its dance parties and wildly popular Smiths night, which often drew lines around the block.

Gentrification threatened to close the bar in 2015, but neighborhood support helped keep the bar in operation.

This is a developing story. Want to share a memory of Danny’s with Block Club? Email hannah@blockclubchi.org.

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