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EDGEWATER — After years of hosting LGBTQ-friendly parties, an Andersonville couple has opened a bar where they can continue their tradition of inclusive, neighborhood-focused events.
Whiskey Girl Tavern opened in early July at 6318 N. Clark St. The bar comes from Christina and Heather Roberts, who jumped at the opportunity to take over Pressure Billiards after it closed early this year.
Whiskey Girl Tavern is a bar and restaurant that will host events and be a hub for sports viewing, its owners said. As a passionate sports fans with a background in Pride-affiliated event promotions, Heather Roberts said the bar speaks to their passions.
“We always wanted a spot to watch sports and have a nice cocktail and could never really find it,” Heather Roberts said. “We built a place we would want to go to.”
Whiskey Girl Tavern — named for one of the couple’s twin bernadoodles — is rolling out in phases as the Robertses overhaul the space, which spent 16 years as a pool hall.
The former pool hall’s bar room has been completely renovated, including new tile, velvet-upholstered seating, new lighting and a mural of the bar’s namesake, Whiskey the dog.
Credit: Joe Ward/Block Club ChicagoThe bar focuses on local craft beers and craft cocktails. Food includes three pizzas, chicken tenders and french fries. All foods and dipping sauces are made in-house, the owners said.
More foods and cocktails will be rolled out in the coming months, as will future additions to the bar.
Only the front bar space is open. The back room, which is in the neighboring storefront, is under construction, the owners said.
The back space previously held 16 pool tables. The renovated room will include a second bar, seating, TVs, a performance space, four pool tables and other games. The Robertses hope to open the back room by the start of football season in September.
With the performance space, the Robertses plan to host a comedy night and a women and music night that highlights queer women in the recording industry.
Christina Roberts co-founded Andersonville’s Back Lot Bash, a Pride-affiliated party that caters to lesbians. Whiskey Girl Tavern is LGBTQ-friendly and seeks to welcome everyone, the couple said.
“It’s definitely a neighborhood bar. It’s about being inclusive,” Christina Roberts said.
The bar will also emphasize showing women’s sports on its televisions. The owners also plan to have traditional sports pub components, including a mug club.
“The goal is to mimic the demographics of the neighborhood,” Heather Roberts said. “We want everyone to feel welcome here.”
Credit: Joe Ward/Block Club ChicagoThe business model has proved popular with Edgewater neighbors, they said. The bar’s opening weekend saw lines out the door while much of the first week the bar was at capacity.
“We’ve had neighbors say they’ve been looking for this,” Christina Roberts said. “We’re glad it checks the boxes that they’re looking for.”
Whiskey Girl Tavern is open 4-11 p.m. Mondays and Wednesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, noon-midnight Saturdays and noon-11 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Tuesdays.
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