Melmans, McGee Bringing Back Bub City, Adding Tiki Bar

A lot of information about the forthcoming country/western bar going into the former Frankie Z's space by R.J. and Jerrod Melman has already emerged, like that it'll have barbecue and that they're teaming with the founders of Joe's Bar to create the music program. Now new information has emerged that it'll be called Bub City, a nod to the beloved Lincoln Park spot Lettuce Entertain You closed a decade ago.

The Melmans announced last month they'd snatched mixologist Paul McGee away from the Whistler for a new project and Eater speculated it was for this. Now that news has been confirmed. In addition to Bub City, the team will build out a still-unnamed 4,000 square-foot Tiki bar below the country spot that will have a separate entrance. Both places are slated to open this summer.

Upstairs the country bar will have craft beers, shots and a large selection of whiskey and bourbon. Downstairs at the Tiki bar, McGee will keep things fresh with drinks featuring squeezed juices, exotic ingredients and a huge offering of rum. "For quite some time, I have imagined creating a lounge that pays homage to the classic Tiki experience, but with our own distinctive vibe," McGee said in a press release. "You won't be seeing thatched roofs and hula skirts here, but we will maintain all of the fun and whimsy traditionally associated with Tiki culture. However, we'll definitely be serious about the cocktails."

In related news, Time Out Chicago reports that McGee is also creating eight to 10 cocktails for RPM Italian, the Melmans new restaurant they're opening with Bill and Giuliana Rancic. TOC said McGee will also pull together an amaro list for that River North spot, set to open in the next few weeks.
· Melmans Team with Joe's Bar Founders for Country Spot [~EChi~]
· Paul McGee Leaving the Whistler to Work With the Melmans [~EChi~]
· Paul McGee's New Bar—It's Tiki [TOC]