Craft Cocktails, Canned Beer, and Kevin Heisner's Design Coming to the Empire Liquors Space

Matt Eisler, Kevin Heisner, and the team behind Five Star Bar are replacing Empire Liquors with a more refined concept: The Revel Room. The new "casual neighborhood cocktail bar" is 180 degrees from Empire and set to open in mid-to-late August. "It's a drinking place now—I want to put out solid, well-executed cocktails," Eisler says. "It's a straight-up bar."

The cocktail program, headed by Ronnie Higgins (Bangers & Lace, Bar DeVille), will feature classic cocktails, kegged cocktails, and wine. Canned beers and eight draft pours will encompass the beer selection. No food will be served; the space doesn't hold a kitchen.

Designer Kevin Heisner was brought on board for the project; he was not a part of Empire. He put his spin on the interior, replacing the DJ booth and dance floor with booths and 20 bar stools to create an old-meets-new vibe. There's over 100 seats now. Eisler says there "literally was not one piece of furniture" in Empire.

Empire Liquors shuttered for reconcepting in May. The new concept echoes Heisler Hospitality's movement towards refinement. Look for the "100 percent Chicago tavern" to open within two weeks.
· Empire Liquors to Shutter on Saturday [-ECHI-]
· All Matt Eisler Coverage [-ECHI-]
· The Revel Room [Official Site]