Like many Chicagoans, Adolfo Garcia has seen the lack of diversity in the Wrigleyville bar and restaurant scene—and he's trying to do something about it. With Heating & Cooling, his rock and roll-themed pizza pub opening tonight on Clark, Garcia, who lives in the neighborhood, isn't bringing another sports bar to the strip near Wrigley Field; he's opening a dark den of live rock music, canned beer, and pizza.
Garcia (Pearl Tavern, Son of a Butcher), a self-proclaimed rock and roll geek, turned around the former Flaco's Tacos space in a flash, transforming it into a two-floor homage to past rock greats and cafe racers, a place for up-and-coming musicians to play, and beer and pizza. The first floor has a long bar, and a stage next to a pizza window. Upstairs is more loungey, with inclusive couch seating, another bar, New Orleans-esque balconies and a floor cut-out to survey the scene and watch the bands below.
While many of the sports bar near the field are almost entirely dependent on the Cubs and baseball season, Heating & Cooling could become a year-round destination in the neighborhood. Read the food and drink menus here; it opens to the public tonight at 9 p.m.
