Tour Safari Lounge, Demera's Bob Marley Inspired Afro-Carribean Hot Spot

And live music and DJs arrive in Rogers Park

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Jun 3, 2016, 11:00am CDT

Photography by Marc Much | Via Demera Ethiopian Owners Bringing African Safari-Themed Restaurant To Rogers Park [ECHI] and Safari Lounge [Official website]

Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

By melding Ethiopian and Caribbean flavors inside a backdrop featuring wildlife elements and a dose of Bob Marley, Safari Lounge promises to be one of Chicago's most unique restaurants. The lounge/restaurant opens this afternoon in Rogers Park, run by the owners of Eater 38 member Demera Ethiopian Restaurant.

Safari takes up 5,000 square feet spread over two floors with two stages for live music and a DJ booth. The second-floor lounge highlights the space, and visitors will find crocodile-textured seating and animal prints—even in the bathrooms.

The fusion menu is highlighted by sandwiches and Ethiopian-spiced chicken wings, while complemented by special cocktails and African beer. There's also a bar menu, and they're vegetarian friendly.

Check out the menus on the restaurant's website, as well as the photos below, as Demera owners chef Tigist Reda and her husband Girmai Lemma (who will focus on Safari) introduce Chicago to something they've rarely experienced. Safari opens at noon today.

Safari Lounge, 7124 N. Clark St., (773) 856-0803, open noon to midnight Monday to Thursday; noon to 2 a.m. on Friday; 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday; and noon to 2 a.m. on Sunday. Late-night menu available after 11 p.m.