Union Sushi/Franklin Room Owners Taking Over West Loop's Old Fifth

West Loop whiskey bar and pizza eatery Old Fifth closed last week to make room for a new project from the owners of Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar and The Franklin Room. They're calling it The Madison Bar + Kitchen, and owner Mike Schatzman said he wants to serve families, locals and United Center fans with a "subtle, sophisticated sports element." Schatzman hopes to open in mid-fall.

"I think we're trying to bring a new energy over here," said Schatzman, who's lived in the West Loop for about eight years. "Just like we have big, bright colors over at Union, we're trying to bring this new sense of energy over to the West Loop."

Schatzman opened Union in 2011 in River North and his team opened The Franklin Room in 2014 just around the corner. Over at The Madison, they'll serve lunch and dinner, eventually adding weekend brunch. The menu, handled by the same crew over at Union/Franklin, is still in development. They're considering pizza, gourmet burgers, reasonably-priced steaks —perhaps even sushi rolls. Drink-wise, Schatzman said the cocktail program will be more extensive than most establishments in the area.

Guests won't recognize the revamped space, Schatzman said, as they'll have room for about 120 inside, with a 20-seat patio and a 20-seat bar. The Madison wants to cater to a variety of customers —those who want a big meal or want to snack. They plan to offer shuttle service to the United Center, too.

Meanwhile, Old Fifth ended its three-year run on Saturday, and their Facebook page said they were "moving on to new adventures." Check back in the coming months for more on The Madison.