Acclaimed Ravenswood Mainstay Ampersand Wine Bar to Close on Thursday

Ampersand Wine Bar, a Ravenswood restaurant that opened three years ago from a Charlie Trotter’s alum, is closing on Thursday at 4845 N. Damen Avenue. The restaurant sent an email to customers on Tuesday citing the toll of “staggering industry odds” due to a saturation of Chicago restaurants, and also posted the news on its website and Facebook page. It’s particularly heartbreaking as Ampersand was the passion project that chef/owner Darren McGraw spent a decade refining.

In a Facebook post from Tuesday, ownership wrote they were grateful to Ravenswood and Lincoln Square: “We had the dream of creating a cozy place to eat great food and drink new wines, and you brought that to life every night.”

The note added the Ampersand team will stay in the service industry. McGraw is exploring new opportunities while continuing to spend time with the U.S. National Guard. Regular dinner service has already ended. He’ll close out the bar on Thursday with a party on Thursday for $25 per person where customers can buy glassware and other restaurant items.

The Tribune first reported the shutter. Check out Ampersand’s Facebook announcement below: