Gallop Through Concrete Cowboy, Catering To River North Bros Of All Persuasions

This isn’t Chicago’s first rodeo, as the city’s nightlife can be nuanced and diverse. But make no mistake, Concrete Cowboy—opening tonight—wants River North to get down, catering to all sorts of partying city dwellers with DJs, 44 TV screens for sports, and room for dancing. It’s the fourth location for the Texas-based chain and the first outside of the Lone Star State.

Perhaps Concrete Cowboy was separated up birth with fellow party bar Bottled Blonde, the Arizona import located just a five-minute walk south from their new honky tonk buddy. The set up and vibe are similar with Concrete Cowboy being a bit more inspired by country music. A sign reading "giddy up" gives away the chain’s mantra, and the same sign is featured at the other locations.

The space’s former tenant, Tippling Hall, was known for brunch and an innovative, at the time, kegged cocktail program. At Concrete Cowboy, there’s wings, a chicken sandwich (even available on Sundays) that’s inspired by Chick-Fil-A, and their take on a Chicago-style hot dog. You can grab a lager from the bar or one of their specialty drinks. It’ll do weekend brunch for those who want to return to the scene of the previous day’s crimes.

These types of bars can be polarizing. Concrete Cowboy may be a place that young patrons take their parents during day, but the surroundings transform when the sun sets. Some may thrive in this type of city/Wild West hybrid environment. Others may think they’ve made a grave mistake. Why visit this place? Texas is the reason—with jumbo-sized 115-ounce Moscow Mules and more. 13 signature cocktails, including the "Concrete Crush," with vodka, raspberry liqueur, lemon juice, and Prosecco, are on the menu.

Visitors won’t need their chaps, but they can finally check out Concrete Cowboy tonight. Take a look at the menu and photos below.

Concrete Cowboy Chicago, 646 N. Franklin St., (312) 477-9500, open 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. until 4 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday; and 11 a.m. until 5 a.m. on Saturday.