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Veering away from television, the team behind the Saved by The Bell pop-up is partnering with—surprise—Riot Fest on their next project inside the Saved by the Max space in Wicker Park. The Max closed last week after a year-long run of nostalgia. Now, starting on July 8, they’ll present The Riot Feast, a three-month pop-up that will combine music with a carnival-like atmosphere.
If anyone doubts it’s going to be a party, here’s pizza expert and renowned partier, Andrew W.K.—a Riot Fest regular—with the announcement to the sounds of The Descendents:
Entente chef Brian Fisher, who developed the menu for The Max, is working on the food for Riot Feast. Fisher will attempt to answer the burning question: “What would happen if Riot Fest opened a restaurant?” There’s no details on the menu. But just like a concert, they’ll sell general admission tickets. GA will allow patrons to share long communal tables for family-style dining.
Though it’s not a TV set like The Peach Pit from Beverly Hills, 90210 or Monk’s Café from Seinfeld, there is a bit of TV inspiration. The restaurant will add a dash of American Horror Story to the atmosphere, aiming to give off a vibe from the FX show’s Freak Show season that debuted in 2014. The horror element should be a good fit for fans of metal and punk rock music, the type of bands that dominate Riot Fest’s lineups. The annual Riot Fest takes place Sept. 15-17 at Douglas Park, dovetailing with the end of the pop-up. Riot Feast gives fest founder, Michael “Riot Mike” Petryshyn, some programming options for after-parties. They’re calling the after-hours program, “The Nosh Pit.”
But it’s not just about fest synergy. Unlike Saved by the Max, the team hopes to better capitalize on nightlife, as the restaurant will convert to a speakeasy at 10 p.m. nightly. Carnival performers will work their magic during late-night hours. They’re only doing dinner.
The Riot Feast team is using Tock to sell tickets. Patrons can snag a communal seat or at elevated VIP tables. It’s unclear what the VIP seats will offer. It will be a more private experience than the GA seats, but they’re still figuring out the seat layout. Everything goes on sale at 11 a.m. on Friday.
