Howells & Hood to Close in the Tribune Tower and More Shutters and Intel

— Happy Friday. In a Chicago summer that has seen many shutters already, here are four more, beginning with Howells & Hood. The large and popular beer bar and restaurant at the base of the Tribune Tower on the Mag Mile will close in late 2018, the Tribune reports, so at least patrons have well over a year to continue to patronize the Bottleneck Management spot that opened in March 2013. New ownership bought the Chicago landmark and have redevelopment plans for the building, so they reportedly negotiated a lease termination for Howells that’ll happen in 15 months. Bottleneck also owns Sweetwater Tavern & Grille a couple blocks south across the Chicago River.

— On the northern end of the city, one of the country’s most acclaimed gay sports bars is set to close next weekend. Crew Bar + Grill, which has been open for 13 years at 4804 N. Broadway in Uptown, will close on July 15, ownership announced and multiple outlets report. Ownership, which also operates SoFo Tap and operated the shuttered Cantina 1910, hopes to relocate the bar nearby but “has not yet found the right space to continue Crew’s legacy.”

— About seven blocks south a longtime Thai restaurant is shuttered. Ownership of Thai Aroma, a solid option that’s been in the city since 1999, announced that they lost their lease at the nearly-20-year-old location at 4142 N. Broadway St. The 417 W. North Ave. location remains open.

— And for the final shutter, one of Wicker Park’s many falafel options is no more. Pita Cafe, an often-empty storefront in the outdated shopping plaza on the northwest corner of Division and Damen, announced its demise. It was open for four years. There’s already signage for a new restaurant, “Middle Eastern Flair,” up over the windows.

— In non-shutter news, some Chicagoland McDonald’s locations brought back old-school eco-unfriendly styrofoam cups and some people aren’t happy about it.

— Arcade bar Replay Lincoln Park is taking aim at Trumpism for charity and fun at an event tonight named “Make America Game Again” that will offer “Covfefe Punch,” “Putini Punch,” and “Mexican Liberty Punch.” $7 entry fees (which net a free punch) and the $7 sales from each punch benefit ACLU Illinois. More info this way.

— James Beard Award-nominated chef Justin Carlisle of Ardent, the cult-favorite Milwaukee restaurant Eater Chicago featured twice during Road Trip Week, will cook three five-course dinners at Bohemian House on July 11. Reservations for the prix-fixe dinners, which cost $65 and benefit Pilot Light, are available here.

— And finally, ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins now delivers in Chicago via DoorDash. Here’s the announcement.