Tour River North’s Sea Monster-Inspired Bar to Open Next Week

Benjamin Schiller and Fifty/50 Restaurant Group will release a bar and restaurant inspired by Norwegian folklore next week in River North. Leviathan, their new sea monster-inspired bar sits on the second floor overlooking Portsmith, their upscale seafood restaurant. Both should open on Tuesday, Aug. 15 inside the Dana Hotel & Spa, 660 N. State St.

Leviathan’s drink list (shown in full below) is fantasy inspired, as Leviathan’s customers will be able to summon “Cthulhu,” a rum and scotch cocktail named after the all-powerful beast from Lovecraftian lore. Nods to Greek and Norse mythologies and Lord of the Rings abound. There is even a drink called Kraken, named after this mythical beast. There are 10 specialty cocktails in all, many with intricate garnishes and unique glassware. Those familiar with Schiller’s efforts on the hotel’s roof at Apogee or at The Sixth will be right at home.

While Schiller’s cocktails take up most of the spotlight, the beer list also merits attention. There’s Dansk Mjød Viking Blod — as mead is the only proper drink fit for a viking — a Finnish beer called Sinebrychohff Baltic Porter, and Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen, a smoke beer from Germany. Leviathan also will pour plenty of wine.

Check out the photos of the space and drinks — as well as the drink list — below.