Behold Beatnik, Giving West Town a Cool Cocktail Spot with Global Flair

The area around Chicago and Ashland in West Town gets a dining and cocktail boost today when the owners of Celeste in River North, Black Bull in Wicker Park, and Fulton Market Kitchen open Beatnik at 1604 W. Chicago Ave. This unique space once housed a clothing store, but Bonhomme Hospitality Group transformed the room into a versatile destination that also includes an enclosed courtyard which will stay open in the winter.

There are not a lot of fancy cocktail spots in the area, which makes the neighborhood ripe for the talents of Liz Pearce, the esteemed drink maker who co-owns The Drifter in River North (underneath Green Door Tavern). She’s working with bar manager Jacyara de Oliveira, the former bar manager at Sportsman’s Club in Ukrainian Village. The drinks look potent and as beautiful as the space where servers will mix them.

The menu features flavors from all around the globe from executive chef Marcos Campos (Black Bull) and chef de cuisine Jonathan Meyer. The space is divided into three. It’s an elegant mishmash of unfinished brick walls, with more refined rugs and wall coverings that evoke Southeast Asia. And then there’s those eye-catching chandeliers that adorn the ceilings in the back room.

Peer through the photos and the menus below. Beatnik opens at 5 p.m. tonight (Wednesday).

Beatnik, 1604 W. Chicago Ave., open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Tuesday to Friday; 11 to 3 a.m. on Saturday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday.

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