North Center Fancy Drink Hideaway Tiny Lounge to Close After 19 Years

For 19 years, Tiny Lounge in North Center was a rare neighborhood bar where customers could find top-notch cocktails. It was a pioneer, opening eight years before the Violet Hour — the Wicker Park bar that’s widely credited with transforming Chicago’s mixology culture — debuted. That run will end on New Year’s Eve as the bar’s owners on Thursday announced Tiny Lounge will close on December 31 at 4352 N. Leavitt Street.

“This decision came after much consideration and we want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support over the years,” a Facebook post read. “The past 19 years have brought many wonderful memories that we will cherish forever.”

Owners Colleen Flaherty and Mark Johnson still have two locations: Tiny Tavern at Navy Pier and Tiny Tapp & Cafe at the Chicago Riverwalk. Those locations are unaffected, according to the post.

Tiny Lounge is a dimly lit bar with small — or perhaps they could be described as “tiny” — bites. Favorites include a maple bourbon old fashioned and a hot chocolate with green chartreuse. An email to Flaherty wasn’t immediately returned, but North Siders now have only about three more weeks to visit this quaint North Center haunt.

Read the full Facebook post below.

UPDATE: The owners emailed a response saying they closed to focus on the downtown locations. They’re also “actively pursuing other exciting opportunities.” Read their full statement below.

“Tiny Lounge will always hold a special place in our heart. We had a lot of great years and met so many great people along the way. We will miss our neighbors and community very much but we decided it is time we bring Tiny Lounge to a close. We are focused on our two downtown locations and actively pursuing other exciting opportunities.”