A Music-Focused New Happy Hour Hangout Has Opened in the Loop

Music and pop art are the focuses of a new lounge that debuted over the weekend in The Loop from the owners of Early Society. Taking inspiration from Chelsea, the posh gallery-obsessed NYC neighborhood, the Chelsea Room sports a retro vibe hoping to bring customers back to the ‘70s and ‘80s. It’ll host local DJs and wants to give attendees of musical festivals such as Lollapalooza and Pitchfork a downtown option.

Customers will enter through Early Society, the Loop diner that opened in 2016. Though Adolfo Garcia (Son of a Butcher, Broken English Taco Pub) was the restaurant’s original owner, the space is now owned by Ivan Torres and Damon Ranger who also run the Chelsea Room.

The Chelsea Room [Official photo]

Drinks range from $11 to $14. They include cocktails, 11 draft beers, and wine. Menu standouts include the Chelsea (rosemary-infused vodka, citrus and crème de violette, topped with champagne) and the El Coco (chocolate whiskey, cinnamon simple syrup, Aztec chocolate bitters, marshmallow melt).

The lounge has room for 75 people, according to a news release. Expect leather, vintage-inspired sofas and booths, and pop art from Andy Warhol, Banksy, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Ownership will also rotate in pieces from local artists. Eventually, they’ll add a beer garden.

The Loop has a new happy hour hangout, as the Chelsea Room is now open.

The Chelsea Room, 221 N. Clark Street, (312) 631-3991, open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday throught Friday; 8 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.