45-Year-Old Carol’s Pub Will Rise Again Under New Ownership in Uptown

The sale of Carol’s Pub, the venerable country dive bar that closed in September 2016 after a revoked liquor license ceased more than four decades of operations, has been finalized. The bar’s new owner is Ed Warm who also owns Joe’s on Weed Street, the multi-floor sports bar and country music venue in Lincoln Park. Warm will take over Carol’s, an Uptown fixture that hosted live music and served whisky and cheap domestic beers until 4 a.m. on most days.

Carol’s had been in operation for 43 years until its shutter. Earlier this year, Warm attended community meetings with local officials to discuss his intentions to purchase the bar. At this point, he’s still waiting to reveal his plans for the space at 4659 N. Clark Street. He said he still needs to clear regulatory hurdles including getting state and city licenses. There’s no public timetable for a reopening.

The dive bar was a member of Eater Chicago’s essential dives in the city before its shutter. Customers would dance late night while listening to performances from bands including Diamondback and The Lone Wolf Band. Many patrons know Carol’s strictly from Diamondback and lead singer and co-founder Reva Goodman. The band’s bassist and other co-founder, Michael McKeehan, died in March. The band’s in mourning and continues to play shows with a new lineup at new venues including Bub City, which is owned by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. LEYE is a partner with Joe’s, as evidenced by Bub City’s Rosemont location which has a Joe’s attached to it.

Goodman is excited about Carol’s reopening: “Ed is a successful bar owner and knows how to make things happen,” Goodman emailed. “He wants to keep that honky tonk feel to the place!”

While the band has had difficulty coping with McKeehan’s death, the sale is a good news for them and loyal Carol’s fans.

“We’re devastated that he’s not here to share the fruits of his labor but we will do all we can to make him proud,” Goodman emailed. “We’ll be back playing at the new Carol’s as often as possible, while still pursuing some of the new venues we’ve cultivated.”

Stay tuned for more news on when it could reopen.