Pilsen’s Getting a 5 Rabbit Brewpub

Another brewpub is coming to Pilsen, this time courtesy of 5 Rabbit Cervecería. Ownership signed a lease for space inside a warehouse that’s being converted into loft offices at 1901 S. Sangamon Street. They plan on brewing in the 7,000-square-foot basement and serving food and drinks on the 5,000-square-foot ground floor.

The brewery made national headlines for severing its business ties with the Trump International Tower after the then-presidential candidate made disparaging comments about Mexicans during the 2016 campaign. 5 Rabbit’s owners are Latinos and subsequently brewed a beer making fun of Trump’s hair.

The Tribune reported that the new brewpub could open early next year. The paper described it as a small-batch brewery. 5 Rabbit has been brewing beer for seven years and will continue to operate its suburban Bedford Park facility.

For those scoring at home, 5 Rabbit would give Pilsen four breweries following Alulu Brewpub, Lo Rez Brewing, and Moody Tongue Brewing. The name of the development that 5 Rabbit is moving into is called Mural Park. As the Trib pointed out, there’s a battle being fought over gentrification in Pilsen, where Mexican and Mexican Americans feel they’ve been pushed out by developers who want to attract a new demographic and don’t build businesses or housing that appeal to existing residents. As 5 Rabbit is owned by Latinos, it remains to be seen how they’ll work with the community. Restaurant owners at Dusek’s, HaiSous, Furious Spoon, and S.K.Y. have found out how important it is to build a good relationship with their neighbors.

A message to 5 Rabbit co-founder Andres Araya was sent out. This story will be updated if he or any of his colleagues share anything more.