Second City’s Rooftop Bar to Open Next Week in Old Town

Utopian Tailgate, the quirky rooftop bar on top of the world-famous Second City comedy club, is opening next week in Old Town. The bar, which will feature games, outdoor TVs, and menu and drink discounts for hearty customers willing to hangout outdoors during cold weather, will officially open on Thursday, August 29 at 1608 N. Wells Street.

The bar will offer a full menu of tailgating classics like Korean-style steak kebobs, Chinese-style spare ribs, and Doritos-style nachos. The space’s operators, Fifty/50 Restaurant Group, are opening the bar in conjunction with Second City, the comedy troupe that’s seen talents including Tina Fey, Dan Aykroyd, and John Candy come through.

Utopian Tailgate is an homage to sports and music fans who eat and drink in parking lots before the big show. The space is a mishmash of design, with Fifty/50 co-founder Greg Mohr calling it a kind of tribute to weirdness.

Fifty/50 owns restaurants including Homestead on the Roof (West Town), the Sixth (Lincoln Square), and Steadfast (Loop). The company also plans on opening a Roots Handmade Pizza in the space neighboring Second City, downstairs where Adobo Grill once stood. Adobo closed in 2015 after a fire that also damaged Second City’s offices.

Thursday’s the official opening date, but there might be some activity earlier in the week. Come back next week for more coverage.