Now a ‘Parks and Recreation’ Pop-Up Bar Will Open in Chicago

‘Parks and Recreation’ is the latest pop culture-themed pop-up bar coming to Chicago

Replay Lincoln Park, which has built a following from hosting many pop culture-themed pop-ups, is turning to “Parks and Recreation” for its latest stunt. Opening August 30, the pop-up bar aims to pay homage to characters and scenes, and recreate many locations from the popular NBC show, including the Department of Parks and Recreation, Shoe Shine Stand, and more, according to a news release and multiple reports. Also expect themed food and drink items such as tributes to the Glitter Factory’s breakfast buffet, JJ’s Diner, and Sweetums, while cocktails will include “Give Me All the Bacon” — a bacon infused bourbon and maple syrup old fashioned.

Quiote was evicted because of unpaid rent: report

When acclaimed Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar Quiote and Todos Santos suddenly closed last week, its management announced the news with a single Instagram post claiming the decision was made “due to personal reasons,” and ownership didn’t respond to requests for more information. Now, a report in Patch cites multiple public documents to conclude that a Cook County judge evicted the restaurant for failing to pay $40,266.55 in rent, that its liquor license expired in March yet it still served alcohol until its closure, and reported other legal troubles. Ownership still hasn’t responded to requests for comment.

Nobu Chicago is delayed again

Chicagoans have been waiting six years for Nobu Chicago to open on Randolph Row, and now the city will have to wait at least a few months longer. The West Loop outpost of Robert De Niro’s extremely popular Japanese restaurant and hotel brand is now slated to open in early 2020, its website reveals, after announcing in late April that a grand opening month would happen in October. Stay tuned for more updates.

Local college student under fire for sending racist message to Pilsen bar

After being kicked out of Pilsen bar Harbee’s Liquors early Sunday morning, a Columbia College Chicago student reportedly sent a threatening Facebook message to the bar which included use of the n-word, racially-charged language such as “I didn’t know Pilzen was so ghetto that you didn’t realize you should treat a white boy with respect,” and threatening to file a lawsuit, according to multiple reports. The student later apologized in a Columbia Chronicle article and said he was “very drunk” when he sent it. College administrators are investigating the incident, the Sun-Times reports, and a Harbee’s manager declined comment.

Activists rally to raise Chicago’s minimum wage to $15 by 2021

A group of activists rallied outside the Thompson Center in the Loop yesterday in hopes of pressuring city lawmakers and Mayor Lori Lightfoot into raising Chicago’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021, Crain’s reports. Currently the state is set to raise it to that level in 2025. Stay tuned.