Following the opening of the third Porkchop, owners are now getting ready to open a new speakeasy called Meet and Whiskey within the restaurant in Edgewater, located at 6341 N. Broadway.
Previously What Now Chicago reported on this new Porkchop, which opened in late November. This year the company has also closed its locations in Hyde Park and South Loop, relying on its newest location and sites in West Loop and Midway Airport. Now, owner Jovanis Bouargoub tells Block Club Chicago he is getting ready to take the business to the next level by opening a new speakeasy at the Edgewater location early next year. Meet and Whiskey will be found behind a secret door, and it will have its own cocktail menu.
“It’s a beautiful space,” Bouargoub tells Block Club Chicago. “It’s vintage. I thought it could make a great speakeasy.”
The new drinking spot will pay homage to the fact that the building has been used as a bar setting for nearly a century. Hamilton’s Bar sat in the space for 80 years before it closed in 2012 when Loyola bought the building. The next year 63 Bar and Grill moved in before closing five years later after its business license was revoked due to tax issues. There were plans to open a new bar called Cochran’s Tavern, but then COVID-19 happened, leaving the space vacant until Porkchop moved in.
When Meet and Whiskey opens, it will become the newest hangout spot for college students and Edgewater residents. Outside the speakeasy, within Porkchop, customers can expect live music, drag shows, and burlesque performances. Despite having to close two locations, the lively Southern BBQ spot is already a must-try restaurant throughout Chicagoland.
