But we decided that the best offer was from Robert, particularly because he wanted to keep it as a gay bar. "We did have other options people who were interested in doing other things with the property, with some very good offers. And after a little negotiating here and there, things worked out. Hunter put the bar for sale in the spring and said he received multiple other offers, but "we felt was the perfect selection for everyone. "Of course, I'm very emotionally tied to the bar, but I think it was the best decision for everyone involveda good decision for the customers, for the employees, and for myself." "It's been a roller-coaster of emotions," Hunter said, fighting back tears. Hunter and his partner, Patrick Volkert, have been together for about eight years. He lives primarily in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and still owns Hunters Palm Springs in California.
I don't want to work forever," Hunter said Sept. It's just a good time I turn 60 years-old this year … and am just planning for the future.
"I just felt it was time, time to move on. It will, reportedly, be closed for a week or longer for renovations/modifications, and then reopen as The PhoenixBar. Robert Brumbaugh, who also owns Progress Bar on Halsted Street in Lakeview, purchased Hunters, which is officially closing after business Sunday, Sept. 13, Hunter announced he had sold the long-standing video dance bar on Higgins Road, with 5,000 square feet inside and almost 2,000 more square feet outside on the patio. He had to walk to the bar for its opening.įlash-forward 31 years, almost to the day, and Hunter is walking away from Hunters for good. Mark Hunter was driving to the grand opening of Hunters Chicago, a gay bar in northwest suburban Elk Grove Village, on that Friday in mid-October 1982, when his car broke down several blocks away.
If you’re wanting something and you’re a little full, it’ll do you right.This article shared 17096 times since Sat Sep 14, 2013 What do you order at the bar? I’ve been drinking a lot of mescal and soda.
We want to focus on drinks that everyone can enjoy, whether they’re a young industry professional or someone who isn’t as interested in the food-and-drink scene. tonic syrup, Tanqueray 10, rhubarb and Nardini Acqua di Cedro. We’re doing really fun light cocktails that can be enjoyed by everyone, like the Mermaid Water, with Dolin blanc, Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Is there a philosophy behind the Bad Hunter drinks program? It’s a sustainable sort of drinking program, one that encourages you to drink your cocktail for a while. I’ll come up with a name and fit something into that mold. How do you come up with your cocktail recipes? I’m a big name guy I love cocktail names. I opened Queen Mary, then they offered me this gig. I got with Heisler Hospitality from there. When I got here, I got in touch with Sportsman’s Club, and they gave me a job once a week on the patio. How did you get involved with Bad Hunter? I just moved to Chicago a year and a half ago from the NoMad Bar in New York. We caught up with Josh Fossitt, bartender at the new West Loop veggie-centric darling, Bad Hunter, to see how he's stirring up the drinks we’re washing down our vegetables with. Whether you can’t get enough of the Mermaid Water or you’ve just seen photos, chances are, you’ve heard about Heisler's new restaurant dishing up all the best things from the earth.