Guthrie’s Tavern closing: Wrigleyville bar blames COVID-19 restrictions

‘We don’t see a way we can survive,’ says a statement from the bar’s staff.

By Darel Jevens

Guthrie’s Tavern (pictured in 2008) operated as a tavern under a variety of names since Prohibition.

Guthrie’s Tavern, a Wrigleyville fixture for 34 years, announced its permanent closing Monday in a statement blaming the city’s latest tightening of pandemic-slowing regulations on bars.

“With the new restrictions set today for bars and the ongoing COVID restrictions, we don’t see a way we can survive,” said the statement attributed to “the Guthrie’s staff” on the establishment’s Facebook page.

It said Thursday will be the last day of business. Guthrie’s is at 1300 W. Addison.

Known for its ivy-covered exterior and generous collection of board games, the site had operated as a tavern under several names since Prohibition, becoming Guthrie’s in 1986.

Closed in mid-March in compliance with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s shelter-in-place order, Guthrie’s had reopened for business on July 8.

The new rules imposed Monday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot forbids bars without a retail food license to serve customers indoors.

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