Bottled Blonde surrenders licenses, closes for good

The River North bar and restaurant had been in legal fights with the city for several years.

SHARE Bottled Blonde surrenders licenses, closes for good
Bottled Blonde, 504. N. Wells St., faces license-revocation proceedings.

Bottled Blonde, located at 504 N. Wells St.

Mitchell Armentrout / Sun-Times

After years of legal fights, a notorious River North bar and restaurant has closed for good.

Bottled Blonde, 504 N. Wells St., handed over its business licenses to the city on Monday, according to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

“Yesterday, Bottled Blonde surrendered their business licenses, permanently closing the River North bar after a series of serious nuisance conditions dating back to 2017,” a spokesman for the city agency said in a written statement. “The establishment has a history of egregious license violations, including over-occupancy, noise violations, public urination, vomiting and other problematic conditions that have had a serious impact on neighbors and the surrounding community. The city is pleased that yesterday’s action will end three years of legal proceedings with the permanent closure of this problem business.”

Bottled Blonde’s parent company did not respond to a request for comment.

In 2017, the city moved to strip the Bottled Blonde of its liquor license after a host of alleged license violations and complaints from River North residents about loud music, unruly patrons and public urination and vomiting. The establishment was also criticized for implementing a strict dress code.

The city again tried to strip the liquor license in 2018, but a Cook County judge granted an order then that allowed the Bottled Blonde to stay open.

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.