Chicago Sun-Times
A new South Loop taproom will be cozy, but not in a date-night sort of way.
In fact, you might want to show up at Vice District Brewing by yourself.
“If you’re looking for someplace for a private party for two, you won’t find it,” Vice District co-owner Quintin Cole said. “This will be somewhere you can come with friends, or come alone and make friends, because you’re sitting amongst one another and enjoying the beers and engaging in conversation.”
The taproom and microbrewery, housed in a landmark building at 1454 S. Michigan, is set to open Aug. 22 — just in time for the Midwest Brewers Fest in Plainfield.
The 2,200-square-foot space once acted as the first Buick showroom in Chicago, Cole said.
“Our total occupancy is 99 patrons and we really want to capitalize on having that quaint feeling.”
The venue will include a large bar, windows to view the tanks in action, and communal seating for up to nine people.
The brewery won’t be serving hot food, though it will have packaged snacks available. Customers can bring in takeout or order delivery. Vice District is also talking with food trucks about stopping by during busy times.
Cole and co-owner Curtis Tarver II don’t come from professional brewing backgrounds — Cole’s a physical therapist and Tarver’s an attorney — so they hired brewmaster Charlie Davis.
“We’ve learned a lot along the way,” Cole said. “We’ve been able to capitalize by learning a lot more about the beverage industry as a whole as well as developing big relationships with local brewers and local individuals who are looking to pursue the same dream that we’re trying to accomplish.”
He adds that if you’re headed to the Midwest Brewers Fest on Aug. 23, consider coming by the brewery beforehand. A bus will pick you up right outside of Vice District.
h/t DNAinfo
