The partners behind Bub City, Joe’s on Weed Street, and the Windy City Smokeout, a barbecue and country music festival, are bringing two new ventures that will occupy 35,000 square feet at 5441 Park Place in the MB Financial Park in Chicago.
“After we got over our initial fears of taking over such a large space, we realized that we could have the ability to not only book 1,500 person shows and events, but also bring the great food and fun spirit of Bub City to Rosemont,” says Jerrod Melman, Lettuce Entertain You managing partner.
Joe’s Bar, long known as a place to see future stars like Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley, occupies two-thirds of the space with a stage that will play host to weekly lineups of country music’s biggest names, up-and-comers, local talent, disc jockeys, and more.
“It was only a matter of time until we combined the two brands,” says Joe’s Live partner Ed Warm. “We’ve brought together our vision of creating a concert room that music fans will love combined with the best food and hospitality that Lettuce Entertain You is known for; it’s going to be really special.”
Attached to Joe’s Live is Bub City, open daily for dinner from 4:30 p.m. until late, that will spotlight a barbecue menu with its famous Southern-style brunch and do-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Weekday lunch service will follow featuring the “Meat & Three” lunch special. The menu is crafted by chef-partner Doug Psaltis, with highlights including the original Giddy Up Fries and house-smoked meats like 18-Hour Natural Beef Brisket and BBQ Pork Ribs. Other signatures include Bub’s General Joe’s Fried Chicken and All-American Double Barrel Burgers.
“We’re excited to introduce Bub City to Rosemont and look forward to all the possible parties we can throw,” Chef Psaltis says. “We envision everything—from a family-style crab boil for hundreds to an amazing Black Tie Levi party and tailored plated dinners for weddings and special occasions.”
Both Joe’s Live and Bub City will offer event and party options for groups ranging from eight to 1,500 guests. From corporate dinners and bachelorette parties to VIP experiences in one of the private rooms that overlook the Joe’s stage, the space offers a wide variety of entertainment for groups. In addition to in-restaurant event capabilities, Bub City also provides off-site catering and rents out “The Rig,” a mobile barbecue trailer that brings the barbecue experience right to guests’ doors.
Bub City and Joe’s Live will celebrate with an opening event February 25 with a live performance from country music star Frankie Ballard whose hits “Young & Crazy” and “Sunshine & Whiskey” have topped the charts.
