Additional information on the return of Blue Bayou

The Last Call Tavern Group, a company that operates bars across the North Side, is set to revive the Blue Bayou Bar & Grill on the Southport Corridor more than ten years after it originally closed its doors.

The new incarnation of the Blue Bayou, located at 3734 N. Southport Ave., is scheduled to open in the spring. It will occupy a vacant storefront across from the Music Box Theatre, which had remained unused since the restaurant’s closure in 2011.

Alex Zupancic, the owner and CEO of Last Call Tavern Group, expressed his excitement about bringing back the beloved establishment. He reminisced about his years as a patron when the Blue Bayou first opened and how he wants to recapture the lively atmosphere it brought to the neighborhood.

Last Call Tavern Group also owns the Butcher’s Tap, located a couple of blocks south at 3553 N. Southport Ave, along with other establishments including the Reveler in Roscoe Village, Rebel & Rye, Clover Sports & Leisure in the Fulton River District, Trace in Wrigleyville, and Willie Lill’s in Lincoln Park.

While the Blue Bayou will undergo renovations to incorporate a fresh look that blends the old style with new elements, Zupancic emphasized that the bar and restaurant will maintain much of its original charm.

Zupancic’s approach to resurrecting the bar is deeply rooted in his personal experiences as a regular customer during its heyday in the early 2000s. The business will continue to serve its signature sports bar-style cuisine with a Southern country twist.

“It was one of my favorite hangouts, so I’m proud to reintroduce it to the Southport Corridor with some unique Last Call Tavern Group touches,” Zupancic added.