Dad’s Place Opening In Wrigleyville In Former Houndstooth Saloon Spot

A lifelong lover of good neighborhood bars from the Southwest Side is set to open Dad’s Place at the former Houndstooth Saloon location on Clark and Roscoe streets, just a few blocks south of Wrigley Field.

Ron Prokaski and his wife, Andrea Kardaras, are behind the new venture at 3369 N. Clark St. This will be their second establishment, following the success of Mom’s Place, a beloved River North bar and live music venue that has been a local favorite since 2017.

Houndstooth Saloon, a country bar that opened in 2006, closed in 2023 due to declining visibility and profits caused by the CTA’s $2 billion Red-Purple Modernization Project.

The couple has begun renovating the space and aims to open in September. They hope to recreate the warm, communal atmosphere Prokaski experienced growing up in bars, where patrons and bartenders shared a sense of camaraderie and familiarity.

“My grandfather used to take me to bars in the middle of the afternoon,” Prokaski recalled. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but he was essentially a bookie of sorts. He’d give me quarters to play the Duckpin bowling game and a Yoo-hoo while he took care of business.” Although the ongoing Red Line construction posed a challenge, Prokaski was determined to move forward. After assessing the location and researching soundproofing options, he signed the lease and committed to the project.

Significant renovations are still needed before Dad’s Place can open, according to Prokaski.

“The building was built in 1895 and the previous owners seemed to think putting a layer over something would make it better,” Prokaski said. “We’re pretty much putting a lot of lipstick on the pig at this point.”

Once completed, Prokaski hopes Dad’s Place will become Wrigleyville’s equivalent of Mom’s Place: a comfortable and inviting neighborhood bar amidst a tourist-heavy area.

“We’re hands-on owners,” Prokaski said. “We have people working for us today at Mom’s Place who have been with us since Windy City Inn, and I think that speaks to what we’re all about.”

Dad’s Place will feature live music, karaoke, comfort food, and other neighborhood bar staples. Most importantly, it will provide a welcoming retreat from Wrigleyville’s late-night, rowdy crowds.

“We believe that we’re going to offer the neighborhood something that you’re not going to find anywhere else,” Prokaski said. “A lot of charm, character, and an inviting atmosphere.”