
BOKA Restaurants coming to the former Southport Lanes building
Chicago’s Boka Restaurant Group says it plans three operations in the space starting next summer.
Southport Corridor News and Events – Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s Southport Corridor in Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood. All the latest news of what is happening in and around Lakeview's Southport Corridor neighborhood.
Chicago’s Boka Restaurant Group says it plans three operations in the space starting next summer.
A new listing brochure shows a new building rendering

The former Blue Bayou space has been vacant for years, and a new leasing brochure now shows a new concept for a future tenant. Is the old building worth saving or should it start from scratch to get a chance of a new life?
Comment below your thoughts, and see the full listing here.





The Boka Group has officially leased the former Southport Lanes space, and is planning on bringing in a new restaurant concept to the Southport Corridor.


Dog owners will be allowed to bring their pups into some Chicago bars without the bar owner fearing a health citation under an ordinance approved by City Council Wednesday.
Continue reading “City Council Approves new rules and Dogs now allowed in Chicago bars”
Schoolyard Tavern closed in October, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but some glimmer of light on Twitter appeared throughout the past year making us hopeful for a return.
This past week, Schoolyard Tavern’s space hit the market for lease, so it’s official that it is not coming back. Schoolyard joins other Southport favorites that are no longer here, including Southport Lanes, Mystic Celt, Justin’s and Newport Bar and Grill among others.
“Highly desirable corner location near the center of the Southport Corridor. 2,500 SF of space with a large outdoor patio. Bring your concept to an area with numerous national tenants and to a location that is 2 blocks from the Southport L stop.”
See the full listing here, and the full brochure below:









Ever since Gov. J.B. Pritzker teased the state that he’d like to eliminate the indoor mask mandate by Thanksgiving, restaurant and bar owners have awaited an update. With the thermometer sinking and the end of daylight saving time, patio business has predictably tanked. However, early fall stats from health experts show the mandate won’t be banished anytime soon. The mask mandate was reinstated in August.
Continue reading “COVID-19 Cases are up, so Chicago’s Mask Mandate will Remain”
Replay Lincoln Park, a bar located on Chicago’s North Side at 2833 N. Sheffield Ave., just announced its latest pop-up installment, Squid Arcade, which pays homage to the South Korean drama and popular Netflix series “Squid Game.”
Continue reading “‘Squid Game’-Inspired Pop-up Bar Comes to Chicago at Replay Lincoln Park”
Looking for work in the neighborhood? Plenty of places are hiring, and here is a direct link to all the opportunities in and around the Southport Corridor. Details at this link.

A new “ghost” kitchen has opened in Lakeview.
Continue reading “Epic Kitchens Opens 2nd Chicago Location in Lakeview”
“Guthries Tavern, the Lakeview neighborhood bar that brought regulars to tears when it closed nearly 15 months ago, is back open under new management and $500,000 in renovations. The bar was packed on opening weekend with patrons who were delighted and grateful that apparently nothing had changed since they last visited in July of 2020.
Continue reading “Guthries Tavern Reopens, an in depth look around”