How did this turn of the century German-style saloon manage to survive Prohibition and stay business for nearly 130 years? By operating as a speakeasy under the name Craig’s Restaurant and installing secret hiding places for liquor. Originally founded under … Continue reading →
How did this turn of the century German-style saloon manage to survive Prohibition and stay business for nearly 130 years? By operating as a speakeasy under the name Craig’s Restaurant and installing secret hiding places for liquor. Originally founded under… Continue reading→
How did this turn of the century German-style saloon manage to survive Prohibition and stay business for nearly 130 years? By operating as a speakeasy under the name Craig’s Restaurant and installing secret hiding places for liquor.
Originally founded under the name Viemeister’s, this establishment has been serving food and libations since 1882. During Prohibition, the bar managed to elude authorities because of the name change. However, they continued to serve alcohol, and in a pinch, customers could stash their liquor in the seats of their booths. Shortly after the repeal of Prohibition, the bar became known by its present name, Old Town Bar.
Old Town was originally a German-style saloon supplied by the local German breweries in Yorkville. The clientele were working class people seeking familiar faces and a little bit of home. While the saloon on the first floor served only men, the upstairs had a dinning room that was open to both men and women, making Old Town a place for the whole neighborhood to enjoy.
Inside, you can still see many architectural and design features of the early 19th century. Much of the décor has remained the same since the 1930s, including the pressed-tin ceiling, vintage tiled floor, stained glass, and high-backed leather booths. The bar also is the proud owner of some of the last working patented Hinsdale urinals on the east coast. Installed in 1910, these large urinals are iconic of the early 19th century and have been in working order for over 100 years.
Some may recognize this site from film and television. Old Town Bar was used as a filming location for the opening credits of The Letterman Show in the 1980s, as well as movies like The Last Days of Disco. The bar is also a popular gathering spot for many famous writers such as Frank McCourt, Nick Hornby, and the poet Billy Collins. While the clientele and neighborhood around Old Town Bar may change, the much about this bar remains the same.