Scoop: Villa Heights cocktail bar Humbug now open

State of play: Co-owners Larry Suggs and Andrew Schools closed the pop-up version of their cocktail bar at 1101 Central Ave. Unit C. in January as they prepared to open their new space at 2501 The Plaza.

• The cocktail bar is now in a renovated shopping center called Plaza Hill, joining other local businesses including Summit Coffee. Lat Purser & Associates is the developer.

Context: The bar opened as a pop-up inside Refuge, a boutique hotel in Plaza Midwood, last August, but Suggs and Schools always planned on finding a permanent home.

Details: The new 1,850-square-foot space, which the owners designed themselves, includes a larger bar, more seating, a pool table and lounge area in the back with a TV, plus the same low-lit, casual vibe as the pop-up. The lounge is available for private events.

• Behind the lounge is what Suggs and Schools call a “cozy, elevated patio,” which seats 12. The inside seats more than 50 people and the lot behind the building includes more than 50 parking spaces.
• They’re also expanding the Humbug team from two people to at least five.
• Humbug is walk-in only and you must be at least 21 years old.

Drinks: Expect expanded options like nine natural wines and draft beer from local breweries like HopFly, Middle James and Divine Barrel, plus Chicago-based Moody Tongue, as well as Cynar, Guinness and Miller High Life.

• Humbug will serve around 20 cocktails, including many of what Suggs and Schools call their “greatest hits” from the pop-up, plus eight shooters.

Menu: Humbug’s new bar snacks include:

• Seasoned chickpeas
• A massive pretzel from Dukes Bread.
• Vegan ice cream from Title Belt Frozen Desserts.

Hours: It’s open from 4pm until 2am on Monday, Wednesday-Saturday and noon until midnight on Sunday. Closed on Tuesday.

The big picture: Schools and Suggs hope to bridge the gap between a neighborhood bar and a craft cocktail bar.

• “We want you to come in as you are, no reservations, and have a good time,” Suggs tells Axios, adding the name reflects their goal of making cocktails feel inviting rather than pretentious.

Take a look around.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in January 2023 and was updated in June 2023.