Twisted Spoke to close after 30 years in Chicago's West Town
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Twisted Spoke in West Town. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
Twisted Spoke is closing its doors in West Town.
Why it matters: Twisted Spoke has been a premier summer destination because of its rooftop, which was one of the first of its kind in the West Town neighborhood.
- The rooftop also served as a de facto Chicago landmark, due to its motorcycle-riding skeleton seen from the street.
The latest: "After 30 years of blood, grease, and bourbon, Twisted Spoke is grinding to a halt," the bar posted on social media.
- "Everything dies. Bars, rock'n'roll, reputations — even the hard men who built them."
Zoom in: The gritty gastropub opened in 1995 and is known for serving its own barbeque-inspired creations and for its extensive collection of whiskeys.
State of play: Today, the West Town block where Twisted Spoke sits is littered with new bars and restaurants, which weren't there when it dropped anchor 30 years ago.
What they're saying: Co-owner Mitch Einhorn told Block Club that the decision to close was due in part to rising food and labor costs and how habits have changed since COVID.
- "Late-night dining has changed a lot. Staffing has gotten incredibly expensive. Real estate taxes are spiraling out of control. It just seemed like it was time," Einhorn told Block Club.
What's next: The gastro pub will close Aug. 31.