Chicago has tons of great cocktail bars, but we don't have many super-specialized bars. Yes, we have tiki, and Scofflaw is a gin bar (though a good chunk of each cocktail list includes drinks with other spirits). So it's exciting when a notable bartender opens a place devoted to one particular type of spirit, even more so when it's agave—easily the most misunderstood category.
Jay Schroeder left his post at Frontera Grill to open a bar next to Johnny's Grill, which is currently the Flower Shop bar. In the new bar, he plans to offer straight pours of spirits, including tequila and mezcal, at a low price point, as well as cocktails. He also has an interest in bacanora, raicilla, sotol and other Mexican spirits that are just beginning to be available in the U.S.
Schroeder is aiming for a February opening for the bar.