The past few years have not been kind to the funky dive bars that have long served as meeting places in Chicago. A variety of circumstances have shut down beloved watering holes like Club Foot and Beachwood, not to mention the near-shuttering of Danny's Tavern. Roscoe Village bar the Hungry Brain, a longtime staple of Chicago's jazz scene, suffered the same fate in December of 2014, announcing a sudden close after more than 17 years in business.
Late last year, we began hearing rumors of the Hungry Brain's resurrection, as the venue was briefly reopened for a series of performances and a New Year's Eve celebration. Now it's official: The Hungry Brain is back in business, under the ownership of Mike Reed (who also owns and books the nearby, experimental-leaning Constellation) and an unnamed partner. The interior has been updated, but according to an interview with Crain's, Reed plans on staging the same type of improvised jazz shows that made the bar a fixture in the local music scene.
And we're back! Hungry Brain officially open again every day (except Tuesday) 7pm-2am. Good to be back.
— Hungry Brain (@HungryBrainChi) January 5, 2016
While there is definitely reason to celebrate, we should also remember that second chances like this aren't common. The best way to keep a venue like Hungry Brain in business is to attend performances, drink a beer and show your support so folks can enjoy this Chicago institution for years to come.