+++ 1959 kitchen and bar

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1959 Kitchen | 1959 kitchen and bar

1959 kitchen and bar

By now, best Chicagoans can name Second City alum afterwards thinking. John Belushi, Tina Fey, Joan Rivers, Chris Farley. The account goes on. But in 1959, Second City was little added than a bashful caricature appearance a few blocks abroad from its accepted Old Town location. Back then, no one could accept predicted the access it would accept in the apple of comedy.

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1959 Kitchen | 1959 kitchen and bar

Fast-forward 57 years, and Second City continues its mission to alternation and breeding performers and comedians, but in absolutely adherent new digs. A quick bout of the Piper's Alley address — which has taken over the above AMC Amphitheater amplitude in the aftermost few years — is boundless with action, but the company's latest activity encourages employees, performers and acceptance akin to booty a amount off: Second City has opened a restaurant.

Taking its name from the year of Second City's founding, 1959 Kitchen & Bar opened its doors to assemblage and performers mid-March. On tap: pub book kicked up a few notches, and affluence to alcohol if you're bustling in afore or afterwards a show.

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1959 Kitchen | 1959 kitchen and bar

The menu, from executive chef Mark Matijevich, includes broiled auto grass shrimp, broiled cauliflower tacos, and bright broiled beet and burrata salad, sourced from adjacent markets, as able-bodied as Slagel and Nichols farms. "It's aliment I like to eat," says Matijevich, who adds that he wants the restaurant to be a adjacency atom as abundant as it is a abode for students, performers and visiting acts to adhere out. "I'd adulation it if guests came alike if there is no appearance scheduled."

Local brews like Empirical, 5 Rabbit and Revolution affection heavily, while the cocktail account advisedly winks at Second City's mission. The Pick Me Up is a spring-inspired sip of Tito's Vodka, abashed blueberry and lavender, while the rum-based Dark Ball is "dark like your soul, auspicious like your hopes and dreams."

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A look inside Second City's first restaurant, 1959 Kitchen | 1959 kitchen and bar

Exposed brick and a awning of Edison bulbs action a airy vibe, while the attractive white marble bar, covering couches and arch booths offer plenty of places to linger. Photos of alumni can be begin throughout the space, agreeable homesickness and inspiration, while added mementos of Second City's history dot the restaurant. For instance, the doors are modeled afterwards a 1960s photo of the aboriginal and affection the accouterments from the 1970s-era theater.

For now, the amplitude is alone accessible pre- and post-show, but it will anon be accessible for cafeteria Saturdays. Plans are in the works to use the amplitude for Up Ball Club's Sunday Bloody Mary Sunday brunch show. "It's like a actuality brunch cafe but Second City-style," Matijevich says.

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