John Barleycorn No More... In relation to the Hotel Chateau post the other day, this is (was) John Barleycorns. Great little Bar/Restaurant that just closed its doors last year. John Dillinger loved this Haunt at 658 W. Belden Ave, not two blocks down from the Biograph Theatre (we cannot find the original name nor the name of the pub in 1933). The last picture is me having one & snapping an image from deep inside the joint looking out, one beautiful Chicago summer morning a couple yrs. ago. A view John surely took in, regularly during his time. Opened in 1890 by an Irish immigrant moonlighting as a cop, this pub was a full blown speakeasy then in the roaring twenties under the prohibition laws. The, then Owner, going so far as to board up the front as to have the business appear vacant, and use the side entrance as a legitimate Chinese Laundry business front. Gangsters would bring in the booze, buried in Laundry carts under the clothes & it was business as usual in the front of the building ;)... Have a few, play some cards, & grab your laundry on the way out! By 1933, that era was at an end, & the 18 Months of Mayhem were in full swing as The Career Bank Robbers, Thieves, & Murderers now stole the limelight from the Mafia for awhile. John Dillinger himself was known to be well liked & protected amongst the working class in this establishment. Buying rounds of drinks for patrons, John frequented the joint whenever in town. The latest owner, nephew of a longtime owner of a couple decades (who bought the place from a Dutchman who had added the interesting nautical decor in the 1960s & 70s), sighted the old hospital grounds, kitty corner from Barleycorns as a big reason for closing. With neighborhood generational change combined with sales & revenue being down for Barleycorns in the Lincoln Park area (along with the hospital grounds turning into a modern living complex where young families will reside), the owner, after much consideration, decided to throw in the towel, so to speak. We wish him well. A tricky business in a changing city & society today, indeed. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to take in some amazing history in, easily, one of Chicagos most historic pubs. Miss their breakfast & bloody Marys already. Editor note: Anyone venturing into the Windy City (Chicago), do not be confused. There are still two operating John Barleycorns in town. Never been to either, Im sure theyre amazing as well. But, John Dillingers hang out was the one at 658 W.Belden Ave. on the north side. I will keep tabs to see if something else opens in its place. Also, as addresses & notable Dillinger Chicago haunts are posted here, we will eventually compile them into one big post. But in the meantime, at least we are leaving you a paper trail of sorts with rich history behind each site. Have one for the old John Barleycorn tonight. Cheers!
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:31:12 +0000
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