The Alley Cat, a new drinks-focused bar, is preparing to open on May 11, located at 2013 W. Division Street, right on the border of Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park. This intimate venue, capable of accommodating about 120 guests, boasts a lengthy wooden bar complemented by a unique three-room layout. The bar aims to provide a community-centric "third space," concentrating on draft cocktails served fresh from taps rather than mixed on the spot.
Owned by the creative team behind Paulie Gee’s, including chefs Derrick Tung, William Ravert, and Tony Dezutter, the Alley Cat represents their first venture outside the realm of pizza. Dezutter expressed excitement about expanding their culinary horizons beyond their pizza-centric model.
The Alley Cat plans to continue the trend of serving cocktails on draft, which is aimed at ensuring consistency, cost management, and rapid service, especially during busy hours. The bar is focused on accessible pricing while also offering a variety of spirit-free and THC-infused cocktails made with an exclusive syrup.
Guests can indulge in both classic cocktails and inventive signature drinks, including an early feature called "Blue Moon Over Wicker," a rum punch enriched with banana liqueur and blueberry lime cordial. Along with beverages, the food menu is designed to complement the drinks, offering a selection of shareable bar snacks like crispy tater wedges and soy garlic pork skewers—all priced affordably, with many items under $14.
The renovations have transformed the previous Takito Kitchen space, emphasizing a casual, welcoming atmosphere with wooden shelving and an impressive 250-pound chandelier. The Alley Cat will operate from 5 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and extend hours until 2 a.m. on weekends, also featuring a curated wine selection and special deals like Miller High Life combos starting at $7.
As cocktail bars increasingly turn to draft systems for serving drinks efficiently, the Alley Cat is a testament to these trends, bringing a fresh concept to the Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village community. The bar aims to establish itself quickly with early promotions and a focus on creating a lively neighborhood hub for drinks and social interaction.