In theory, taking a dive bar and giving it a thoughtful facelift doesn’t sound like a recipe for long-term success in today’s fickle nightlife scene. But that’s exactly what the group behind Sportsman’s Club — Heisler Hospitality (Matt Eisler and Kevin Heisner) along with managing partner Wade McElroy and partner and VP of operations Jeff Donahue — did. More than 10 years later, Sportsman’s is still going strong, as are those backyard cookouts. Spotlighting 16 restaurants per summer and drawing in a hundred-plus fans for each, the Backyard BBQ series, which starts late May and ends early September, has welcomed thousands of guests. Tap on our bio link to read more. —— Photo 1: People attend a Sunday BBQ on the patio of Sportsman’s Club (@drinkandgather) in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood on June 2, 2024, in Chicago. Photo 2: People attend a Sunday BBQ. Photo 3: Le Bouchon’s boudin blanc are ready to be served. Photo 4: Le Bouchon sous-chef José Molina, left, and line cook Kurtis Kincaid grill on the patio. ? Lisa Shames / for the Chicago Tribune ? Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune / @emeslar
June 25, 2024
In theory, taking a dive bar and giving it a thoughtful facelift doesn’t sound like a recipe for long-term success in today’s fickle nightlife scene. But that’s exactly what the group behind Sportsman’s Club — Heisler Hospitality (Matt Eisler and Kevin Heisner) along with managing partner Wade McElroy and partner and VP of operations Jeff Donahue — did.
More than 10 years later, Sportsman’s is still going strong, as are those backyard cookouts. Spotlighting 16 restaurants per summer and drawing in a hundred-plus fans for each, the Backyard BBQ series, which starts late May and ends early September, has welcomed thousands of guests.
Tap on our bio link to read more.
——
Photo 1: People attend a Sunday BBQ on the patio of Sportsman’s Club (@drinkandgather) in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood on June 2, 2024, in Chicago.
Photo 2: People attend a Sunday BBQ.
Photo 3: Le Bouchon’s boudin blanc are ready to be served.
Photo 4: Le Bouchon sous-chef José Molina, left, and line cook Kurtis Kincaid grill on the patio.
? Lisa Shames / for the Chicago Tribune
? Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune /
@emeslar
More than 10 years later, Sportsman’s is still going strong, as are those backyard cookouts. Spotlighting 16 restaurants per summer and drawing in a hundred-plus fans for each, the Backyard BBQ series, which starts late May and ends early September, has welcomed thousands of guests.
Tap on our bio link to read more.
——
Photo 1: People attend a Sunday BBQ on the patio of Sportsman’s Club (@drinkandgather) in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood on June 2, 2024, in Chicago.
Photo 2: People attend a Sunday BBQ.
Photo 3: Le Bouchon’s boudin blanc are ready to be served.
Photo 4: Le Bouchon sous-chef José Molina, left, and line cook Kurtis Kincaid grill on the patio.
? Lisa Shames / for the Chicago Tribune
? Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune /
@emeslar
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