What is The Gatsby?
That’s a great question Old Sport! The Gatsby is a prohibition era inspired speakeasy hidden directly above The Bourgeois Pig Cafe, in the center of the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. As fortune would have it, The Gatsby just so happens to be a block away from where the infamous bank robber and gangster John Dillinger was shot and killed by federal agents nearly 100 years ago.
Speakeasy
When you pass through the hidden entrance and authentic, period steel door, sounds of classic jazz, crooners and big band fill the velvety rooms, and antique portraits in the library study are illuminated by the gentle glow of flickering candles.
In what could best be described as “the library study” of J. Gatsby’s West Egg mansion, The Gatsby Speakeasy calls from various scenes of one of the greatest American novels ever by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby.”
Based on the themes in the novel, The Gatsby Speakeasy also overflows with original antique oil paintings and frames, dating as far back as 1820.
Inside The Gatsby
The lighting in The Gatsby comes entirely from period crystal and bronze chandeliers and heavily adorned candelabras burning wax tapered candles. Persian carpets, Victorian sofas and carved wooden tables and chairs lend romantically to the warmth of the West Egg mansion vibe.
A myriad of antique tomes fill the many bookcases, and burgundy Anaglypta, an early Victorian textured wall paper, adorns the walls
Go Back In Time
Behind the custom made oak bar you will find a magnificent, hand carved Victorian buffet from Naples, Italy, circa 1880. Atop the buffet is an unknown coat of arms, and carved into the backbar are 24 distinct, individually carved heads. Can you find them all? Brought over from Italy during Covid, this signature piece brings a commanding presence and central focus to the main room.
Grandfather clocks chime on the hour, and more than a half dozen mounted boar heads, all of them named after distinguished gentlemen, keep watch over the various rooms. Dimmed lighting and swanky vibes, classic jazz and big band crooner remixes fill the air as you escape back in time.
Cocktails
Our cocktails are curated to fit the current novel in focus. While our very first offerings were tuned to “The Great Gatsby,” our vision is to explore various other novels and literary giants as we create cocktails to reflect exciting new themes based on these literary references. All of our bespoke cocktails are handcrafted to order, designed to invoke a reflection of the novel or quote that inspired it.
Our next offerings will be inspired by the beloved novel by Lewis Carroll, “Alice in Wonderland.”
The Entrance
As it’s final point of entry the Gatsby uses THE very speakeasy door that was located across the street from where Dillon was killed outside The Biograph Theater. It is believed that Dillinger and other notorious gangsters frequented that speakeasy and walked through this very door that you are about to step through!
The Password
After you check in with the host, make your way to the second floor above the Bourgeois Pig. From here you will make your way down the hallway, passing under the watchful gaze of multiple wardens of the past, until you at long last come to the library. To enter the secret vetting room you must use the clues given by the host downstairs. Hint: The paintings on the walls have nothing to to with entering. (Please, do not touch or move the paintings!)
Once inside, close the door firmly behind you and turn on the light. When prompted, provide the password given to you.
Enjoy. Escape. Partake!