Bar Bambi, a new cocktail bar led by Chicago hospitality professional Katie Renshaw, is set to open Saturday at 1703 W. Chicago Ave. in West Town. The location was previously home to Empanada Mama and is near Ashland Avenue.
This marks Renshaw’s first venture as both owner and operator after previous experience at establishments such as Billy Sunday, the Aviary, and Hawksmoor Chicago. The bar will focus on cocktails that use techniques like clarification, fermentation, and forced carbonation.
The menu features drinks including the Three Decibel Rule—made with vodka, Cocchi Americano, lychee, yellow bell pepper, and creme fraiche—and the Repeat Offender—a carbonated mix of gin, Campari, apricot, and jasmine. Non-alcoholic options are also available alongside craft beer and a wine list highlighting women winemakers.
“I like to present my cocktails in a way that feels very drinkable. So when you look at a cocktail, it’s not going to be too fussy or too intimidating, but I might have used a scientific technique on the backend,” Renshaw told Block Club in October.
“I tend to do things that are classics-adjacent. So when you read them on a menu, it’s not going to be something that you’re like, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to be tasting here.’”
The kitchen is run by chef Nicklus Byrns and offers snacks such as spicy fried pickles, chicken liver mousse, and halibut fish sandwiches. “We definitely are focusing on food that you want to have when you’re drinking,” Renshaw said last year.
Bar Bambi seats 50 people inside an interior designed by architecture firm Gensler. A notable feature is a large lighting fixture above the bar capable of changing colors. Reservations will be limited; most seating will operate on a first-come basis.
The venue adds to the increasing number of bars and restaurants along Chicago Avenue in West Town. It neighbors Brasero by John Manion and several other recently opened spots.
Operating hours for Bar Bambi are 5-11 p.m. Thursdays; 5 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays; and 5-11 p.m. Sundays through Mondays.
