Burr Ridge Bar Wants Expansion

BURR RIDGE, IL — Are We Live, a Burr Ridge lounge, is seeking the village's permission for a small expansion.

Last year, the Village Board approved a permit for Are We Live, 312 Burr Ridge Parkway, in County Line Square. This was despite opposition from neighbors who contended the bar would be disruptive.

The landlord has agreed to lease space from next door for the lounge.

The proposed addition would be 1,100 square feet, according to documents.

The owner, Filippo "Gigi" Rovito, wants to expand and move some of the bar's high-top tables and booths from the existing area to the new space, his contractor, Sandy Andrews, said in a letter to the village.

The expansion would allow more room for customers to enjoy their evenings at the bar, according to the request. The bar also said the expansion would enhance surrounding businesses.

The Plan Commission plans to take up Are We Live's request at 7 p.m. March 21 at the Burr Ridge Police Department, 7700 County Line Road.

Last year, Andrews promised the bar would not offer live music.

But in January, Are We Live planned for singer Tony Ocean to perform on most Thursdays over the next two months.

After Patch reported on the reversal, Are We Live canceled the performances. It then sought a permit to allow live entertainment, then withdrew it.

The withdrawal was apparently because the village was considering changing its code to allow live performances as long as they complied with noise regulations.

Last month, the Village Board sent the issue to the Plan Commission to hold a public hearing.