New Brewhouse Rejects River North for Ravenswood Location

A new business snubbed both River North and Randolph Street to come to Ravenswood, but some residents are worried their daily lives might be negatively impacted after it opens.

Band of Bohemia promises to be a “culinary brewhouse,” creating food-inspired beer onsite and pairing them with a tight menu. Owners have sets their sights on an old industrial building at 4710 N. Ravenswood Ave.

The brewhouse’s backers are veterans of the beverage industry. Craig Sindelar is the head sommelier at Alinea and Mike Carroll, a brewer at Half Acre. The two met during Carroll’s 4-year stint at the fine dining restaurant.

The 110-seat restaurant will be open 6 days a week, opening for 7 a.m. coffee service to Metra travelers.

See related: New 'Culinary Brewhouse' in Ravenswood Receives Aldermanic Approval

Sindelar and Carroll, along with Ward 47 Ald. Ameya Pawar, were on to answer questions about the business, which mostly concerned potential effects on Wolcott Avenue homes.

About 20 residents attended the public meeting, held Tuesday at Sulzer Regional Library.

Most questioned the location’s close proximity to houses, particularly with the smells and late hours often associated with breweries and restaurants.

“The issue we have is, we’re basically living next door and moving in with you,” Molly Mangan said.

Sindelar said his years at Alinea—merely feet away from residences—gave him the experience of solving problems with neighbors.

Midnight would be the latest hour of the brewhouse with dinner service starting around 4 p.m. and last call at 11 p.m.

And as for the hoppy smell that often surrounds breweries, Carroll said his beer would have fewer hops and more malt. The infusion of fruits and spices will cut down on the strong smell and create drinkability, he said.

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Pawar assured residents Band of Bohemia would not be the type to host beer bashes, but would have a high-end menu with craft beer. Sindelar, who lives in the area near Paulina and Berteau, started working with the alderman in 2011.

“I would never jam a bar down your throat,” Pawar said. “Alinea is the finest restaurant in North America, it has a 6-month wait list to get in. That, coupled with someone who lives in the community, I thought it would be an amazing addition to the area.”

The alderman also gave his support because the project aligns with other developments near the intersection of Ravenswood and Lawrence.

Between now and 2015, the area will see a Mariano’s Fresh Market and LA Fitness open, 150 new residential units, Metra tracks, and later, a new Metra station.

A beautification project will transform that stretch of Lawrence Avenue into a more pedestrian and bike-friendly area.

Pawar apologized for the additional construction residents are facing, but said, “It was either we do it really quickly, or we elongate it through many years.”

Construction has already started for those developments, but for Band of Bohemia to become a reality, it must pass through the City Council in July. Right now, the area is zoned for industrial use rather than commercial. If approved by the council, Sindelar predicts a spring 2014 opening.

“I’m extremely excited about the idea,” said Gerry Winters, who lives across the alley from the future site. “My neighbors have bigger fears than I’ve thought about it, but people live across the street from bars—that’s not the first time it’s happened in the city.”