Tue. March 29, 2016
Chicago, IL -
Minibar, a popular bar for more than 10 years on North Halsted Street in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood, is changing ownership and management, effective April 1.
Rob Brumbaugh, owner of Progress Bar, has purchased Minibar and retained well-known Phil 'DaBeatz' Roush as the new General Manager.
"We're excited to build on Minibar's fan base and look forward to enhancing the experience for customers," Roush said in a statement released to ChicagoPride.com. "We have a great staff and we are anxious and excited to hear from customers and the community about improvements we can make as we move forward."
Roush, well-known in Boystown for his work at Hydrate, Minibar, and most recently at Progress Bar, has also been a fixture as DJ Phil 'DaBeatz' at many area nightclubs. His breadth of experience is expected to be an asset as Minibar seeks to retool and improve the customer experience.
"I look forward to this incredible opportunity to move forward with a great concept and a great Minibar team," Roush said. "Stay tuned and I look forward to sharing our excitement with all members of our great and diverse community."
Minibar, located at 3341 N. Halsted, was opened in 2005 by John Dalton and Stu Zirin.
"The vision wasn't to make Minibar so big because the opportunity wasn't there at the time," Dalton told ChicagoPride.com in 2012. "There was no high-end cocktail lounge in the area at the time. There wasn't really any place for the gay community to feel special, to dress up, to go out to, and to still have that safety net of Boystown."
Minibar has grown from 1,100 square feet to 3,500 with an occupancy of just under 300 people after a 2012 expansion.
The nightclub will remain open during the transition with plans to expand into the space formerly occupied by mEAT, which is now closed, said Brumbaugh.
"Our vision for the future is to expand and build upon a brand with the goal of improving Minibar, and making a positive impact on Halsted Street, Boystown, and for all members of our community," added Roush.
DS Tequila Company, 3352 N. Halsted, and Dive Bar, 3445 N. Halsted, will remain under the ownership and management of Dalton and Zirin. Dalton hopes to find a new location for mEAT, which opened in 2014.
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