Replay Andersonville reopens Wednesday

Replay Andersonville will reopen with limited indoor seating Wednesday, Feb. 3 after temporarily closing on Jan. 4 due to Illinois' pandemic restrictions.

The announcement comes just over a week after state officials allowed restaurants and bars to reopen for limited indoor dining in Chicago and the suburbs.

After a shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, Replay Andersonville was able to open late last spring for carry-out and delivery, and later for limited indoor dining and expanded outdoor seating along Balmoral. But with winter and strict restaurant/bar restrictions, the popular restaurant was forced to temporarily close.

“We have received no support or even delay in paying rent in our Replay Andersonville location, and already have lost over $15,000 in November and are expecting to lose more in December, which is not sustainable,” Replay owner Mark Liberson told GoPride.com in December.

Liberson, the owner of multiple bars and restaurants in Andersonville and Lakeview, called 2020 “the most challenging year of my professional life.”

With its reopening on Wednesday, Replay Andersonville is prepared to keep staff and guests safe after installing UV/Ionization Air Purification systems in all HVAC units and then supplementing that with medical-grade free-standing air purifiers in every room.

There continues to be positive momentum for restaurants and bars as Chicago moved into Phase 4 of the state's reopening plan on Sunday, which mean restaurants and bars can now seat a maximum of six per table — a two-person increase. Chicago will require restaurants to keep indoor capacity at 25 percent or 25 people per room. In other parts of the state capacity has increased to 40 percent or less than 50 patrons. Recreational operations must stop serving alcohol by 11 p.m. and close by midnight.

Liberson said he is trying to remain as positive and optimistic as possible.

“I'm looking forward to the spring when we can start to see a reduction of infections being supported by increased immunity in our community from the vaccination program now underway. My hope is that we will see a return to normal begin to emerge, and we cannot wait to welcome people back to our venues and eventually Hydrate's dance floor,” he said.

Replay Andersonville will reopen at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

Related: These Northalsted restaurants open for indoor dining