Andersonville's The Bird Cage is shuttering

The Bird Cage restaurant and lounge in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood is shuttering on October 24, according to a statement from owner Martin Cournane. 

“It's with a heavy heart that I share with you that The Bird Cage will be closing permanently in two weeks time,” he shared on social media. 

The 6,000-square-foot space at 5310 N. Clark St., which was formerly known as the upscale Mexican restaurant Octavio Cantina and Kitchen, reinvented itself with a catchy new name and concept at the height of the pandemic in 2020. 

“Rebranding a restaurant is difficult under any circumstances and, as you can imagine, there were many added twists and turns given the restrictions and closures of the pandemic,” explained Cournane. “While in retrospect there are some things I could have done differently, the closing of The Bird Cage in no way reflects our amazing team of employees.”

The LGBTQ-inclusive entertainment venue opened as The Bird Cage on July 10, 2020. It was temporarily closed in October 2020 when Chicago was hit by a second wave of COVID-19 and later reopened this June. 

The Bird Cage concept was centered around one of Octavio's most popular events, the drag brunch, which routinely sold out. The adult-themed spot featured a stage for performances, a DJ booth, massive disco balls and a “bondage wall.”

Cournane, who owns Lady Gregory's, LG's Bar in Old Town and Wilde in Lakeview, opened Octavio in March 2018.

“I want to thank all of my Andersonville friends for your ongoing support of Lady Gregory's throughout the pandemic and for your support and encouragement in our launch of The Bird Cage,” said Cournane. 

The Bird Cage will permanently close after Drag Brunch on Sunday, October 24.