Bucks Saloon closing as Replay arcade bar opens in Boystown
Thu. April 11, 2013 12:05 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
rendering of the new replay
Hydrate's Mark Liberson bringing Replay arcade bar to North Halsted
Chicago, IL -
Bucks Saloon, one of the first bars in the Boystown neighborhood, will close this weekend. The popular bar, which is best known for its beer garden, has been purchased by Mark Liberson, owner of Hydrate Nightclub, Halsted's Bar & Grill and Elixir.
"Buck's has a very strong legacy," Liberson told ChicagoPride.com. "I'm really excited that we are now going to be taking over the bar that I originally fell in love with so long ago."
Long rumored, the sale was completed Thursday with renovations expected to begin Monday.
Replay, a craft beer and bourbon bar meets retro arcade, is set to open in the former Bucks space at 3439 North Halsted, after construction is completed by mid-May.
The new bar will feature more than 25 craft beers on tap and a cocktail menu designed by Elixir's mixologist, Danny Quinn, and a limited food menu from Halsted's.
"Danny does incredible cocktails," said Liberson. "In addition we are adding an extensive bourbon list."
With designs of an arcade, the space will include over 20 retro arcade games ranging from Ms. Pac-Man to Galaga, Space Invaders to Donkey Kong.
"Probably the thing that I'm most excited about is the addition of the video games," confessed Liberson. "All of the old games from the 80's and 90's paying homage to the decades of Bucks beginning."
With Halsted's Bar & Grill located next door, there had been speculation that Bucks patio would be combined with Halsted's. Liberson said that is not accurate.
"Bucks is a great neighborhood space and we certainly want to continue that tradition," he said.
Liberson and the new owners present a full weekend of farewell events with a private VIP "thank you" party on Friday from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Individuals wanting to attend should RSVP to vip@buckschicago.com.
The bar will host the Hard Hat Pre-Demolition Party on Saturday and the Final Farewell Party on Sunday.
"Buck's has a very strong legacy," Liberson told ChicagoPride.com. "I'm really excited that we are now going to be taking over the bar that I originally fell in love with so long ago."
Long rumored, the sale was completed Thursday with renovations expected to begin Monday.
Replay, a craft beer and bourbon bar meets retro arcade, is set to open in the former Bucks space at 3439 North Halsted, after construction is completed by mid-May.
The new bar will feature more than 25 craft beers on tap and a cocktail menu designed by Elixir's mixologist, Danny Quinn, and a limited food menu from Halsted's.
"Danny does incredible cocktails," said Liberson. "In addition we are adding an extensive bourbon list."
With designs of an arcade, the space will include over 20 retro arcade games ranging from Ms. Pac-Man to Galaga, Space Invaders to Donkey Kong.
"Probably the thing that I'm most excited about is the addition of the video games," confessed Liberson. "All of the old games from the 80's and 90's paying homage to the decades of Bucks beginning."
With Halsted's Bar & Grill located next door, there had been speculation that Bucks patio would be combined with Halsted's. Liberson said that is not accurate.
"Bucks is a great neighborhood space and we certainly want to continue that tradition," he said.
Liberson and the new owners present a full weekend of farewell events with a private VIP "thank you" party on Friday from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Individuals wanting to attend should RSVP to vip@buckschicago.com.
The bar will host the Hard Hat Pre-Demolition Party on Saturday and the Final Farewell Party on Sunday.