The Glenwood Bar Opens In Rogers Park
Eight days. That’s how long I’ve debated over what to write about the newest bar in Rogers Park, The Glenwood Bar (6962 N. Glenwood). And, as of today, that’s how long it’s been since the place opened.
My job here at The Angry Waiter is to write about the restaurant, bar and coffee house scene, especially the scene here in Chicago, from an insider’s perspective. I tap my sources in the industry - bartenders, servers, baristas, managers, owners - for information only they would know. When I tell those stories, I do it with a certain amount of professional distance.
That’s not possible with The Glenwood Bar.
My dilemma is that I’ve known the owner, Colm Treacy, for more than five years. He also owns T’s Bar and Restaurant (5025 N. Clark St.) and Sofo Bar (4923 N. Clark St.).
If I write something positive, it could appear as if I’m giving free publicity to someone I know. I’m happy to give free publicity to a bartender’s band, a server’s play or a barista’s artwork and when a new place opens, it’s news and there’s a place for that here. But, when I know the people involved, I walk a finer line. Plus, this guy has enough cash, if he wants publicity, he can take out an ad.
If I write something negative, it may appear to some as if I have a bone to pick.
Rather than risking my credibility and jeopardizing my journalistic integrity, I’ll say the minimum - Rogers Park has a new bar, it’s called The Glenwood.
You tell the rest of the story. Leave your comments, thoughts and reviews.
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April 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Weird place for a bar. It’s on a stretch of Glenwood that looks more like an alley than a city street.
Kind of dull
April 25th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I’m not sure what their “thing” is… It’s quite a nice looking bar, the beer selection is average, and the people inside seemed really nice…
April 27th, 2008 at 10:56 am
i don’t know who colm is, i met renee who is the other owner and she was very personable and so was the other bartender. i live in rogers park and it is great to see a space that is attractive with big windows open on glenwood with its cobblestone streets. the customers, i thought represented the diversity of the neighborhood. and it was very simple for my friends to meet me from lakeview they just got off at the morse el stop. i am telling all my friends and will be back.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:48 am
This is a welcome new addition to the neighborhood. Very friendly, clean and in a convenient location. Great service, friendly staff and patrons.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:51 am
What an odd review. Here’s a shot at a review from a local perspective:
For true, diehard Rogers Park dwellers, The Glenwood is a welcome addition. Located a few blocks from the Morse Red Line El stop, The Glenwood offers an alternative to the coffee and brunch loyalists who frequent favorite neighborhood staples, The Heartland Café and No Exit.
Large windows and an open door greeted us. A super clean interior boasting of bold orange walls and lofting ceilings create an airy space with a comfy neighborhood-bar feel. We felt right at home taking in an early evening Sox game while drinking Cider on tap. The staff was very friendly, keeping our glasses filled and chatting with fellow locals about the neighborhood.
We can only hope that more businesses like The Glenwood are brought to the neighborhood. A pleasant and relaxed atmosphere will make this a fast favorite among north side watering holes.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Truly an odd review….My experience at the Glenwood was a pleasure. I enjoyed everything from the color of the walls to the freindly staff. I don’t live in Rogers Park, but do however plan on making the Glenwood a regular stop!! The convenience of the el is definitely a bonus!
April 29th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
angry waiter - thanks for the tip (no pun intended)
i didn’t even know this had opened ’til i read it here. had a drink there over the weekend, cleaner than the granville anvil for sure
April 30th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I have to say that I have found The Glenwood to be a wonderful addition to the Rogers Park area. The couple of other bars in the neighborhood and kind of “dumpy” - but the Glenwood offers a beautuful, warm, and welcoming atmosphere - and I, too, love the area with the cobble-stone strees and the large windows opening up to the Morse El-stop. I have been there a couple of times and have found both the bartenders and the patrons to be laid back and friendly. This will definately become one of my regular spots!
May 1st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
This neighborhood bar is a great place to join friends for drinks. I love the interior. It’s just what Rogers Park needed. The location is easy to get to. The staff is very hospitable and Renee is just super!
May 1st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I live in Rogers Park and am SO happy to now have a place like the Glenwood in the neighborhood! Love the interior — everything feels right. And the best part is that the folks that go to the Glenwood are incredibly nice and diverse. I’ve made new friends each time I’ve gone and have always felt welcome. And the staff is awesome — including Renee!! Thanks for coming to Rogers Park! I’ll keep coming back and will bring others with me!
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 am
Good to see all your comments…Keep them coming.
Just to clear one thing up, the original posting wasn’t a review. It was simply an announcement that a new bar had opened.
My original thought was to write about the thought process owners go through when opening a new place. I also considered writing about the hurdles the owners would have to overcome moving to a new neighborhood.
They’re established in Andersonville, but moving to Rogers Park means introducing themselves to a new community, making new connections, dealing with a new alderman and new community groups (and there are a lot of those in RP). A new neighborhood means new possibilities and new obstacles.
But, those issues are really for a much larger article.
As for your reviews…OK, the majority of you are enthused about the bar and want it to succeed. Good. But, if you really want to support the place by writing reviews encouraging people to give it a try, consider these points:
I wouldn’t focus on the “cobblestone” streets too much. It’s starting to sound more like Colonial Williamsburg than a hip neighborhood. I’ve been to Williamsburg and believe me, it’s a lousy drinking town. You can get a mug of mead and that’s about it.
OK, there’s a window, but anyone who’s been to any bar anywhere in the city knows if you look out the window you’re more likely to see the side of an SUV than a sunrise. If you do see the sunrise through the window, you’ve stayed out way too late…it’s time to go home.
Put yourselves in the shoes of people who’ve never been there and who don’t know anyone who works or hangs out there.
Is this a place to meet Mr. of Ms. Right? How about Mr. or Ms. One-Night?
What’s the last good joke you heard here or the last thing you saw that was so funny you almost pee’d yourself?
What about your stories? Bars are basically the same, it’s the people who make them interesting. Put a face on the place.
Those are just a few thoughts.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
What a strange “announcement” from the angry waiter. The place is great, a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Renee and staff couldn’t be friendlier and the “face” will develop. Do you need to put a label on it?
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
“What a strange “announcement” from the angry waiter”
you think it’s “strange” the angry waiter wrote about a bar opening on a blog for people who work in bars?
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Agreed. The thing abiout this thread thats “strange” & “odd” is that its the longest thread on the blog and besides wthe first comment all the other comments were good but some of these posters are acting like the comments were bad. They say they like the restaurant but then they act like they don’t want to review it. But if they don’t want to review it why are they commenting?
At the restaurant I work at we get tons of reviews and most of them are not this good but the onwer doesnt care because it gets people talking about the place. I guess thats why this thread is interesting.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
So, wish I’d had this venue when I lived in Rogers Park for 21 years before I move back to Alabama.
Sounds like the only “real” neighborhood bar (The Anvil)” has some well deserved competition.
And if you locals ever want to get away from The Windy, check out my new venture: http://www.thelatticeinn.com
Jim
May 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
One of the few places with cider on tap. i love it. Rogers Park is not hip. but Glenwood after Glenwood, it will become. Hopefully. Great job!
May 17th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
It’s not all about being “hip,” geez. In fact, let’s pray it isn’t “hip.” There are enough places that cater to that sad and desperate crowd. Is it gay? Rogers Park–note I wrote ‘Rogers Park’ and not north Edgewater–needs a friendly gay bar. Very tired of having to take my money to other neighborhoods to be in a gay environment and not a “hippy,” “bi,” aka “I’m not gay, I’m just one with all and smelly, and when I’m finished fooling around, I’ll marry and have three screaming brats” Heartland crap.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
It’s comfortable, the drinks are good, the view of the passing elevated trains over the quiet cobblestone street is nice. The crowd is mixed, gay and straight, and nobody cares as nobody should. There’s no in-your-face attitude here - everybody is welcome and made to feel so. Suggestion: Grab a great burger or gyro at Grill Inn, just around the corner on Morse Avenue, then slide over to the Glenwood to imbibe.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
I just discovered the Glenwood when a couple I know invited me to dinner at Morseland and drinks at Glenwood Bar. I’ve lived three blocks away for eight years and was pleasantly surprised to find such a great place nearby. It looks like a bar from a much fancier (hipper?) neighborhood, but without the attitude. Great color scheme, simple stylish design, great music at the right level for conversation, nice bartenders, intimate space without feeling crowded, diverse neighborhood crowd. My friends and I immediately ran into people we know from the neighborhood and saw people (other guys) we’d like to know.
The bar felt more openly gay friendly than anything else in Rogers Park I’ve been to. About time!!! And the view out the big windows and up to the train just adds to the unique feel of of the place.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Is it a gay bar? If not, it should be. Very nice place but felt very uncomfortable being in there by myself (straight guy). Guys on the left were hugging and giving “air kisses”, guys to the right were obviously gay, a few lesbians, probably one straight couple and Miss Congeneality playing on the flat screens …. HUH!?!
Good job for bringing a really nice looking place to that area that needs it but when inside, you can’t tell if you are in Rogers Park or Boystown.