On Sunday, Governor Pritzker suspended in-person dining for all Illinois bars and restaurants in the midst of the coronavirus spread throughout the state. The ban will go into effect on Monday (March 16) and will last (at least) through March 30.
So, what does this mean for our hard-working Chicago service industry? It means they need our help. This will affect many, many small businesses and staff members who depend on hourly wages and tips to pay their bills. Sadly, working from home isn't an option for everyone.
We're encouraging you to step up and do what you can do help out! We know you. We know how awesome you are.
Here are some ways to help:
1) Order in. You do it all the time anyway, right? As of now, restaurants are permitted to continue carry-out and delivery operations. Grubhub has suspended its fees to make it even easier to support your favorite locally-owned businesses. Many delivery services are also now offering "contact-free" delivery—meaning your food will be left in a safe place of your choosing (like your building lobby) and you'll be alerted when it has arrived.
2) Buy gift certificates. We're not going to be stuck inside forever, right? Give yourself something to look forward to and keep the revenue coming in by purchasing a gift certificate to your favorite spot. If online gift certificates aren't available, we're willing to bet a call, email or DM to your bar or restaurant of choice inquiring about a purchase would be met with an enthusiastic response.
3) Purchase this rad shirt:
Every last bit of the net proceeds from this t-shirt, sold via Stock Mfg. Co. will go towards supporting hourly wage employees at Chicago dining staples like Mott St., giant, Café Marie Jeanne and many, many more. Order yours here.
4) Donate. You're certainly not spending money going out right now, are you? Will you really miss that money you'd be putting towards tips already? Some bars and restaurants have begun launching GoFundMe accounts and other donation-based services to help counter their employees' lack of wages for the next couple of weeks. See our continually-updated list below and email [email protected] if you know of other funds assisting local bars and restaurants.
3730 N. Clark St. - Lakeview
A lot of people are involved in making the Metro, Smartbar, Gman community once of the most-loved music institutions in Chicago. Now that all three have closed their doors indefinitely, Metro has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help its staff. That includes bartender, will call workers, security, DJs, sound engineers and many more. Here is a link to the GoFundMe.
2447 N. Halsted St. - Lincoln Park
Leave what you can in Tonic Room's digital "tip jar" supporting the bar and venue's staff while they are unable to work. Here is a link to the GoFundMe page.
3734 W. Belmont Ave. - Avondale
Sleeping Village is one of our newest and most exciting additions to the Chicago music and nightlife scene. Make sure their staff is supported by donating to a GoFundMe campaign set up by the bar's management. Here is a link to the donations page.
2338 N. Milwaukee Ave. - Logan Square
We're going to miss our happy hours and late nights at Cole's over the next couple of weeks. We're certain the staff will too. Once the bar's limited sick pay for employees is depleted, money from this GoFundMe will go to help paying their bills. Here is where you can donate.
1354 W. Wabansia Ave. - Bucktown
Have a seat at The Hideout's "virtual tavern" and put some money back in the staff's pockets. Donate to the bar's GoFundMe campaign here.
1035 N. Western Ave. - Ukrainian Village
Chicago will just feel strange for the next couple of weeks without a reliable source for music seven nights a week and morning-after hangover brunch next door. Donate to Empty Bottle and its sister restaurant Bite Café and help its staff out. The kind folks at this Chicago institution are even offering gifts in exchange for donations.
1939 W. North Ave. - Wicker Park
Be healthy, stay well and spread love (not germs) by donating to the staff of Dorian's bar and jazz club in Wicker Park. Visit the GoFundMe page here.
Logan Square
Ever had a cocktail from one of Scofflaw Group's bars cure you after a long day? We certainly have. Pay it forward by helping its staff through a long couple of weeks. Donate to the bar group's GoFundMe here.
1616 N. Wells St. - Old Town
While The Second City's legendary comedy stage and performers are what we tend to think of first when it comes to this institution, there's an entire staff of servers, hosts, bartenders, food runners, dishwashers and more that help keep the laughs rolling night after night. Help offset The Second City's night staff's costs by donating here.
851 W. Belmont Ave. - Lakeview
The Annoyance Theatre has come up with one of the most creative ways to support its staff during these closures and we would expect no less from them! Part fundraiser, part human experiment, part social distancing entertainment—ten of the theatre's top performers will quarantine themselves inside the Annoyance's walls for ten days. The best part? You'll be able to live stream their daily lives! Donate here to sustain the quarantiners and support the off-camera Annoyance employees who are temporarily out of work.
2717 N. Maplewood Ave. - Logan Square
There are few sights sadder than a quiet, empty taproom. Luckily, Maplewood and its fantastic staff will be back soon and the beer and liquor will resume flowing. In the meantime, support them by donating to this GoFundMe page.
Lincoln Park, Wicker Park and Logan Square
One hundred percent of the proceeds from this GoFundMe campaign will support the out-of-work staffers at aliveOne, Easy Bar, Estelle’s, Remedy, The Owl. We've had plenty of memorable (and often hazy) nights at 4EG's bars over the years thanks to these hard workers, so now it's time to return the favor. You can also purchase 4EG merch to keep some revenue rolling in.
1655 N. Sedgewick St. - Lincoln Park
Did you know that Twin Anchors is one of the oldest bars in Chicago? It's also famous for its barbecue ribs. After all these years of serving us, it's time to support the staff! The owner has set up a donations page here.
2015 S. State St. - South Loop
To take extra precautions and help slow the spread of coronavirus, Reggies has closed its venue, bar and kitchen (even for takeout and delivery). Just because you won't be taking the Reggies bus to White Sox opening day this year (at least until May), it doesn't mean you can't still send a few bucks their way. Donate to the staff here.
220 S. Michigan Ave. - The Loop
Behind every great musician, there is a bartender keeping the audience joyfully imbibed and enjoying the show. With no music on the stage at the Symphony Center for the next few weeks, the CSO's bar staff is asking for your help. Send a virtual tip here!
3394 N. Milwaukee Ave. - Avondale
Livewire is another live music stalwart in Chicago that will take a huge hit over the next few weeks. Donate what you can and help the staff come back strong!
2432 N. Lincoln Ave. - Lincoln Park
This longtime Lincoln Park bar's staff is asking for your help to get them through the next few weeks without pay. Donate here.
235 N. Ashland Ave. - West Town
Now is not a time to be too proud to ask for help, but it is a great time to remember all the shows you've seen, burgers you've eaten and beers you've drunk at Cobra Lounge. Send a little love to the staff via this donations page.
2933 W. Montrose Ave. - Irving Park
Without money from drink purchases and cover from live shows coming in, Montrose Saloon is asking for help from patrons to make sure its staff is set up to weather the next few weeks. Donate here.
1245 Chicago Ave. - Evanston
Help our friends to the (very near) north at SPACE in Evanston! To prove we're all in this together, the bar, venue and restaurant is promising to match 100% of donations (up to $10,000) to its hourly staff. Not only that, but you'll also get a nifty gift with a donation. Learn more and pledge your "virtual tip" here.
Uncommon Ground
1401 W. Devon Ave. - Edgewater
3800 N. Clark St. - Lakeview
Uncommon Ground is raising "virtual tips" for its staff and will be dividing 100% of donations amongst them on a weekly basis while we ride out this pandemic-sized storm. Make your donation to the Edgewater location here and the Lakeview location here!
2210 N. California Ave. - Logan Square
Boiler Room has taken care of us over the years by offering us free shots of Jameson every time we used their ATM and lord knows we've fully taken advantage of that policy. Now it's our chance to give back. Make a donation here!
2759 W. Augusta Blvd - Humboldt Park
100% of donations will go directly to the cooks, bartenders and servers that make Dante's Tavern one of our favorite late-night spots. Here's where you can donate.
2403 W. Homer St. - Logan Square
If you've ever enjoyed a beer and board game at Green Eye Lounge, then we hope you'll consider donating to the lovely bar staff that have helped make those nights great. Click here to donate.
2829 W. Armitage Ave. - Logan Square
Dos has a special place in our hearts and stomachs seeing as it's one of our favorite chicken wings in Chicago. If you feel the same as us, then hit the virtual tip jar to help them out in these trying times. You can tip here!
960 W. 31st St. - Bridgeport
Maria's really means it when it calls itself a "community bar." It's a staple in the Bridgeport neighborhood along with its sister restaurant Kimski. Visit the virtual tip jar for both establishments and make a donation.
1665 W. Fullerton Ave. - Lincoln Park
C'mon, how many crazy memories to you owe to this spot? Look out for the staff of one of Chicago's most famous punk clubs by donating here.
River North, Lakeview, Edgewater & Evanston
Savor the memory of all the delicious, freshly prepared meals you've had at these establishments and let the staff know how exicted you are for their return. Donate here.
3101 N. Sheffield Ave. - Lakeview
Support this great staff and neighborhood bar that has served the Lakeview community for over 25 years. Donate here.
1750 N. Milwaukee Ave. - Bucktown
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club goes to great lengths to cultivate a kickass staff, so you know they're worth support! Make a donation to this temporarily displaced crew here.
2100 W. Belmont Ave. - Lakeview
Help the Beat Kitchen staff while they help flatten the curve by canceling concerts and restaurant service until further notice. Donate to the venue's GoFundMe here.
Logan Square, Wicker Park, West Loop & Ukrainian Village
Even Chicago's most respected bar groups aren't immune in these tough times. Heisler is putting its resources towards supporting hourly employees and encouraging patrons of its establishments to help where they can as well. Visit the GoFundMe page here.
2801 W. Chicago Ave. - Humboldt Park
We love this place. You love this place—even if you don't remember being there at 3:34 a.m. and loving it. The staff of Humboldt Park's most treasured 4 a.m. hangout is asking for your help. Do what you can and donate here.
1807 S. Allport St. - Pilsen
If you've enjoyed a show in Thalia Hall, or a burger in Dusek's, or a drink in either Punch House or Tack Room, then you'll be feeling this loss quadruply hard. Such a large establishment obviously has an equally large staff, so a little generosity will go a long way. Donate to the employee relief here.
If you've ever celebrated St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Eve or other hard-partying holidays in Chicago, there's a chance you've enjoyed one of GCE's awesome parties. Since parties aren't possible right now, the dedicated staff is fighting its way through to the other side of COVID-19 and could use your help! Make a donation via GoFundMe to the staff here.
The Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help page (created by Chicago organizers Kelly Hayes and Delia Galindo) is accepting admissions from Chicago professionals whose income is dependent on freelance, hourly, service-based or similar types of work. Find out what you can do to help someone be less afraid about keeping the lights on with this wonderful resource.
