Red Lion Send Off

A Bar Is Like Sacred Soil

You do a lot of thinking and reminising when you pack things up to be moved. From the everyday dishes, to the glassware, there is something about wrapping them up individually and placing them in boxes to be sealed and opened again in a new setting. You can't help but get a little misty-eyed at things that you see on a daily basis, now taken down, bubble wrapped and placed unceremoniously along the wall to be carted off in the U-Haul, to a numbered dimensional slot in a storage unit. I find that I am thinking on things that I haven't thought of in years; running over the first drink that I had at the Red Lion, where I sat, what I had to eat and even with whom I met on that particular evening. I see the faces of all the patrons over the years, some who have moved, some who have married, some who now have children of their own and that generation now new Red Lion patrons. I even think on the bittersweet memories of some who are no longer with us; their faces and voices and especially their laughter. I know that in the few days to come, I will have to help dismantle the front bar of the Red Lion. I have this strange feeling in the pit of my stomach that the bar itself will let out groan at the first nail plank pulled back. The old bar has a life of its own and has seen and heard more than life itself in the 24 years that it has been up! 38 wedding celebrations, countless birthdays and anniversaries, first dates and divorces, proposals and a few indiscretions, mortgage burnings, christenings, promotions, going away parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, TV premieres, theatre performances, literary readings, art exhibitions, celebrities, (Ah, yes, the celebrities!)protests, political parties, and numerous musical performances. The list goes on and on!

Yes, a bar is like sacred soil. It is as if we need to call in someone to lay it temporarily to rest, to say a prayer over; a shaman called in to hold the voices within the wood. It needs to be able to be placed carefully to rest like a revered family member, somewhere safe, somewhere quiet, some place very much in focus. For the bar itself will once again be gently laid out, shined and polished, placed carefully back together, resurrected if you will, front and center in the new structure of the Red Lion Pub, to be able to hear the new voices, greet the new and old patrons and to provide once again, the life essence of the pub.

The physical and spiritual bar will once again be erected to hear the celebration of glasses raised; toasting to life, to happiness, to success, to new beginnings!

Drinking Quote of the Day

Drink today, and drown all sorrow;

You shall perhaps not do it tomorrow;

Best, while you have it, use your breath;

There is no drinking after death.

-Ben Johnson, English Dramatist and Poet, 1572-1637

Queen Victoria Finds A New Watering Hole

News flash! Queen Victoria or a woman who looked similar to the black garbed monarch was seen on the arm of hunched man in a tailored suit Wednesday evening. Eyewitnesses to the sighting, say that the man appeared to have been Disraeli. As the pair moved slowly down Lincoln Avenue away from the Red Lion Pub, muttering could be heard barely audible over the rustling of crinoline that yet ANOTHER established public house had taken Imperial expansion all to literally.

Reports claim that the indignant pair then crossed the street, hopped into an awaiting cab, and sped off.

Massive Thirst Not Quenched!

Thanks For Your Patronage

The Red Lion wants to extend many thanks to all the patrons we have had over the years! It has been 24 years of good food, drink, laughs and endless conversation. Although the pub is now closed for business, we look forward to serving you again, if all goes as scheduled, with a new pub and restaurant on the site in about 9 months.

We have had many questions as to why we have to rebuild the 1880 structure. Well, the simple answer is that the building is in sore need of repairs and extensive repairs.

We have been carefully dismantling the backbar, fixtures and special architectural features that will once again find their home back in the new "Red Lion Pub". Yes! The traditional, red, English phonebooth, archway lions, and large stained glass piece will once again be front and center in the new pub.

It has been a wonderful experience hosting literary writers and events, artist and exhibitions and the first ever performance of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The Red Lion wants to thank all patrons for their support and kindness over the years! We hope to get back to business soon because we miss you already!

NEWS FLASH!

Just across the wire....

All Red Lion movies, VHS and DVD's have been gently and lovingly moved to an undisclosed location (just like the Disney vault) to be opened again at a soon to be released date.

The Red Lion would like to compile a list of which movies should be brought out of the vault in the order of popularity. The playlist will be based solely on your votes and comments. Yes, that's right-you the patron and hard core viewer! Your votes count and your voice will be heard. Tired of your favourite movie left out of the viewing schedule? Sick of watching "Blazing Saddles" and "World At War"? Stand up and be heard! Hhhrrrumph!!!!