An award-winning Chicago bartender is introducing a new cocktail concept with a modern look and bold flavors.
It was reported by Block Club Chicago that Katie Renshaw is opening a cocktail bar called Bar Bambi at 1703 W Chicago Avenue. Renshaw is the lead bartender at Hawksmoor, which just recently opened at 500 N La Salle Drive. Right now, she is projecting to open the bar later this year or early 2026.
The idea for the bar came from Renshaw’s experience bartending over the years, earning the 2017 Speed Rack Midwest competition and was the 2019 U.S. World Class Bartender of the Year. Bar Bambi will have cocktails with modern flavors, like an old fashioned made into a clarified whiskey sour, and a lengthened martini as a sparkling highball.
“I’ve been ridiculously lucky to learn from some of Chicago’s best, including some of the people who helped build our cocktail scene in the earlier days,” Renshaw said in a press release.
Along with cocktails are “craveable, high-end” bar snacks that will go along with the drinks. The interior will have a light installation with colors that shift depending on the hour and season. Mixed with the drinks and small bites, the space is meant to capture the energy of the night.
Bar Bambi is joining West Town’s busy stretch of W Chicago Avenue, being built next to Brasero South American restaurant. This is the former Empanada Mama location. A few streets down is Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery.
The bar will be hosting pop-up previews and sneak peaks of the menu in the coming weeks. For more information, visit their Instagram @bambi_chicago.
