Marty’s Martini Bar is moving to a new location within Andersonville as it joins the 2Bears Tavern Group lineup.
2Bears Tavern Group, a local hospitality company with four other LGBTQ+ bars on the North Side, announced July 29 it bought the popular cocktail bar and plans on moving it to 1477 W. Winnemac Ave.
The new location—a vacant storefront that previously housed Boca Loca Cantina—is next to Meeting House Tavern, which 2Bears Tavern Group opened in 2018. Other bars the company owns include 2Bears Tavern Uptown, the SoFo Tap and Jackhammer, which the group bought in 2018.
“We are delighted to welcome Marty’s into the 2Bears Tavern Group family,” Mark Robertson, co-founder of 2Bears Tavern Group, said in a statement. “Marty’s has long been a cherished venue in Chicago, and we are committed to preserving its unique character while enhancing the overall experience for our guests.”
Marty’s will close its doors at 1511 W. Balmoral Ave. on Sept. 2 before reopening at the new location sometime this fall, according to a statement from 2Bears Tavern Group.
Robertson told Windy City Times that 2Bears Tavern Group will maintain the original staff and shifts from Marty’s Martini Bar, making sure they remain employed during any transition period.
The Marty’s team members will see a 47% raise in base pay because 2Bears Tavern Group started paying employees the full minimum wage for non-tipped employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, Robertson said. Their tip structure will remain and workers will be eligible for health and welfare benefits.
2Bears Tavern Group will also maintain the cocktail bar’s Martinis that Matter charitable giving program and Birthday Club.
Marty’s will keep its same menu, recipes, glassware, alcohol providers and prices from the former location, Robertson said. The cocktail bar’s furniture, artwork, mirrors, chandeliers and signs will also be moved to the new location.
The 2Bears Tavern team plans to use the same paint colors, tile and wood as much as possible in the new Marty’s space, Robertson said.
“We want the customer experience to remain the unique Marty’s experience,” Robertson said.
The new location, which is ADA compliant, has a capacity of 55 guests, slightly larger than the former capacity of 43 people at the old location, Robertson said. It also has space for a sidewalk cafe that will open in 2025.
“Our goal is to ensure that Marty’s Martini Bar continues to be a place where everyone feels welcome and can enjoy exceptional drinks and a fantastic atmosphere,” said Mike Sullivan, co-founder of 2Bears Tavern Group. “We are excited to embark on this new chapter and look forward to serving both long-time patrons and new guests.”
Robertson said 2Bears Tavern Group approached Marty Rogo, who founded Marty’s Martini Bar in 2004, after hearing rumors the business wouldn’t be able to occupy its original location beginning this fall, leaving it with the choice to either relocate or close down.
2Bears Tavern Group owns the building that housed Boca Loca Cantina, so they approached Rogo to see if he wanted to move the business into their empty storefront, Robertson said. Rogo ultimately decided to sell Marty’s to 2Bears Tavern Group during these conversations.
“We recognize that change is hard and uncertain, but in this case, we hope the community recognizes that we are striving to keep Marty’s in Andersonville and as distinctly Marty’s as ever for many years to come,” Robertson said.
Rogo said in a statement he’s looking forward to the cocktail bar “flourishing at its new location.”
“2Bears Tavern Group is a great fit for the next chapter in the Marty’s brand,” Rogo said.
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