Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Crew Bar and Grill Celebrates a Decade in Uptown with Speakeasy Party

By Adeshina Emmanuel | August 12, 2014 8:16am
 Three of four Crew owners: Steve Milford, Mark Robertson and Brian Wells.
Three of four Crew owners: Steve Milford, Mark Robertson and Brian Wells.
View Full Caption
Dnainfo/Adeshina Emmanuel

UPTOWN — Each year brings a flurry of bar and restaurant openings around the city — and a plethora of closings.

As Crew Bar & Grill co-owner Mark Robertson acknowledged Monday, speaking about Crew's 10-year anniversary: "Ten years, for anybody who knows the restaurant and bar business, is a long time."

The sports-themed gay bar at 4804 N. Broadway is throwing itself a party from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday with a speakeasy theme to commemorate a decade in Uptown, benefit local non-profit organizations and unveil a new menu crafted by chef Robyn Marfurt.

One of Uptown's favorite bars, Crew was bustling early Monday afternoon. Sitting near the rear of the restaurant Monday, Robertson said the party will channel "a Roaring '20s Uptown feel."

He said, "10 years is really a testament to a never-ending commitment to customer service and creating a great experience for someone who is watching sports." But one of his partners, Steve Milford, joked that Crew's survival was "a miracle. A Christmas miracle."

When it opened, he said, "there was barely any food," on the menu, and rough spots to contend with in subsequent years, particularly given the Recession.

"Sales dropped dramatically. We're pretty fortunate, a lot of people didn't make it," he said, praising the Uptown community for its support.

All proceeds from Wednesday's event, including a $20 suggested donation, will benefit two Uptown organizations — a LGBT-focused social service agency, the Test Positive Aware Network, and the Peoples Music School, a free music school for kids.

"It's a great party for all of our customers to celebrate 10 years, and it's also a huge benefit for the community," Robertson said.

The bar, with a history of supporting local charities and holding community events, is "definitely an integral part of the Uptown community," he added.

"We do pride ourselves," Robertson said, "on being not just a bar by any stretch of the imagination — we're a member of the community."

When it comes to Crew's new menu, to be implemented in the fall, Robertson said Marfurt been working on "some very innovative but still sports bar-type food." That includes a new "Crew Signature Burger," tossed tuna tacos, soft pretzels and various cheese dips that partiers can sample Wednesday.

A USA Today article recently called Crew, home to more than 20 televisions and more than 60 beers, Chicago's premier gay sports bar, while noting that "it's also straight friendly."

"So regardless of your orientation, sports fans come to this friendly spot for televised sports and far better food than you'd find in your average sports bar," said the article, which named crew as one of the city's 10 best sports bars.

Aside from Milford and Robertson, the other Crew owners are Mike Sullivan and Brian Wells.

The Crew crew also own the SoFo tap near the border of Uptown and Andersonville, and plan to open an upscale farm-to-table Mexican restaurant with chef Diana Davila in Andersonville later this year in the former T's Restaurant.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: