LOGAN SQUARE — The owners of Emporium Logan Square are putting the finishing touches on Branca Bar, a pop-up event space that is set to open Wednesday in the former home of Surf Bar.
Surf, 2367 N. Milwaukee Ave., only lasted about six months. Last month, the owners, who also run the neighboring bar/arcade Emporium, 2353 N. Milwaukee Ave., decided to replace the beach-themed bar with a pop-up event space that will function as an extension of bar/arcade.
The new exterior. [Courtesy/Jared Saul]
"With the location being right next door to Emporium, this is more in line with my goals of building Emporium through these cool partnerships," co-owned Danny Marks previously said. "Building Emporium is more where I am focusing right now than trying to open different bars and restaurants."
Marks and his team are partnering with popular liqueur brand Fernet-Branca on the new spot, which will be modeled after Fernet's Italian distillery tasting room and host various art, food and drink partners for "limited-run concepts."
The opening party will kick off at 7 p.m. Wednesday with bocce ball courtesy of American Bocce Co., drinks from bar partner Fernet-Branca, Forbidden Root and Dark Matter Coffee and tunes from DJ Dave Mata of Impala Sound Champions.
On Thursday at 7 p.m. the folks behind Trick Dog Bar in San Francisco will take over Branca Bar and offer a special cocktail menu.
Following the two parties, Branca Ball will start regular hours: Wednesday through Sunday 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. (The bar might stay open until 3 a.m. on Saturdays.)
Branca Bar will host bocce ball every Wednesday courtesy of American Bocce Co.
Sunday nights at the bar will be "industry night" for bar takeovers. The owners are bringing in The Campground from Kansas City on March 12, Planter's House from St. Louis on March 26 and Sugar House from Detroit on a date that has yet to be determined.
