STREETERVILLE — The latest arcade bar hitting Chicago will include a mini-golf course with a replica Willis Tower, as well as private suites with real skyline views.
FTW, or For The Win, is scheduled to open June 5 at 322 E. Illinois St., said Lucky Strike CEO Steven Foster, who is launching the concept.
The arcade will occupy the second floor of the building occupied by Lucky Strike bowling alley and AMC River East 21 movie theater. Unlike many of its competitors, FTW will include a six-hole miniature golf course connected to the bowling alley, complete with a mini-Willis Tower that lights up when guests sink the last hole.
"We’re told by experts in the mini-golf course universe that we have more props than three 18-hole mini-golf courses combined," Foster said.
FTW will also include 130 arcade games, 34 beers on tap, and four private suites offering views of the city skyline, Foster said. Guests will have to pay to play the games, but can redeem their winnings for merchandise at the counter, Foster said.
One of those games is Sega Showdown, a four-course racing game including a demolition derby that is making its American debut at FTW, Foster said.
The food will be served dim sum-style on a cart, with "high-level" but affordable items including crispy shrimp po’ boy sliders, grilled cheese and short rib sandwich, hand-battered mini corn dogs and chicken fried green tomatoes, Foster added.
FTW is occupying a long-vacant space in the building that has never been occupied, and Foster said Lucky Strike had been "incubating" the concept for about a year. Its hours will be roughly from 10 a.m. to as late as 2 a.m. on weekends, Foster said.
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