WICKER PARK — Known for its inventive martinis and well-worn booths, Wicker Park's Blue Line Lounge & Grill will be closed for remodeling until Oct. 13, according to a sign in the window of the bar and restaurant.
Located at 1548 N. Damen Ave. next to the CTA Blue Line Damen "L" stop, a sign in the window of Blue Line Lounge and Grill simply says, "It's about time."
Blue Line Lounge owners did not return calls or emails about the remodeling, so it is unclear what changes will be made to improve the bustling spot.
Social media reviews have pointed out the issue.
"The food was great, the wait staff was awesome, the location is way cool as is the diner, but the place is looking shabby time to reupholster some of the seating and get rid of those dust collecting velvet drapes. With a little spruce up this place could definitely be 5 star joint!" one patron wrote in a Facebook review on Blue Line Lounge's Facebook page in March.
Another reviewed the bar in May and observed, ""Nice atmosphere, good service, torn seats which kind of gives it some character."
Blue Line Lounge opened on Sept. 20, 2001. The location was the longtime home of the Busy Bee, a famed Polish diner that closed in 1998 after a 32-year run. The Busy Bee was owned by Sophie Madej, who died in 2014.
The large building that houses Blue Line Lounge & Grill as well as neighboring Urban Belly and several upstairs loft offices at 1542-1556 N. Damen Ave. is owned by a Newcastle Limited-backed venture Predator which bought it for $9.87 million in July 2012, Cook County records show.
Blue Line Lounge next to the CTA Damen Blue Line "L" station. [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
