Court rules Bottled Blonde can remain open — for now
Bottled Blonde, the embattled River North bar and restaurant, will be allowed to stay open — for now — thanks to a ruling Friday from the Illinois Appellate Court.
The city moved to revoke the business’ liquor license Tuesday. Two days later, Cook County Judge Neil Cohen denied a motion from Bottled Blonde’s attorneys that asked to let it stay open while they appealed the revocation.
Attorneys for Bottled Blonde, 504 N. Wells St., said the denial was akin to killing the business. Cohen, though, encouraged them to file a petition with the state appeals court.
The appeal was filed shortly after Thursday’s hearing and it was granted Friday, court records show. Now, Bottled Blonde will be allowed to remain open during the appeals process.
“Bottled Blonde is very pleased that the Illinois Appellate Court has ordered that Bottled Blonde may reopen for business while it considers the legal positions of the parties,” Jeannie Gallucci, one of Bottled Blonde’s attorneys, said in an emailed statement Friday.
“The restaurant will be open for business today and looks forward to continuing to be a positive addition to the vibrant River
North neighborhood.”
A spokesman for the city’s Law Department declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
In 2017, the city moved to strip the Bottled Blonde of its liquor license after a host of alleged license violations and complaints from River North residents about loud music, unruly patrons and public urination and vomiting.
The city tried again to strip the liquor license last year, though Cohen granted a stay that time that allowed the Bottled Blonde to remain open.