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Lucky Dorr opens Tuesday after liquor license delay

Lucky Dorr opens Tuesday after liquor license delay

Lucky Dorr, the beer-centric pub by Matthias Merges’ Folkart Restaurant Management (Yusho, Billy Sunday), will open Tuesday, July 11, in the Park at Wrigley (1101 W. Waveland Ave.), the indoor-outdoor facility adjacent to Wrigley Field.

(We originally announced the opening as July 6, but liquor-license issues forced the postponement.)

“The Cubs gave us latitude to do something pure, using local brewers and breweries,” Merges said. “People these days are more savvy and educated (about food), and they demand unique experiences no matter where they go.”

What will be unique about Lucky Dorr? Merges created collaborations with more than 20 local brewers, including Begyle, Dovetail, Lake Effect, Blue Nose and Revolution (as well as Old Irving Brewing, in which Merges is a partner) to create specialty beers that will be available at Lucky Dorr and no place else.

“We’ll feature them on a rotating basis,” he said. “Depending on the season, there might be a hefeweizen now, but toward the end of the season, maybe a porter.”

Lucky Dorr (named for famed Wrigley Field groundskeeper Bobby Dorr) will have what Merges called a “simplified food program,” because the space has no kitchen. Merges is creating a full-service restaurant in the under-construction Zachary Hotel across the street; Lucky Dorr was sort of an unplanned opportunity.

Look for oversized German-style pretzels with beer cheese, along with dried salami chips and sausages, items which, Matthias said, one might have found around Wrigley in the ’20s and ’30s.

“We’re continuing research on things that make sense to that location — and, of course, that will pair well with beer,” Merges said.

Lucky Dorr also will feature a quartet of kegged cocktails from Billy Sunday, and two ciders.

The 700-square-foot space (with an additional outdoor brick patio) will be open 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. On game days and event nights, Lucky Dorr will open three hours before the game/event time.

Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.


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FOLKART MANAGEMENT is a craft-driven hospitality group led by Chef Matthias Merges, focused on operational excellence, state of the art design and a deep-seated commitment to locally sourced ingredients.

2545 W Diversey Ave.   |   Chicago, IL 60647