The Staley Wants To Be Your New Favorite Watering Hole In The South Loop
A New Sports Bar Concept from Former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije
SOUTH LOOP — For Israel Idonije, the South Loop is the kind of neighborhood that deserves nice things. It’s also ripe for another sports bar and restaurant, which is why the former Chicago Bear and his team opened The Staley there last month.
The Staley, 1736 S. Michigan Ave., took over the storefront formerly occupied by Kroll’s, another beloved sports bar. Idonije had planned a fall opening but didn’t anticipate all the road bumps he’d encounter.
“I think I was just a little too ambitious. I assumed with 90 days of nonstop work we would get there. But things were taking longer than they needed to. The freezer blew out and stuff just started happening, so you just got to fix it and pivot,” Idonije said.
The Staley is named for businessman A.E. “Gene” Staley, who founded the Chicago Bears over a century ago, and it’s located less than a mile from Soldier Field.
A Space for Bears Fans and Locals Alike
Being attuned to the desires of South Loopers, Idonije knew his neighbors wanted a chill, family-friendly neighborhood spot that was more accessible than the Signature Bar, The Staley’s more upscale counterpart at 1312 S. Wabash Ave.
Giving Bears fans a space to root for the home team was equally important, Idonije said. Kroll’s had been a well-known haunt for Packers fans.
That said, you won’t find a gazillion jerseys hanging from the walls or sawdust on the floors at Staley’s. Instead, patrons are greeted by muted bluish-green walls; a long, sleek bar with chocolate leather chairs; a trio of flatscreens on one side and a pair of projector screens on the other; and a full view of a mural featuring the 1920 Decatur Staleys football team. There’s also a game room with a foosball table.
Design Touches
A guy on their team, Nathan Michael, does most of their design. Idonije generally has a pretty good sense of what he wants something to feel like experientially. Having him come in and memorialize the relationships between him and legacy Bears players over the years … was great, said Idonije, describing an art display featuring names of players and other people important to Chicago Bears history.
A framed sketch of an old-school Cubs player adorning a wall near the bar was another design touch from Michael, who found it at a swap meet in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
Food and Drink
Idonije teamed up with chef Stephen Gillanders on the food menu. In addition to running S.K.Y, Apolonia and Vahalla restaurants, Gillanders is head chef and partner at Signature.
The hush puppies ($8.99) and giant mozzarella sticks ($14.99) have fast become customer favorites, Idonije said. Poutine ($11.99) is a nod to Idonije’s home country of Canada, but it’s not a traditional version, he said.
Conclusion
The Staley is open from 3-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Fridays, noon-11 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-10 p.m. Sundays.
FAQs
- What is The Staley?
The Staley is a new sports bar concept from former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije, located in the South Loop. - What kind of food and drink can I expect?
The Staley offers a menu of American classics, including hush puppies, giant mozzarella sticks, poutine, and more. They also have a selection of beers on tap. - Is there a game room?
Yes, The Staley has a game room with a foosball table. - Are there any special events or programs planned?
Yes, The Staley is planning to add programs such as trivia night and a version of the Queen of Hearts raffle in the coming months.
