Introduction to The Hidden Cove
LINCOLN SQUARE — A Lincoln Square karaoke bar will allow fans to belt out their favorite songs one last time this weekend before the business bids farewell to its home of 60 years. The Hidden Cove’s last day of service is Sunday. Flavius Ardelean acquired the property housing the Hidden Cove in 2023 and plans to redevelop the site into a mixed-use building, he previously told Block Club.
The Community Says Goodbye
Since the closure was announced, patrons have flocked to the watering hole to join the chorus of songbirds bidding farewell. “I can’t sing, but I will. I’m terrible at it. But when I get to The Cove, I feel like a rock star,” customer Kristen Peon said Wednesday night. Peon had her 21st birthday at the bar in the early aughts and — like many patrons who spoke to a Block Club reporter — she loves the welcoming feeling she gets at the Cove while singing her heart out.
The Hidden Cove’s History
The Hidden Cove’s history dates back to 1965, according to state records and co-owner Phil Trocchio. It was initially a popular bar to play darts, with about 12 dart boards on the walls, said Trocchio. The bar became known for late-night singing starting in the ’90s thanks to advances in AV technology that allowed for the owners to host karaoke every night they were open — combined with the bar’s 4 a.m. liquor license, Trocchio said.
Hidden Cove Bartender Emileigh Honeycutt holds a box with farewell notes from customers on Sept. 10, 2025. Patrons stopping by the bar have been leaving notes behind since news of its closure became public. Credit: Alex V. Hernandez/Block Club Chicago
A Sense of Community
“I found my family at this bar,” said bartender Michele Irizarry. “Everybody in this bar looks out for each other in a way that I’ve never experienced at other bars I’ve worked at.” Irizarry has worked at The Hidden Cove for four years and met friends there, like Emileigh and J.R. Honeycutt. The married couple were regulars who invited Irizarry to play Dungeons & Dragons with them and later became her coworkers, slinging drinks behind the bar and helping run karaoke, she said.
The Future of The Hidden Cove
Trocchio is hopeful he can find a new location nearby to continue The Hidden Cove’s story. He has been meeting with local stakeholders and elected officials to find a spot, he said. “Even though late-night bars get a bad rap, we’ve always had this positive vibe for the most part over the years,” Trocchio said. And The Hidden Cove’s staff aims to keep the community spirit alive by hosting karaoke for the foreseeable future at the Red Room Comedy Club, 7442 N. Western Ave.
Some of the songs the Hidden Cove’s patrons covered on Sept. 10, 2025. Credit: Alex V. Hernandez/Block Club Chicago
Conclusion
The Hidden Cove has been a staple in the Lincoln Square community for 60 years, providing a welcoming atmosphere for patrons to sing their hearts out. As the bar says goodbye to its current location, the community is coming together to celebrate its history and legacy. The staff is hopeful to find a new location to continue the story of The Hidden Cove, and in the meantime, they will be hosting karaoke at the Red Room Comedy Club.
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