Weegee’s Lounge in Logan Square to Stay Open Under New Ownership
Logan Square — Beloved neighborhood tavern Weegee’s Lounge is staying put thanks to new ownership taking over next month.
New ownership
The Logan Square watering hole at 3659 W. Armitage Ave. will soon be owned by Jeff Hoffman, owner of Village Tap in Roscoe Village, who recently bought the bar and building from outgoing owner Alex Huebner.
Huebner’s Decision
Huebner, who has been the owner of Weegee’s for almost 20 years, announced that he and his wife will be leaving the business to pursue their sailing hobby. The couple began sailing more frequently when the pandemic hit, which led them to reconsider their priorities.
"I wasn’t bringing the energy I should have been bringing to it, so it’s really nice to pass it along to somebody that is going to put fresh eyes on it," Huebner said.
Hoffman’s Vision
Hoffman, who knows Huebner through mutual bar-owner friends, is excited to preserve the legacy of Weegee’s. "I realized that a lot of people actually saw, from an outside view, the value of this brand that I had built, and I got excited about that," Huebner said.
Preserving the Legacy
Hoffman plans to keep the Weegee’s name and maintain its reputation for excellent craft cocktails, music nights, holiday-themed parties, and a cozy retro vibe. "These kinds of neighborhood taverns are slowly fewer and far between from what they were pre-pandemic, and being able to preserve one and continue to build on what Alex has started with Weegee’s was just a great opportunity for us," Hoffman said.
Memorabilia and More
Huebner will take some memorabilia with him, including his first dollar bill when the bar opened, which is framed with the date, and a framed wishbone his wife gave him when they opened the bar. The property has been a working bar for nearly a century, previously the Chris-Walton Inn, according to the Chicago Bar Project.
What’s Next?
Hoffman expects to take over the bar in mid-March, likely after St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. "We will be evaluating the beer list later as well but will remain focused on local breweries," he said.
Conclusion
Weegee’s Lounge is a beloved institution in Logan Square, and its new ownership under Jeff Hoffman ensures its legacy will continue. Hoffman’s passion for preserving the bar’s reputation and reputation is a testament to the power of community and the importance of preserving neighborhood establishments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will the new ownership take over? Expectations are that the new ownership will take over in mid-March, likely after St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- What changes can we expect? Hoffman plans to keep the Weegee’s name and maintain its reputation for excellent craft cocktails, music nights, holiday-themed parties, and a cozy retro vibe. Local breweries will also be a focus.
- What about memorabilia? Huebner will take some memorabilia with him, including his first dollar bill when the bar opened and a framed wishbone his wife gave him when they opened the bar.
- What’s the history of the property? The property has been a working bar for nearly a century, previously the Chris-Walton Inn, according to the Chicago Bar Project.
