Neon Wilderness Opens In Wicker Park

CHICAGO, IL — Wicker Park's newest bar opened Thursday on Milwaukee Avenue, and offers a diverse drink menu helmed by acclaimed Chicago bartender Brad Bolt. Neon Wilderness aims to offer an "inclusive bar atmosphere for everyone," Bolt said.

“I want this to be a fun place to drink, whichever drink you choose,” he said. “Champagne is delicious and it’s fun to drink, so you’ll find that on the menu. But if you’re stopping in after work for a beer and a shot, we have that too.”

Bolt, in partnership with Matt Eisler and Kevin Heisner of Heisler Hospitality, opened Neon Wilderness at 1270 N. Milwaukee Avenue next to Shuga Records — a short walk from the Blue Line stop. The bar's interior features a 35-foot concrete-top bar, banquette seating along the wall and a vaulted ceiling.

With the neighborhood bar in mind, the team is focusing on Happy Hour, with drink specials offered between 5-7 p.m. Specials include a can of Revolution Cross of Gold with a shot for $5, 20 percent off all bottles of wine, $7 featured cocktails and $8 wines by the glass.

The drink menu features eight house cocktails, including a Zubrowka Old Fashioned named “Polish Broadway” and the return of Bolt’s “The Hard Sell” (Beefeater Gin, Malort, St. Germain, Lemon). A selection of 15 beers by the can range from saisons to ciders to IPAs and
a tightly curated selection of wine by the glass and Champagne by the bottle are also available.

Bolt won First Place in the 2010 Bacardi Legacy Competition Chicago Regional and was nominated for a 2015 Jean Banchet award for “Best Mixologist.”

Images courtesy of Neon Wilderness