Belmont Pourhouse Taking Over Cuna, Puts Focus on Craft Beer

The Wrigleyville-styled bar and restaurant Cuna Sports Lounge is out, and Lake View’s new American restaurant Belmont Pourhouse is in.

Located at 1113 W. Belmont Ave., owner Paolo Acuna shut down Cuna last week to take on a new restaurant venture in its place. He says the new space will be starkly different from his former restaurant, featuring a more rustic look with a new focus on craft beer.

“Well have 36 taps with 42 American craft beers to choose from, and we’ll be building on our whiskey and bourbon collection,” Acuna said. “The concept is going to be like a gastropub with American style food.”

Acuna says Cuna was up and running for three and a half years before he decided to make the switch, a move that’s already receiving praise from neighbors tired of the Wrigleyville crowd.

Join Lake View Patch for more neighborhood news and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

“It was time to switch it up,” he said. “We did research about what the neighborhood was calling for, and it was time to move from the Wrigley theme. … In the past (neighbors) were complaining.”

Now Belmont Taphouse will feature a menu ranging between $8 and $20, created by former (K)new Restaurant owner Omar Rodriguez. The menu will also have a heavy emphasis on communal dining, small plates and sharing with friends, Acuna said.

And although Cuna closed just a week ago, crews are already working hard to prep for a soft opening on Saturday to work out all the kinks. The grand opening will be on May 25.

“I haven’t slept in two days,” Acuna laughed. “We’ve been working nonstop.”

Once open, the restaurant will serve lunch every day from 11 a.m. – 2p.m., and until 3 p.m. on Saturday. There are also plans to place a large emphasis on brunch on the weekends.