Chicago Themed Sports Bar Opens on Lincoln Avenue

Just as a Mulligan’s sports bar closed in Roscoe Village, another bar with the same name opened in Lincoln Square.

But where the unrelated owners of Mulligan’s Public House failed, Allison Mulligan hopes to succeed.

Her American restaurant—Mulligan’s—opened Tuesday at 5155 N. Lincoln Ave., near the street’s intersection with Foster.

Formerly Café Muppet and then Kasper’s Place, both establishments featured jazz and Balkan music, attracting a European crowd.

But Mulligan said she wants to be more inclusive. With typical bar food like burgers, wraps and chicken, Mulligan hopes to attract a younger crowd from Lincoln Square.

"I feel like this neighborhood needs something like this," she said.

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Once the bar obtains a liquor license Monday, a beer selection will include Miller, Pabst-Blue Ribbon and local microbrews.

Along with an outdoor patio, Mulligan’s will host darts tournaments on Thursday and sponsor athletic teams. Trivia isn’t far down the road for the 1,400-square-foot space, she said.

The bar will still have live music on Tuesdays, featuring the owner of the building and his jazz workshop. 

Mulligan’s is the first venture for Allison and her brother, John. Both have worked in the industry, but now, Allison is an x-ray tech, while John works for the forest preserve.

"My brother and I had this crazy idea one day to open a bar, and we decided to check it out," she said.

The space on Lincoln Avenue was the first building the two saw, and immediately fell in love with the location. They bought the business June 28 and have been renovating the bar for the last month.