When Union Pizza and Evanston SPACE first opened in 2009, the restaurant/music venue combo was a revelation for the North Shore suburbs. A delicious Chicago-style eatery AND a highly sought-after, presciently booked music venue in one building? It was groundbreaking.
And now, after 17 years of making music and pizza for nonstop crowds, they’ve broken ground again — this time literally — by purchasing the lot immediately south of the existing building. Eighteen months after demolition began, the new incarnation of Evanston SPACE is open for business, and the lovely, spacious patio for Union Pizza will open in early May, just in time for the good weather.
On April 25 and 26, Evanston SPACE threw opening parties to introduce the new entrance and lobby to the community before and after the weekend’s Robbie Fulks shows. KOVAL Distillery was on site pouring samples from their line of premium spirits (word to the wise: their Cranberry Gin Liqueur is fabulous) while SPACE co-owner and legendary Chicago blues guitarist Dave Specter played for the lobby crowd along with bassist E.G. McDaniel.
The new space is stunning and well considered. From the cooly hip front entrance — a gorgeous glass-and-metal door surrounded by stacked terra cotta tiles — to the bar/lobby’s exposed brick walls, warm accent colors, industrial touches and antique rugs (provided by the neighboring Minasian Rug Company) within, you are welcomed into the new Evanston SPACE.
No more entering through Union Pizza down a narrow hall, no more sharing bathrooms with the restaurant — welcome news for restaurant patrons and concertgoers alike. The new entrance to SPACE is at 1143 Chicago Avenue, just south of Union Pizza’s new and expansive outdoor patio.
The substantial door opens onto a large lobby area with a huge bar lining the east wall of the space. Multiple bartenders are there to handle the crowds and the menu is projected to the left of the bar. The windows behind the bar overlook an outdoor patio ringed by sparkling string lights, which will be available for private event rental.
The lobby walls are lined with Dave Spectre’s concert photographs of rock and blues greats, and on that bathroom issue, there are both men’s and women’s lounges with multiple stalls and some inspired guitar-print wallpaper.
The continuing popularity of both Union and SPACE made the acquisition of the adjoining lot when it became available a no-brainer. “I always thought it would be a natural expansion if it was the right time,” says Evanston SPACE founder and co-owner Craig Golden.
The success of the winning Evanston SPACE/Union combination became a blueprint for Golden when opening Pilsen’s Thalia Hall, Hyde Park’s Promontory, and Chicago’s Salt Shed. Build a neighborhood music venue with a destination restaurant (or in the case of Salt Shed, offer innovative, independent food trucks and stalls), and the people will come.
“We opened Union and SPACE because we all live in the community and thought it would be a really great addition to the food and culture scene here,” Golden says. “I guess we’ve continued to work all these years because we enjoy making Evanston a better, more interesting and fun place to live. The support and appreciation we get from our community for the things that we do really gives us the energy to keep working on new ideas, and now leads us into this next phase of our little expansion.”
Golden’s partners in Evanston SPACE are Jake Samuels and Dave Specter; his Union Pizza partners are Steve Schwartz, Heather Behm and chef Vince DiBatista. All are committed to making Evanston the best place to have a wonderful meal and listen to great music in a welcoming, comfortable setting.
The month of May will bring free lobby programming to Evanston SPACE. Look for Music Trivia on Thursdays at 7 p.m., DJs on Fridays (DJ Teebot & Guests, May 9 and 23 at 10 p.m.; Squeezebox DJs, May 16 at 6 p.m.) and live music on Saturdays (The Space Cadets, May 10 at 10 p.m.; Alta Vista Vista, May 17 at 10 p.m.; and Chicago Jazz Dads Trio, May 24 at 10 p.m.).
This is a great addition to Evanston’s (somewhat nascent) bar scene. Even if you aren’t going to see a show, the new Evanston SPACE lobby is a great spot to hang out.
Related Stories
Julie Chernoff is Food Editor at the RoundTable and a longtime food and culture writer. She loves all things Evanston and has lived here since 1989. Contact her at food@evanstonroundtable.com.More by Julie Chernoff
The RoundTable will try to post comments within a few hours, but there may be a longer delay at times. Comments containing mean-spirited, libelous or ad hominem attacks will not be posted. Your full name and email is required. We do not post anonymous comments. Your e-mail will not be posted.
