Chef's Special Cocktail Bar Coming this Summer to Bucktown

The team behind Giant are shaking things up with their next venture, Chef's Special Cocktail Bar, a bar in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood opening this summer at 2165 N. Western Ave. The bar will be the second act for partners Jason Vincent, Ben Lustbader and Josh. Joining the Chef’s Special team are Giant alums Chase Bracamontes as general manager and Aaron Kabot and Tom Scodari as chefs.

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With a large bar and lounge area, the space allows the team to build on Perlman’s beverage program, offering a wide array of drinks, from natural wines and local beers, to all manner of libations. 

To complement its extensive bar program, the menu at Chef’s Special focuses on American-Chinese food, with a variety of vegetables, fried rice, noodle dishes, and more. The food will highlight quality ingredients and approachable dishes. You’ll find a “Chef’s Special” section of the menu with a rotating list of more experimental dishes. 

“We’ve built a really solid team at Giant and are lucky to work with a crew who has been with us since the beginning. That gives us a lot of confidence to expand with this new spot,” says Vincent. “We all have our favorite dive bars in town and are drawing inspiration from those casual and comfortable spots to create a place that feels immediately familiar.”

Chef's Special Cocktail Bar will be open late will offer delivery and take-out options. Chef’s Special will take a limited number of reservations for large and small parties.