The Getaway Opens April 13th in Lincoln Square

Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood will soon be home to a new bar as The Getaway prepares to open its doors at 4530 Lincoln Avenue on Saturday, April 13, set in the former space of the Grafton Pub & Grill.

Owned and operated by Four Entertainment Group (4EG), this is the seventh Chicago project for the bar group. 4EG Chicago bars include aliveOne in Lincoln Park, Central Park Bar in Avondale, Easy Bar in Wicker Park, Estelle’s in Wicker Park, Remedy in Bucktown and The Owl in Logan Square, along with several concepts in the Columbus, Cincinnati and Kentucky area.

According to Managing Partner David Halpern, 4EG wanted to retain the no frills sense of community that the classic Irish bar had while making renovations that the neighborhood would get excited about. “We wanted to retain the charm of a friendly neighborhood tavern where the regulars feel like family and the bartender knows your name while also bringing something new and dynamic to the area,” said Halpern. “Our vision was to create a multifaceted experience, with a cozy and inviting ambiance of a neighborhood bar in the front that seamlessly transitions into a more playful, lively lounge area in the back," continues Halpern.

The Getaway will be open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Friday and 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. on Saturday. The Getaway will feature a signature cocktail menu, local and international beers, and happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring $8 house cocktails, $5 select drafts, and $4 domestics. In the coming months, guests can expect occasional live music nights and events in the back room lounge. 

The Space

Housed within the confines of the former Lincoln Square staple, the Grafton Pub & Grill, which held its place for almost 20 years, The 2,500 square-foot space will retain the same layout but the new design introduces vintage elements throughout. The space offers seating for 80 guests and is outfitted with two TVs in the front bar. 

A focal point, the main bar will have seating for 20 guests. Design elements include wood paneling and tambour detailing accompanied by vintage mirrors and lighting. The millwork on the back of the bar continues the venue’s brown and golden honey oak wood tones and will be filled with liquor bottles placed alongside reeded glass. Across from the bar is a long, slatted wood banquette with green vinyl seats and high top tables. 

Beyond the bar, the back room lounge features a mid-century modern style with art deco nods throughout. The space will be wrapped in a green and gold floral design. The back lounge features a limestone fireplace that was a feature of The Grafton and offers seating and tables.

Cocktails

The Getaway will offer a list of 12 cocktails that will rotate seasonally along with a variety of local and international beers. Created by The Getaway team, Gianna Peña (General Manager), Sarah Crossley (Operations Manager), and Janet Tonyan (bartender), cocktail menu options will include the Smoke ‘em if You Got ‘em with rye whiskey, Cynar liqueur, Benedictine herbal liqueur, served in a chilled glass with a spritz of Laphroaig, the Cocorococonut with vodka, lemongrass sake, lychee liqueur, coconut syrup and lemon juice, and The Getaway with rum, coconut liqueur, pineapple run, apricot liqueur, lime juice, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine served in a pineapple glass with a cocktail umbrella, orange slice, and a Luxardo cherry.