Greenleaf Avenue, just steps away from the Rogers Park Metra was the scene. A collection of four neighboring businesses held an open house Spring celebration that included copious amounts of beer and whisky. Electric Jungle was ground zero for the beer. Handsome Bastard Barber Shoppe took care of whisky. Across the street at State Farm was a wine station including a bottle of 1985 Bordeaux. and a pair of Austrian Rosès.

Handsome Bastard Barber Shoppe 1766 W. Greenleaf, Chicago, IL 60626

Illuminated Beer Works can be a bit intimidating on the store shelf with titles Jr. Astronaut Juice and Lucifer’s Offerings. We last saw this frequent Electric Jungle collaborator at the November beard competition / bottle share. This time around for a little balance Evanston’s Temperance had their mainline offerings (Smittytown, Gatecrasher, Escapist) in the lounge. Gatecrasher of course is their classic English style IPA that has landed the Evanston brewery two Great American Beer Fest medals in the last five years.

Peachy O, the white stout with peaches and cinnamon was the highlight of Illuninated’s eclectic bottle collection. Its also the base for Café Peachy. A not to be missed variant using a pair of blends from Chicago based Abacus coffee. Vietnamese Casia + Washed Kochere Ethiopian Coffee.

Rogers Park Provisions curated the Handsome Bastard’s booze selection.

The only one we remember is Infuse Spirit’s Cask Condition Broken Barrel Whiskey. The bold, decadent single barrel whiskey is 166 proof aged and aged using broken oak staves.

The sleeper surprise offering from the 3 locations was Babitos Bites. The catering service blessed each venue with a righteous cheesy mac w pulled turkey confit.

Shouts out to Babito’s for the solid catering options.

We all talked about the strange non –descript bar next-door Electric Jungle. At 6pm on a Saturday it was closed, in fact we thought it was vacant. Maybe it was just wishful thinking because we all really want in on the synergy happening on The Greenleaf. Neighbors making it a point to celebrate on what is quickly becoming one of the coolest blocks west of Clark in Rogers Park.

Skipped across the street for the wine tasting

Electric Jungle (1768 W. Greenleaf)
Handsome Bastard Barber Shoppe (1766 W. Greenleaf)
Nick Koseik State Farm (1771 W. Greenleaf)