New Serial Killer-Themed Pop-Up Bar Haunting Belmont

By: Patrick Reilly

CHICAGO - Just in time for Halloween, a spooky new serial killer themed pop-up bar has risen from the grave at the corner of Clark and Belmont. Calling itself the L&L Tavern, the bar promises to bring a “killer” atmosphere to the popular neighborhood. If you’re a fan of My Favorite Murder or The Ted Bundy Tapes, this is THE spot to be for Halloween.

The pop-up’s main strengths are in the atmosphere, and the commitment of staff to the theme. Just walking in the door, you are oppressed by a gloomy, creepy sensation. The mood is enhanced by props and set pieces that look authentically like a dive from the 70s. From the stained walls, rickety tables, and creepy plaster nativity scene above the bar, everything is carefully arranged to make it look like the kind of place a murderer would hang out. If you ask the staff, they’ll even show you where famed killers John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer “actually drank” in between their crimes, lending a local connection to the vibe. Be sure to get your selfie on!

Once you have soaked in the sights, however, the pop-up starts to disappoint. The menu is bare-bones, featuring low priced beers, with not a craft offering or specialty cocktail in sight. How hard would it have been to craft some devilish drinks to fit the ghoulish atmosphere? The bar also lacks any proper selfie stations or hashtags to help you show off your visit. Despite the stellar work on the authentic looking set up, it seems the owners have never run a pop-up bar before.

When I asked if the bar would be sticking around until the weekend after Halloween, the owner cryptically said, “Pop-up? The L&L has been around for decades, and god-willing, we’ll be open for the foreseeable future.” Talk about commitment to the aesthetic!

Check out L&L Tavern on Belmont and Clark for a creepy good time, before it’s too late!