As Chicago closes the books on another year, it’s a good time to think back on the good, the bad and—at times—the sad events that occurred during this journey around the sun.





For every new restaurant, bar or cultural institution we gained this year, it seemed like we lost another. So goes the circle of life.





So, let’s take a quick moment to reflect, pour one out and move into the new decade!









Photo via Facebook/The MID





The nightlife scene took a few particularly tough hits in 2019, most notably the closing of DJ hubs Studio Paris in River North, The Mid in West Loop and East Room in Logan Square. Thanks for all your service, friends. We’ll miss all the nights we spent with you that we don’t actually remember.









Photo via Facebook/Elbo Room





After 29 years of bringing live music, comedy and performance art to Lincoln Park, the Elbo Room will change ownership in 2020. There’s been little word yet as to what that change in ownership will mean for the venue, but we expect some big changes.





Other bars that we said goodbye to this year included River West St. Patrick’s day HQ Mahoney’s, Lincoln Park cocktail pioneer Barrelhouse Flat and River North stalwart Rockit Bar & Grill. And, of course, cheeseburger lovers received quite the blow when Lockdown Bar & Grill closed its doors for the final time on March 1. Our tastebuds mourn for you.









Photo via Facebook/U.S. Pizza Museum





Speaking of cheese, the closing of Pastoral’s three locations took us by surprise and left us in a state of sadness. The sandwich chefs and cheese purveyors behind these shops kept us full of dairy and carbs for more than 15 years. Of course, the U.S. Pizza Museum’s exit from its home in South Loop was also a big hit for cheese lovers. No word on whether the museum will pop up in a new location next year, but we have our sauce-covered fingers crossed.









Photo via Facebook/Bridgeport Bakery





Logan Square’s dining scene was rocked in August when Quiote and its basement bar Todos Santos closed without warning. Other neighborhood favorites that we lost in 2019 included Bridgeport Bakery, Miko’s Italian Ice (just the Bucktown location), White Oak Tavern in Ukrainian Village, Slurping Turtle in River North, Atomix Coffee café in West Town, Leghorn Chicken in Ukranian Village, Polish haven Red Apple Buffet in Avondale and The Diag (and adjacent 404 Wine Bar) in Lakeview.













Wicker Park lost a few longtime favorites this year including Pork & Mindy's, The Anthem and High Noon Saloon. Two years after the initial fire that shuttered its once uber-popular kitchen, Balena also finally, officially announced its closing in 2019. We also said goodbye to both Pokeworks locations in 2019—sparking speculation that the poke bubble has officially popped.









Photo via Flickr/secondcity





Not even tourist-heavy neighborhoods were without hurt in 2019! Tavern at the Park across from Millennium Park closed after more than ten years serving Michigan Avenue wanderers and Artist's Cafe ended a 60-year run as a landmark of South Loop. The historic restaurant opened in 1961.









Photo via Facebook/Bibliophile





It wasn’t just old-timers within the Chicago food and beverage scene that shut their doors for good this year though. Stone Fox in Andersonville, Hyde Park’s book-themed bar Bibliophile, Twain in Logan Square and Hogsalt’s sushi endeavor Radio Anago all closed within a year of opening.









Of course, restaurants and watering holes weren’t the only things Chicago had to bid farewell to in 2019. We pay tribute to some of our favorite locally-owned retail shops that went the way of the dinosaurs this year including Kay Shoes in Logan Square, Avenue N Guitars in Wicker Park and Stanley’s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Market near Goose Island.









Photo via Facebook/Chicago Cubs





One notable face no longer seen around town is Cubs 2016 World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon. Chicago’s North Side baseball team announced Maddon’s departure prior to the final game of its 2019 season. Maddon had been at the Cubs’ helm since 2015.









Photo via Facebook/Juice Wrld





Tragically, our local music scene also lost a big name—one that was still very much on the rise. Twenty-one-year-old rapper Juice Wrld passed away in early December after suffering a drug overdose at Midway airport. Earlier in the year, Juice Wrld released his second studio album Death Race For Love and headlined the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash in Douglas Park.









Image via Giphy





Let’s not forget about one of the biggest, longest standing laws we’re saying “so long” to as we enter 2020: On January 1, recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois. You can legally smoke yourself silly for the first time in the state’s history. We know we’ll be celebrating. Take a moment to find a great dispensary near you and take our recommendations for what to do when you’re stoned in Chicago.









Photo via Facebook/Chicago Parks District





Finally, we remember a figure we said both “hello” and “goodbye” to during the great summer of 2019. Chance The Snapper, you came into our lives without warning and were here only a short time, but we will never forget you. The four-foot alligator was first spotted on July 9 in the Humboldt Park lagoon. Though his origins were never revealed, the gator captivated the city, drawing hundreds of people to the park hoping to catch a glimpse as well as reptile-experts-turned-local-celebrities Alligator Bob and Alligator (Frank) Robb. After a dramatic search and rescue effort, Chance was caught on July 16, appeared before the city at a press conference wearing a dapper bowtie and moved to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida, soon after. In what could be argued as the highlight of Chicago’s summer of 2019, Chance The Snapper united our city for just a few short days while we waited with bated breath for his safe capture. You'll be missed, friend. Next time we're in northern Florida, we'll be sure to stop by and say “hey,” but just remember...













We hope your 2020 is as good as, if not better than, the previous year! Cheers, Chicago!