CHICAGO RIVERWALK — A pop-up tiki bar with accompanying party boats will open Saturday on the Chicago Riverwalk as part of the city's $100 million plan to revive the stretch of riverfront property.

Island Party Hut, a spinoff of the Island Party Boats that set sail from Monroe Harbor, will begin serving tropical rum-based cocktails and sandwiches Saturday on the riverfront just east of Columbus Drive.



Island Party Hut [DNAinfo/David Matthews]

The tiki bar is the first of many vendors set to open on the Riverwalk as the city pushes to develop the Chicago River into a tourist destination that rivals the beaches of Lake Michigan.

"We're very excited to be here. The Riverwalk is going to explode, we think," Island Party Boat owner Mark Stern said.

Dave Matthews says it's all part of a bigger plan for the riverfront:

The bar's patio will seat about 95 people, Stern said, and guests will be able to hop aboard one of four boats that will stop at the tiki hut and in Monroe Harbor. Prices weren't yet available Thursday, but the menu includes burgers, wraps, and sandwiches, as well as beer, wine, and rum-based cocktails. Frozen drinks will not be served, Stern said.

Once complete, the $100 million Riverwalk project will fill the south bank of the Chicago River with new retailers from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street.

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