New York nightlife pioneer David Rabin is taking his VIP-friendly brand of hospitality to Chicago. Rabin and partners Larry Poston and Johnny Swet will open an outpost of their Jimmy cocktail lounge at the James Chicago hotel in about a week.
Unlike Manhattan’s Jimmy (where Jay-Z, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Prabal Gurung, Petra Nemcova and Chace Crawford have been spotted) at the James in SoHo, this spot isn’t a rooftop bar. It’s located below the new Burke’s Bacon Bar at 610 N. Rush St. Like Manhattan’s Jimmy, it’s tricked out by James Beard Award-winning designer Thomas Schlesser. Expect a retro vibe that celebrates cocktail culture, slow sipping and beautiful people.
The Swet-conceived drinks will include everything from the Cucumber Vesper (gin, vodka, Lillet, lemon and cracked white peppercorns) to the Mexican Julep (tequila, watermelon, lime, agave and cilantro with crushed ice).
Bringing this kind of Manhattan downtown cool to the Windy City seems to be part of a trend. Jason Pomeranc, known for his SoHo and Lower East Side hotels, is working on the opening of a Thompson Chicago later this year.
Meanwhile, Rabin, who made his nightclub bones opening Lotus in the Meatpacking District, is also busy in NYC working on the relaunch of Double Seven with new partner Jimmy Haber.