The Broken Shaker is expanding to one of the most cocktail-forward cities in the U.S. -- Chicago.
Partners Gabriel Orta and Elad Zvi will once again partner with the Freehand Hotel, placing a Broken Shaker inside the new Freehand Hotel Chicago.
See also: Broken Shaker's New Chef, James Seyba, Creates Menu Designed to Pair with Cocktails
According to its website, the Freehand Chicago, scheduled to open in 2015, will be located in "one of River North's 1920s Art Deco buildings. Expect the same affordable shared and private rooms, dynamic food and beverage, and comfortable community atmosphere you'll find in Miami with a new Windy City vibe..."
According to Eater Chicago, the upscale hostel will be located in the former Tokyo Hotel and Broken Shaker will likely take over what was a sushi restaurant.
Gabe Orta tells Short Order that the River North section of Chicago is a trendy, up-and-coming area of the city, filled with cocktail bars and great restaurants. Broken Shaker Chicago will have a similar cocktail program as Miami, with some obvious changes. "The bar won't be outdoors, but we still want it to have a laid-back feel and a bit of Miami flavor. We love Miami so much, we want to showcase it."
Of course, there will be nods to Chicago, as well as seasonal changes. "Chicago has an amazing cocktail culture. The bartenders are fantastic and the people love to eat and drink."
Orta says he and partner Elad Zvi are actually looking forward to Chicago winters, and the change of seasons. "We want to source from local farmers, so we'll be able to change our cocktails with the seasons. Instead of fighting the weather, we're going to go with it. In the fall we'll have pumpkin and spicy flavors and in the winter we'll offer toddies. In Miami, there's basically one season, Now, we'll be able to play with all four seasons. We're really excited about that."
How does Orta plan to schedule his time between the two locations? "I'll have to clone myself," he quips. Seriously, though, he says traveling "is the name of the game," and that he'll juggle between the two cities. "I want to make Chicago my second home. I'll always love Miami, but we want to be part of the community in Chicago, as well. It's a great city. Besides, I love the cold weather." Orta won't have to worry about braving the Chicago winter for at least another year. The Broken Shaker Chicago isn't scheduled to open until May 2015.
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
Follow Short Order on Facebook, on Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.
