After three decades, Twisted Spoke, the storied biker-themed bar nestled in Chicago's West Town, is riding off into the sunset. Co-owner Mitch Einhorn announced the bar's closure, set for August 31, detailing a mixture of factors that fueled this tough decision.
Once a sanctuary for motorcycle enthusiasts and bourbon aficionados, the Twisted Spoke has grappled with changing industry dynamics, notably the soaring costs plaguing consistent operation which has led to dusk for the once-bustling nightspot, confirmed in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times; this, combined with an expiring lease, has catalyzed its shuttering, culminating a storied 30-year run.
Einhorn reminisced over the iconic setup at 501 N. Ogden Ave.—the rooftop skeleton rider and the bar's metallic facade, resonating with customers from tourists to industry giants such as Elmer T. Lee and Julian Van Winkle, "They’d all come and hang out at the Twisted Spoke and, you know, it didn’t used to be a big deal. It was just like, oh, these are guys who are making really cool spirits and hanging out in a bar, which seems completely natural," Einhorn mentioned to the Sun-Times.
As news of the bar's final days emerged, patrons took to social media to express their dismay, with one commenting, "Somebody wake me up from this nightmare" under the announcement post detailed by NBC Chicago. A disheartened regular noted the disruption of their annual pilgrimage, lamenting, "You were a part of my @riot_fest ritual NOW where am I going to pre-game?!" capturing a sense of loss embedded deep within the community fabric.
The Twisted Spoke's legacy will be felt beyond its last call while co-owners, the Einhorn brothers, pivot to their other ventures like Lush Wine & Spirits in Roscoe Village and West Town; through countless Whiskey Wednesdays and sun-drenched rooftop brunches, the establishment has etched itself permanently into the hearts of those who crossed its threshold, a testament to the lives it touched over three storied decades, "You spend three decades working on something, when you finally decide to close it down, it’s never easy," Einhorn reflected on the epoch that was Twisted Spoke, a sentiment echoed as the community prepares to bid farewell to an irreplaceable fixture of local nightlife.
