Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret, a longtime Wicker Park hangout at 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., was ordered closed after city inspectors said they found “dangerous and hazardous” conditions. A bright orange notice flashed on the front door over the weekend, and officials say the venue has not been cleared to reopen. The sudden shutdown stunned performers and regulars who’ve treated Davenport’s like a neighborhood living room for decades.
City padlocks Davenport’s
Inspectors with the Department of Buildings cited a laundry list of safety issues they say put people at risk: severely rusted and shifted support beams, missing support columns, foundation cracks, exposed electrical wiring, improperly secured CO2 tanks, missing stair nosings, and broken handrails. Curtains and drapes were also flagged for obstructing emergency exits and lacking required flame-spread ratings, according to officials. Management did not return requests for comment, and the city confirmed the business has not been cleared to reopen, as reported by Block Club Chicago.
From cabaret staple to ‘Ultra Lounge’ pivot
The closure follows months of upheaval at Davenport’s. The club abruptly canceled cabaret shows in April and started promoting a DJ-driven “Ultra Lounge” after longtime owners sold the business in 2023. Performers and former employees said the shift — and departures behind the scenes — strained ties with the city’s cabaret community. The earlier reporting was documented by WBEZ.
What it’ll take to reopen
The Department of Buildings told the owner to secure a condition assessment from a structural engineer and fix all violations using licensed professionals before reopening. The department said it will monitor the work and serve as a resource as repairs move forward — steps meant to address the structural and life-safety problems flagged by inspectors. Those instructions were reported by Block Club Chicago.
Why can the city lock the doors
Chicago’s municipal code empowers the building commissioner, fire commissioner, the president of the board of health, or the police superintendent to order a closure when violations threaten life or safety, and it requires a conspicuous posted notice barring entry. Removing or obscuring that notice is illegal and can draw fines — hence the bright orange placard. The authority is spelled out in the Chicago building code.
Regulars rattled, party nights on pause
The shutdown hit roughly six months after Davenport’s scrapped its cabaret calendar and signaled a new nightlife direction, frustrating many performers and patrons. The venue has also been hosting Saturday parties touting bottle service, VIP tables, and top-40 and hip-hop music, according to event listings on Eventbrite. Coverage of the programming pivot appeared earlier at WBEZ.
For now, the building remains closed, and the city says not to enter. If you’ve got tickets or plans on the books, follow posted refund instructions and check in with the City of Chicago Department of Buildings for inspection records, permits, and any reopening updates. The department’s online tools include a building-violations search and permit status pages. See the City of Chicago Department of Buildings for the latest.
