McGee’s Tavern & Grille, the long-running Lincoln Park bar at 950 W. Webster Ave., has closed its doors permanently. The sports bar, a neighborhood fixture near DePaul University since it opened in 1987, was known for packed game day crowds and late-night service. By Thursday, patrons and neighbors were finding the windows dark, marking a sudden end of an era for many who counted the bar among their regular haunts.
As reported by Block Club Chicago, owner Tom Piazza declined to discuss why the bar shut down but texted that “we are working on something for the neighborhood that all families will be happy with.” The outlet noted that Piazza owns a group of Lincoln Park taverns that includes McGee’s. The report, published Thursday, did not include a timeline for any reopening or redevelopment at the site.
McGee’s website lists 1987 as its founding year and advertises ongoing game day programming. Over time, the bar built a reputation for a lively atmosphere during major college football matchups and for drawing DePaul students and recent graduates on busy nights. That student-heavy crowd and the bar’s late hours helped make it one of Lincoln Park’s recognizable nightspots. Its abrupt closure leaves a familiar social hub without a clear successor.
Marketing tied to the corner lists broker Ian Feinerman of @properties as the agent handling the address, and his roster of Chicago commercial listings is shown on Showcase. Property pages for 950 W. Webster, including Trulia, list the building as off market or available, suggesting the space could be headed to new ownership rather than reopening immediately under the McGees’ name. Those listing signals do not clarify whether a sale would include the operating business, the building, or both, and further details about a sale price or prospective tenants were not publicly available on Thursday.
City records show no permits or redevelopment applications filed for the site as of Tuesday, according to Block Club Chicago. Online directories have already begun to flag McGee’s as closed, and MapQuest lists the address as “Permanently closed.” Any major change at the corner would likely follow a sale and subsequent permit filings with the city, so neighbors and regulars will probably see signs of marketing activity before any construction or change of use begins.
What’s Next For The Corner
Piazza’s brief message hints that something new could be planned, but without filed permits or public plans, a timeline is unknown. If the building changes hands, a new owner would need to file permits for any renovation or conversion. For now, the Webster Avenue block is in limbo while brokers market the property and city filings remain quiet. We will monitor filings and listings and update this story as more information becomes available.
Lincoln Park After McGee’s
McGee’s closing is another example of how neighborhood institutions can shift quickly as ownership and property activity change. For nearly four decades, the tavern was a predictable spot for watching games, socializing with classmates, and meeting up after campus events, and its absence is already being noticed by campus and community crowds. What replaces it will shape another small part of Lincoln Park’s social fabric. We will add updates if the owner or listing agent provides further details.
