Belmont Central is getting a fresh spot to catch the game, with Dany Sports Bar set to take over 5650 W Diversey Avenue as early as next year. Owner Dionicio Arguello is planning a drinks-first sports bar that will slot into a block already lined with neighborhood fixtures and give the corridor a new late-night option for fans who want to stay put after the final whistle.
According to What Now Chicago, Arguello filed a liquor license application for the Diversey address under the Dany Sports Bar name, identifying the space as the former Okicim. He told What Now Chicago that he is aiming to open around the new year, with an initial focus on cocktails and beer. Food is not part of the opening plan, though he indicated it could be added later.
Built Next To A Neighborhood Staple
The new bar will be physically connected to Golden Tuzo Pastes y Empanadas at 5648 W Diversey Avenue, a longtime local counter service spot listed on delivery platforms like Uber Eats. Chicago Magazine has previously called out Golden Tuzo's pastes as a neighborhood specialty, giving Dany Sports Bar a built-in food neighbor that locals already know.
Permits Show Renovation Activity
Permit records compiled on BuildZoom show recent work at 5650 W Diversey, including a completed plumbing permit that mentions a "first floor bar & basement" and additional window and mechanical permits from this summer. The paperwork points to interior work already underway to convert the former business into a bar space that fits Arguello's timeline.
Arguello told What Now Chicago that he plans to share more details as construction continues and confirmed that Dany Sports Bar has not yet set up any social media accounts. For now, neighbors can expect a drinks-focused sports hangout, with the possibility of food service later if demand is strong enough.
