One of the Loop's dependable riverfront standbys has gone dark. The McCormick & Schmick's on Wacker Drive abruptly closed this week after its lease expired, catching employees and regulars off guard and cutting off a longtime pipeline for pre-theater dinners and buttoned-up business meals. The sudden shutdown has left staff, diners, and neighboring businesses wondering what comes next for the coveted riverfront space.
Landry's Statement
According to NBC Chicago, parent company Landry's Hospitality confirmed that the Loop location on the first block of East Wacker Drive closed when its lease ran out this week. In a statement to the outlet, COO Shah Ghani said, "We are grateful to our dedicated team members and the loyal guests who have supported this location over the years."
The company said it is working to transfer affected employees to other restaurants and is steering guests toward nearby sister properties. For now, that means customers looking for their usual seafood and steak fix will have to follow Landry's recommendations instead of the familiar walk to the river.
Where It Was And What It Offered
The restaurant's official location page lists the address as 1 E Wacker Dr and highlights a menu focused on fresh seafood, steaks, and an outdoor riverfront patio, all under the McCormick & Schmick's banner. From that perch along the Chicago River, the spot had long served theater crowds looking for a pre-show meal and downtown office workers in search of a reliable power-lunch setting.
Loop Pressures
The closure lands at a time when downtown restaurants are still navigating an uneven recovery. Office towers are not as full as they used to be, and the math on rent and foot traffic has gotten trickier. Bisnow reported that while some large office leases have returned in 2025, vacancy and conversion pressures continue to weigh on the Loop.
On the dining side, local trackers have been tallying a steady stream of shuttered spots across the city, a pattern Eater Chicago has been chronicling as restaurants face rising costs and shifting customer habits.
What's Next
So far, there has been no public word on what the building's landlord plans to do with the now-empty riverfront space or whether another concept is already waiting in the wings. NBC Chicago reports that further details were not immediately available.
In its statement, Landry's urged customers to visit nearby company restaurants and reiterated that it is working to place affected staff at other properties. This story will be updated if Landry's or the building owner shares new information about the future of the Wacker Drive site.
