Bangers & Lace
Wicker Park
1670 West Division Street
Chicago IL
2022

Northwoods vs. Notting Hill

"Northwoods" refers to a large forested region in the northern parts of the United States, primarily in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, known for its dense pine trees and natural landscape, while "Notting Hill" is a vibrant neighborhood in London, England, characterized by colorful houses, a bustling market, and a more urban feel; essentially, Northwoods represents a remote, natural area while Notting Hill is a bustling, trendy part of a major city.

Northwoods is a geographic region in the American Midwest, whereas Notting Hill is a neighborhood within London.

Northwoods is associated with rustic charm and quiet serenity, while Notting Hill is known for its trendy shops, vibrant culture, and iconic colorful houses.

https://www.bangersandlace.com/

Bangers & Lace, the latest bar concept from Matt Eisler (Bar DeVille, Empire Liquors), Kevin Heisner (designer of Violet Hour, Nightwood and others) and Nick Podesta and Jason Freiman (both Duchamp), has passed city inspections and is nearing an opening date, likely within two weeks.

The English- and Belgian-inspired name (bangers are sausages in England; lace is what Belgians call the foam that sticks to the inside of a beer glass) inspired various elements throughout, including the French lace macrame curtains hanging in the windows; the nearly 100 bottle and tap beer list; and, of course, the menu created by Adam Wendt, formerly of Duchamp.

But the overall decor is more Northwoods than Notting Hill. The team utilized cedar siding usually reserved for a building's exterior and placed it on select walls in the bar. Heisner built a 20-foot mahogany communal table for the front room, accented by Shaker-style "salt" chairs from Design Within Reach. A 30-foot zinc bar top was installed by metal workers and intricately designed wood/leather looking inlaid panels grace the bar's lower exterior walls. The back room re-creates a comfortable living room with leather couches, wooden tables and a wood-burning stove in the corner.

The bathrooms bring the outside in, with its forest scene murals, and the plan is to add a '70s-inspired kitschy scenic landscape mural above the moulding toward the top of the walls. The outdoor theme continues with a deer head mounted to the front wall and various taxidermied animals resting atop a vintage ice box, nicknamed the "six pack," that will be used to store six kegs of rotating featured theme beers (the opening kegs will focus on barrel-themed beers like New Holland's Dragon's Milk, Allagash Curieux and Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout). The taps will feed directly to the middle six taps behind the bar, set directly into the exposed brick; those will be flanked by a total of 26 other taps featuring various international beers, which will be the real draw, along with Wendt's menu.




Bangers & Lace is your home for craft beer, artisanal sausage, & genuine hospitality. A restaurant & bar with the feel of a Midwestern lodge, Bangers & Lace offers drinkers draft beers from around the world, in addition to an extensive bottle selection, boutique wines, & thoughtful cocktails. So why the name? 'Bangers' is the British term for sausage, & 'Lace' stands for Brussels Lace, the intricate veil of beer foam that clings to the side of the glass as it is consumed, indicating a well-crafted beer and a clean glass.