Cody’s Public House, located at 1658 West Barry Avenue, the corner of Paulina and Barry in Lakeview, is now open. A legendary neighborhood mainstay, former owner Gene Frankowski purchased the bar in 1986 and ran it for over 30 years as Cody’s Public House, named after his dog, until closing in 2019. Frankowski sold the building to Red Door Tavern Group (The Graystone Tavern, The Rambler Kitchen + Tap) in September 2021, who promised to honor the bar’s history with tasteful restorations of its beloved elements while adding updated amenities.
“While working through our renovations and updates, we made it a priority to keep the vibe the same as the old Cody’s you know and love,” said owner Kyle Bagley. “We wanted to respectfully carry on the corner tap tradition, so we made sure to adhere as closely as possible to the original bar with thoughtful, complementary renovations while also updating the amenities for our staff and guests.”
Cody’s is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Guests will enjoy a full bar with a selection of beer, wine, cider, seltzers, and signature cocktails and shots. For more information, check out their website!
The Space
Cody’s Public House is housed in a 126 year old building constructed in 1894, and Red Door Tavern Group spent months restoring several of the bar’s original elements. The existing authentic tin ceiling was repainted copper and features several antique Schlitz chandeliers hanging throughout. The original backbar sconces were repurposed as pendant lights and sconces throughout the main bar, and the original oak wood floors were refinished. The bar’s pool table and jukebox were upgraded, and both the dart boards and much of the artwork were cleaned, polished, and rehung.
New improvements included replacing the glass block windows with larger windows for better ventilation during the warmer months. Farm-style siding was added on the outside of the building, and a fresh coat of dark and cozy green paint was added inside, complemented by a knotty pine trim, as well as art and memorabilia from the new owners’ personal collections. Adding to the space’s amenities are eight 65-inch TVs around the bar for a total of 10 throughout the space.
Additionally, Cody’s now has a dedicated game room that includes darts, Golden Tee and Big Buck Hunter. Available for rentals, the game room can also be used for private parties for up to 30 guests.
Outdoors, Cody’s offers an expansive beer garden that can accommodate 100 people where guests can cozy up to the year-round fire pit, weather permitting. In early spring 2022, Cody’s will remodel the beer garden adding new lights, seating, tables and backyard games.
Beverage Menu
Cody’s is equipped with a full bar and a new state-of-the-art tap system featuring 16 beers on draft. Offering local craft favorites and rotating seasonal brews, winter selections currently include Maplewood Son of Juice, Three Floyd’s Gumballhead and Zombie Dust, Revolution Anti-Hero, Spiteful IPA, Noon Whistle Bernie Milk Stout, Goose Island Greenline and more.
For cocktails, Cody’s features a menu with classics as a nod to the building’s history ranging from $10 to $12. Signature drinks include the Black Manhattan with Piggyback Rye Whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, bitters, orange bitters and brandied cherry, an Old Fashioned with Pink Hook Bourbon, Angostura bitters and simple syrup with an orange twist, and an Espresso Martini with Tito’s, Cafe Borghetti, espresso and simple syrup. Perfect for the cooler months, hot drinks are available for $10 each including the Kentucky Hot Chocolate with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, bourbon cream, whipped cream and sprinkles and the Buckeye with hot chocolate, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, whipped cream and sprinkles.
Cody’s also offers a menu of signature shots and bombs for $8 each like the Mini Beer with Licor 43 and heavy whipping cream, Watermelon Margarita with Hornitos Plata Tequila, watermelon juice and lime, and a Cubbie Bomb with Stoli Rasberi Vokda, blue curacao and Red Bull Coconut Edition. The full drink menu can be found HERE.
Featured Image Credit: Papergirl PR