Chase Rice Brings The Farm To The Windy City

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Chase Rice

Chase Rice is opening a Chicago branch of his “Welcome to The Farm” entertainment venue with Jimmy Butler and the Forward Hospitality Group.

Welcome to The Farm in Chicago. Photo: Courtesy of Forward Hospitality Group

The third iteration of his popular Welcome to The Farm venue will feature a new 10,000 square foot space and will bring the brand’s signature live music, drinks and BBQ to downtown at ​​15 W Illinois Street with plans to open in early August. The Chicago venue will also include the brand’s ongoing partnership with Executive Chef Raheem Sealy, whose noted Drinking Pig BBQ will find a home at The Farm.

“It’s been incredible to see the Welcome to The Farm response so far,” shares Rice. “I’m so excited to keep growing this project together with the great team at Forward Hospitality Group. Chicago has always been one of my favorite places to visit and to perform, and summer music festival season seemed like the perfect time to bring Welcome to The Farm to the city.”

The completely renovated Chicago space located in the heart of River North will be anchored by a second floor stage that will host a rotating lineup of live music. The space will have capacity to seat approximately 300 guests and will offer both indoor seating and a retractable rooftop to enjoy during the warmer months. Executive Chef Sealey will bring his smoked ribs, brisket, cornbread, handheld sandwiches, elevated bare fare and sides to the Windy City for the first time. The Farm’s bar menu will also include an assortment of Farm Favorites Cocktails, a massive bourbon and whiskey list, along with new specialty coffee products from Butler’s coffee brand BIGFACE that will be available as well.

The Chicago location will join both the most recent St. Petersburg location and original flagship, which opened in Cleveland in 2021, and was joined by Rice and Forward Hospitality Group’s “I Hate Cowboys” cocktail and bourbon lounge next door earlier this year.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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