The Betty
839 W. Fulton St., Chicago
Tel: 312-733-2222
Designer: Studio K

Out with the old lounge, in with the new. Six months after Lumen closed its doors for good at 839 West Fulton Street, Footman Hospitality is debuting another late-night hangout for the Fulton Market crowd. The Betty harkens back to Chicago taverns of old, swapping Lumen’s swank club vibe for dark wood, stacks of vinyl records, and leather lounge chairs.

Chicago-based Studio K filled out the 5,000-square-foot space with vintage and reclaimed elements as well as new furnishings. Scavenged antiques and vintage knickknacks occupy the shelves, including records hand-selected by the Footman Hospitality team, which plans to only play music on vinyl.

“We want to attract an eclectic group of people,” said Chris Haisma, Footman Hospitality partner, in a statement. A menu focusing on small plates and a variety of spaces to accommodate groups of different size lend the restaurant and bar a flexibility of use. Upholstered bar stools and small wooden tables are more intimate arenas, while a red leather couch stretches the width of the space at one end of the room.

A fake peacock behind the bar and upright piano beside the argyle-patterned dance floor are kitschier features of yesteryear, spiking some levity into the cozy nostalgia carefully crafted throughout.