{"id":100024,"date":"2025-07-28T18:28:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T18:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/100024\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T18:28:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T18:28:14","slug":"vitalogy-a-new-printers-row-bar-with-pub-fare-debuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/100024\/","title":{"rendered":"Vitalogy, a New Printer\u2019s Row Bar With Pub Fare, Debuts"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Jennifer Wilson and James Shields, there\u2019s personal motivation behind opening Vitalogy<\/a>, their new bar on the ground floor of a 142-year-old brick building in Printer\u2019s Row.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest things when we bought this space is that we love this street,\u201d Wilson says. \u201cWe live here, and we wanted to be something that was inviting to the neighborhood and not only uplifts it, but hopefully uplifts some of the other businesses, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Open since early June, Vitalogy has established itself as a neighborhood hangout with weekly specials and a happy hour. On a recent weekday visit, the room was decked out with rainbow decorations for that evening\u2019s Pride celebration. The 18-seat wood-topped bar was almost full with solo imbibers and couples. Plans are in place for community-focused activities, cocktail classes, and live music from local musicians.<\/p>\n

For their beverage list, the couple leaned into their travels and love for Chicago for inspiration. Beer options include Spain\u2019s Estrella and Belgium\u2019s Delirium Tremens and Chicago\u2019s Old Irving and Printer\u2019s Row. There\u2019s a handful of wine options, non-alcoholic drinks, and THC- and CBD-infused drinks.<\/p>\n

Of the 10 house cocktails, Shields is especially proud of the Second City Milk Punch<\/a> \u2014 a clarified milk punch with Jeppson\u2019s Mal\u00f6rt. \u201cIt\u2019s not everybody\u2019s cup of tea, but it gets a lot of compliments,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

The Second City Punch is made with Jeppson\u2019s Malort. Vitaology<\/p>\n

Expect seasonal cocktails with fresh herbs being grown in a hydroponic garden in the bar\u2019s glass-enclosed wine room toward the back of the space.<\/p>\n

Originally, the couple didn\u2019t plan on serving food, but a discussion with their alderman\u2019s office made it clear that wasn\u2019t an option. They enlisted a French-trained chef friend who also lives in their building as a consultant. The couple didn\u2019t want to disclose where the chef worked. The chef hired the staff and developed the menu, no easy feat as the small kitchen relies on only a convection oven and induction burner to cook its food.<\/p>\n

The concise menu includes small plates like roasted nuts and chickpeas, and chicken and steak skewers. Larger plates include beef and vegan cheeseburgers on a brioche bun. For dessert, there\u2019s a chocolate chip cookie skillet, a root beer float, and a THC creamsicle soda.<\/p>\n

To transform the former secondhand store into the bar of their dreams, the couple was adamant that the interior of the 1,300-square-foot space reflect the vibe of the neighborhood. The build-out took three years, and reclaimed items are used throughout, including a vintage leaded glass door at the entrance. They worked with a carpenter who had built several Chicago bars in the past, with Vitalogy being one of the last before he recently retired.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a>\"Three<\/a><\/p>\n

For its name, they stuck close to home. Formerly a printing company, like many of the ones surrounding it, this building focused on children\u2019s books, including The Wizard of Oz. It also holds several encyclopedias, one of called Vitalogy, a health and wellness-focused book printed in 1916. The fact that it\u2019s also the name of a Pearl Jam album was a bonus. A glass case displays a copy of that book along with a few others.<\/p>\n

For now, the couple will remain at their day jobs \u2014 Wilson works in finance, while Shields is in tech sales. They\u2019ll continue to head over to Vitalogy after work and on the weekends, just like other locals in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese days it seems everybody\u2019s doing multiple gigs,\u201d says Wilson. \u201cThis is a heck of a side hustle, though. I\u2019ve joked that we could\u2019ve just bought a car and driven for Uber, but this has been much more fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vitalogy<\/a>, 723 S. Dearborn Street, (872) 318-2118, open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday; 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday; and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n