"It's been the home to a lot of wonderful people, and I'm thankful to everyone who has passed through the doors of Hunters Chicago, for all their support, loyalty, friendship and everything that they've given me. Since the day the bar opened in 1982, and every day since, Hunters Chicago has been a huge success. "I've had a wonderful life because of Hunters Chicago. "Marian was instrumental in opening the bar. I was given a huge gift," said Hunter, who opened the bar with his late wife, Marian, who passed away in 1995. "I consider it an honor I consider myself to have been very privileged. Hunter said he doesn't expect the sale and closing of Hunters Chicago to truly hit him until the last day it is open. We can't wait to show them the new PhoenixBar." We wish all the best to Mark and Patrick, and thank them for the legacy that Hunters has delivered to the community. "With the help of ProgressBar's creator, David Sikora, and the new PhoenixBar general manager, Justin Romme, our team is incredibly energized to become the premier gay bar and nightclub in suburban Chicago. "After a week or two of intense remodeling and refreshing of the space, we plan to reopen in early to mid-October with a new look and a renewed commitment to the community," he said. He added, "As with ProgressBar in Boystown, our vision is the same: a place where everyone feels important, from employees to customers to the dignity of the community we serve."īrumbaugh said the "vast majority" of Hunter's employees will be staying on at the new bar. I think it's important to have a gay bar in the northwest suburbs."īrumbaugh tagged Hunters as "an iconic part of the community for over 30 years," and said that when he heard the bar was for sale, "I jumped at the opportunity and I'm delighted that PhoenixBar will continue to serve the gay community from this premier northwest suburban location." But we decided that the best offer was from Robert, particularly because he wanted to keep it as a gay bar. "We did have other options people who were interested in doing other things with the property, with some very good offers. And after a little negotiating here and there, things worked out. Hunter put the bar for sale in the spring and said he received multiple other offers, but "we felt was the perfect selection for everyone. "Of course, I'm very emotionally tied to the bar, but I think it was the best decision for everyone involveda good decision for the customers, for the employees, and for myself." "It's been a roller-coaster of emotions," Hunter said, fighting back tears. Hunter and his partner, Patrick Volkert, have been together for about eight years. He lives primarily in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and still owns Hunters Palm Springs in California. I don't want to work forever," Hunter said Sept. It's just a good time I turn 60 years-old this year … and am just planning for the future. "I just felt it was time, time to move on. It will, reportedly, be closed for a week or longer for renovations/modifications, and then reopen as The PhoenixBar. Robert Brumbaugh, who also owns Progress Bar on Halsted Street in Lakeview, purchased Hunters, which is officially closing after business Sunday, Sept.
13, Hunter announced he had sold the long-standing video dance bar on Higgins Road, with 5,000 square feet inside and almost 2,000 more square feet outside on the patio. He had to walk to the bar for its opening.įlash-forward 31 years, almost to the day, and Hunter is walking away from Hunters for good. Mark Hunter was driving to the grand opening of Hunters Chicago, a gay bar in northwest suburban Elk Grove Village, on that Friday in mid-October 1982, when his car broke down several blocks away.