The Northman Cider Bar welcomed its first customers over the weekend with not much more than a few tweets announcing the soft opening. Chicago's first cider-focused bar offers an extensive selection of ciders from the sweet to the tart and even the funky. The long-awaited project at 4337 N Lincoln Avenue, from the team responsible for Fountainhead, will officially open today at 4pm.
At the bar guests can choose from 18 cider drafts, two Spanish "long pour" ciders, six craft beers on tap and two firkins built into the back bar. A Spanish "long pour" refers to the traditional way Asturian cider is poured, which is from high above your head, allowing the frothy drink fall into a glass held down below. The cider show doesn't end there—the bar will also serve more than 80 ciders and 20 craft beers in cans and bottles, all selected by cider director (that's a real job title) Brian Rutzen. Northman also offers a wine and cocktail menu curated by spirits expert Ambrosia Borowski. Who wouldn't want a delicious cider cocktail from someone whose name literally means food and drink of the gods?
The menu from Chef Sean Sanders is crafted to compliment the cider selection and will focus on French and English fare. According to a menu posted by DNAinfo, you'll be able to indulge in creamy cheese plates with choices like Camembert au Calvado's and Gouda Truffled, cider donuts over brown butter ice cream and pecan crumble and even cider-battered fish and chips.
The Northman will be open for dinner Sunday-Friday 4pm-2am and Saturday 4pm-3am, with the kitchen closing at midnight. The wait is over—get out there and drink some cider.