Hyde Park is about to lose one of its biggest cultural anchors. The Promontory—the two-story restaurant, bar and concert hall that’s been the neighborhood’s go-to for live music, dance nights and community events for more than a decade—is closing at the end of this year.
The news broke on Instagram earlier this week.
“At the end of this year, we will turn off the lights at The Promontory for the last time,” the venue announced on the platform, without citing any specific reason behind the closure. In the post, the team also expressed gratitude for the staff, performers and fans who’ve filled the venue since 2014.
For Hyde Parkers, it’s the end of an era. The Promontory opened as part of the 16” on Center family—the group behind Chicago heavyweights like Thalia Hall, the Empty Bottle and the Salt Shed. It quickly became the South Side’s crown jewel, offering a space that felt just as right for a high-energy Afrobeats night and an intimate jazz set.
Before the pandemic, the downstairs restaurant was a destination on its own. Chef Jared Wentworth’s menu leaned primal and hearty, featuring Kentucky burgoo and open-hearth cooking. COVID forced that kitchen to close in 2020 and, while food pop-ups like El Oso and Demera kept the spirit alive, the venue gradually focused on what it did best: live music and community.
Wednesday salsa nights packed in University of Chicago students, Nigerian dance parties pulsed with citywide energy and the upstairs stage hosted everyone from Pharoah Sanders and Roscoe Mitchell to Vic Mensa, King Louie and DJ Spinn. It was the rare venue boasting a schedule that included a jazz legend, a house DJ and a community meeting throughout the same week.
Over the next few months, The Promontory plans to go out with a full lineup: Brother Ali, Nate Smith, themed R&B and Halloween parties and one last round of Hyde Park Handmade markets.
The building is owned by the University of Chicago, which confirmed The Promontory chose not to renew its lease. The university says a new tenant will move into the ground-floor restaurant space in 2026, when Sanders BBQ Prime opens its new location.
As sad as we are about the imminent closure, here's a bit of good news: Crain's Chicago reports that Blue Star Properties—the real estate developer connected to 16” On Center—is planning on opening a new outdoor music venue on five acres next door to Salt Shed (which the company also owns). We already can't wait.