The Fifty/50, a laid-back restaurant-bar hybrid, opened in Wicker Park in late March. Owners Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner, industry veterans who worked together at Joe's Stone Crab, came together to open this half-sports-bar, half-smokehouse concept.
The venue's three levels include a second-floor area featuring a glassed-in walkway—eye level with a striking globe-light chandelier—that overlooks the bar below. Three TVs, a separate sound system, and a portable bar can all be found in this space, which holds 70 guests. Downstairs, high-backed leather booths, a backlit wooden bar, and four plasma TVs accent a semiprivate space for 70.The menu features upscale comfort foods such as smoked baby back ribs, fried chicken, and skirt steak marinated in teriyaki sauce, honey, and fresh-squeezed orange juice (which Weiner dubs an "old hippie recipe"), while the bar offers a creative beer-based cocktail list and a concise selection of wines.
Adding to the nonchalant vibe are framed classic rock album covers, autographed sports jerseys, plasma TVs (likely tuned to sports channels), and a rock and hip-hop soundtrack. The street-level main dining room holds 75, and accordion doors open onto a patio that can seat an additional 65. A 60-inch plasma TV and a portable hot dog stand lend a backyard barbecue feel.
The venue's three levels include a second-floor area featuring a glassed-in walkway—eye level with a striking globe-light chandelier—that overlooks the bar below. Three TVs, a separate sound system, and a portable bar can all be found in this space, which holds 70 guests. Downstairs, high-backed leather booths, a backlit wooden bar, and four plasma TVs accent a semiprivate space for 70.The menu features upscale comfort foods such as smoked baby back ribs, fried chicken, and skirt steak marinated in teriyaki sauce, honey, and fresh-squeezed orange juice (which Weiner dubs an "old hippie recipe"), while the bar offers a creative beer-based cocktail list and a concise selection of wines.
Adding to the nonchalant vibe are framed classic rock album covers, autographed sports jerseys, plasma TVs (likely tuned to sports channels), and a rock and hip-hop soundtrack. The street-level main dining room holds 75, and accordion doors open onto a patio that can seat an additional 65. A 60-inch plasma TV and a portable hot dog stand lend a backyard barbecue feel.
![The view from the second-floor event space](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2008/04/e10635standalone.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
The view from the second-floor event space
Photo: Jill Paider
![The semiprivate event space upstairs seats 70.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e10635image4.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
The semiprivate event space upstairs seats 70.
Photo: Jill Paider
![The Fifty/50's main level features bar seating, banquettes, and tables adjacent to floor-to-ceiling windows.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e10635image2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
The Fifty/50's main level features bar seating, banquettes, and tables adjacent to floor-to-ceiling windows.
Photo: Jill Paider
![The venue offers a menu of beer-based cocktails.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e10635image3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
The venue offers a menu of beer-based cocktails.
Photo: Jill Paider
![The Fifty/50's second-floor private event space overlooks the bar below.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e10635image1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
The Fifty/50's second-floor private event space overlooks the bar below.
Photo: Jill Paider