ANDERSONVILLE — A new cocktail bar from the well‑known Fifty/50 Group is set to open its doors in Andersonville later this year. Sin & Tonic, which will offer both alcoholic beverages and non‑alcoholic mocktails, is slated for a mid‑December debut at 1481 W. Berwyn Avenue, behind the popular hot‑dog restaurant Devil Dawgs.
Location and Layout
The bar will occupy the rear of the former Reza’s building at the corner of Berwyn Avenue and Clark Street. While Devil Dawgs occupies the storefront front, Sin & Tonic will be accessed through a connecting hallway, allowing patrons to move between the two establishments easily. Spirits and drinks will be served primarily inside Sin & Tonic, but guests will be able to order Devil Dawgs’ menu items as well as a small selection of bar‑side bites. An outdoor patio along Berwyn Avenue will provide additional seating for those who enjoy a sidewalk setting.
Fifty/50 Group’s Local Footprint
Andrew Marinelli, beverage director for Fifty/50 Group and partner at Sin & Tonic, said the new venue reflects the group’s commitment to serving the Andersonville community. “It’s important to us that anybody who comes in will be able to enjoy either a really good drink or a great mocktail, and I want everybody to feel welcome,” Marinelli explained. He added that Andersonville’s “wonderful space” and “thriving community” make it an ideal location for the bar’s first neighborhood outpost.
Background on the Space
The corner storefront previously housed Reza’s, a long‑standing Persian restaurant that closed in 2023. After the closure, a real‑estate investor purchased the building. Initial plans called for a Foxtrot coffee shop, but those were abandoned after Andersonville small‑business owners rallied against the upscale chain, preferring a locally‑focused concept.
Nearby, the upscale dental practice Dentologie opened in 2024 at 5255 N. Clark Street, occupying an adjacent storefront. The presence of both dental and dining businesses underscores the mixed‑use character of the block.
What to Expect
Sin & Tonic will feature a curated cocktail menu designed by the Fifty/50 Group’s beverage team, alongside a selection of non‑alcoholic drinks crafted to appeal to all ages. The bar’s modest food menu will complement the drink program, while the partnership with Devil Dawgs ensures that classic hot‑dog fare remains readily available.
Marinelli emphasized the venue’s family‑friendly approach, noting that the mocktail options are intended to make the space welcoming for parents and younger guests. “The more time I spend up there, the more welcome I feel,” he said, highlighting the bar’s aim to be a gathering place for Andersonville’s diverse residents.
Community Impact
The opening of Sin & Tonic adds another dining and entertainment option to Andersonville’s vibrant corridor, supporting local employment and contributing to the neighborhood’s economic vitality. As the Fifty/50 Group’s first Andersonville location, the bar joins a portfolio that includes Roots Pizza, 90th Meridian, West Town Bakery, and Utopian Tailgate, all of which have become fixtures in Chicago’s culinary scene.
Residents can look forward to a new venue that blends craft cocktails with a welcoming atmosphere, reinforcing Andersonville’s reputation as a lively, family‑oriented community.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
