South Loop – Nearly a year after the original M Lounge closed its doors, former Chicago Bears defensive end turned restaurateur Israel Idonije has breathed new life into the historic space at 1520 S. Wabash Ave. The newly opened Martini Lounge opened quietly last week and welcomed a media preview on Thursday.
Idonije’s vision for a modern cocktail haven
Idonije, who took ownership of the bar last fall from longtime operators Reginald and MaryAnn Marsh, said the reception from longtime patrons has been “great.” He plans to expand the lounge’s appeal by adding an events calendar to the Martini Lounge website and by inviting former M Lounge DJs for Friday night sets.
Martini Lounge is the latest addition to Idonije’s Pangea Restaurant Group, which already includes the Italian café Buttercup (75 E. 16th St.) and The Staley, a sports bar at 1736 S. Michigan Ave. Veteran beverage director Luke DeYoung, formerly of South Loop speakeasy Oliver’s and Buttercup, oversees the lounge’s drink program.
A curated martini menu and light bites
The lounge offers a 12‑drink martini menu split into Classic Martinis and Disco Martinis. Highlights include the $21 “Porn Star,” a shaken‑not‑stirred blend of vanilla vodka, passion fruit, chai, lime and prosecco, as well as the $17 Bronx, made with pineapple gin, a vermouth blend and orange. Classic cocktails such as daiquiris and margaritas sit alongside inventive creations.
While there is no full kitchen, guests can enjoy simple snacks: chips and dip for $10 and olives and nuts for $12, with Idonije hinting at future additions like popcorn.
Design that nods to the past while looking forward
The lounge’s moody, film‑noir inspired décor draws on a London venue Idonije visited years ago. Roughly 100 soft, circular light fixtures line the ceiling, creating an airy feel. Plush green chairs, zebra‑print seats and low lighting give the space a sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere. Idonije retained the iconic Miles Davis portrait that hung in the original M Lounge, honoring the venue’s legacy.
AGN Design, the firm that helped build out other Pangea locations, executed the design vision. Local news producer Tony Smith, who lives a few blocks away, praised the reopening, noting the space feels both spacious and intimate.
Future plans for the South Loop
Idonije’s ambitions extend beyond Martini Lounge. He and his team are developing two additional South Loop concepts: a Japanese‑style cocktail bar and an ice‑cream shop, Happy’s Classic Ice Cream, at 69 E. 16th St. The group is also converting the former Hudson Motor Building at 2222 S. Michigan Ave. on Motor Row into a 154‑room boutique hotel slated to join Hilton’s Curio Collection, complete with a restaurant and event space.
Idonije recently closed Signature Steak at 1312 S. Wabash Ave., after rebranding it a year ago. Chef partner Stephen Gillanders remains involved in the Motor Row hotel project.
Idonije’s outlook for the neighborhood
Speaking about the South Loop, Idonije described the area as “like the stepchild of these neighborhoods, kind of an afterthought, despite being the heart of the city.” He believes the district is undervalued but changing, and he hopes his projects contribute to that positive momentum.
Martini Lounge is open Thursday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., offering Chicago’s South Loop a fresh spot for classic and contemporary cocktails.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
