RIVER NORTH — It’s not like restaurateur Eldridge Williams of Wicker Park’s The Delta wanted to open two new businesses back-to-back, but that’s exactly what he’ll be doing starting late spring in River North.
Williams and G.O.O.D. Pineapple Hospitality partner Robert Johnson will first open The Pink Polo Social Club & Bar, an all-day coffee- and cocktail-forward spot in The Chicago Hotel Collection, 312 W. Chestnut St.
Then, in late summer, they’ll open Red River dikks, a country western restaurant and bar in the former Sedgwick’s Bar & Grill Space, 1935 N. Sedgwick St., in Lincoln Park. It will be the first and only Black-owned country western bar and restaurant in the Midwest, the owners said.
“We knew it was our time to do something else,” said Williams. “This is an unforgiving industry, so when opportunity comes knocking, you better answer that door.”
The first opportunity for the duo was the Sedgwick’s location, which had been vacant for close to seven years. Williams and Johnson took over the lease in August 2023.
Though the large space was in disarray, Williams knew it would be the perfect spot for the country western concept he’s been wanting to do for years.
“I don’t look like I should do it and that’s the reason why I need to,” said Williams, who got his start in hospitality at age 14, washing dishes in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. “Given my background and pedigree, I have a unique position in the hospitality industry. I have an obligation to move the needle.”
Red River dikks
Williams first learned about post-Civil War Black cowboys while watching the Netflix documentary series “High on the Hog.” After some research, he came across the story of Nat Love, America’s first Black cowboy who was born into slavery and used his self-taught horse-breaking and marksmanship skills to make a living when slavery ended.
Cowboy Nat Love, pictured in 1876. Credit: Wikipedia Commons
“It was a lightbulb moment,” said Williams. “I knew by paying homage to Nat Love that’s how I could do a country bar and make it truly my country bar.”
Love’s nickname, Red River dikk, proved especially useful.
“I knew there wasn’t a better name for a country bar,” said Williams.
Red River dikks will spotlight the regional barbecue styles of Texas, Tennessee and Kansas City, areas that follow the life travels of Love. Crusted cowboy beef ribs, a Tennessee smokehouse duck sandwich and garlic-and-parsley grilled sweet corn elote are some of the proposed menu items, Williams said. Traditional and large-format craft cocktails and an expansive beer menu will also be offered.
For the interior, Williams said he wanted to create a modern, sophisticated saloon with leather accents and richly hued tapestries. The 100-capacity restaurant will include an 18th-century-inspired bar that seats 30. A sidewalk café is in the works, he said.
Williams is also making good use of items left behind by the previous tenant, including a 15-foot cast iron hood that will be turned into a dramatic chandelier and a meat refrigerator that will be repurposed into a yet-to-be-determined showpiece.
“They locked the door and basically forgot about it,” said Williams. “I have a huge imagination when it comes to design, which is a nightmare for our contractors but when we land it, it will be great.”
Red River dikks, a country western bar opening in Lincoln Park, is named for the nation’s first Black cowboy, Nat Love, who went by the nickname Red River dikk. Credit: Provided
Red River dikks will feature DJs spinning remixed country classics as well as other, more modern styles of country music.
“Red River is going to be a country bar that’s familiar to those who love country bars, but it also will have unique qualities that will draw in a totally different audience who’d never thought they want to go to a country bar but here they are vibing,” Williams said.
^^^^^^
"vibing" - that word again.
Nah, I actually really like the concept and an added bonus, the location is a block away from my spot.
I hope it's a success but I have some honest reservations about it's location.
Don't think the local demo will take to it.
It might then become a largely destination bar/restaurant with a predominant black patronage. Usually when that happens, the local demo will become fearful and try to shut it down.
Seen it happen over and over in Chicago.
He should've looked for a location that is more egalitarian. Chicago is still segregated along race and class lines. And he's setting this up in a uniformly wealthy white Ivy league-esque neighborhood where the bars in the area are typically low-key local spots filled with yuppies.
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