Behold The Soaring Views Over Goose Island at This New Cocktail Lounge

TheThe Three Top Lounge offers one of the most vibrant views of the city’s skyline at night, with a clear view above the Chicago River, just west of Goose Island. This is an exclusive space, which opened earlier in November, within the Salt Shed complex near Elston and Division.

The bar isn’t open regularly to the general public. Reps for 16” on Center say “the hours are tied to specific events.” That means the space will see plenty of private parties. 16” on Center — which also owns Empty Bottle, Thalia Hall, From Here On food hall, and more — say the lounge will also be open for some, but not all concerts.

 

 

Concert ticketholders will still need to pony up for an additional cover charge to enter during select events. Salt Shed will post alerts on Instagram to tell fans if the space is open during a particular event. Prepaying would guarantee a spot inside, but concert-goers could also risk lines or crowds by walking up and paying the fee at the door. Management does envision a future when the space will have more stable hours, but — for now — they’re assessing the demand and teasing out the space.

For those privileged to be invited to an event, they’ll have to climb some stairs to reach Valhalla where they’ll witness the sloped high ceilings that will no doubt remind folks of the space’s former, the Morton Salt Factory. Motorists still see the plant’s familiar umbrella girl on the building as they breeze down the Kennedy Expressway.

 

16” on Center has experience with cocktail bars, with hits like MONEYGUN in West Loop. They’ll demonstrate their prowess at Three Top. Drinks include espresso martinis, pineapple daiquiris, wines by the glass or bottle, plus a few non-alcoholic options in cans. There’s also a small food menu with short rib arancini, tater tots, bread, and other munchies. For folks looking to enter without going through the Salt Shed, there’s a special entrance on the Elston side of the venue. The experience is different from Goose Island’s Salt Shed Pub on the other side of the space. Being unique is good — they’re not even pouring Goose Island at Three Top, at least according to the drink menu posted online.

Walk through the space below, and enjoy the view at Three Top Lounge, now open — at least sometimes — inside the Salt Shed near Goose Island.

The Three Top Lounge at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Avenue, check Instagram for when the bar is open.