Every good bar has a backstory. Ours just happens to start with a wrench.
Before it poured beer, this corner poured sweat. The Racine Plumbing Bar & Grill took its name from a family plumbing business founded in 1881, a working-class legacy that helped build Chicago from the pipes up. In 1996, that legacy shifted from wrenches to well drinks when the bar first opened its doors. It quickly became a true neighborhood spot, best known for sports, simple bar food, and familiar faces.

And now, it’s time for the next chapter.

We call it Gunny’s Pub. New owners, new vibes, a whole new space.

It’s the kind of place that knows who it’s for, and what it’s about. We pour proper drinks, serve food worth lingering over, and keep things easy without ever letting them get ordinary.

Up front, things feel familiar. The lights are low, the beer’s cold, and the energy hums with people catching up, swapping stories, or just taking a breather. It’s casual, comfortable, and open all day from 11AM - 11PM, whether you’re grabbing coffee, lunch, or a late-night pint.

Step through to the back, and everything slows down a little. The dinner service begins, the music softens, and the cocktails turn contemplative. It’s a tucked-away spot for date nights, special occasions, or just nights that deserve something more. The menu runs both sides of the line — comfort and craft, approachable and elevated. A smash patty or a burger crowned with foie gras. Shoestring fries or caviar bumps. You get to choose your mood.

Gunny’s is built on the idea that good food, good drinks, and good company shouldn’t feel exclusive. It’s approachable, but never average. A place where everyone fits, from the weekday regular to the weekend romantic.

More than anything, we believe in the power of community—and we back it up.

Gunny’s will proudly offer a union discount to all unionized trades. No fine print. No exceptions. We believe in honoring labor, in taking care of the people who keep this city running, and in creating a space where everyone feels seen. Whether you hang drywall, drive a bus, pour drinks, teach kids, or fix power lines—we want you here. This bar was built for the every day guy. The kind who shows up, puts in the work, and deserves a cold one when the job’s done.

We’re not open yet, but we’re getting close. When the doors swing wide, we’ll start softly, get it right, and grow into the kind of bar that feels like it’s been here all along.

And if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably our kind of people.