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 1892—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.

After a brief closure in 2019, it reopened again the same year.

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

We call it Gunny’s Pub.

Gunny’s will still support the community that built it, New York through and through.
We’ve got the games on, the lights low, the beer cold, and no shortage of strong opinions behind the bar. But we’re also carving out space for more. During the day, the espresso machine will be running, and so will the regulars who stop by for a quiet coffee or a chat with the bartender. At night, you might catch trivia, vinyl hour, an open mic, or just the steady hum of people who like being here.

We’re building a bar that works hard all day and plays harder after dark. The kind of place where you can bring your crew, meet someone new, or lose track of time on purpose.

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 open, we’ll start soft—limited nights, quiet hours, and a few invite-only events to get it right. If you’re on the list, you’ll be the first to know.

And if you’ve made it all the way to the end of this page?
You’re probably our kind of people.