Ward 8 -- Craft Cocktails on Howard Street, Evanston
Ward 8 -- Craft Cocktails on Howard Street, Evanston
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Post #31 - August 7th, 2018, 1:45 pmWard 8 building and business for sale
Big, big bummer
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #32 - November 8th, 2018, 9:31 pm
Not sold. No longer for sale.
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #33 - July 10th, 2019, 2:48 amSilly Gary, took me 6-years to get to Ward 8. Wonderful drinks, atmosphere, service, the bride and I liked everything about the place. Did not try the snacks, we were on our way to Peppercorns Kitchen, but the aroma of bacon at one point was captivating.
Ward 8 Bartender Anders, dealers choice drink.
Ward 8, count me a Fan!
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Post #34 - July 11th, 2019, 1:42 pmOkay, I'm confused. I will admit that I have not followed what I had thought was the disappearance of Ward 8 closely. However, I was under the distinct impression that it was a done deal and was no longer in existence. Either Gary's on something (a possibility I cannot entirely discount
) or it still exists and is chugging along. Can someone enlighten me (and the rest of the lazy folks, if any)?
Gypsy Boy
"I am not a glutton--I am an explorer of food." (Erma Bombeck)
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Post #35 - July 11th, 2019, 2:15 pmGypsy Boy wrote:Okay, I'm confused. I will admit that I have not followed what I had thought was the disappearance of Ward 8 closely. However, I was under the distinct impression that it was a done deal and was no longer in existence. Either Gary's on something (a possibility I cannot entirely discount ) or it still exists and is chugging along. Can someone enlighten me (and the rest of the lazy folks, if any)?
It was never closed. It was for sale and then taken off the market. Cody still owns it. Same as it ever was . . . and then some!
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #36 - July 11th, 2019, 4:02 pmThe best news I've had in quite some time. Thank you. Hot diggity goddamn! I see some drinks in my future
Gypsy Boy
"I am not a glutton--I am an explorer of food." (Erma Bombeck)
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Post #37 - August 8th, 2019, 2:22 pmGypsy Boy wrote:The best news I've had in quite some time. Thank you. Hot diggity goddamn! I see some drinks in my future
Owing to the geography, I don't make it to Ward 8 nearly as often as I'd like. However, recent circumstances brought me there not once but twice in the past few weeks and both sessions reminded me of just how much I enjoy spending time at this bar.
The more I follow the cocktail path, the more I find it isn't the cocktails that are the primary draw for me when deciding where to sidle up. That's not to say that Ward 8's cocktail program and back bar aren't exemplary. They are. Their offerings are well curated and drinks are made with exacting care, regardless of who's making them.
But beyond that, it's the friendly, welcoming demeanor of Cody, Anders, Chef Pedro, Jason, etc. that make it such a special place. It's small but really comfortable and (at least when I go), it never feels cramped. I'm fortunate to live near a bar with a very similar vibe (The Whistler, which I patronize regularly) but spending time at Ward 8 makes me wish it were closer to my house. If I lived nearby, I'd be there once or twice a week.
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #38 - April 4th, 2020, 5:29 pmWell, Anders seems to be in good spirits . . .
Libertango for Flute & Bar Tools (AKA Quarantango) - Astor Piazzolla
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #39 - April 6th, 2020, 9:11 amWe did curbside takeout from Ward 8 last night. Flatbread, potato empanadas, beef empanadas, two bottles of "Semester Abroad" and a bottle of sauvignon blanc. Delicious.
-Mary
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Post #40 - April 25th, 2020, 3:22 pmSobering Facebook post from Ward Eight:Dear friends and family,
The donations and outreach from all of you has been amazing and very helpful during this difficult time. We unfortunately had to make the decision to lay off all of our staff so that they may collect unemployment until this is all resolved. As we look ahead we are faced with many difficult decisions and uncertainty, but from our perspective it doesn’t look too bright.
We are still unable to sell cocktails to-go.
We are uncertain when it will be safe to reopen.
We still have a mortgage, bills, licensing, insurance, etc…
Even with the amazing support from people buying cocktails to-go we we’re still only running at about 25% of normal business. If we do reopen, we most likely will only be allowed to operate at half capacity, and being a 32 seat bar cuts us to 16 seats for the foreseeable future, with possibility of more mandated closures. That would make our business model unsustainable, as well as not allow us the ability to rehire our staff. We do not feel that it would be responsible to acquire more debt to continue to operate a business that won’t recover anytime soon. We have applied and explored all options and will continue to do so. We wish we had better news, but this is the reality of our situation at the moment. Thank you everyone, we will let you know if anything changes or if we hear back from Illinois Liquor Control.
I'm sure there are many others in this same situation. The landscape of drinking and dining is going to look very different when we reopen.-Mary
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Post #41 - April 25th, 2020, 3:37 pmThe GP wrote:Sobering Facebook post from Ward Eight:Dear friends and family,
The donations and outreach from all of you has been amazing and very helpful during this difficult time. We unfortunately had to make the decision to lay off all of our staff so that they may collect unemployment until this is all resolved. As we look ahead we are faced with many difficult decisions and uncertainty, but from our perspective it doesn’t look too bright.
We are still unable to sell cocktails to-go.
We are uncertain when it will be safe to reopen.
We still have a mortgage, bills, licensing, insurance, etc…
Even with the amazing support from people buying cocktails to-go we we’re still only running at about 25% of normal business. If we do reopen, we most likely will only be allowed to operate at half capacity, and being a 32 seat bar cuts us to 16 seats for the foreseeable future, with possibility of more mandated closures. That would make our business model unsustainable, as well as not allow us the ability to rehire our staff. We do not feel that it would be responsible to acquire more debt to continue to operate a business that won’t recover anytime soon. We have applied and explored all options and will continue to do so. We wish we had better news, but this is the reality of our situation at the moment. Thank you everyone, we will let you know if anything changes or if we hear back from Illinois Liquor Control.
I'm sure there are many others in this same situation. The landscape of drinking and dining is going to look very different when we reopen.
Fucking brutal.
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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