"After nearly 28 years of bringing wonder, joy, and music to the people of Chicago and countless visitors from around the world, Lonie Walker’s Underground Wonder Bar will bid adieu September 3rd, 2017. While this is a heartbreaking development, Underground Wonder Bar will not be denied its last hurrah! UWB will put 110% forth to turn this summer into an unforgettable celebration for the music lovers and music makers.
This summer coincides with the 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love”, the social phenomenon that occurred in 1967. Underground Wonder Bar will embrace the spirit that existed then … a spirit of love, and the music that it inspires.
Underground Wonder Bar’s story is well-known in the city of Chicago. The original UWB opened in 1989, on Walton Street, providing a cultural stronghold to the Gold Coast for 21 glorious years. Lonie Walker, owner and matriarch, with her community of artists and patrons propelled by the knowledge that “it’s a feeling, not a building” marched onward to open again in a new, much bigger location on Clark Street in 2011. From unexpected jamming with celebrities, to launching the careers of young musicians, to squaring off with Jon Taffer on the reality television show “Bar Rescue,” Lonie Walker has persisted through the decades and against the odds on her crusade of Peace, Love, and Wonder through Music.
Despite the crushing news, the Underground Wonder Bar will continue to feature 2 to 4 musical acts nightly till 4am in its final days plus many showcases of Chicago’s and the world’s best talent showing up! Come say your goodbyes to Chicago’s best rock, soul, funk, jazz, blues, reggae, hip hop, DJs and more, which have made the reputation of the UWB, as revered, unforgettable, and irreplaceable. Performances as always, include Wonder All-Stars Lonie Walker, Lorna Boston, Herb Walker, Smokin’ Joe Thomas, Hurricane Reggae Band and more! The brick and mortar will be no more. While this is a devastating loss, we know that wonder never dies. So in the words of the legendary, Janis Joplin, “Get it While You Can”."
Underground Wonder Bar was renamed to Clear Bar by Bar Rescue, but owner Lonie quickly changed it back despite promising Jon Taffer she wouldn't. Underground Wonder Bar previously announced they would close in February 2017, but then stated that they would remain open while the building was for sale (Link).
Underground Wonder Bar has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates Page and here is the original update for the bar if you are interested.