Tini Bar Will Open in River North This November

A new intimate cocktail destination will launch in a basement space at 11 W. Illinois St. by the end of November 2026.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Cocktails

Bold vector editorial illustration of a brass cocktail shaker and crystal glass on a wooden bar top, representing an intimate speakeasy. — Tini Bar, a new 30-person capacity speakeasy owned by Justin Vaiciunas, is scheduled to open in a Chicago River North basement this November. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you prefer visiting small, intimate venues over larger, traditional bars and restaurants?

Owner Justin Vaiciunas is set to open Tini Bar, a 30-person capacity speakeasy located beneath LIA Tavern in Chicago. The new venue aims to accommodate overflow guests with a focused menu of specialty cocktails and light bites.

Why it matters

The bar serves as a strategic overflow solution for the nearby LIA Tavern, ensuring that guests unable to secure a reservation have an alternative venue to visit. Its small-scale model prioritizes an intimate atmosphere for neighborhood patrons.

The 630-square-foot bar will offer a selection of 15 to 20 specialty drinks and a six-cocktail tasting menu. Access to the venue is provided via a dedicated sliding door and a basement staircase.

The players

Justin Vaiciunas

He is the owner and operator behind the launch of Tini Bar in the River North neighborhood.

LIA Tavern

It is an established hospitality venue located directly above the new basement-level Tini Bar.

The details

Tini Bar operates on a first-come, first-served basis, providing a casual alternative to the reservations required at the upstairs LIA Tavern. The menu focuses on high-end mixology paired with small bites, such as mini prime rib sandwiches.

Tini Bar is scheduled to open its doors by the end of November 2026.

Culture Shift

The rise of hidden micro-bars in dense urban hospitality hubs tracks with current development patterns in River North, where operators utilize small underground footprints to maximize limited real estate. This project follows a pattern set by the proliferation of specialized, space-efficient speakeasy concepts in major metropolitan nightlife districts.

Patrons can expect a first-come, first-served seating policy, meaning they should plan for potential wait times given the limited 30-person capacity. The menu provides a curated alternative for those unable to secure a standard reservation at the tavern located upstairs.

The takeaway

Smaller venues like Tini Bar emphasize the growing preference for intimate, curated drinking experiences over large, crowded nightlife spaces. Prospective guests should arrive early to secure a spot due to the strictly limited capacity of the basement location.