Gibsons Tavern receives city licenses for Fulton Market location

Overview

Updated 2 days ago

Gibsons Tavern is scheduled to open Nov. 17 at 925 W. Fulton St., according to Block Club Chicago and the restaurant's own website. It is Gibsons Restaurant Group's first restaurant in Fulton Market.

Chicago issued the tavern's food, liquor and amusement licenses on Oct. 28, after inspections passed Oct. 15. The roughly 15,000-square-foot space sits on the ground floor of an 11-story office building at Fulton Market and Sangamon Street.

Why it matters

The licenses bring Gibsons' expansion into Fulton Market one step closer to reality, adding a new dining option in one of Chicago's busiest food districts.

Last Monday's email for Chicago, IL

Sent Nov 9. It carried:

Chicago issues retail food license to DMHJP Brickyard LLC Chicago's license data lists DMHJP Brickyard LLC at 2650 N Narragansett Ave, Unit C3, as a retail food...
Chicago issues food and liquor licenses for 820 Damen Cafe Chicago issued two business licenses for 820 Damen Cafe at 820 N. Damen Ave. on October 30, 2026. One covers a...
Legacy Kitchen receives Chicago retail food licence at 7354 S Ashland Ave On October 30, 2026, Chicago issued Legacy Kitchen a retail food establishment licence for 7354 S Ashland Ave. The...
Best Amigos Grill receives Chicago food license after passing re-inspection On October 30, 2026, the City of Chicago issued a Retail Food Establishment license to Best Amigos Grill at 3944 W...

Get next Monday's: one short email a week. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

License records issued

City records from Oct. 28 cover food service, liquor and amusement.

Nov 17

Scheduled opening

Opening date listed by the restaurant and reported by Block Club Chicago.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Steve Lombardo

CEO of Gibsons Restaurant Group

Leading the expansion into Fulton Market

Organizations Involved

Gibsons Restaurant Group

Restaurant group

Operating 5+ concepts in Chicago, launching new tavern

A Chicago-based restaurant group known for Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse and other top-grossing restaurants.

Timeline

2023 November 2026

5 events Latest: 2 days ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Nov. 17 opening date reported
Latest Announcement

Block Club Chicago reports the tavern will open Nov. 17, the date also listed on the restaurant's website.
2 days ago
October 2026
City licenses issued
Licensing

Chicago issues three business licenses to Gibsons Tavern, covering liquor service, amusement, and food preparation.
October 28th, 2026
License inspections pass
Inspection

City inspections for liquor, entertainment, and food service all pass at 925 W. Fulton St.
October 15th, 2026
August 2026
Opening planned for November
News report

Block Club Chicago reports the tavern will open in November 2026 in an 11-story office building.
August 24th, 2026
2023
Gibsons Tavern announced
Announcement

Gibsons Restaurant Group first reveals plans for a tavern in Fulton Market.
2023

Scenarios

Gibsons Tavern opens in November 2026 as planned

Likely Resolves by Jan 15, 2027

Discussed by: Block Club Chicago and Gibsons Restaurant Group public statements

The tavern is scheduled to open Nov. 17, 2026. Its food, liquor and amusement licenses were issued Oct. 28, and the restaurant's website lists the same date. A launch on schedule would add another Gibsons restaurant in Chicago, after the Rush Street steakhouse and Gibsons Italia.

Gibsons Tavern opening delayed past the holidays

Possible Resolves by Feb 1, 2027

Discussed by: Industry observers and local food media

Construction or final permitting snags push the opening into 2027. The group may announce a revised timeline. Delays are common in restaurant openings, especially in dense urban settings like Fulton Market.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

1989

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse opens on Rush Street (1989)

Gibsons opened its flagship steakhouse on Rush Street, quickly becoming a Chicago institution known for prime steaks and oversized portions. It was later named one of the top-grossing independent restaurants in the U.S.

Then

The restaurant established a loyal following and became a staple for tourists and locals alike.

Now

Gibsons Restaurant Group expanded into multiple concepts, proving the brand's staying power for over three decades.

Why this matters now

The original Gibsons' success demonstrates the group's track record of launching and sustaining high-profile restaurants, suggesting the new Fulton Market tavern is likely to succeed if it opens as planned.