Chicago's Oyster Bar at State & Illinois: A 150-Year Run Ended in 2017

Yes—Oyster Bar at the corner of State & Illinois Streets in Chicago's River North neighborhood was a beloved institution.

• Founded: 1867 (as a saloon; oyster focus later).
• Prohibition: Operated as a speakeasy; hidden back room, password entry.
• Famous for: Raw bar, pan roasts, martinis, dark-wood booths, celebrity patronage.
• Closed: 2017 — financial pressures ended a 150-year continuous run.
• Building: Historic 1872 structure; later housed other concepts.

It was a living archive of Chicago dining history—from oyster craze to cocktail renaissance. Its closure marked the end of an era for classic Chicago seafood houses.