Entry No. 77 — the Chicago file — filed under: speakeasy-bar
Blind Barber
By day it's a working barbershop giving cuts and shaves; after dark, the same unmarked door at the back leads to a burnt-orange leather cocktail lounge with knotty pine walls and glass-block windows nodding to the block's old meatpacking days.
The story
In 2010, the team behind Blind Barber launched their first two-chair haircut spot in Manhattan's East Village with a drink lounge concealed behind the rear wall. In late 2017, they brought the concept to 948 West Fulton Market—a block rooted in Chicago's meatpacking history. From the sidewalk, through glass block windows built as an architectural nod to the street's old packing houses, all you see is bright light, white tiled floors, and barbers holding razors over black leather chairs.
Walk past the last chair, through the back hallway, and you step into a 2,400-square-foot cocktail lounge built by design firm 555 International to look like a 1970s basement rec room. Burnt-orange leather sectional sofas sit against knotty pine paneling, vintage rugs cover aged checkerboard flooring, and shelves hold retro cameras and golden owl figurines—a complete style pivot from the sterile salon out front.
You didn't hear it from us, but the dual setup actually functions as advertised. You can book an early evening haircut or beard trim, drink a beer while in the barber chair, and then walk right through the back doorway as the salon closes and local DJs set up for the night.
What it's like
Walk through the front door of 948 West Fulton Market and you're standing in a brightly lit, working salon. If you're coming purely for drinks, bypass the front counter and head straight for the rear doorway. Early in the evening, the backroom operates like a retro living room where you can grab a spot on a burnt-orange sofa, order a Strawberry Fields vodka cocktail, and split a grilled cheese sandwich served with tomato soup dip. As the night goes on, the space fills up, local DJs turn up the sound, and the small dance floor gets tight. If you want a quiet conversation, go early on a weeknight—by weekend late nights, it turns into a crowded, high-volume party bar.
The move: Book a couple's shave/cut slot in the early evening, then don't leave — walk through the same doorway once the lights change and the bar service starts.
- 📍 Fulton Market
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 948 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Office at The Aviary — Located directly across Fulton Market, you can trade Blind Barber's 1970s rec-room party vibe for Grant Achatz's ultra-intimate, antique-filled subterranean cocktail den.
- WNDR Museum — Half a mile south in the West Loop, explore walk-through interactive light and tech art installations before heading over for evening drinks behind the barbershop.
- Booze Box — Continue the hidden-entrance theme a mile away by entering this dark Japanese basement bar through an alleyway marked by a glowing red arrow beneath Sushi Dokku.
- Punch House — If you like Blind Barber's 1970s aesthetic, head south to Pilsen for communal punch bowls in a wood-paneled basement lounge tucked beneath Thalia Hall.
Good to know
Do you need a haircut appointment to get into the backroom bar?
No. The barbershop and the backroom lounge operate independently—you can walk straight through to the bar without booking a cut.
What kind of food and drinks do they serve in the lounge?
The bar serves craft cocktails (such as the signature Strawberry Fields), draft and canned beers, and a dedicated menu of grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup dip.
How do you get into the speakeasy bar?
Enter through the main barbershop door on Fulton Market and walk straight to the back through an unmarked rear door.
When does the backroom lounge open?
While barbershop cuts take place during the day, backroom bar service begins at 5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday (hours subject to change, so confirm before going).
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · secretchicago.com · Yelp · Time Out · yatzer.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-19