The Glenwood Bar’s sudden closure has cast a shadow over Rogers Park’s festive spirit, following a surprise liquor license lapse and the abrupt cancellation of the beloved Pride North festival. On Saturday night, police shut the bar after discovering its expired state license, just a day after city permits for the annual street celebration were officially denied. As confusion stirred and updates lagged, both the bar and the festival lost their summer spotlight—leaving residents with unanswered questions and a once-vibrant event dimmed by administrative stumbles.

📌 STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Glenwood Bar shut down by police after state liquor license expired

• Annual Pride North street festival canceled due to city permit issues

• Bar’s city liquor license remains active, but state license lapsed

• Confusion among residents as no formal cancellation was announced

• Ald. Hadden says her office tried to assist in the permit process

• Similar permit issues have occurred in past years, Hadden noted

• Owner Treacy silent, festival organizers issue vague online post

It was around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday when officers from the Chicago Police Department conducted a “premises check” at The Glenwood, located at 6962 N. Glenwood Ave. That visit ended with more than just a routine walkthrough. Officers issued a citation after discovering the state liquor license was no longer valid, and ordered the premises to close immediately.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission later confirmed that the Glenwood does not hold an active state license at this time. However, officials offered no comment on whether the bar’s management had initiated a renewal process.

The business remained closed through Tuesday, even during its usual operating hours. Multiple efforts to reach owner Colm Treacy went unanswered.

What Happened to Pride North?

The Glenwood’s closure may have been a late-night surprise, but trouble was already brewing before the lights went out. Pride North, an annual street celebration of LGBTQ+ pride held outside the bar, was expected to kick off Friday and run through the weekend. That, too, fell apart — but in a far less visible fashion.

The festival was advertised on social media as proceeding as planned. Streets were marked, posts shared, and anticipation built — but behind the scenes, city permits never materialized.

On Friday afternoon — the very day the festival was set to begin — Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) posted a public message confirming what organizers hadn’t: the event would not take place.

“The city denied the permits on June 23,” Hadden explained. “We worked with Mr. Treacy to correct issues in the application, but those corrections were never submitted. My office can guide and provide sample forms, but the applicant must take the final step.”

Lack of Communication Fuels Confusion

What followed was a weekend of mixed messages and mounting confusion. Neighbors questioned whether the festival was happening, and if not, why no one had said so. Hadden followed up with a second statement Saturday, clarifying both the permit denial and her office’s involvement — or lack thereof — in the matter.

She noted that problems with the Pride North application were not new this year. “These weren’t isolated issues,” she said. “We’ve seen similar complications in the past.”

Despite the lack of outdoor festivities, Pride North organizers made a brief statement via Facebook on Saturday, writing:
“Pride is on. Inside Glenwood Bar we will survive.”
The cryptic message only deepened frustration, with many commenters accusing the bar and organizers of poor communication.

Liquor License Not to Blame for Permit Denial — Officially

While speculation swirled about whether the expired liquor license was linked to the permit denial, Ald. Hadden clarified that this was not the case. She confirmed the bar’s city liquor license remains active, and the permit decision was based solely on the incomplete application.

The city’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection department also confirmed it had no role in closing the Glenwood. That action was taken independently by police based on the expired state license.

A Familiar Face Behind the Scene

Colm Treacy, owner of The Glenwood, is no stranger to Chicago’s bar scene. Before launching The Glenwood in 2008, he operated T’s Bar in Uptown, as well as Sidecar (now Rogers Park Social) and the short-lived MorseL.

Earlier this year, he opened GW Martini Bar, located next door to The Glenwood at 6958 N. Glenwood Ave. Its status remains unclear in light of recent developments.

A Troubled History With Permits

This isn’t the first time Pride North has drawn scrutiny. In 2021, Block Club Chicago reported that attendees were charged a $20 cover to enter the street festival — a move deemed illegal under city law, which prohibits charging for access to public streets.

These past missteps now raise further questions about oversight and event organization, particularly as the neighborhood seeks clarity on what went wrong this year.

Looking Ahead — But With Uncertainty

Whether The Glenwood will reopen or Pride North will return in 2026 remains to be seen. For now, the Rogers Park community is left without one of its staple summer events and with the doors of a longtime neighborhood bar closed — at least temporarily.

“It’s unfortunate,” Hadden said. “This is a cherished community event that people in Rogers Park — and even beyond — look forward to each year.”

While the summer carries on, The Glenwood’s future — like the festival it once hosted — hangs in limbo.

The abrupt closure of The Glenwood Bar and the cancellation of the Pride North festival reflect a broader breakdown in planning, communication, and compliance. What was meant to be a vibrant celebration of community turned into a weekend of confusion and disappointment. As questions linger over licensing, permits, and leadership, residents are left hoping that the iconic event — and the neighborhood bar that once anchored it — can return next year with renewed clarity, responsibility, and the same spirit that once brought Rogers Park together.

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