Bridgeport’s historic Ramova Theatre, a cherished Chicago icon dating back to 1929, is set to witness a remarkable transformation, featuring a revitalized restaurant and an exciting collaboration with New York’s renowned Other Half Brewing.
The Ramova Theatre, which has remained closed since 1985, embarked on its ambitious renovation project four years ago, long before the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Now, this endeavor is about to bear fruit with the opening of a restaurant that will reintroduce a long-lost South Side chili recipe to locals. Additionally, the project will welcome Other Half Brewing, a beloved craft beer manufacturer from New York.
For many locals, the Ramova holds a special place in their hearts, and co-founders Tyler and Emily Nevius, who have reimagined the historic venue, are brimming with South Side pride as they prepare to unveil this iconic space, boasting an estimated 1,500-person capacity. The plan is to host a robust calendar of 150 events each year.
Tyler Nevius, formerly a senior finance executive in the entertainment industry and an Army veteran, successfully enticed Other Half Brewing to contribute to the creation of a beer destination in Bridgeport. Other Half Ramova will boast an impressive array of approximately 80 tap lines, with roughly 20 available in the taproom.
Sam Richardson, co-founder of Other Half, shares the brewery’s vision, stating, “When we started in New York, one of our primary goals was to bring IPA to the East Coast. At that time, it was in short supply, and IPAs became our specialty. While we produce a wide variety of beer styles, it’s expected that we will offer a selection of IPAs. Additionally, in a venue like this, we’ll also be brewing lagers.”
The collaboration between Other Half and the local Chicago brewing community was carefully navigated to ensure that the arrival of the New York brewery did not disrupt the local talent. After an extensive dialogue, all parties involved recognized Other Half’s unique qualifications to spearhead the $23 million project.
The restaurant component of the project, named Ramova Grill, closed its doors in 2012 after an impressive 82-year run. Chef Kevin Hickey of the Duck Inn, a Chicago native with a deep attachment to the space, will oversee the food offerings in the 20-seat restaurant. Tribune critic Louisa Kung Liu Chu recently engaged the chef in a conversation about the chili and his personal connection to the building. An exact opening date remains undisclosed, but it’s reported that the team is optimistic for a November launch.
Other Half Brewing, which also operates breweries in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., is no stranger to Chicago and has established ties with Rare Tea Cellar, a revered supplier of gourmet ingredients to Chicago’s finest restaurants. The brewery intends to incorporate some of these premium ingredients into their beer offerings. The venue will also feature cocktails curated by Brandon Phillips, a partner at Duck Inn, with Sarah Loberg serving as the director of food and beverage for the Ramova Theatre.
