Legendary reggae club leaving North Side

CHICAGO (WGN) — The team behind The Wild Hare & Singing Armadillo Frog Sanctuary, the legendary live reggae music venue, on Wednesday announced plans to leave the North Side and relocate to the Fulton Market District.

The club plans to reopen later this spring at 950 West Fulton Street, a four-level complex with a retractable glass rooftop, loft event space, a full-service corner restaurant and the recently opened fast casual Greek restaurant, Pitaki. Visitors to the new venue will enter through a “hidden alley,” according to a press release announcing the move.

“We have a large, very flexible venue that can serve as a sort of one-stop shop for an evening and for friends to meet up,” Alan Cichon, CEO of the recently formed Taratsa Hospitality, said in a statement to WGN.

“If you are looking to have dinner and catch an early set of live music, we can deliver a terrific experience. If you are hosting an event and want a late-night spot to continue the festivities, we can customize a show, including with a house band. If you are looking for the best live reggae and world beat on the planet you will find it here,” he added.

The Wild Hare, with its roots as a country and western-themed bar, has offered patrons a variety of music styles over decades, from afrobeats to Latin jazz to punksteady to funk. The club has also introduced new musical and comedy acts to the city.

Live performances in the new venue will utilize a permanent stage on the lower level as well as the rooftop.

Staff expect to initially open five days a week. Admission will vary depending on the night of the week and the scheduled performance.

Information about an opening schedule and acts will be posted to WildHareMusic.com.