'The Living Room' Closes in Crystal Lake
Martini bar and chop house shuts down Route 14 business.
Photos
The sign out front - once adorned by a large, illuminated martini glass - now is blank.
Chalk writing on the front door reads something about the New Year's Eve Party.
And the only inkling of life at The Living Room Martini Lounge, Steak and Chop House, 446 W. Virgina St. (Route 14), were a few plump squirrels feasting on the back trash pile.
The Living Room is officially closed for business, according to city officials.
Owner Robin Ahmed called the city of Crystal Lake about two weeks ago to inform officials he would not be seeking renewal of his liquor license, said Michelle Rentzsch, director of planning and economic development for the city.
The restaurant's telephone number is "disconnected, or no longer in service." And The Living Room webpage states the domain name expired Jan. 7, 2013.
Rentzsch said the city has not received any new restaurant or business proposals for the brick building, owned by Sid Sherman, of Huntley.
The restaurant along with its martini lounge and VIP dance room opened nearly two years ago, filling the vacancy left by the former Porter's Oyster Bar. The business was modeled after a former nightclub in Schaumburg, and catered to the 24-plus-year-old crowd.
Darren Rivchin
9:10 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
It never had a chance to suceed, They should have done a market test and had a plan b after 60 day test run... Look at the London club, Paul has done a great job
with test market and and following the needs of patrons. Music is a 100 percent essential in a night club . good food is a 100 percent essential. To market to a 24 year old crowd would be ok in the city. 24 year old crowds are great but only 33 % of the market locally for this type of club . It would be great to see the old Blues club / jazz club , and even a comedy club , come in. Better have good food though. Hey peter, you out there? time to reopen !!!! cool spot.... Needs to be managed properly............. The blues had a baby and named it rockn' roll....
Dave Zortea
10:06 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Went there once for dinner and was only one other couple in there. Good food, service was really poor. I'm not usually one to even look at prices too closely, but it was severely overpriced for a place with no reputation yet in Crystal Lake (as opposed to the city or Schaumburg/Arlington Hts). I honestly don't think that's a good location for a such a high end steak place. As the above poster suggested, a jazz or blues club may be better suited. Keep the prices lower and the menu simpler TO START at least.
Stephanie Price
11:54 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Porters did great in that location.
McCloud
5:04 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Another victim of the Obama economy.
Stephanie Price
7:32 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
I doubt it....Go to Jameson's and it's packed. Drive by any Portillo's and they have several workers standing outside trying to handle the huge number of customers they get on a daily basis. I think it's the same old standard: Offer something people really want at the right price, and you'll be successful.
K Lundberg
12:00 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
We in Crystal Lake, like casual with a townie feeling and the Living Room was anything but that....should have left the decor as it was and made it even grungier....and friendlier.
Leaps & Bounds Preschool/Daycare
11:56 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Sorry to see it close. My husband and I went there a few times. Not very crowded but enjoyed the food..
Kathleen M. Daly
Crystal Lake