DePaul Reporter
If the measure of a cool bar in the city is that it is hard to find and has no sign out front then The Whistler might just be Logan Square’s coolest bar yet. Nestled between an optometrist office and an obscure photo shop, The Whistler could easily be overlooked. No flashing lights of a marquee, no secret backdoor entrance, no cover charge - just a single room venue that hosts everything indie including live music, film screenings and poetry readings.
The Whistler, which opened Sept. 26th, is the inspiration of two former indie record label owners, Billy Helmkamp and Robert Brenner. It is a project three years in the making for the two college friends who were ultimately looking to create a sort of “clubhouse” that could showcase the talents of their artist friends. And while the duo does not take itself too seriously, they are quite serious about what they want the venue to represent.
“Our goal is to have culturally significant programming going on at least 5 nights a week, whether it be a band or a reading series or a skill sharing night (i.e. guitar stringing, knitting),” Helmkamp says.
That culturally significant programming also includes Whistler’s storefront window which serves as its own self-contained art gallery. Helmkamp and Brenner formed a partnership with local artist/curator Josh Dumas who works to secure a new exhibit each month. On display currently is the inaugural 3D installation by artist Mark Benson entitled “Totally Permanent.”
The simplicity of the venue’s interior mirrors the exterior. Old church pews line the walls and basic stools push neatly up to a wooden bar which is manned by only one person, Paul McGee. To many McGee would be considered a mixologist and, in a past life, he was just that - corporate mixologist for Wolfgang Puck. Now, he prefers the simple title of bartender.
Each night McGee works to prepare what he calls, “a mix of prohibition-era classic cocktails,” the ingredients of which are complicated but the names memorable – Blood and Sand, Nixon, Diablo. However, Helmkamp is quick to reassure that the menu is by no means exclusive, noting the $2 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon also listed.
The only element of The Whistler that didn’t come together so simply was the name. “The name took us forever,” Helmkamp laughs. “It has a lot of meanings,” including references to Whistler ski resort in British Columbia, the golden whistler song bird and the whistling phenomenon that occurs when lightning strikes.
Logan Square resident Diana Skvarce praises the addition of the venue to the neighborhood. “I think it’s great they are giving exposure to artists in the community who might not be able to play some of the larger venues,” she says.
Even though The Whistler fits seamlessly into Logan Square’s hipster, indy scene, it is clearly whistling to its own tune.
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