(Above) Nouveau Tavern on West Ontario Street. Its interior was designed by D+K Architects of Chicago. (Click on image to view larger version.)

October 22, 2014 – A restaurant/bar that has annoyed its River North neighbors for eight months may have finally annoyed one neighbor too many. 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, whose Constituent Services Office is about two blocks away, took to his weekly newsletter on Tuesday to say he has had about enough of Nouveau Tavern.

Fights, illegal handguns, an assault on a police officer, underage customers. And that’s just last weekend.

On Friday, according to Reilly, a fight at the tavern at 358 West Ontario Street spilled onto the street. When police arrived, they faced aggressive patrons as well as the tavern’s security guards. Four people were arrested on Friday and two more on Saturday. On top of that, the tavern was issued four citations.

Reilly says Nouveau Tavern gets numerous 911 calls and, at his urging, the area is getting extra attention from police.

“Like most neighbors, I am incredibly frustrated with the multiple steps of ‘due process’ that has been afforded this establishment as they continue to violate city laws and negatively impact quality-of-life for residents.”

He says addressing the safety, nuisance, and other chronic problems with Nouveau Tavern is a “top priority” for his office.

Nouveau Tavern describes itself as a New Orleans style restaurant serving Southern cuisine. According to its owners, it is also the only black-owned nightclub in River North.

In August, racist graffiti was spray-painted on the front of the restaurant.