When the snowmageddon of 2011 hit Chicago, it shut down schools, businesses, and even Lake Shore Drive. It also forged a friendship that would eventually lead to the birth of Vice District Brewing. "We met as neighbors," co-owner Quintin Cole recalled. "He helped dig me out during the snowmageddon, and that's how we met."[1] That neighbor was Curtis Tarver II. Three years later, the two would open Chicago's first Black-owned brewery—and in doing so, reclaim a neighborhood's scandalous past for something far more hopeful.
The Ultimatum
Cole and Tarver were passionate home brewers. What started as a plan to save money by making their own beer backfired spectacularly: both men spent close to $3,000 each on equipment, and their basements became dedicated brewing operations.[1][2] "Pretty much both of our entire basements are taken up with something related to beer," Tarver joked in 2014. "Basically, our wives said it was time to put up or shut up, so that was the impetus for us to open a microbrewery."[2]
That ultimatum—either do something with this, or close down shop—pushed them to write a business plan and scout locations. They never considered the North Side. "We're South Siders," Cole said. "Whenever we wanted to go to some place to support one of the local breweries we were always traveling north of Madison. We wanted to concentrate on people who live in the South Side or South Loop who don't want to travel that far north."[1]
1454 South Michigan
The destination was 1454 South Michigan Avenue, a 2,200-square-foot space in a former Buick showroom.[2][3] Vice District Brewing Co. opened on August 22, 2014, with 14 house-made beers planned for tap and an opening lineup that included a Black IPA, Extra Special Bitter, IPA, Blonde, and Molasses Porter—plus a surprise collaboration announced on opening day.[2]
"It's taken a bit longer than we originally planned," Tarver said at the time. The opening had been pushed from July. "We would really like to thank everyone for their patience and support along the way."[2] The timing proved fortuitous: the Midwest Brewer's Fest was August 23 in Chicago, and the bus stop sat right in front of Vice District. Festival patrons were encouraged to stop in for a beer before hopping on the bus.[2]
Brewmaster Charlie Davis, formerly of Finch's Brewing Co., led production. "I have a lot of recipes that I'm pretty excited about," Davis said. "But I'm most excited about being able to dial in the quality on a procedurally sound system. Having such acute control over the process at Vice District means we can focus on putting out the best beer possible."[2] The brewhouse could produce 1,724 pints at a time, with seating for 100 to 115 people. There was no kitchen—patrons were encouraged to bring carryout or order delivery, and communal tables filled the space.[2][3]
Reclaiming the Vice District
In researching the neighborhood, Cole and Tarver discovered that the South Loop was once known as Chicago's "Levee District"—home to brothels, saloons, and clubs in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It was the city's vice district. The name was obvious.[1]
But Vice District Brewing aimed to be the opposite of scandalous. The brewery wanted to be a positive force: working with nonprofits, offering the space on closed days (Mondays) for fundraisers, and fostering conversation over competition. TVs would play ball games, but when the game ended, they turned off. The goal, Cole said, was "to be a nice little neighborhood watering hole."[1] As Chicago's first Black-owned brewery, they dedicated themselves to crafting a community where anyone could feel at home—"from the beer enthusiast to the person just dipping their toes into the craft world."[4]
The taproom paid homage to that history with photos of the original Vice District on the walls, while remaining family-friendly—babies were allowed. Dogs, too. Board games, free wifi, and a run club rounded out the neighborhood vibe.[3]
Closure and Relaunch
The original taproom closed in 2019. By 2021, the space at 1454 S. Michigan had been taken over by G314Chi, a new event studio.[5] But Vice District was not done.
In 2021, the brewery relaunched—without a physical taproom—as a distribution-focused brand. Curtis J. Tarver II, by then an Illinois state representative (elected in 2018) and original co-founder, led the relaunch alongside investor André Wright.[6] "Over the years, we've seen countless examples of our beer building that type of community," the brewery stated. "And that's why we're relaunching in 2021."[4]
Today, Vice District focuses on getting its beer into bars, restaurants, and hotels. The flagship is Pleasure Trip, a blonde ale that was the most popular offering at the original taproom—a light, crisp beer with Nelson Sauvin hops (5.6% ABV, 23 IBUs). The brewery also produces IPAs, porters, stouts, and other styles, with plans to reintroduce classic recipes alongside new experimental brews.[6][7]
A Different Kind of Vice
Vice District's story is one of reclamation: two South Siders turning a neighborhood's scandalous past into a place where people could be themselves and connect. It's the story of a hobby that outgrew two basements and became Chicago's first Black-owned brewery. And it's the story of a taproom that closed—but a brand that refused to disappear. The vice district of old was a place where people went to escape judgment. Vice District Brewing, in its own way, has carried that spirit forward: a space, and now a beer, for anyone looking for something different.
Sources
- Newcity Resto — "The Levee Rises? Vice Is Brewing In The South Loop," August 18, 2014; Quintin Cole quotes, snowmageddon origin story, South Side focus, Levee District research, communal tables, nonprofit plans
- DNAinfo Chicago — "Vice District Brewing Co. to Open Aug. 22," July 24, 2014; Curtis Tarver II quotes, Charlie Davis quotes, opening date August 22, 14 beers on tap, opening lineup (Black IPA, ESB, IPA, Blonde, Molasses Porter), 2,200 sq ft, 100–115 seats, 1,724 pints per batch, Midwest Brewer's Fest timing, wives' ultimatum, no kitchen
- Chicago Bar Project — Vice District Brewing Company review; former Buick showroom, dog-friendly, board games, photos of original Vice District, run club, growler fills, industrial-chic design
- Vice District Brewing – Our Story — Official "Our Story" page; Chicago's first black-owned brewery, 2014 taproom, community mission, 2021 relaunch, name origin ("vice district" as place to be oneself)
- Sloopin — "New Event Space Called G314 Moving Into Former Vice District Brewing Space on Michigan," July 2021; G314Chi taking over 1454 S. Michigan
- Vice District Brewing – About Us (FAQ) — Relaunch details, Curtis Tarver II and André Wright, Pleasure Trip flagship, distribution model, no physical location
- Vice District Brewing – Beers — Pleasure Trip blonde ale specs (5.6% ABV, 23 IBUs, Nelson Sauvin hops)