![]() “The basement, known back then as Zagorski’s Rathskeller, was allegedly a party joint for politicians and gamblers and a spot where Lottie entertained Chicago’s finest. According to the Lottie’s website, “A simple knock on Lottie’s private basement door opens a world of escape and debauchery - lively parties, strip tease dancers, horse betting, and all-night poker games to those deemed worthy.” Lottie was arrested as the leader of the bookmaking ring a couple of times and, following a joint crackdown by the FBI and IRS, and subsequent grand jury testimony, she died of natural causes in 1973. It is said that the gambling operation was run by Andy “The Greek” Lochious, working for Joseph “Joe Gags” Gagliano, a syndicate gambling and loan shark boss. She ran a gambling operation in the basement, dubbed “Zagorski’s Rathskeller.” Access to the Rathskeller was through a private door and the place catered to gangsters, neighborhood residents and politicians alike. Lottie was as infamous as she was colorful. In 1934, the establishment was acquired by Walter “Lottie” Zagorski who ran the place as “Zagorski’s Tavern.” Walter went by the name “Lottie,” as he was a flamboyant transvestite, and possible hermaphrodite, that stood six feet tall and could personally “escort” unruly patrons out the door single-handedly. Lottie’s Pub dates back at least to 1928, when it was operated as the grocer of Wladislaus and Rose Behrendt. ![]() Normalcy lies in the eye of the beholder, while the truth can present a different story. Located on the corner of Cortland and Winchester in Wicker Park, Lottie’s appears to be one of the few, fairly normal neighborhood bars in the midst of other dark and swanky places like Northside, Danny’s Tavern, and Club Lucky. Otherwise, have a game of darts or pool and, if the weather’s nice, grab yourself a grilled cheese with crinkle cut fries out in the sidewalk café. ![]() ![]() No wonder why Nelson Algren frequented the place, as his writings focused on the underbelly of society. From a barstool, you can ponder Lottie’s colorful former owner for which it is named, along with its intriguing history as grocery store, gambling hall, prostitution den, and strip tease joint. You’ll find Lottie’s to be a lively joint and as close to a sports bar as you’re going to get in this Bohemia-cum-Boutique neighborhood of Bucktown. Like many bars in Bucktown, Lottie’s appears to be less-than-inviting from the outside, but it’s a different story within. ![]()
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