“A Lincoln Square karaoke bar will allow fans to belt out their favorite songs one last time this weekend before the business bids farewell to its home of 60 years.
“The Hidden Cove’s last day of service is Sunday. Flavius Ardelean acquired the property housing the Hidden Cove in 2023 and plans to redevelop the site into a mixed-use building, he previously told Block Club.
“Since the closure was announced, patrons have flocked to the watering hole to join the chorus of songbirds bidding farewell.
“‘I can’t sing, but I will. I’m terrible at it. But when I get to The Cove, I feel like a rock star,’ customer Kristen Peon said Wednesday night.
“Peon had her 21st birthday at the bar in the early aughts and — like many patrons who spoke to a Block Club reporter — she loves the welcoming feeling she gets at the Cove while singing her heart out.
“‘That’s the sense of community that I’ve always gotten at The Cove — that I’m a rock star and can sing my rock star dreams. And that the crowd is drunk enough to love me, Peon said.
“‘I found my family at this bar,’ said bartender Michele Irizarry. ‘Everybody in this bar looks out for each other in a way that I’ve never experienced at other bars I’ve worked at.’
“‘One of the defining characteristics of this bar is that if you walk in here, you’ll make friends if you’re not an asshole. Even if you are an asshole, you’ll make friends,’ Honeycutt said. ‘You can’t sit at that bar and be strangers; it’s almost impossible. And there’s so few places that are like that, right?’
“The Hidden Cove’s history dates back to 1965, according to state records and co-owner Phil Trocchio. It was initially a popular bar to play darts, with about 12 dart boards on the walls, said Trocchio.
“The bar became known for late-night singing starting in the ’90s thanks to advances in AV technology that allowed for the owners to host karaoke every night they were open.
“Trocchio is hopeful he can find a new location nearby to continue The Hidden Cove’s story. He has been meeting with local stakeholders and elected officials to find a spot, he said.” (Hernandez, Block Club Chicago, 9/12/25)
Read the full story at Block Club Chicago
- Hidden Cove Patrons Sing Farewell To Beloved Lincoln Square Karaoke Bar;
- The 60-year-old watering hole’s last day is Sunday. The owners hope to reopen the bar elsewhere in the neighborhood, Alex V. Hernandez, Block Club Chicago, 9/12/25
- Hidden Cove, Iconic Karaoke Bar, Closing This Month; The late-night karaoke hot spot in Lincoln Square will close Sept. 15, with its longtime building set to be redeveloped, Alex V. Hernandez, Block Club Chicago, 9/2/25
- Chicago’s iconic karaoke bar Hidden Cove to shutter this month, after three decades of lively, late-night singing; It might be time to stop believin’, Mark Peikert, TimeOut Chicago, 9/4/25
- Classic Lincoln Square karaoke bar closing for good, Alonzo Small, WGN Chicago 9, 9/11/25