Southern bistro gives way to sports bar in Palatine

Patrons of downtown Palatine didn't take to the southern charm that permeated the recently shuttered Mint Julep Bistro, but maybe they'll embrace more burgers and brewskies.

Hotshots Saloon, pegged by the owners as a family-friendly neighborhood sports bar, could open in the defunct eatery's space at 53 W. Slade St. as early as mid-August.

"We're from Palatine, we're for Palatine and we want to stay in Palatine," said retired public servant Tim O'Brien, who co-owns Hotshots along with David Conforti, a veteran of the restaurant and construction industries.

The neighbors have long dreamed about owning a bar and jumped at the chance of signing a five-year lease with two five-year options when Mint Julep Bistro closed July 1 after just a couple years.

"We're hoping for longevity," Conforti said.

Hotshots isn't being universally embraced, though.

Last week, a couple zoning board of appeals members felt the changes were too great to simply transfer a special use permit allowing a restaurant to operate - walls will be knocked down and chandeliers will give way to a dart board, jukebox and pool table, for example.

And Village Shoes and Ms. Bossy Boots owner Robert Guss III, the son-in-law of former Mayor Rita Mullins, said at Monday's village council meeting that he's concerned about the growing number of bars in the area, limited parking and a lack of synergy between retailers and establishments serving alcohol.

He's fine with restaurants such as Mint Julep Bistro, which profit from turning over customers quickly. However, bars encourage customers - and the cars they drive - to linger and won't result in increased foot traffic. He said he feels that pawn shops and tattoo parlors are next.

"I have some concerns about the village adding a fourth bar in less than a two-block area," Guss said, adding that the area is parking challenged already.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen said Monday the downtown area was never envisioned to be a spot where someone can necessarily park immediately outside a destination. The owners also emphasized the saloon's food aspect by noting Hotshots' kitchen takes up one-third of the building, prompting officials to unanimously approve the plan.

Hotshots will open at 9 a.m. and close midnights Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. weekends.

The saloon's presence complicates things for the Mint Julep Bistro owners, who months ago opened up the nearby Mint Julep Room. Initially opened as a facility for showers and private parties, the annex has evolved into an intimate venue with live entertainment and light fare.

But the Room's approval and operation was contingent on using the Bistro kitchen a block away at 117 W. Slade St., and co-owner David Davenport now will have to go before the council next week for a new permit to prepare its light fare on site.

Though there's not a true kitchen, Davenport said the Mint Julep Room will serve crepes, pizza and deli sandwiches and hopefully expand the live jazz, cabaret and blues offerings to beyond just the weekends.

"The southern connotation was a little limited and so we're making 'Minty Two' (the Mint Julep Room) more universal," Davenport said.