Southport Lanes to hold auction after historic Lakeview spot permanently closes

Wednesday, July 7, 2021
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The historic Southport Lanes in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood will not reopen after all.

The north side staple outlasted the prohibition and the 1918 Spanish Flu, but not the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, you can own some of the memories.

The restaurant and bowling alley on Southport has been closed since September after shuttering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The owners said "it's the end of an era" since they're unable to bounce back from the pandemic, so they're auctioning everything off.

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The auctioned items will include things like pool tables and bowling equipment, and even the sign outside.

During the prohibition era, Southport Lanes became a speakeasy and an illegal gambling parlor.

The building was remodeled in 2003 but kept its original look, including hand-set bowling lanes.

The Schlitz Brewery first constructed the building, named The Nook. The name changed to Southport Lanes in 1922.

The auction is July 13 - 20. For more information the auction website.
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