Navy Pier set to close after Labor Day weekend; rooftop bar Offshore to remain open
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Labor Day weekend is the last chance to visit Navy Pier before its temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to close down the pier due to a slowdown in business was announced last month.
Officials hope that the rest of Navy Pier will reopen in the spring of 2021, but a firm reopening date has not yet been announced.
One establishment at Navy Pier will remain open: Offshore the world's largets rooftop bar.
A behind-the-scenes look at the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Offshore will be open from noon until 9 p.m. every week day, 11 a.m. until 10:30p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday,
Visitor numbers here are way down this summer when they are usually their busiest on the Pier and COVID-19 restrictions have limited revenue even more.
But Offshore said its business is actually doing well considering the pandemic. It dubs itself the world's largest rooftop deck, so all that outdoor space means they've been able to welcome many customers even with social distancing restrictions.
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Plus, the venue has offered special experiences like workouts and drink making classes.
"We know people are looking for safe and fun things to do in the city and there's really no better place but the views and, you know, the weather we've been having," said Kathleen Jenkins with Offshore Rooftop.
Offshore said they will reassess week by week but hopes to stay open at least for September and October.
Navy Pier said Offshore was the only vendor expressing interest in staying open beyond Labor Day.
The Pier said it has now worked out some kind of rent relief with all of its other partners. That's more than 70 businesses which the Pier says as of now, are all planning to reopen when the rest of the iconic tourist destination welcomes back visitors.
The Pier adds that the Shakespeare theater will open in Winter 2021 for a production.
