Hidden in the basement of Storyville — Chicago’s New Orleans-themed restaurant and bar — Lulu’s Chambre Privee opens as a speakeasy serving traditional and contemporary prohibition-style cocktails. Inspired by the history of brothels and music in the Red Light District, the bar pays homage to Lulu White, the era’s brothel madam and entrepreneur of New Orleans. The bar transports guests to the French Quarter with live cabaret and jazz music performances on select nights.
Lulu promoted herself and the sex workers, many of whom were also women of color, defying the segregation laws in place in Louisiana at the time. She was noted for her entrepreneurship, love of jewelry, influence on jazz music, and sex positive spirit. Barring a brief sentence in jail, she continued to operate her brothel, Mahogany Hall, until she died in 1931.
Lulu's cocktail menu features classic, speciality, and large format cocktails. In tribute to Lulu, the cocktail menu references the “Blue Books” that served as directories of sex workers in Storyville during the turn of the century. The menu features traditional staples like The Last Word, Sidecar, and Penicillin, as well as creative concoctions including:
FOREST FLIP: Amaretto, rum, walnut bitters, heavy cream, egg
BE MY DRUIDESS: Mezcal, China-China papaya, lime, activated charcoal
MI AMORE: Vodka, Chambord, grapefruit, tiki bitters, soda
Lulu’s Chambre Privee is open Thursday and Friday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Reservations can be made via their website or on OpenTable.
Hidden in the basement of Storyville — Chicago’s New Orleans-themed restaurant and bar — Lulu’s Chambre Privee opens as a speakeasy serving traditional and contemporary prohibition-style cocktails. Inspired by the history of brothels and music in the Red Light District, the bar pays homage to Lulu White, the era’s brothel madam and entrepreneur of New Orleans. The bar transports guests to the French Quarter with live cabaret and jazz music performances on select nights.
Lulu promoted herself and the sex workers, many of whom were also women of color, defying the segregation laws in place in Louisiana at the time. She was noted for her entrepreneurship, love of jewelry, influence on jazz music, and sex positive spirit. Barring a brief sentence in jail, she continued to operate her brothel, Mahogany Hall, until she died in 1931.
Lulu's cocktail menu features classic, speciality, and large format cocktails. In tribute to Lulu, the cocktail menu references the “Blue Books” that served as directories of sex workers in Storyville during the turn of the century. The menu features traditional staples like The Last Word, Sidecar, and Penicillin, as well as creative concoctions including:
FOREST FLIP: Amaretto, rum, walnut bitters, heavy cream, egg
BE MY DRUIDESS: Mezcal, China-China papaya, lime, activated charcoal
OL' GINNY: Barrel-aged gin, house-made tonic, lime
THE FELON KING: Bourbon, Licor 43, Fernet
MI AMORE: Vodka, Chambord, grapefruit, tiki bitters, soda
Lulu’s Chambre Privee is open Thursday and Friday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Reservations can be made via their website or on OpenTable.
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