Bronzeville Has a New 'Third Place' — And It's Run by a Mom Who Refused to Take No for an Answer

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Bronzeville · March 28, 2026

Bronzeville's social scene just got a new heartbeat. Kelli's Chicago, a warm and welcoming lounge at 210 E. 35th St. (2nd Floor), has opened its doors — and it's already filling a void that neighbors didn't even realize how much they missed. Owner Kelli Dace, a South Side native, software engineer, and mother, poured her life savings into creating a space that's equal parts coffee bar and cocktail lounge, open from daytime through the evening. The vibe is intentionally lowkey: think bartender-curated music playlists, conversation you can actually hold without shouting, and a lavender latte that's already turning heads.

Dace's path to entrepreneurship was anything but easy. It took two years of persistent effort just to secure a lease on the 35th Street space — the same block where she once cut her teeth as a bartender years ago. She eventually won over a skeptical building owner and found outside investors who believed in her vision, transforming the second-floor space into something Bronzeville has long needed: a true neighborhood 'third place' that isn't a church or someone's living room.

For a neighborhood that's been buzzing with major development news, Kelli's is a refreshingly intimate addition — rooted in community, shaped by lived experience, and wide open to anyone looking for a great drink and good company. Stop by 210 E. 35th St. to show Kelli some love and make this South Side gem your new regular haunt.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/26/kellis-lounge-fills-void-in-bronzeville-as-welcoming-third-space-for-neighbors/