Cheers to the Near West Side: Funkytown Scores $3.7M City Grant to Build New Brewery & Tap Room

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Near West Side · May 24, 2026

Near West Side neighbors, raise a glass — because your community just landed a serious investment in homegrown hospitality. Funkytown, the beloved local concept, has been awarded a $3.7 million grant from the City of Chicago to bring a brand-new brewery and tap room to the Near West Side. That's right: fresh-brewed craft beer, a dedicated tap room, and a community gathering space are all coming to the neighborhood, backed by one of the biggest municipal grants the area has seen in recent memory.

This is exactly the kind of locally rooted, neighborhood-first investment that makes the Near West Side so special. A dedicated brewery and tap room means jobs, foot traffic, and — most importantly — a vibrant new anchor where neighbors can gather, celebrate, and connect over a cold pint. It adds to an already electric stretch of growth in the community, arriving just as the neighborhood gears up for another buzzy summer season, including the return of Fulton Market Design Days in June, which draws tens of thousands of design-world visitors to the district's cobblestoned streets each year.

Details on Funkytown's timeline and exact location are still emerging, so stay tuned to the City of Chicago's official channels and Funkytown's social media for updates on construction milestones and a grand opening date. Near West Side, your neighborhood just got a whole lot more delicious — one craft pour at a time!

Sources:
1. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/tag/near-west-side/
2. https://designstage.com/fulton-market-design-days-2026/