Last Call After 30 Years: West Town Says Goodbye to a True Original — the Twisted Spoke

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Town · May 30, 2026

West Town is facing a bittersweet milestone this spring: the Twisted Spoke, the beloved biker bar and burger institution that has anchored the neighborhood for three decades, is closing its doors for good. For 30 years, the Twisted Spoke has been one of West Town's most unmistakable fixtures — a gritty, gloriously unapologetic dive that served up cold beer, thick burgers, and a whole lot of character to generations of regulars. Its closure marks the end of a genuine era for a neighborhood that has changed enormously since the Spoke first opened, and longtime residents are already flooding social media with memories and thank-yous.

But West Town's creative spirit rolls on. The neighborhood's arts scene is thriving, anchored in part by the West Town Chamber of Commerce's beloved First Fridays program, which invites locals to explore galleries and arts-based businesses — all staying open until 8PM — on the first Friday of every month. And just a short ride away, the newly renovated Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art has tripled its gallery and exhibition space, added community areas, and upgraded accessibility amenities, giving West Town an even stronger cultural anchor for 2026 and beyond.

The Twisted Spoke's closing is a reminder that neighborhoods are always evolving — but also that the independent, community-rooted spirit it embodied is very much alive in West Town. Raise a glass to 30 great years, and keep exploring the neighborhood's next chapter. Share your favorite Twisted Spoke memory with the West Town community — and mark your calendar for the next First Friday!

Sources:
1. https://abc7chicago.com/place/west-town/
2. https://www.westtownchamber.org/west-town-first-fridays
3. https://www.choosechicago.com/meeting-planners/plan-your-chicago-meeting/chicago-meeting-ideas/whats-new-in-chicago/