Stormy Monday, located at the corner of Randolph Street and Desplaines Avenue, was a very popular hangout in the 1970’s. It was a Forest Park lounge that catered to “singles,” and was so well attended that it had more than one violation from the village for being overcrowded.
For a while in the 1920’s, it was a delicatessen run by Paul J. Gutenschager, and in the 1930s it changed hands to the Forest Park Fraternal Order of Eagles. Later, it would be known under sever-al names: Randolph Lounge, Moose Hall, Wigwam, Mesa Tap and Count’s Villa before becoming Stormy Monday.
By the 1990s, the legendary tavern had a reputation of being a biker bar. It changed its name to Jim’s Sports Bar. It was known later as Randolph Street Depot and Hermann’s Steakhouse, and in 2014 it became the current Forest Park favorite, Old School Tavern.
Throughout its history, the business’ address has been listed as either 201 Desplaines Ave. or 7500 Randolph St., as the corner entrance might allow for some interpretation.
No matter the name or address, the character that comes from the warmth of an all-wood interior with beams matches the comforting menu that is enjoyed at Old School today.
