Double Door

03/01/2026

🎶🎸

Hey Everyone,

Mike here, for those that don’t know me, I’m Kenny’s son and the guy responsible for keeping the lights on.

For 38 years, this venue has been more than a business. It’s been a home for music, community, and memories — something my father built and something I intend to carry forward for the next generation.

Because of that responsibility and my dedication to the community. I made the difficult decision to close temporarily. It sucked but something I thought about for a long time. Recent internal operational issues made it clear that continuing as-is would compromise the standards and integrity that have sustained us for nearly four decades.

Protecting this legacy matters more than avoiding a hard moment.

We took the time to reset, strengthen, and ensure that when these doors open again, they do so on solid ground — ready for the next 40 years. It made sense to me to bring in a long time friend that has operational experience, knowledge of the industry and who is a musician. Sean Mulroney is a classically trained bassist, plays in a notable Chicago Irish Rock band and an arts and entertainment attorney. He ran Double Door for 24 years promoting local artists not just big bands like the Rolling Stones. Gallery Cabaret is in good hands.

The sky won’t be falling, there isn’t any hostile take-over, we still have big bands, open mic nights, adding variety shows, and fun s**t like boozy bingo, trivia night and community block parties. We’re running with all talent that was currently booked, rebooking January and February talent. We lowered drink prices, cleaned up a bit, but the concept has not changed, and we are not renaming it Double Door. I mean the power of the internet is something.

It does not go unnoticed that Garrett Lane was part of this success and I want to publicly thank him for his contribution.

We’re opening tonight for friends and family, soft opening to work out any kinks so to speak so if you want to come you’re welcome.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us through the decades. This story isn’t over.

02/24/2026

It has been a long road …

I want to share an update, albeit a painful one for our artists and supporters. The opening of Double Door in the Uptown Wilson Theatre location as previously announced is not moving forward.

Staying true to what made Double Door Double Door matters. This isn’t an ending — it’s a pivot. We’re actively exploring other locations and opportunities that better align with our vision. And we think we have found one! This is all in an effort to keep the heart and soul of music and the Double Door moving forward.

In the meantime, we’re keeping the brand alive through pop-ups, collaborations, and special moments. Our first step is a collaboration with Gallery Cabaret in Bucktown. For almost 40 years Gallery Cabaret has been a haven for artists and musicians looking to showcase their craft in an eclectic neighborhood setting.

We are updating the sound, the music calendar, and the overall vibe that made Double Door the best place to see music, but more importantly, to be part of what makes Chicago’s scene the best in the country.

We will be reopening the bar on March 1st. Come and see us and check it out.

We hope you’ll stay with us, follow along, and be part of what comes next.

10/31/2025

Tomorrow is the epic matchup of Ireland v. The All Blacks. But the real fun begins right after the match. Shake off the Halloween hangover and come to the Plumbers Union Hall for the Ruckus of a lifetime.

One for the Ditch will be performing with our friends Whiskey First and we will joined by the Shannon Rovers and a Haka group or 2.

The Ditch played last Saturday at the Brig. It was a barnburner. YOU can have that much fun. Super fun Sh*t. See you there

06/12/2025

One For The Ditch's 2nd stop on the Ditch-A-Palooza summer tour is this Saturday at Taste of Randolph. We will be taking the West Stage at 2:15 pm. It is the perfect time to get your day drinking started. Cheers!

06/06/2025

I'm not sure if you can call it a summer tour if you only go to Milwaukee, but here is is.

One For the Ditch is playing all summer. You have no excuse!!!

6/7 Rib Fest at Irving Park and Lincoln. 7pm
6/14 Taste of Randolph. 2pm
6/20 Livewire 9pm
7/1 X-Ray Arcade in Milwaukee. Doors at 6pm
8/22 Pizza City Fest (tbd)

04/25/2025

Just a dose of inspo!

04/17/2025

Well, they have let us out of the cage after out epic St. Pat's run of shows and we have just been invited to step up to the plate tomorrow night at Martyrs' (3855 N Lincoln Ave). Show starts at 8pm.

See you there.

03/12/2025

Even I have to psych myself up for this weekend of fun and games. My band One For The Ditch will be playing an epic number of shows in celebration of Chicago's favorite holiday, St. Patrick's Day. Here we go:

Sat 3/15 Vixen in McHenry 1pm
Sat 3/15 Green Post Chicsgo 5pm
Sat 3/15 Martyr's 8pm
Sun 3/16 Irish Legend Willow Springs 2pm
Sun 3/16 Robert's Westside 8pm
Mon 3/17 Liar's Club 6pm

How could you not?

01/28/2025

If you have never seen my band One For The Ditch, you must.

If you have never been to Liars Club, you must.
You can do both this Friday 1/31. We go on at 10pm.

If you need any other incentive than that, it is also a chance to see 2 Mulroneys playing on the same stage.

If you miss this you suck.

Sean

01/07/2025

Things are really starting to roll. We are finalizing all of the necessary paperwork required by the City to begin construction. It looks like we start next month. S**t yeah!

What many of you may not know is that Double Door is starting a tuition free after school program to be housed by and part of Double Door. The school "Double Door Rocks" will be bringing a campus style program to Uptown.

We are collaborating with Uplift Community High School, Nicholas Senn High School and Peoples Music School and we will be utilizing all 3 schools until Double Door opens.

Our 1st event is tomorrow at Senn. I will keep all of you in the loop.

2025 will ROCK!

12/16/2024

This Friday at Mrs. Murphy's, 3905 N Lincoln, my band One For The Ditch is doing our X Mas thing. We sit in the corner of this traditional Irish Pub and do what we do best ..... sing about community, friendship, holiday spirit and love (just kidding, we sing about drinking). This is fun and sort of interactive. We begin at 7:30. The food is great, the Guinness is fresh and the mood is jolly. Come and be a part of the fun.

Oh... and should I remind you all, we opened up for the Smashing Pumpkins las Thursday. Enjoy the video.

12/13/2024

Good story.....yesterday at 4:15 pm, while I was walking into SoHo House to meet a British film crew to be interviewed for a Chicago House music documentary, I got a call from the promoter of Q-101's twisted X Mas event. I was asked if my band One for The Ditch could be on stage at the Aragon Ballroom by 7pm to open for the Smashing Pumpkins' sold out show. I said yes and proceeded to pound calls into everyone. Tony was leading a board meeting for 40 people, Hugh was on the table at his chiropractor, RB was in a studio session, Fred was napping (he starts work at 5am) and Dermot was on set. We made it and after a 12 minute line check we owned the stage! Dermot's one question.....does this sort of thing always happen? I continue to believe so!

Photo of minute 6 of the line check.