Sanctuary Barsilica, a church-themed bar, is set to open at the east end of 814 W. Sheridan, the same building that is home to FlashBack.
For inspiration, proprietor Jose Rodriguez visited Church in Portland and Sister Louisa' Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium in Atlanta. The latter is often recognized as one of the most successful and creative theme bars in the entire U.S.
The goal is a light-hearted but respectful take on religion with theme decor and drinks, as well as an elaborate karaoke system where singers will don choir robes before taking the stage.
In addition to signature cocktails such as Holy Sangria served in a chalice, there will be a heavy emphasis on national and regional craft beers to compliment FlashBack's focus on local brews.
The space will take advantage of existing huge overhead doors to open to a Sheridan-facing patio on nice days. A large outdoor space will also be featured on the south side of the space and everywhere inside and out will be non-smoking, as the policy has proved popular at FlashBack.
Between Sanctuary and the retro pub will be Wacky Wheelz, which will specialize in bar excursions on individual cruiser bikes completely decked out in LED lights.
Wacky Wheelz will have tour guides to take groups of 8 to 50 to various local bars. The tour leaders will have sound systems on their bikes which will feature music chosen by the group.
There will also be event space for before and after the cruise and for private events.
Rodriguez and his partner Mark Temple have formed El Jefe Entertainment as the umbrella for FlashBack, Sanctuary and Wacky Wheelz and future ventures.
The additions to Film Row, set to open this spring, come on the heels of the wildly popular and immediately adjacent Jones Assembly. Rodriguez said that the already strong business at FlashBack has picked up even further since Jones started drawing thousands more to the immediate area.
West Village will open their first apartments and commercial space directly north of 814 W. Sheridan in about 7 months, with hundreds of more units in that same development coming on-line in the next year.
