• Levy will curate the F&B offering at Bally’s Chicago
• Bally’s Chicago is set to open in late 2026

Bally’s Chicago is partnering with sports hospitality giant Levy to curate the culinary experiences at the forthcoming $2 billion casino resort in River West.

Levy, a prominent hospitality group serving the sports and entertainment industries, will curate the forthcoming food and beverage offerings at Bally’s Chicago. The $2 billion casino resort is slated to open late next year. (Image: Levy)

Chicago-based Levy operates and manages elevated concessions at ballparks, arenas, stadiums, and other sports and entertainment venues across the country. The gastronomy conglomerate will oversee the curation, development, and operations of all food and beverage experiences within Bally’s Chicago, which is expected to open in late 2026.

Soo Kim, chair of the Bally’s board, said partnering with Levy was a “natural choice” due to the firm’s Chicago roots. Kim says Levy will be tasked with developing a F&B program that “honors Chicago’s rich and diverse food heritage, while enhancing the guest experience through locally inspired, world-class hospitality.”

Levy’s is behind such notable F&B experiences as the Grey Goose Honey Deuce at the US Open, the Kentucky Derby’s Mint Julep, Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s Stadium Nachos, Bristol Motor Speedway’s BBQ Baked Bean Casserole, and the Daytona 500’s Pileup (a soft pretzel topped with chicken tenders, cheese fries, and bacon).

Specifics about the dining partners and concepts, Bally’s and Levy said, will be announced in the near future. But Casino.org feels one restaurant brand is a safe bet.  

Is Michael Jordan a Slam Dunk? 

Levy is a licensed partner of Michael Jordan Steakhouse. Levy, through a deal with Cornerstone Restaurant Group, which owns and operates the Michael Jordan Steakhouse brand, was responsible for bringing the steakhouse named after the six-time NBA champion to the ilani Casino Resort in Washington State and Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Connecticut.

When Mohegan opened its casino in South Korea at Incheon International Airport, the tribal entity tapped Levy to curate the integrated resort’s culinary offering. A Michael Jordan Steakhouse was included.

Jordan is synonymous with Chicago. He’s also been known to fancy a bet. Jordan’s escapades with casinos are well documented. More on that here.

Cornerstone Restaurant Group already operates the flagship Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse at 505 N. Michigan Avenue at the InterContinental Magnificent Mile. The steakhouse is near the famed Tribune Tower, just blocks from where the temporary Bally’s Chicago is inside the Medinah Temple.

Bally’s Chicago Details 

Bally’s Chicago will be highlighted by a 500-room hotel standing 34 stories tall. The resort will include a rooftop pool, a spa and fitness complex, a 3,000-seat theater, six full-service restaurants, and a dining hall with many more eating options.

As for the casino, the 178,000-square-foot gaming floor will include 3,500 slot and table game positions, plus a sportsbook. Bally’s Chicago will additionally include public amenities such as a two-acre park and a 2,000-foot-long riverwalk.

Bally’s is taking the place of the former Freedom Center, which was the printing plant and headquarters for the Chicago Tribune until May 2024.

Construction continues at 777 W. Chicago Avenue. The casino site is about a mile west of the temporary casino.

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