Of the honkytonk-style bars created during that time, only Carol’s Pub still stands, a testament to the purity of the experience cultivated by Harris all those years. The dedication to the country live music scene at Carol’s Pub was and is so complete that house band Diamondback was elevated to legendary status within Chicago, the band playing Carol’s Pub on a near nightly basis for years, adding to the experience and helping shape the vibe inside. The story, however, took a turn in 2016 when delinquent tax bills caught up with Carol and forced the closure of Carol’s Pub, seemingly for good.
After two years of dormancy, the site was purchased by Ed Warm, then president of the Academy of Country Music, who felt a sense of devotion as one of Chicago’s leading country music voices to preserve a part of the genre’s history in the city. But with that purchase came required renovations that have stripped the bar of its dive bar status, creating instead a potent live music venue that honors its heritage in a number of ways even if the vibe inside is a little more upscale than it used to be. Moldy walls have been replaced and fitted with windows that open to the street outside during pleasant weather. Bathrooms have been renovated. The kitchen has been redone, though the signature bologna sandwich remains.
And with that frame of reference in mind, Carol’s Pub has done about as good a job as possible given the circumstances of creating something viable (and up to code) while doing as much as possible to preserve the legacy of the space. Original storefront windows hang on the walls. Original staff members were brought back during reopening. Diamondback may not play every night but they still grace the Carol’s Pub stage. The renovations here took place not out of the blind application of some kind of upscale bar starter pack but rather out of loving necessity.