The Getaway In Lincoln Square Closed Indefinitely After Explosion

LINCOLN SQUARE — The Getaway remained closed Monday after an explosion at the building last week injured at least one person.  

Firefighters responded to a call for service at 5 p.m. Wednesday after the explosion at the neighborhood bar, 4530 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt said.

A gas stove caught fire and caused the explosion, Merritt said.

One person was transported to an area hospital, Merritt said. No information on the victim or their current condition was available, although ABC7 reported a man suffered burns to his hands and face and was reported in fair condition.

Messages left with The Getaway’s owners were not immediately returned Monday. Ald. Matt Martin’s (47th) office said it did not have any further details to provide.

The Getaway’s website, Facebook and Instagram profiles all had the same message posted as of Monday morning: “Due to an unexpected building issue, we will be temporarily closed while repairs are completed. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

It was unclear Monday morning when the business would reopen.

An orange sticker from the city’s Department of Buildings could be seen on one of The Getaway’s windows Monday that said, in part, “This building has been ordered closed by the City of Chicago due to code violations that threaten life, safety, or health.” 

The entire building is “off-limits,” according to the posted notice. 

Messages left with the building department were referred to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s press office. A spokesperson for Johnson’s office confirmed the city-ordered closure includes all floors of the building and said they had no further information. A record of the July 1 building inspection is not yet available on a city database.

The Getaway first opened its doors in 2024 and is a part of the 4EG hospitality group, which is also behind aliveOne in Lincoln Park, Central Park Bar in Avondale, Easy Bar in Wicker Park, Estelle’s in Wicker Park, Remedy in Bucktown and The Owl in Logan Square.

The partners also operate bars in Ohio and Kentucky.

The concept for The Getaway, a craft cocktail bar with live programing like Derek Bish’s DIY Chicago-centric variety show “Welcome To The Show,” came from lifelong friends David Halpern and Ross Dimun, who moved into the space left vacant after the Grafton closed in August of 2022.