Miki’s Park Keeps Spirits High With An At-Home Drinking Game

Miki’s Park, the recently opened Korean-inspired bar concept in River North, offers Chicagoans an introduction to Seoul nightlife with an interactive drinking game, the “Titanic Package”. Perfect for quarantine, Titanic is a fun twist on somaek—a staple Korean beer cocktail of light lager and soju—in which players take turns pouring soju into a shot glass floating atop a glass of beer. The player who pours the soju that sinks the shot glass into the beer must then drink the refreshing Korean boilermaker. Available for pick-up and delivery, the "Titanic Package '' is priced at $30 and includes a bottle of Soju, six pack of Hite light lager, custom-designed shot glass, and instructions. Additional alcohol offerings include six packs of Hite for $15 and Soju bottles for $20.

THE SPACE
From the moment they step inside, guests will know they are undoubtedly entering someplace truly special. After walking through the front door, guests will travel through a corridor of bamboo-covered walls with a bamboo archway and dramatic lighting. That corridor opens up into the bar itself, which features plush cushioned banquettes with lounge-style seating plus countertop height tables and a stunning custom-designed art deco bar.

Above all, Miki’s Park is a feast for the eyes: street art, neon accents, a ceiling punctuated with Cherry Blossoms and decorative light fixtures and more.
Even the bathrooms, which are located downstairs, are beautifully designed with a mixture of bold and whimsical wallpapers.

One of the most exciting aspects of the bar’s décor is a four-panel series created just for Miki’s Park. Titled “Tiger Bunny,” the piece is the result of a collaboration between Miki’s Park and Chicago-based artist Fidel Rodriguez.

Miki’s Park worked with Elizabeth Brown and Tracy Kurc of Kurc & Brown to design the space and make this vision a reality.

THE DRINKS
In a nod to cultural authenticity, a large part of Miki’s Park beverage program is centered on Soju, a popular Korean beverage that also happens to be the number one selling spirit in the world. Guests who want to enjoy Soju “like a local” can even reference an instructional illustration that shows you how to “Shake, Swirl, Pop” your Soju correctly.

The “Miki’s Cocktails” list will include 6-8 original craft cocktails, each of which are made with a carefully curated list of ingredients.
A select list of wines, domestic & international beers and other liquors will round out the roster of drink offerings.

The menu will also feature illustrated instructions for a handful of classic Korean drinking games designed for groups of three or more.

THE FOOD
A chef-driven menu of Korean-inspired bar snacks, sandwiches and light bites are served from 5:00pm – 1:00am nightly. All food items are priced between $8 - $16. Highlights include:

Miki’s Bap
Miki’s Park’s take on a traditional Bibimbap rice bowl.
Housemade Vegetable Fried Rice | Bulgogi (thin strips of Marinated Beef) | Kimchi Cucumber | 60 Degree Egg | Pickled Cabbage | Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)

LFG Lollipops
“Let’s F#@king Go!”
Lollipop Chicken Wings | Signature Sweet & Spice Sauce | Scallions

Seoul Sliders
Two Premium Beef Patties | Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste) | Cucumber | Soft Dinner Roll-style Bun

Tiger Fries
French Fries tossed in Spice| Bulgogi (thin strips of Marinated Beef) | Kimchi Cucumbers | Two Dipping Sauces

Omma’s Dumplings
Vegetarian Dumplings | Chili Soy Dipping Sauce

Roll In The Park
Korean Rice Roll | Chili Soy Dipping Sauce

A to-go / carry out window is located adjacent to the bar’s front door. Denoted by a neon Asian take out box and bamboo overhang, the street-facing window will serve late night snacks until 4:00am every Friday and 5:00am every Saturday night.

During the day, Miki’s to-go window will serve lunchtime dishes like Yug Mugs (a nutritious Kimchi broth soup) – perfect for guests on the go.

THE ENTERTAINMENT
When they aren’t taking in the décor or having a drink or two, guests can hit up the Halo Photobooth (which will send your photos straight to your Instagram page) or watch part of a K-Pop Video on one of the bars many flat screens.

Live Karaoke will be available periodically and a DJ will be spinning a variety of popular music from numerous decades on Fridays and Saturday nights until last call.