Judge's Bar Leaving Downtown Joliet Location For New Building, City Council To Vote On Proposal

Mayor Terry D'Arcy, as liquor commissioner, is recommending approval of the Class B liquor license for Judge's Bar at the new location.

By John Ferak, Patch Staff

Aug 29, 2026 12:29 PM CDT | Updated Aug 29, 2026 12:37 PM CDT

Judge's Bar has been a downtown mainstay along Joliet's East Cass Street for many years. It's right across the street from the John Bays parking deck. (Image via Google Maps)

JOLIET, IL — For some people, change is difficult. For the past several years, downtown Joliet's 35 East Cass Street has been the gathering place for patrons of the Judge's Bar. Next week, the Joliet City Council must make a decision in regard to the future of Judge's Bar and it won't involve the long-time location across the street from the public parking deck.

On Tuesday night, the Council will be asked to vote on the proposed Class B liquor license for Judge's Bar, at a new location, 508 North Chicago Street, over near St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the world's first Dairy Queen.

"The subject business is an existing tavern relocating to a new location near the northeast corner of Chicago and Ohio Streets. The building was previously occupied by a religious institution. The property is zoned B-3, general business, which permits bars and taverns with the sale and on-site consumption of liquor," the City Council memo reads.

As for the issue parking, the Council memo indicates the parking area on the east side of the property belonged to the religious institution, "however, the building is over 100 feet away from any buildings associated with the religious use."

Two people, Ralph Johnson and James Shaw, showed up at the July 17 liquor commission hearing to voice their concerns about the issue of parking. In the end, Mayor Terry D'Arcy, did not foresee any major issues associated with Judge's Bar moving to 508 North Chicago and he wants the City Council to approve the Class B liquor license for the new site.