Downtown Joliet's McBrody's Will Reopen Soon

JOLIET, IL - You can't have a fancy new 10-story Will County Courthouse in downtown Joliet without having a watering hole within walking distance. After all, a good many lawyers - and judges - are known to enjoy their malt liquor or pound down a few cold ones after a grueling day on the job. At the moment, one of downtown's most popular bars from yesteryear, McBrody's Bar & Grill, continues to sit empty on Jefferson Street. It's been this way since August 2014. But not for much longer.

A City of Joliet construction permit is displayed on the glass window at the former McBrody's, 73 West Jefferson Street. The project involves interior demolition only, the sign reads. The permit was approved by City of Joliet Building Services Director Dave Mackley.

On Friday, Joliet's Economic Development Director Steve Jones told Joliet Patch he expects the new bar will be buzzing with nightlife around March. The new bar will be called Courtside Sports Bar. Courtside will be operated by Bill Aeschliman.

Jones envisions that Courtside will establish itself as a popular destination, catering to the hundreds of people who work downtown or visit the courthouse on a daily basis.

Construction on the new Will County courthouse just got underway this past week. The full-blown demolition of the First Midwest Bank building facing North Ottawa Street may not occur for a couple months.

The new courthouse is expected to be an architectural gem like Joliet hasn't seen before. And it will be right across the street from the Courtside Sports Bar.

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Images via Joliet Patch Editor John Ferak