A new owner of the Harlem Avenue rooftop bar is coming and he’s promising to keep the noise down.
The Palos Heights City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 21, approved a liquor license for Rooftop Johnny’s, taking over the space at 12231 S. Harlem Ave. – the former home of Rooftop Tap, a spot neighbors said got too loud too often.
New owner John Cordellette, a retired firefighter, told the council he understands those complaints and plans to do things differently.
“I’ve gotten to see how that system works, and they don’t really have a sound system up there,” he said. “They just put one speaker on the bar, so it’s extremely loud right there.”
Cordellette said Rooftop Johnny’s will be more of a sit-down spot than a party bar. “I’m not going to have live music up there,” he said.
“It’s not gonna be loud. It’s gonna be reasonable. I don’t want an establishment upstairs or downstairs where people can’t talk to each other over dinner.”
He plans to take over the property Nov. 1 and reopen by Nov. 6 after rebranding and staff training. He said he’s already planning fundraisers and community tie-ins, including a Super Bowl event for Fire Buddies and sponsorship of the Kris Kringle Market.
“As a consumer of the community, I’ve always wanted to be part of the community,” Cordellette said. “I’ve taken advantage of the fact that people like firemen for the last 30 years, I’ll continue to do that.”
Ald. Jack Clifford brought up the past complaints that followed Rooftop Tap. “There’ve been a lot of complaints from some of my residents, regarding extremely loud music until the wee hours in the morning,” Clifford said.
Cordellette said he’s aware and wants to move past that reputation. “I don’t want that kind of establishment,” he said.
The council approved the license unanimously, clearing the way for the rebranded restaurant to open next month.
In other news, the council turned its attention to another item that’s been drawing interest from residents, the proposed Elite Med Urgent Care center.
A decision on the project to move into the former 7-Eleven at 11900 S. Harlem Ave. was delayed, with the council sending it back to the Planning and Zoning Committee for another review.
Resident Bridget Davis, who lives on West Coach Road, asked when the project would be discussed again. Ald. Patrick Scully said it will return at the committee’s next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
In other news, a round of spending approvals for road work, pool repairs, and other city projects followed. The council signed off and approved the following:
- $588,648.84 for the 2025 Motor Fuel Tax road program.
- $24,485 for materials to repair the city pool deck.
- A $3,500 contract with Ducey Varga LLC for grant audit work.
- A revised 2025 city budget.
Ald. Jeff Key encouraged residents to shop and dine locally as the holiday season approaches.
“Our shops really count on holiday season shopping and eating at our restaurants,” Key said. “Keep that in mind.”
I’d be happy to dine locally if more restaurants offered clearly labeled vegan options.
I think bringing bingo back for your customers that drink and dine on Tuesday’s would be to your advantage!! It’s s fun time. Then your customers will come back.