Adding to diversity of the revitalized streetscape on Roosevelt Road, the former owner of Chesterfield’s on Chicago’s South Side, is opening a new gay nightclub and restaurant at 6319 Roosevelt in Berwyn.  The opening is scheduled for Friday, January 27. 

Owner Jose Antonio Casco plans to operate Antronio’s six days a week, with the restaurant serving fares of moderately priced authentic Mexican cuisine over lunch and dinner and will then morph into a nightclub around 10 p.m.

Casco has spent the last few years reaching out to Berwyn residents, businesses and city officials and believes the area is welcoming to Antronio’s concept. "The neighbors complained about the noise, and I can see why. On one side there was just a garage door, with no insulation. There were a lot of things that had to be done to the building," Casco said.

Chesterfield’s became known for hosting LGBT community fundraisers and organizations and Casco is also looking forward to continuing that commitment with this new community.

"My hopes are very high," he said. "I run into my customers from Chesterfield’s and everybody says they miss that environment we had, which was clean and fun and no drugs and so on. So I know a lot of people are going to be happy that we are back in business.”

Antronio’s is believed to be Berwyn’s first openly gay establishment.