Phase Three Brewing Is Opening Its First Chicago Taproom at Rockwell on the River in Avondale

AVONDALE—A well-known suburban brewery is making its first move into Chicago, bringing craft beer, hard seltzers and eventually a new food concept to one of the Northwest Side’s most recognizable riverfront taproom spaces.

Phase Three Brewing Company plans to open its third taproom later in 2026 at 3057 N. Rockwell St. inside Rockwell on the River, taking over the former home of Metropolitan Brewing. The location will be Phase Three’s first taproom within Chicago city limits.

Phase Three Is Taking Over the Former Metropolitan Brewing Space

Phase Three founders Shaun Berns, Brittany Berns and Evan Morris announced the Chicago expansion this week after signing a lease for the Avondale property.

The brewery currently operates a production brewery and taproom in Lake Zurich and a taproom and kitchen in Elmhurst. Its new Avondale location will become the company’s third taproom.

The space was previously occupied by Metropolitan Brewing, which operated its riverfront taproom there from 2017 until December 2023. Metropolitan’s closure left behind a distinctive brewery space overlooking the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Beer, Hard Seltzers and a Future Kitchen Are Planned

Phase Three plans to open with the broad selection that has helped define its existing taprooms, including IPAs, lagers, barrel-aged beers and hard seltzers.

The brewery describes its beer program as spanning a diverse range of ales and lagers, with a significant focus on IPAs and specialty lager production. Its current lineup also includes fruit-forward and smoothie-style hard seltzers.

Food will come later. The owners plan to build out a kitchen after opening, with pizza expected to become part of the Avondale concept. That would add a dining component the former Metropolitan taproom did not have.

No exact opening date has been announced yet.

Why Rockwell on the River Fits the Expansion

The new taproom puts Phase Three in an established entertainment and hospitality destination along the Chicago River.

Rockwell on the River occupies about three acres in Avondale and was redeveloped from a century-old tannery. The complex includes riverfront space, a marina, event facilities, a coffee roastery, a distillery and other businesses.

For Phase Three, the location also places the brewery near Chicago’s broader Northwest Side craft beer scene, including breweries, taprooms and beer-focused businesses throughout Avondale, Logan Square and neighboring communities.

“We wanted a third location, but we also knew that third one was probably going to be our last crack at finding something truly special,” co-founder Evan Morris said of the search for the new space.

A New Chapter for Avondale’s Riverfront Beer Scene

The opening is notable for a neighborhood that has seen several changes in its craft beer landscape in recent years.

Rather than significantly rebuilding the former Metropolitan space, Phase Three plans to make mostly cosmetic changes initially while preserving what makes the riverfront location distinctive. Future plans also include events, local partnerships and community involvement similar to the brewery’s efforts in Lake Zurich and Elmhurst.

Phase Three highlights community partnerships as part of its broader company mission, with past support going to organizations including Lurie Children’s Hospital, Greater Chicago Food Depository and other local groups.

With its riverfront patio, established brewery infrastructure and location near some of the Northwest Side’s best-known beer destinations, the new taproom could restore a major gathering place that has been vacant since Metropolitan closed.

Considering a Move to Avondale or Chicago’s Northwest Side?

New restaurants, breweries and neighborhood gathering places are part of what continues to shape communities like Avondale, Logan Square and Chicago’s Northwest Side.

Connect with The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier for local guidance when comparing homes, condos, neighborhood amenities, transportation and lifestyle options throughout Avondale and surrounding Chicago communities.

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