BKBG Management Company is a Chicago-based, independent management company specializing in restaurant, hospitality, and event operations. Our brands include Subterranean and the originl Beat Kitchen, Bar Sol Mariscos and Beat Kitchen Cantina on Navy Pier, and Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk. We also manage large-scale festivals such as Wicker Park Fest and Do Division and provide full-service catering solutions focusing on customized event menus, on-site execution, and seamless event logistics.

BKBG Management Company

BKBG Management Company is a Chicago-based, independent management company specializing in restaurant, hospitality, and event operations. Our...

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BKBG Management Co.

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Jack Reidy | Block Club Chicago (February 11, 2026)

Ratboys Support Chicago Immigrant Groups With Beat Kitchen Benefit Show

In Block Club Chicago, reporter Jack Riedy covers Chicago band Ratboys’ sold-out Beat Kitchen release show for Singin’ to an Empty Chair, which raised more than $3,000 for Albany Park Mutual Aid and Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Alain Drouot | Citizen Jazz (February 9, 2026)

Vent de folie salutaire à Chicago (A breath of fresh air in Chicago)

In Citizen Jazz, a French-language feature first published in 2020 and republished in 2026 as part of a jazz series revisits Extraordinary Popular Delusions, highlighting the group’s long-running weekly residency at Beat Kitchen and the club’s unlikely but important role as a steady home for their experimental free-jazz performances.

Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith | WBEZ-FM "Say More" (February 4, 2026)

How are Chicago’s indie venues adapting to growing challenges?

A dedicated half-hour segment of WBEZ’s "Say More," the station’s daily midday news program, focused on the Chicago State of Live report, with hosts Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith moderating a live discussion with Chris Bauman and Robert Gomez as the program’s only guests. The conversation centered on the state of Chicago’s independent music venues, translating the report’s findings into real-world experience from the perspective of venue owners and CIVL leaders.

With sixth album, Chicago's Ratboys seem to be on brink of something big.

Dana Kozlov | WBBM-TV (February 4, 2026)

In a CBS News Chicago feature, Ratboys’ rise from college friends to a nationally buzzed-about indie band is traced alongside the personal themes of their new album, Singin’ to an Empty Chair, and its growing critical attention. Beat Kitchen is highlighted as one of the band’s favorite local venues, hosting a sold-out release show where they planned to perform the album in full and donate proceeds to immigrant support groups.

Lucia Preziosi | Block Club Chicago (January 22, 2026)

18 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: Chicago Restaurant Week, Retro Dance Party And More

In Block Club Chicago, arts and culture writer Lucia Preziosi includes Beat Kitchen in the publication’s weekly roundup of things to do, noting the venue’s hosting of a Val’s Halla Records pop-up record store as part of its ongoing slate of neighborhood events.

Amy Guth | Crain's Daily Gist (January 5, 2026)

Big aviation news to watch this year, including O'Hare's revamp: Crain's Daily Gist podcast

Crain’s reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth to review the major aviation industry stories of 2025 and those that are likely to be big themes in the year ahead, including the O’Hare renovation project and tech improvements.

Complaint alleges constitutional violations, illegal contracting practices, and race-based discrimination in Riverwalk vendor selection

Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk Files Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against City of Chicago

CHICAGO (December 16, 2025) — Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Chicago, alleging the city awarded a Riverwalk concession contract through a discriminatory and unlawful process that violated the Constitution, civil rights statutes, and city procurement law. The filing can be viewed here.

Dylan Sharkey | Illinois Policy Institute (December 17, 2025)

Beat Kitchen takes Chicago to federal court

Dylan Sharkey’s reporting for Illinois Policy Institute tracks the escalation of Robert Gomez’s legal fight with the City of Chicago over the Riverwalk vendor selection process. In his continued coverage, Sharkey outlines the federal lawsuit’s core claims of rule violations, delayed bidding, and the City’s alleged use of race as a factor in awarding the concession. The story gives context around Beat Kitchen’s prior performance, financial investment, and Gomez’s FOIA efforts, while noting that the Riverwalk’s federal funding carries procurement requirements the lawsuit says were ignored.

Melody Mercado | Block Club Chicago (December 17, 2025)

Beat Kitchen Sues City, Alleging Discrimination In Riverwalk Concession Award

Melody Mercado’s reporting for Block Club Chicago follows Robert Gomez’s federal lawsuit challenging the City of Chicago’s handling of the Riverwalk concession process. The coverage details allegations that city officials privately solicited a late proposal, altered scoring, and considered race during the evaluation, raising broader questions about transparency, procurement rules, and public oversight in the awarding of city contracts.

Bob Chiarito | Chicago Sun-Times (December 16, 2025)

Beat Kitchen owner sues city of Chicago over Riverwalk restaurant, cites racial bias

Bob Chiarito’s coverage for the Chicago Sun-Times focuses on Robert Gomez’s federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Chicago, highlighting allegations of racial bias and serious irregularities in the Riverwalk concession process. The article underscores Gomez’s claim that his timely and high-value proposal was rejected in favor of a late and significantly lower offer. Gomez told the Sun-Times his proposal committed $1.4 million in rent and revenue sharing to the City over five years, compared to the selected vendor’s $52,000 offer over three years. The story also outlines the lawsuit’s demand for a fair re-solicitation and calls for greater oversight of Riverwalk contracting.