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Very sad to learn of the impending demolition of Klas, the Bohemian wonderland on Cermak Road in Cicero. (h/t @LinzeRice)
The interior of the bar & restaurant was chock full of tchotchkes and themed decor, taking Bohemian/Czech culture and history as a point of departure, but going off in a number of different directions over the years.
Klas was a contrived pastiche, not subtle or elegant, but it had the authenticity that only age can provide.
The dining room, which overlooked an enclosed courtyard, was never more than half-full on my visits. The menu featured heavy Germanic fare. I had a memorable goulash once, and also what I think was a piece of extremely oily deep-fried bread.
Even as Cicero& #39;s Bohemanian/Czech population dwindled below the number needed to support the sprawling restaurant (and upstairs event spaces!), the Black Forest-themed bar was often at least somewhat busy.
Cicero isn& #39;t my community, and Bohemian isn& #39;t my heritage. This wasn& #39;t my preservation battle to wage. But I feel badly that I didn& #39;t share photos & sound the alarm when I learned the building was vacant & threatened several years ago. It is, indeed, later than you think.
Facade of the very narrow bar at the east end of the sprawling Klas complex.
Just inside the main front door to Klas was a cozy little waiting area.
This picture of the stained glass in the waiting area is making me hungry!
