It’s 10:14 p.m., on a Saturday night. Just south of North Avenue on Wells Street is a line of people snaking down the Old Town sidewalk — and gaining momentum. Follow it to the front, and you’ll find Benchmark.

Located at 1510 N. Wells Street, Benchmark is an upscale restaurant-bar owned by The Four Corners Tavern Group, which also lists Kirkwood, Schoolyard, WestEnd and Brownstone as its other successful bars.

Benchmark, Four Corners’ only Old Town bar, opened its doors and its rooftop six months ago. Since then, the bar has gained a following, and sparked discussion about how the iconic Old Town area is changing. The bar itself, some say, is the catalyst.

“The long line outside the door: it’s good marketing,” said Brad Bern, after standing, still waiting to get in, after at least 10 minutes.

With at least 20 people ahead of him, Bern said he usually tries to get to Benchmark earlier to avoid having to impatiently stand and fidget in the cold with his ID ready in hand. But he, and clearly others, said the lag time is worth it.

Marisa Rosenblatt commended the bar for its good service.

“Even when it’s crowded,” she said, “You don’t have to wait to get a drink.”

Ask others in line why they’re willing to wait: it’s the “good atmosphere,” “the food,” and “the service.” Some cited “good people watching” but subtly implied they meant locking eyes with those you’re watching.

In New York Magazine, writer Michael Gebert said Benchmark was “either a new standard-bearer for yuppie bars in Old Town, or the site of some sort of retro-futuristic Cold War summit.”

Still, with Chicago’s brutally brisk winter, many are willing to wait because they said they’re excited for summertime, when the warm temperatures return and Benchmark’s roof retracts.

“We have what we call the ‘convertible beer garden,’” said Violeta Koleva, who for more than seven years has been part of Four Corners. “Benchmark’s the first bar in Chicago to have a sliding roof.”

The bar’s modern industrial architecture is topped off with a glass and metal roof over the south half of the upstairs bar. Downstairs’ patrons also have a view of the sky from a rectangular peephole between the two floors.

The bar also touts having more than 47 televisions, as well as offering a newer twist on the bar food menu with items like its Korean steak tacos.

“Old Town needed something like this,” said Koleva, who wouldn’t give any numbers as to how many people stop by on average for a drink or a bite. “We’ve brought more life to the neighborhood. It makes Old Town more of a destination.”

It may sound clichéd, but many businesses on the block said they appreciate that Benchmark showed up.

“We saw a big change immediately,” said Thomas March, who owns Trattoria Pizzeria Roma across the street at 1535 N. Wells. “More people come to Old Town, and these people are willing to spend money.”

March said the line that corkscrews outside Benchmark has made his business pop.

“People annoyed with waiting end up coming into our restaurant,” said March, who adds that his patrons end up going to Benchmark after stopping to eat at his place.

“What we serve is what [Benchmark’s patrons] would call ‘pre-drinking food,’” said March, who added that he’s seen no rowdiness. “They eat, and they get out.”

Benchmark’s clientele also apparently has a sweet tooth that they’ll satisfy while they wait in line or after they leave the bar.

“Business, it’s busier,” said David Dattalo, the owner of The Fudge Pot, an iconic confectionary in Old Town that crafts specially molded chocolates and smaller bite-sized items. Dattalo said the “late night favorites” are the chocolate covered strawberries, butter toffee and the toodles.

Even after a long history of celebrities popping in to The Fudge Pot, Dattalo said business is busier lately due to the bar’s traffic.

“They wait in line, and these people have more disposable income to spend,” he said.

Dattalo’s shop isn’t the only retail store with an Old Town history cheering on Benchmark.

“I’ve been on the street longer than all the other retail shops. The [Four Corners Group] knows what they’re doing,” said Diana Gits, who has owned Up Down Cigar shop since 1963. “People can’t smoke in bars now, so [Benchmark’s patrons] come into my shop and smoke their cigars.”

Gits said she has seen people come into her shop now that she hasn’t seen in years, or ever.

But Benchmark isn’t a beacon for all. One restaurant on the block, which also asked not to be named, said they have seen a change in clientele, and “the change has been interesting.”

Other businesses have seen business as usual. “Business has been just the same,” said Kevin Bozis, manager of The Spice House, located immediately next door to Benchmark. “Benchmark didn’t bring us any more or any fewer customers.” Bozis added that his shop closes at 7 p.m.

With half a year down, it’s clear the bar is bringing people to Old Town, for better or for worse.

“I wouldn’t come to Old Town if Benchmark wasn’t here,” said Chris Cass, even though he lives in the neighborhood. “I’d be heading to Wrigleyville right now.”

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By ChicagoPJS from Lincoln Park
Posted: 02/17/2011 4:29 PM

Again, thanks for the cartography lesson.

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By Margo from Lakeview
Posted: 02/17/2011 10:56 AM

Great story! Benchmark is a fun spot - its nice to see it highlighted.

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By Boyee from Mid-North in Lincoln Park
Posted: 02/16/2011 11:25 PM

Also, the Old Town Triangle is in Lincoln Park, while the new section of Old Town is in the Near North Side.

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By Boyee from Mid-North in Lincoln Park
Posted: 02/16/2011 11:23 PM

Old Town used to only consist of the area between Clark Street, Ogden Avenue and North Avenue. It was later expanded south of North Ave. to Division Street between Clark Street and Larrabee Street and Northeast of Clybourn Avenue. When this happened they started calling original Old Town the Old Town Triangle, which has the Old Town Triangle Historic Landmark District within it. Old Town south of North Ave. has much new construction and is far less old than the Old Town Triangle.