Whether you’re in love or going through a breakup, Taylor Swift’s songs are like anthems to the heart, or so I’m told. I wouldn’t describe myself as a Swift fan, and I’m not a Valentine’s Day fan, but when I heard about the anti-V-Day pop-up Bad Blood: A Taylor-Themed Heartbreak Bar, which will open on February 3, I was more than intrigued. After all, who doesn’t love a good themed bar?
I went to Bad Blood on opening day, braving the freezing streets of Chicago to be among my cynical comrades. Produced by Bucket Listers, the pop-up will take place at Chicago’s Electric Garden until February 26, just in time for all the Valentine’s Day haters. Each 90-minute timed ticket is $22 and includes a drink of your choice.
Arrived at the pink-hued venue, I went straight to the bar to try the Taylor Swift-inspired cocktails. Highlights were the Lavender Haze, a blueberry daiquiri named after a song from her recent album. Midnights, and Style, a rosé and gin punch topped with “watermelon sugar,” aka glitter, which nods to Swift’s ex Harry Styles. I also had to taste the Bad Blood, a Bloody Mary served with a shot of Malört, Chicago’s iconic digestive which is… not good. But, when in Chicago, right?
While the food menu wasn’t Taylor-themed, it was pretty solid, with salads, sandwiches, and even fried Oreos. I would definitely come back for the huge nacho platter – when you find a place that serves nachos with more toppings than fries, you never forget it.
If you want a glimpse of your future love life, you can get a tarot reading (not included with your ticket). Looks like 2023 is going to be a good year for me. Crossed fingers.
The rest of the bar was adorned with Taylor Swift cutouts and anti-Valentine’s Day decorations, such as candy hearts with phrases like “sorry not sorry”, “fu*k luv” and “sex was trash”. Although it could be described as a bit cheugy, I was there for it. Sure, I’m a cynic, but I’m also a millennial who can admit to having ties to Taylor Swift songs back in the day. Heck, I still get in my feelings.
Naturally, the playlist was made up of all of Taylor Swift’s songs, mostly those about breakups and heartbreak – from the relationship you knew was a bad idea (“Blank Space”) to the one that has an end. inevitable (“Wildest Dreams”).
So who needs to shell out for a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner when you can hit up a heartbreak bar all month? Whether you’re a Swiftie, a Valentine’s Day hater, or especially if you’re going through a breakup, Bad Blood is a great place to dump it all.
Tickets for 90-minute slots are available and can be purchased from the Bucket Listers site.
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