Current Exhibit

Loren Dyrek: Finding the Fifth Humor
May 2- June 2, 2025
Opening Reception Friday May 2, 6-9pm

Loren Dyrek presents a fragile roadmap through humoral theory, searching for a promise of spiritual resolution through the emergence of a personally identified "Fifth Humor." Dyrek's stained glass works reflect an otherworldly view of the human body, their personal human life cycle, and the potential for metaphysical and spiritual connection through companionship.

Past Exhibits

Nuggets from the Collection
April 14-27, 2025

CBC presents Nuggets from the Collection, featuring items from the basement and owner’s homes. We asked ChatGPT for it’s take on our stuff and we gleefully defer to it’s musings- This transcendent exhibition, unveils an exquisitely eclectic and audaciously juxtaposed assemblage of artifacts, drawn from the veritable treasure trove of the Chicago Billiard Café collection. Here, the curatorial narrative unfurls across the realms of kinetic gaming, refined leisure pursuits, and whimsical artistry—each object existing as both a relic of its time and an introspective meditation on the nature of play, memory, and artistic expression.

B & E Studios:
Rack Em’ & Crack Em’
February 15-April 11
Opening Reception Saturday, Feb 15, 6-10pm

B & E Studios is a humble design and paint studio located in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood. Established in 2018 by the collaborative efforts of Ben Marasco & Erik Lundquist, B&E studios functions as our home away from home to design, prep, and execute commercial design, paint, and mural work.

Over the years we’ve worked with a wide range of clients and have produced many a mural in the Chicagoland area, Michigan, Indiana, and California. Our work has led us to collaborate with brands like Vans, Santa Cruz, Uprise Skateshop, Solemn Oath Brewery, Piepworks Brewing Co., Lagunitas, Jim Beam, Stern Pinball, The Chicago Fire, more bars, restaurants, and local business’s than we can recall.

Beyond working for a buck, B&E Studios is our sanctuary in a city where artist studios and raw work space get harderto find and more expensive by the day. On any given day you can find the crew painting, printing, building, scheming, ormaking music as loud as it’ll go.

Rack Em’ & Crack Em’ is a showcase of select work from Ben Marasco, Erik Lundquist, and Adam Lundquist. Thisdisplay of work is a collection of individual contributions from each artist. For all artwork purchase inquiries, please see yourbartender.

P-P-Punk
December 13, 2024-February 7, 2025

A group art exhibition curated by Zicrona promoting punk aesthetics and ideologies within the contemporary Chicago art scene

Featuring artwork by Quinn Dull, E. E. "Swan" Swanson, Sammi Ohlson, Ely Taylor, Karevv Czubak, Lily (Basil) MacLachlan, Daniel Reed, ianna christophell, Hunter Benesh, Raven Smith, Forest Steele Marjorie Hellyer, Pat Battle, Charlie Kuchtey, Rhea Godot, Riley Valentine, Guthrie Paulson, Carolina Ortiz, Lauren Kingsley Schoepflin, Sabrina Rose

Sabella, rio perez, McCloud, AKOIMORI, Ella May, Nathan Doty, Alex González, Nico Palmblad, Chenya O'Hara, ZICRONA, Ursula DeBray, Madison Hood, Matt Brady / Jess Kotlarz- Brain Graffitti, Vivian Wheatley, Jonathan Ramirez, HOPER, Elliot Straub, Skellulite, Ana Hinoiosa, Ruby Bean, Monica Anguiano, babbydoodlz

Hyperboreal Jukebox, works by Catie Olson and EC Brown
October 27-December 5, 2024

Hyperboreal Jukebox, features new works by Chicago artists Catie Olson and EC Brown. Catie Olson combines whimsical drawings with objects inspired by or derived from Arctic Circle, a nearby taxidermy shop. EC Brown presents paintings that depict imaginary 45 single record covers, featuring suburban occult conjurors of the 70s, back-to-the-land psychonauts, and an obscure band called Slothwad.

Catie is a multi-media artist and DJ, but not a billionaire. She likes to build interactive kinetic sculptures, but also dabbles in drawing from time to time. EC is a painter and is Catie's in-house Krampusnacht assistant.

Mac Blackout
Mural Reveal and Pop-Up Art Show Reception
October 4-23, 2024

The Chicago Billiard Café is proud to present the work of Chicago based visual artist and musician Mac Blackout.
On October 4, we invite you to celebrate Mac’s recently completed large-scale mural that breathes new life into CBC and view a collection of works presented in our mezzanine art gallery. Mac Blackout is a visual artist and musician based in Chicago. He has completed scores of large-scale murals and is the founding member of several bands including The Functional Blackouts, Daily Void, Mickey and Armageddon Experimental Band. Additionally, Mac has released solo records and has a studio focus in painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media art. While Mac’s mural will be permanently on display, the Pop-Up Art Show will be on view until October 23.