The Drunken Worm returns to its roots in re-revamped 39th Street location
The Worm begins soft opening events ahead of a June 10 launch party.
Photo by Brock Wilbur
After a tumultuous couple of years—closing, remodeling, closing again suddenly with no explanation—Volker’s finest tequila dive and general debauchery hub has finally reopened. The Drunken Worm (1405 W. 39th St) started a series of soft opening services yesterday at noon, and will be continuing with some kick-off sporadic hours, leading up to an official full opening celebration on June 10, 2024.
It still seems like a bad dream, but the Mexican eatery (and back-up office for the staff of The Pitch) shuttered last September. Staff and patrons were notified via social media post that the ownership had decided overnight to cease operations, with no further explanation. This all came as a shock, especially after a 2022 remodeling wound up taking the better part of a year, as The Worm was merged/expanded into the former home of Mo Brew—a fellow establishment owned by Krown Concepts who also oversee The Levee and John’s Big Deck.
Photo by Brock Wilbur
Former bartenders from The Worm, Courtney Yager and Levi Keefer, are taking the reigns on the re-re-invention of the neighborhood staple alongside owner Ronald Struminger. The plan among the new managers was to bring back everything about how the business looked and operated when it first opened. To that end, the chef who concocted the starting menu is now back in the kitchen, the decor and lighting have returned to their dimly lit, maximalist style, and even the main point of entrance has returned to the door in the middle of the block, instead of the much larger Mo Brew double door on the corner.
Weekend brunch will also be making a welcome return.
To catch details on the limited soft open service hours, check in on The Worm’s social media pages for updates, with full hours kicking off on June 10. Job applications can be sent via their website.
Photo by Brock Wilbur
