Chicago’s Original Tapas Bar Is Celebrating 40 Years with Bottomless Sangria and Live Flamenco for One Night Only

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! , Chicago’s iconic original tapas restaurant, is celebrating 40 years of bringing authentic Spanish cuisine and culture to Lincoln Park. To commemorate this milestone, the beloved neighborhood institution is hosting a grand birthday celebration on January 15th , featuring fan-favorite menu specials throughout 2026, along with a collection of 40th-anniversary Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! branded merchandise and much more. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! 40th fiesta --------------------------------- Since opening in December 1985 at 2024 North Halsted Street in Lincoln Park, the restaurant, co-founded by Chef and Partner Gabino Sotelino and now overseen by his son, Partner Mark Sotelino, has introduced Chicago to traditional Spanish cuisine, including tapas, pintxos, paella, and sangria. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Partner Mark Sotelino said: > On behalf of Lettuce Entertain You and the Sotelino family, we’re honored to have shared our Spanish heritage with the community for 40 years.’ > ‘I also want to thank our incredible team for making this restaurant a home and an institution . It gives me a tremendous sense of pride to have worked side by side with multiple generations of invaluable people. Together, we’ve hosted countless date nights, happy hours, dinners, brunches, and celebrations of all kinds , and we look forward to toasting this milestone with our guests, who have also become like family. This unforgettable 40th birthday fiesta will transport guests to an evening in Spain with an array of immersive experiences, including: * Live-fired paella by Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Senior Executive Chef Eric Jorgensen * Basque-style pintxo bar * Authentic porrón pours * Flamenco dance performance with live guitarist and percussionist, followed by informal flamenco dance instruction * Bottomless signature cocktails and sangria * Featured wines from renowned winemaker Jose Ordoñez * Grazing stations by Lettuce Entertain You sister restaurants, including Sushi-san, Summer House Santa Monica, and Mon Ami Gabi, serving Ba-Ba-Reeba-inspired collaboration specials You can purchase tickets to Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! ‘s Ba-Ba Birthday Bash [here](https://www.cafebabareeba.com/events/ba-bas-40th-anniversary-birthday-bash/?utm_source=web+popup). Source: https://secretchicago.com/cafe-ba-ba-reeba-40th-birthday-party-2026/