The Levee to open downtown

The Gin Mill has closed, but owner Jason McKemie already has a new downtown venture in the works.

McKemie opened Bar None in 2008 at the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets in downtown Springfield. That space later became part of Gin Mill, which opened in 2014 at 235 S. Fifth St.

“We closed Gin Mill as of Sept. 14,” McKemie told SBJ. He’s now planning to open a new bar, The Levee, at the corner of Seventh and Adams streets, which he believes will be a better location to attract tourists in addition to the regulars.

McKemie said the name is a historical reference. “As far as Springfield goes, it’s on the edge of what used to be known as the Levee District.”

While it’s only a couple blocks away from his previous location, McKemie hopes to capitalize on the foot traffic generated by the BOS Center and President Abraham Lincoln Hotel.

“We’re trying to position ourselves to be closer to people coming from out of town – near the hotels and conventions,” he said. “We’ve had a pretty good session crowd, people coming from the Statehouse, and hopefully that will pick back up again. And we typically have a strong group of regulars. There’s not as many as there used to be, but there are still people who typically come out.”

McKemie is leasing the first floor of 629 E. Adams St., which has been vacant since the former Jade’s Far East Emporium closed in 2018. It is now owned by local developer Chris Nickell, who is in the process of renovating the entire building. He told SBJ he hopes to have the façade and a new roof completed by the end of October. Once the commercial space is complete, Nickell said he will turn his attention to the upper stories and create eight apartments.

“It’s going to be a really nice open space,” McKemie said of the main level that The Levee will occupy. “The way Chris is redoing the building should be really good.”

McKemie said there will also be an outdoor area and parklet as part of his space. The inside will include a pool table, dart boards and gaming, plus offer occasional live music.

“The concept will be very similar to The Gin Mill,” he said. “If you’ve been into any of my bars, it will probably have some resemblance.”

This article appears in October SBJ 2025.