I Went To The Brand-New Taylor Swift “Breakup” Bar And Have A Lot Of Thoughts

Whether you're in love or going through a breakup, Taylor Swift's songs are like anthems for the heart—or so I'm told. I wouldn't describe myself as a Swift fan, and I'm not big on Valentine's Day, but when I heard about the anti-V-Day pop-up Bad Blood: A Taylor-Themed Heartbreak Bar, opening 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 frigid Chicago streets to be amongst my fellow cynics. Produced by Bucket Listers, the pop-up will run at Chicago's Electric Garden through February 26, just in time for all the Valentine's haters. Each timed 90-minute ticket costs $22 and includes a drink of your choice.

Arriving 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 which takes its name from a song on her recent album Midnights, and Style, a rosé and gin punch topped with "watermelon sugar," a.k.a. glitter, that nods to Swift's ex, Harry Styles. I also had to taste the Bad Blood, a bloody Mary served with a shot of Malört, the iconic Chicago digestif that 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 deep-fried Oreos. I would definitely come back for the massive tray of nachos—when you find a place that serves nachos with more toppings than chips, you never forget it.

If you want a glimpse into your future love life, you can get a tarot reading (not included with your ticket). Apparently, 2023 is going to be a good year for me. Fingers crossed.

The rest of the bar was decked out with Taylor Swift cutouts and anti-Valentine's Day decorations, such as candy hearts with phrases like "sorry not sorry," "fu*k luv," and "the sex was trash." While one might describe it as a bit cheugy, I was there for it. Sure, I'm a cynic, but I'm also a millennial who can admit to relating to Taylor Swift songs back in the day. Heck, I still get in my feels.

Naturally, the playlist was all Taylor Swift songs, mostly ones about breakups and heartbreak—from the relationship you knew was a bad idea ("Blank Space") to the one that's come to an inevitable end ("Wildest Dreams").

So, who needs to shell out for a fancy Valentine's Day dinner when you can head to 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 good place to shake it off.

Tickets for 90-minute slots are available can be purchased on the Bucket Listers site.

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