Italian food’s been done to death in Chicago, but Italian drinks are a different matter, says Rockit Ranch Productions partner and bartender Brandon Phillips. Rockit’s crew, including Kevin Hickey (The Duck Inn), are working hard at Otto Mezzo, 311 W. Chicago Ave., to ensure the new River North bar will open on April 26. It’s one of the season’s most-anticipated openings, located in the Martini Ranch/Ay Chiwowa space that carries a 4 a.m. liquor license.

While Hickey and Co. promise the food—and a late-night menu that will extend past midnight—will be top notch, Otto Mezzo is decidedly a bar, representing a number of Italian regions. Phillips wants to share his passion for Italian beverages and shine a light beyond amari and fernets. For example, while they’ll have Moretti beer—the popular Italian lager—they’ll also have variety of reserve and rotating brews.