Stolichnaya Vodka has returned to the shelves of Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., after having been banned there, as well as at a number of other local bars, since last summer.
In a statement posted on the bar's Facebook page Feb. 6, the bar's owners said the decision to reverse the ban came about because of Stoli's recent donations to pro-LGBT causes.
"Stoli has pledged $150,000 as their first donation to the Russia Freedom Fund (the same fund Sidetrack & gay bars across America are supporting in tomorrow's [Feb. 7] Uprising of Love event)," the statement said. "This, combined with Stoli's $300,000 donation to support the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Leadership LAB program have demonstrated to us that we have an ally in Stoli."
Owner Art Johnston told Windy City Times that he thought the community actions against Stoli cast light on anti-LGBT sentiment in Russia.
"I think the ban was astonishingly successful in that it called attention to a horrible situation," Johnston said. "Stoli took the time to look at the problem and come up with a response."
Sidetrack banned Stoli in July after the passage of harsh anti-propaganda laws in Russia, which activists feared would lead to widespread violence against LGBT citizens and visitors.
Other local bars launching bans last summer included The Call, 1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; Elixir Lounge, 3452 N. Halsted Ave.; Halsted's Bar and Grill, 3441 N. Halsted St.; Hydrate Nightclub, 3458 N. Halsted Ave.; Replay, 3449 N. Halsted St.; and Parlour, 6341 N. Clark St.