"Sully’s? Upstairs it’s Guinness and grief. Downstairs it’s suits, dice, and the smell of fresh betrayal."
Description - Exterior
Sully’s Tavern blends into the block like it’s always been there—just another battered brick joint tucked between a shuttered butcher and a Polish hardware store. Faded green paint peels from the doorframe, and a wooden sign over the entrance reads “SULLY’S” in hand-painted block letters. The front window’s fogged more often than not, and the inside glows amber from weak light and cheaper whiskey.
Description - Interior
Inside, it’s all worn wood, framed photos of old Irish boxers, and the scent of beer-soaked nights. Regulars hold their stools like pews at church. The jukebox leans heavy on The Clancy Brothers and Sinatra, and there’s always a half-full glass someone forgot to drink. But through the staff door by the men’s room and down a narrow set of stairs lies the real heart of the place: The Parlor.
The basement is a fully functioning, low-ceilinged, velvet-draped casino. There are three blackjack tables, one poker table, two rusted slot machines, and a brass-trimmed bar backed by a mirror that doesn’t always reflect what's real. The walls are hung with clovers, boxing gloves, and old campaign buttons. Everything smells like aftershave and luck gone wrong.
History
Sully’s has been in the Back of the Yards since the ‘20s, surviving Prohibition by pretending not to, and surviving every decade since by keeping its mouth shut. The basement casino was run for years by Jimmy O’Connor—until he overplayed his hand by going against Joe “Bagels” Testa. After a brief, bloody street war, Bagels came out on top. Now the old crew's been pushed out, and Bagels is moving in his own men and making changes—slowly, but with purpose.
What's Really Going On
The casino basement lies near a Veil current—just strong enough to create “lucky nights” that aren’t entirely natural. Some players swear the cards talk back. One slot machine hasn’t paid out since 1949, but it’s always warm to the touch. Bagels knows there’s something down there, but hasn’t figured out how to use it yet. The Parlor might just be more valuable than anyone realizes.
Owned By
Joe “Bagels” Testa – Recent acquisition after defeating Jimmy O. This is now part of his Back of the Yards portfolio.
Run By
Danny “Half-Sleeve” McDonough – New floor manager, brought in by Bagels. Smooth talker, heavy drinker, always carries a gold coin in his pocket “for luck.”
Employees
- Colleen – Day bartender upstairs, knows everyone’s story and half their secrets.
- Marcus – Dealer with a twitch and a temper, brought in from the North Side.
- Big Benny – Security downstairs. Says nothing. Wears gloves. Always present.
- Sheila – Cocktail server with a sharp tongue and an eye for when things turn weird.
- Old Derry – Janitor who’s been there since Jimmy O. Might have buried a few bodies behind the boiler.
- Artie the Kid – Runs errands, delivers chips, and probably spies for Bagels.
Regulars
- Charlie McGregor – Drinks upstairs, plays poker downstairs. Knows when to leave.
- Father Brannigan – Says he’s just there for the shepherd’s pie. Doesn’t look at the stairs.
- “Little Sean” Brody – Former Jimmy O guy trying to stay in Bagels’ good graces.
- The Greencoat – Never gives a name. Plays blackjack like the deck owes him.
- Margo – Hair like a flame, runs a numbers game out of The Parlor’s bathroom.
- Reggie – Sells speed, bets on dice, swears the basement’s “crooked with spirits.”
Notes
- The old safe in the back room is sealed with three locks. Jimmy O never opened it. Neither has Bagels—yet.
- There’s a cold spot behind the bar in the basement that no heater can fix.
- The stairwell light flickers Morse code once a week. No one’s figured out what it says.
- Bagels plans to install a Veil-sensitive “luck reader” down there—once he finds one he trusts.
- The Parlor’s roulette wheel went missing for two days in February. It was found spinning in the alley.
- The crew might be asked to clear out a lingering Veil echo—or maybe trap it.
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