Location: Chicago, IL
Square Footage: +2,200 square feet

One of Chicago’s most respected cocktail bars, The Berkshire Room is a craft cocktail lounge located in the ACME hotel. Named after the hotel that stood there decades ago, the space unites an old world cocktail aesthetic with contemporary urban touches, representing a sweet spot in Chicago’s craft cocktail scene. It’s got all the swank but none of the snoot.

Since it opened in 2013, the Berkshire Room has been known for specializing in “Dealer’s Choice” cocktails, providing guests with a unique mixology experience. blocHaus’s design was likewise curated to deliver a distinctive experience for guests. 1920s-1950s inspiration from the namesake hotel provides the vintage backdrop for the lounge, balanced by sleek lines and high contrast finishes for a contemporary edge. Driven by the juxtaposition of old and new, the ambiance is cozy yet sophisticated.

Semi-private booths and banquettes create more intimate moments, while the openness of the bar area is accentuated by high ceilings and light surfaces. Rich upholstery, natural woods, and warm brass accents combine with vintage-style elements such as the lighted sign above the bar. The ethos of mixology dominates not only the cocktail menu but the design as well, seen in the antique liquor bottles and decanters displayed within the lounge.