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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

New(ish) Nightspots for Entertaining

Chicago is a late-night town, so it's no surprise that new haunts are constantly cropping up. Here's a sampling of some event-ready spaces.

Courtney ThompsonJenny Berg
March 31, 2008
A Light Touch
Eco-friendly and futuristic, Lumen is inside a converted Fulton Market meatpacking factory and has an expansive LED lighting system that pulses based on body movements and music beats. Open since April 2007, Lumen has a mostly white interior with minimalist modular furniture that can be moved around to accommodate events. Bartenders whip up cocktails using organic mixers, fruits, and vegetables.Fall Back
At Plan B, an array of lighting—from red LED lights to black-glass chandeliers—-illuminates an eclectic decor, complete with textured wallpaper and black-denim-swathed furniture. The 2,300-square-foot space can accommodate groups of 30 to 200, and full buyouts are available.

Miami-Style Vice
Blue lighting casts a serene glow on white leather banquettes and breezy white curtains at the subterranean lounge Krem, which opened in November 2006. A special DJ bar allows guests to pull up a stool and watch the resident music maestros spin, and a cabana-filled patio opened in July. Also on site: a 33-foot-long couch.

Mind Your Manors
Open since June 2007, Manor is a regally decorated, 4,200-square-foot space from the guys behind RiNo. Stone walls surround tufted leather banquettes, and Stay, a separate-but-attached lounge for 150, opened in November. Specialty drinks are christened with manor-themed titles—try the Ashford, shaken up with Grey Goose L’Orange and strawberry-infused rose nectar.

Take a Load Off
With candles flickering inside beakers and a vintage pharmacy sign illuminated behind the 30-foot bar, Relax Lounge sets a salubrious tone. The West Town joint, which opened in July 2007, exudes relaxed style with its exposed-brick walls, chocolate-hued banquettes, and original rock ’n’ roll photographs. A private room holds 60, and a horseshoe-shaped booth can seat 16.

An English Abode
The Chicago home to DJ AM, the 6,250-square-foot Climax Lounge works an 18th-century England look, with old-world architecture and massive design elements. Open since September 2007, the space is divided into four rooms (including three bars), the highlight of which is the atrium, with 35-foot ceilings, a skylight, and a 21-foot maple tree in its center. Total capacity is 655.
Lumen
Lumen
Photo: Nathan Kirkman
Relax Lounge
Relax Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of Relax Lounge
Plan B
Plan B
Photo: Stephanie Willis
Climax
Climax
Photo: Brian Willette/Willette Photography
Krem
Krem
Photo: Matt Reeves and Tyler Curtis
Lumen
Lumen
Photo: Nathan Kirkman
Manor
Manor
Photo: Darkroomdemons.com
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