BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. Chicago

Nike Turns Bank Into Temporary Speakeasy to Celebrate Chicago Pop-Up Shop

Jenny Berg
May 10, 2010

High-end sneaker boutique St. Alfred recently partnered with Nike to open Six Points. Cindy Hamilton, a Chicago-based spokesperson for Nike, described the Milwaukee Avenue venue as a "retail collaborative space" that will host events throughout the summer. On April 30, the brands celebrated the opening of the pop-up space with a cocktail party for 80 guests, tapping Experient to produce the intimate soiree.

On the same day as the event, Hamilton said, "Nike had unveiled the home kits for several countries, including the United States, that will play in the World Cup this summer. So another goal for the event was to showcase those designs, which are now available at Six Points and other Nike retail destinations." Because the company keeps the designs of the uniforms "under lock and key until they are launched," Hamilton said, planners decided to "play off that secrecy and intrigue" by hosting a speakeasy-theme event in the vault of an abandoned bank.

Prior to the event, each guest received a mailed invitation with a numbered safe-deposit-box key, which they presented for admission at the entrance of the bank. Models wearing 1920s-style makeup and hairdos posed as bank tellers, and presented some guests with locked silver metal briefcases. One by one, guests were escorted into the bank vault, where they used their keys to open safe deposit boxes. Inside the boxes, they found cards printed with access codes that would help them unlock their suitcases. Inside each suitcase was a custom jersey, which bore logos that represented Nike, St. Alfred, and the Six Points collaboration.

While they waited for their turn in the vault, partygoers lounged in a basement room that Event Creative decked with mirrored tables, crystal chandeliers, and lounge areas filled with white leather furniture. At custom bars, staffers doled out throwback cocktails like Sidecars and Manhattans, and DJ duo Flosstradamus spun from a vintage velvet sofa. At the end of the night, the vault reopened for a dessert reception where Blue Plate servers circulated with mini lemon meringue pies and chocolate molten cake bites.

Nike's speakeasy-themed Six Points party
Nike's speakeasy-themed Six Points party
Photo: Josh Sears
To celebrate the opening of Six Points, a retail space on Milwaukee Avenue, Nike took over a vacant bank building just down the street. The company's logo appeared in a window over the main entrance, and Event Creative bathed the exterior in violet light.
To celebrate the opening of Six Points, a retail space on Milwaukee Avenue, Nike took over a vacant bank building just down the street. The company's logo appeared in a window over the main entrance, and Event Creative bathed the exterior in violet light.
Photo: Josh Sears
Event Creative placed towering white floral arrangements in the bank lobby. Guests passed through the space when heading to the basement, where the party took place.
Event Creative placed towering white floral arrangements in the bank lobby. Guests passed through the space when heading to the basement, where the party took place.
Photo: Josh Sears
Logos for Nike and St. Alfred lit up the walls of the basement lounge area, which required a three-day setup and an outside power source.
Logos for Nike and St. Alfred lit up the walls of the basement lounge area, which required a three-day setup and an outside power source.
Photo: Josh Sears
Custom black wood bars bore the Six Points crest. Blue Plate provided throwback cocktails like Manhattans and Sidecars. Bar snacks such as citrus-cured olives and paprika-dusted nuts were also available.
Custom black wood bars bore the Six Points crest. Blue Plate provided throwback cocktails like Manhattans and Sidecars. Bar snacks such as citrus-cured olives and paprika-dusted nuts were also available.
Photo: Josh Sears
In a different spin on a buffet, shown here before it was set, guests sat around a table and helped themselves to a spread of antipasto and Italian breads.
In a different spin on a buffet, shown here before it was set, guests sat around a table and helped themselves to a spread of antipasto and Italian breads.
Photo: Josh Sears
Glass cases housed illuminated soccer jerseys.
Glass cases housed illuminated soccer jerseys.
Photo: Josh Sears
Event Creative designer Bridget Allen said that Nike and Experient tasked her with designing 'a contemporary interpretation of a classic Chicago speakeasy.' Design elements included crystal chandeliers and mirrored tables.
Event Creative designer Bridget Allen said that Nike and Experient tasked her with designing "a contemporary interpretation of a classic Chicago speakeasy." Design elements included crystal chandeliers and mirrored tables.
Photo: Josh Sears
Lounge areas inlcuded white leather furniture, gray accent pillows, and simple flower arrangements in shiny black vases.
Lounge areas inlcuded white leather furniture, gray accent pillows, and simple flower arrangements in shiny black vases.
Photo: Josh Sears
The setup for DJ duo Flosstradamus included an ornate vintage sofa.
The setup for DJ duo Flosstradamus included an ornate vintage sofa.
Photo: Josh Sears
At the end of the night, a dessert reception took place in the vault.
At the end of the night, a dessert reception took place in the vault.
Photo: Josh Sears
Latest in Chicago
Vela
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Salon 61
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Kindling
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Ramova Theatre
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2024 Meetings and Events
Related Stories
Mocktail Trio
Full-Service Caterers
Blue Plate
The Bangles at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's 25th anniversary gala
Chicago
AIDS Foundation of Chicago Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Bangles, Shirtless Boxers
A cooking demo at Schawk Retail Marketing's open house
Chicago
More Photos From Schawk's Open House
The American Cancer Society's Discovery Ball at the Civic Opera House
Chicago
American Cancer Society Uses Auctions, Well Connected Co-Chairs to Meet Fund-Raising Goals
More in Chicago
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Vela
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Salon 61
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Kindling
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2024 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Ramova Theatre
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2023 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
TheWit
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2023 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
The Color Factory
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Gov Ball 2025: 25+ Eye-Catching Brand Activations From the NYC Music Festival
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See Inside This High-Tech, Multisensory Experience from Don Julio
Event Design & Decor
How BET’s Stylish Anniversary Dinner Honored the Past—and Embraced the Future
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
This Event Turned Home Decor Into a Celebration of Latinas' Life Moments
Meetings
C2 Montreal 2025: How the Business Conference Puts Creativity in 'Motion'
Industry Insiders
Inside the Build: How Bellagio Fountain Club Delivers F1® Weekend’s Most Luxurious Hospitality Experience
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Gallery Terrace at The Gwen Hotel
Sponsored
Step Inside Convene at 333 North Green in Chicago
Convene
Take a look at the space designed to reimagine how we meet and work.
Convene 333 North Green Street Chicago
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2022 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
The LaSalle Hotel
Sponsored
Why You Should Book Your Next Event at Time Out Market
Time Out Market
Trust the experts to execute your next big bash in NYC, Miami, Boston, or Chicago.
Time Out Market
Chicago
9 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2022 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Five Iron Golf
Sponsored
Why the Secret to Keeping Attendees Talking About Your Events Starts With Venue Selection
Field Museum
Creating a memorable experience starts with a memorable venue. Here’s why the Field Museum in Chicago is the perfect, unique space to do just that.
Field Museum Biz Bash Article
Page 1 of 81
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.