Black-painted steel detailing can be seen under the lip of the bar top. It provides a transition between the black granite counter and the milled Baltic birch of the bar face, and also incorporates hooks so that bags and briefcases can stay off the floor.
A secluded area at the back of the lounge provides seating for a small group adjacent to the booths that were reclaimed from the original Tiny Lounge.
The bench seating on the south wall accommodates four two-person tables. Cherry wood panels are illuminated by concealed light fixtures behind the mossy-green leather seat back. Completing the minimal but rich materials palette for the area is the black honed granite that serves as the table tops — the same material that forms the bar top across the room.
The acoustics in the space were a major consideration, especially with the anticipation of crowds of regulars, the performance of music, and the absence of many soft finishes. The solution was to mill strips of Baltic birch plywood and create a varied surface on the walls and the face of the bar. This creates a sculptural visual element, but also helps to diffuse sound.
The original Tiny Lounge was an alternative to the neighborhood bar on Chicago’s North Side. With it’s brick façade and retro signage, the hot spot evoked a Rat Pack feel while offering both perfectly mixed cocktails and an after-work alternative for the people in the area.
