Wed. February 18, 2009
Spin Nightclub, a landmark in Boystown for over 10 years, has opened its new space featuring an incredible two-level dance floor, four full-service bars and four unique lounges with intimate seating.
Located at 800 W. Belmont, Spin expanded into the apartment building just north of the club to create a space that would appeal to a broader spectrum of the community.
After a year of planning and construction, the designers and developers created a variety of different environments, using colors, textures, sound and lighting. They were also careful to maintain some of space's unique architectural features.
The result is a sophisticated, yet comfortable and spacious, yet intimate space.
Spin's General Manager Robert Hoffman, aka Vanity Fair, designed much of the new space and he gives ChicagoPride.com's Frank Failing an exclusive preview in photos.
One enters the new space through a glass walk-way which connects the two buildings (the old and new spaces). Upon entering, guests are greeted by a sleek and streamlined bar area with exposed brick, robin's egg blue, and burnt orange walls. The ceiling is a deep shade of green and the floor is finished in honey colored oak. The bar's profile and top are finished in rich and glossy, cherry wood.
Opposite the bar, are 3 tables, custom finished to match the bar, and cantilevered to the exposed brick wall. The room's seating is also cherry with modern square backs and soft black leather seats.
The lighting is soft and intimate with aqua blue Italian glass pendant lights floating above the bar and a dramatic wash of L.E.D. lighting on the exposed brick walls. The room overlooks the dance floor, with windows allowing guests to watch the activity on the dance floor, while escaping the intensity of the music.
Just beyond the bar, and around the corner, is the North Lounge. This sleek and sophisticated lounge area is almost all exposed brick with L.E.D. lighting washing the walls in a glow of undulating color. Inspired by New York's lounge scene, it's the perfect room to sip a martini or pop a bottle. Guests can relax in the clean-lined, contemporary, leather sofas and set their drinks on the Mid-Century Modern reproduction coffee tables. The room boasts newly restored coffered ceilings, large HD flat screen televisions and a fabulous view of Halsted through its street side windows.
Back at the foyer, a staircase leads guests to the lower level. This level has concrete floors stained in burnt orange. The walls are exposed brick with custom banquets crafted from walnut in a Craftsman inspired motif. Custom, walnut cocktail tables were designed to add harmony as well as function. The flickering reflection of the tea-lights is captured by the room's rich glossy wood finishes.
The West end of the lower level is the dance floor. A constellation of massive disco balls float overhead, the largest being 38" in diameter. There is a raised dance platform as well as smaller dance boxes to make the area more dynamic. The sound system and lighting were created by Amit Weinberg of Madman Audio. The centerpiece of the room is the bar. It was constructed within a vault-like room, and we were careful to maintain this unique aspect of the building's character.
"Dance clubs can sometimes feel cold, but our space is warm, inviting and just dark enough to feel sexy," said Hoffman.
Spin has also added some popular local talent such as Teri Yaki, DJ Luis M, Lady Vera Parker and DJ Mike Z.
"We have expanded our weekly promotions to include a Thursday Drag Cabaret, a Sunday Game Show as well as monthly TPAN and WCRAD events," said Hoffman. "We are eager to work with as many GLBT groups as possible on parties and events and our commitment to the community is evident in our planning, polish and consistency."
This opening is the first of Spin's planned renovations. The main bar and back bar in the old space will receive cosmetic changes in the coming year. There are also plans for an outdoor, summer beer garden behind the club.
"We think of ourselves as more than a bar or club, but as an entertainment complex," added Hoffman.
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