The Windy City has welcomed just the second brewery to hit the states for this 260-year-old beer brand with the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago, crafted by Studio K Creative.
It was a tall order to provide lovers of the iconic dark beer with a unique experience as its reached a following so die-hard that it’s almost become a lifestyle. So Studio K Founder Karen Herold decided to get more abstract in her design approach in order to avoid a commercialized space that would leave visitors unmoved.
“We wanted to reference the brand without being too on the nose about it,” Herold explained. “Guinness is keen on showing the world it’s a future-forward, driving brand that is extremely global. In each country they are present they actually brew a different version of their typical stout.”
The team integrated very large, bold moments that are more obvious references while also sprinkling in a couple winks back to Guinness’ roots.
The site houses the brewery, main bar room, a taproom, restaurant, an outdoor component, the first-ever Guinness bakery, as well as a retail element, all in a long layout that used to be a rail depot for the city’s West Loop—only fitting as Guinness first arrived in Chicago by train in 1910.
Herold made sure they created a pathway through the project that emphasized a dramatic, powerful unveiling of the main bar room that features a nearly 10,000-pound, 3D harp sculpture above it. The harp is a reference to Guinness’ logo, but it’s also a national emblem of Ireland, found on Irish coins and passports as well.
“We get you into a small corridor that’s only about five feet wide and all that is done on purpose so when you arrive at this very large open space it’s a very theatrical moment.” Behind this lies a smaller, more private taproom that serves as overflow for the larger weekend crowds.
In a grand gesture to one of Guinness' most important innovations—introducing nitrogen to beer—the light fixture near the narrower retail area resembles these micro bubbles that come up through the black liquid to create the foam on top. And just below that, Studio K created a boomerang-shaped table to fit the space, upholstered in a bright green leather.
The brew house also features a hand-painted mural by AllKinds Studio and the Barrel Room event space is anchored by a bottle art installation, allowing patrons to cheers not just to the power of the Guinness brand, but also the flair and excitement Chicago is known for.
