Last night, the nation’s largest rooftop venue celebrated its opening at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier. Offshore, a 36,000-square-foot, all-weather venue welcomed guests for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and to see the official designation from Guinness World Records for largest rooftop bar.
Offshore was developed by ACRON Group, the Swiss-based real estate owner and investment manager that is also developing an adjacent four-star hotel at Navy Pier. Development and design team partners include KOO Architecture, Concentrics Restaurant Group, McHugh Construction Company, Maverick Hotels and Restaurants, CIBC and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.
From its position atop Navy Pier’s Festival Hall at 1000 E. Grand Avenue, Offshore features a full-service bar, kitchen, terraces, seven fire pits, an entertainment and gaming area and multiple large social gathering spaces—as well as unrivaled views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline.
Architectural parasols run the length of the 20,000 square foot terrace, along with communal tables lined with clusters of globe lighting positioned in netting floating overhead. A 450 square-foot planter with lush greenery is shaped like the Chicago Municipal Badge, the “Y” symbol that harkens to divergence of the Chicago River. At the center is 16-foot-tall, 8,500-square-foot indoor space featuring multiple bars inside of a sleek greenhouse-like atmosphere.
Culinary direction for Offshore will be led by executive chef Michael Shrader, who was the founder and executive chef at Urban Union Chicago. Clay Livingston, formerly partner and general manager of Red Herring Lounge and Kitchen in Louisville, will develop and curate the beverage program seasonally.
