Offshore, largest rooftop deck in country opens at Navy Pier

Boasting over 36,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, this spectacular year-round rooftop destination will elevate the Chicago skyline to another level, offering locals a truly unique perspective of The Windy City and Lake Michigan

Prepare for brand new views of Chicago’s magnificent skyline with the official opening of Offshore, the nation’s largest rooftop built for Chicago and its locals atop one of the city’s most iconic buildings, Navy Pier, this May. Offshore, a stunning, chic 36,000 sq. ft. all-seasons/all-weather venue will offer Chicagoans a full-service luminous bar and world-class kitchen, terraces, seven cozy fire pits, an entertainment and gaming area, and multiple large social gathering spaces. Sure to be one of the city’s and the country’s hottest destinations, this sexy and sophisticated space sits on the third floor atop Navy Pier’s Festival Hall at 1000 East Grand, and offers panoramic, unmatched views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline.

Culinary direction for Offshore will be led by Executive Chef Michael Shrader, a protégé of Jeremiah Tower who is credited as a pioneer in California cuisine. Michael also served as Executive Chef for The N9NE Group, and was the Founder and Executive Chef at Urban Union Chicago. At Offshore, he will focus on seasonal, modern American cuisine with global influences served as small, shareable plates. Special on-site catering menus will also be available. Clay Livingston, formerly Partner and General Manager of Red Herring Lounge and Kitchen in Louisville, will develop and curate the beverage program seasonally, with playful house made craft cocktails, wine, champagne, and strong local craft beer options to choose from. Signature, Instagrammable drinks include a lychee-style cocktail, a fruit-forward cocktail served in a bag, and much more.

Navy Pier, Chicago lakefront. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

As guests enter Offshore, they are greeted with a wall of cascading, colorful propellers that are flanked by two slate metal vintage series pool tables on either side. Floating globe lights dot the way through the corridor to the 16-foot-tall, 8,500 square foot indoor space. As guests continue in, they will be wowed by a sprawling 100 foot, 60-stool bar. Curvy, white finishes with brass and iron-like metals line the space, with deep blue and warm yellow accents throughout. The indoor area, available for private buy-outs of many sizes, features custom brass whistle-shaped light fixtures, captain chairs, and oversized “playpens” made of a mashup of geometric cushions specifically designed for socializing. A barrel-vaulted roof and an operable glass enclosure conceals the entire indoor space, and fully retracts allowing the lakeside breeze in, regardless of day or month. Guests are welcomed onto the Terrace with a selection of soft seating on the far Northeast corner of the Pier, providing them with a completely unique perspective of the city skyline not found anywhere else.

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. The space also offers high top tables for patrons to mingle and enjoy a cocktail. Seven fire pits are spread throughout. A highlight of the deck is a 450 square-foot planter with lush greenery shaped like Chicago’s “Y” symbol, a nod to the Chicago river. On the Southeast end of the terrace, a stage for live entertainment overlooks the city’s skyline. Two private lawns with sail shade canopies will act as a destination for group gaming, social gatherings, bridal parties, weddings, and much more.

The hours of operation for Offshore are Monday – Thursday 4 p.m. – midnight, Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. – midnight. Patrons must be 21 and over to enter Offshore. Offshore is easily accessible through the pier, with ample valet service available. For more information, please visit www.drinkoffshore.com. For more information or to make a group reservation, please contact Director of Sales & Marketing Kathleen Jenkins at [email protected].

The Players:

ACRON Group, a USA and Swiss based Real Estate Owner and Investment Manager, is developing and building the four-star hotel ‘The Sable at Navy Pier’ coupled with an exclusive rooftop bar called ‘OFFSHORE’. ‘OFFSHORE’ will be the largest rooftop bar and restaurant in the United States. According to Greg W. Wilson, President and CEO of ACRON Group’s USA operations, the Hotel along with what will quickly become Chicago’s best-known hotspot, ‘OFFSHORE’, will no doubt be one of the top destinations in Chicago. Further, Peer Bender, CEO of ACRON AG and responsible for ACRON Group’s operations in Europe, additionally noted that ACRON is particularly unique in that where other companies might see difficulties, we discover untapped potential. To the point, no one has ever built a Hotel and the like of the ‘Offshore’ Roof-Top venue before on the famous Navy Pier.

Development and Design Team and Partners include Robert Habeeb of Maverick Hotels and Restaurants, Marilynn Gardner and Brian Murphy of Navy Pier Authority, Mark Spears of CIBC, Jackie Koo of KOO Architecture, Bob Amick of Concentrics Restaurant Group, Dave Alexander and John Sheridan of James McHugh Construction Company and Curio by Hilton Hotels.

ACRON Group’s founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Klaus W. Bender said, ‘What has always set ACRON apart is that we do not go where all the others have already been. Accordingly, a pioneering top position is essential for us. The Sable at Navy Pier and OFFSHORE represents the quintessential project inspired by ACRON’.

ACRON Group was founded in 1981 and owns an exceptional and ever-growing group of luxury hospitality investments in Europe and the USA.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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