Midcentury Contemporary Venues

We all know that design is cyclical. Everything old becomes new again — with a twist. If you’re looking for some inspiration to update your venue in the new year, check out these seven Tripleseat customers who have embraced a vintage vibe but made it contemporary.

They’ve taken the best of midcentury design — from plush, velvet seating to warm wood to pop art to lighting — and made it chic.

1. Cira, Chicago

Cira stops at nothing to provide an authentic, high society 20th-century experience throughout the spacious Fulton Market venue. The midcentury modern with a touch of Art-Deco furnishings — down to the smallest detail — will leave you and your guests feeling like Don Draper, and they can accommodate any event from a large seated meal to a full restaurant buyout. And there’s much more to this modernist wonder than just the space itself: after only opening in spring 2019, this Boka Restaurant Group location received a 2020 Michelin Bib Gourmand honor for its quality food at a good value.

2. Boka, Chicago

Stepping into this iconic mainstay in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is like being welcomed into your uber-cool next-door neighbor’s home. It’s alluring yet approachable, exposing a romanticism-meets-modernism vibe and features a wall draped in moss. With its grand opening back in 2003, Boka was the first of many restaurants under the Boka Restaurant Group brand. It’s considered to be the foundation for the company with its perfect mix of great design, warm hospitality, and amazing chefs.

3. Devereaux, Chicago

Looking for an intimate rooftop lounge to enjoy happy hour with your close friends? Devereaux brings that and much more from the 18th floor of Viceroy Chicago. During the day, enjoy the spectacular poolside view and libations but come back for the evening when this space really shines. This glamorous Gold Coast spot is perfect for hosting large groups or intimate get-togethers. The interior decor and design detail makes you feel like you’ve stepped onto a 1960s movie set replete with the requisite drink – like the Devereaux Daiquiri.

4. Linger, Denver

Linger offers four distinctive dining areas, perfect to host any type of event ranging from birthday brunches to weddings. They are known for their grand rooftop overlooking the city that offers a section for both tableside service and self-service from the food truck … on the roof. The unique menu is filled with small bites from around the world with an Asian-fusion twist, served family style. With a nod to the history of the building – a former mortuary – Linger uses mason jars that look as if they were straight from a coroner’s office, medical clipboards that hold your menu, and coffin-shaped drink coasters. Linger offers a hip and relaxed vibe with unparalleled food and service.

5. El Five, Denver

When you arrive at the fifth floor of an Umatilla Street building and into El Five, you’re nestled in two worlds. One allows you to observe all of downtown Denver in an unobstructed view through floor to ceiling windows. The other puts you inside a vintage European film poster in a cozy, chic setting surrounded by low lights and Mediterranean pop art. Grab a drink and share some tapas indoors or venture out onto El Five’s outside bar and patio during the warm weather months.

6. Ophelia’s, Denver

Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox in Denver is a rare but exciting combination: A gastrobrothel that serves a vegetable-forward menu and presents live entertainment. You’ll have plenty to talk about before the show starts because Ophelia’s decor is like nothing you’ve seen before. There’s a wall of old tabletop and handheld radios and 8-track tapes, stacks on stacks of empty green Jägermeister bottles, a wall of rulers, cozy listening areas near the entertainment on the first floor, swanky corners filled with dim lights and plush couches, and a sunken stage area in the middle of it all.

7. Dutch & Doc’s, Chicago

Wrigleyville is home to countless Chicago Cubs fans sharing beers over a game, visitors exploring the local sites, and a memorable restaurant and bar experience in Dutch and Doc’s. This inviting venue is a welcome addition to the sports-centric neighborhood with its elegant atmosphere and comfort food. Try one of the specialty cocktails like the Chinotto Sling while sampling one of the many pasta options sure to please any palate. For those seeking private dining a stone’s throw from the action at Wrigley Field, Dutch and Doc’s can accommodate anywhere from 20 seated guests to a full 300-person buyout.

Interested in more trends?

These venues are just a few that are featured in the 2020 New Year edition of Tripleseat’s Seated magazine. Read the rest of the issue below, or check out the Seated website.