“A historic Chicago skyscrape has unveiled a downtown rooftop bar. High above the the 37-story Carbide & Carbon Building, Chicagoans will find Chateau Carbide and Chicago’s newest rooftop bar has swank cocktails, a picnic package for two, plus sushi and small bites.
“The building was built in 1929, and the space in question was once reserved only for members and special gatherings. There’s room for about 150 total in this former private event space on the building’s 24th floor. With sibling French restaurant Venteux on the ground floor, there’s synergy with a French Riviera theme on the rooftop. The trendy libation on the rooftop is rosé which is available via glass, bottle, magnum, or a three-litter jeroboam. There’s caviar and lounge seating where customers can kick up their feet. There’s also house-brewed spiked kombucha for folks who want probiotics with their alcohol.
“The rooftop bar transitions from chill daytime spot at 5 p.m. to more of a club vibe with DJs playing music including French house music.
“The Pendry Hotel has also revamped its lobby bar. Find classic cocktails, burgers, and more at Bar Pendry. With downtown businesses recalled workers to the Loop, management is billing their new bar as a happy hour destination. (Selvam, Eater Chicago, 6/25/21)
The Carbide and Carbon Company/ Union Carbide Building located at 230 N. Michigan Avenue was renovated and rebranded as the Pendry Hotel. Formerly the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago and more recently as the St. Jane Hotel, the 40-story Jazz-Age Art Deco skyscraper became a Designated Chicago Landmark in 1994.
The Carbide and Carbon Company Building was designed the Burnham Brothers and completed in 1929. The exterior is comprised of a black polished granite two-story base, with a dark green terra cotta tower intended to resemble malachite, and with extensive gold leaf and bronze trim, especially on the top floors and soaring rooftop tower.
Built during the Roaring Twenties and prohibition, an often repeated urban legend suggests that the Burnham Brothers designed the building to resemble a dark green champagne bottle with gold foil at the top.