Project Profile

Tijuana Yacht Club/The Surf Room

Chicago

1990

The Chicago restaurant and club market is one of the most competitive in the United States. That's why Heartthrob Enterprises came to us to design, light, fabricate and install the décor for their Tijuana Yacht Club and adjoining Surf Room nightclub.

The restaurant immediately transports patrons south of the border with perhaps the world's largest black velvet painting, complete with twinkling starlights and ultraviolet accents. Ambiance is achieved with "weathered" woods, "rusted" metals and an eclectic mix of neon signs, billboards and props. Lighting includes custom designed and fabricated fixtures.

The nightclub is a rollicking recreation of a California beach party, including a floor-to-ceiling cresting fiberglass wave featuring internal lighting and flotsam drink stands. The ambiance continues with sand, palm trees, thatched roofing and booth seating provided by vintage car seats. This concept was even incorporated into the DJ booth by custom building the audio equipment into a '57 Chevy pickup.

The result? One of the splashiest night spots in town.