March 23, 2016 – Construction progresses on the new rooftop bar opening this spring on the former third-floor terrace at Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel.

Seen last Tuesday from Marina City across Wacker Drive, the outdoor bar – named Raised – will seat 160 people, serve food and drink, offer 14 local beer options, a variety of wines, and have fire pits.

The hotel has started advertising the new space, saying the name, for one thing, “draws inspiration from the raising of the iconic bridges that line the Chicago River as well as Raised Bar’s exceptional location, elevated above the well-known intersection of State Street and Wacker Drive.”

It is part of an $8 million renovation at the 520-room, 40-suite hotel that also includes a new ballroom and new meeting space.

(Photo by Steven Dahlman. Click on image to view larger version.)