Lockwood & Potters

Lockwood Restaurant & Bar and Potter’s are the primary two food & beverage outlets in the Palmer House Hilton. Lockwood is an ideal dining destination for seasonally influenced, modern American fare, highlighting locally grown ingredients from the hotel's rooftop garden and apiary. The Chefs strive to creatively blend the past and present with quality product, fond memories and new techniques. Beyond the main dining room, is the Lockwood Bar, located in the iconic Palmer House lobby, is also a favorite for locals and travelers alike. Also located on the Lobby level, Potters is a rich and relaxing location to enjoy a craft beer, classic cocktail, or a bite to eat. Featuring 8 TVs and illuminated photographs of the brilliant history of the Palmer House Hilton, Potter’s offers the perfect ambiance to reconnect and recharge. When I began my role as the Hiltons of Chicago Creative Services Manager in 2008, the Palmer House was in the final stages of a massive $200 million renovation. Lockwood Restaurant & Bar and Potter’s Lounge had both just opened. Their branding had not yet been established and I introduced bright colors and bold design elements that reflected architectural elements of the spaces while incorporating cutting-edge photography. I was asked to revive Lockwood’s look to complement its 2013 physical renovation. Lockwood Bar, which had formally been known as “the Lobby Bar” was rebranded. Later that year, Potter’s underwent a physical renovation as well, plus dropped “Lounge” from its title and logo. I directed the creation of all-new branding for the rollout. The new designs are now more refined and bold which deviated from an earlier time when we marketing Potter’s as a speakeasy. In 2015, Lockwood was rebranded again to reflect the new philosophy of its current chef and management; innovative and modern.