In an era of standardization and versatility, organizing a themed café that will be successful is not easy. The reason for this is that people differ in their tastes and preferences, and it is quite difficult to find the individual format that will be in demand. One of the safest options, however, is the gangster-chic vibe of 1930s Chicago. Prohibition was the reason for the dawn of mafia clans, making their fortunes from underground drinking establishments that offer their visitors gambling. Many people want to touch those times and feel themselves in the role of an experienced mafioso, so the opening of such an institution will allow them to realize their dream.
Tasks
The main task of the restaurateur, who took up the implementation of this idea, is the need to create a mysterious atmosphere of the gangster era, which will transport guests to those distant times. However, the congestion of the interior, as well as its excessive complexity without taking into account modern trends, can play a cruel joke. Opening a café in the style of the Chicago of the 30s, it is necessary to offer the visitor a modern service and carefully thought out themes.
Correct decorations
In those days, such places were most often located in the basements of houses, and in them, as a rule, they did not pay special attention to the walls. Therefore, imitation of brickwork is the best fit as a basis for a future establishment. If it is too expensive to implement such an idea, the walls can be draped with dense fabric of dark tones (mainly black and purple shades). For 24-hour cafes or those that are open in the morning, you can use wood paneling in light, but not bright colors. The wood texture will also perfectly convey the style of the 30s.
The walls should be decorated with black and white photographs illustrating the life of Chicago at night, as well as cards of famous performers and prominent representatives of the mafia clans. Also in the interior will be appropriate artifacts of the gangster era, for example, the layout of the Thompson assault rifle. An additional highlight will be given by a wall-mounted telephone corresponding to the time. It should be noted that it is quite simple to convey a suitable atmosphere, however, it is still not worth overloading the walls with paraphernalia.
Subdued lighting will create a sense of mystery and comfort. It can be realized using vintage wall lamps, as well as floor lamps. However, there should be enough light for comfortable communication of guests and eating. If you have a stage for a performer or karaoke, you should take care of the presence of a spotlight that will illuminate it. It is better to take a microphone for karaoke not modern, but made taking into account the peculiarities of that era, and the stand for it will undoubtedly become the finishing touch.
Soft sofas and corners surrounding the table, as well as the presence of partitions, will add intimacy and security to the communication of guests. This will be appreciated not only by couples in love, but also by business partners discussing deals. For the bar, massive chairs are also suitable, both made of metal and deliberately coarsely hammered out of wood. It all depends on the target group and the opening hours of the establishment.
Color differentiation is a popular and demanded solution in the presence of several rooms. Usually these are blue, red and green interiors. Additional chic and the opportunity to retire to a noisy company of guests will be provided by a secret room, usually hidden behind a wardrobe or a panel in the wall. This is appreciated not only by fans of the gangster theme, but also by ordinary visitors seeking solitude.
Sound accompaniment
The 30s were the heyday of jazz and the popularity of blues compositions. A relaxing and pacifying motive can flow from the hidden speakers, which will not irritate the average visitor and will undoubtedly delight the true connoisseur of this music. Periodic performances by jazz bands will add the finishing touch to creating the right atmosphere.
If there is karaoke in the cafe, then it is better to allocate a place for it in a separate room and offer it as a separate service. Thus, it will not interfere with the rest of the guests who are attracted by the atmosphere of the 30s. In addition, karaoke will allow attracting fans to perform songs with a backing track. This widespread entertainment will consistently bring additional income to the owners of such establishments.
Menu features
In the 30s, members of the family of mafia clans were natives of Italy and Sicily, but Irish gangs also wielded in the cities. Therefore, a restaurateur should undoubtedly give preference to Italian cuisine, as well as include classic American dishes in the restaurant's menu. When choosing the final composition of the menu, you should cover as many consumers as possible, so meat dishes should be diluted with salads. They will certainly be ordered by girls who follow the figure, and vegetarians. As a rule, these two groups of people leave the majority of reviews about the institution. Consequently, they can both create a great reputation for a cafe or completely destroy it.
The menu can be decorated in the spirit of those years, using the fonts of the newspapers. When compiling it, the main mistake of most owners is that when they come up with suitable names, they show excessive imagination. This confuses guests and may annoy them. Only specialties deserve a unique name, the number of which, as a rule, does not exceed three. It should be noted that they must be perfectly cooked.
While reproducing the Chicago era of the 30s, drinks should not be forgotten. Guests who have a negative attitude towards alcohol consumption will prefer different variations of coffee. A restaurateur should take care of choosing a good supplier, as coffee is one of the most lucrative drinks. Alcohol should be represented by champagne, various types of beer and an abundance of whiskey. The more options and the broader the price range, the better. Don't forget about the various cocktails. Pay special attention to whiskey for men and vermouth for women.
