All-Star Weekend was in full effect in Chicago this past weekend but as much as we loved what happened on the court, the events off-court made this anticipated weekend worth the wait. Parties started taking over the city on Thursday night when BACARDΓ Premium Rum brought their Rum Room to the Windy City with support from Power star, Omari Hardwick.Β
The actor performed a touching spoken word for guests, commemorating the late βBlack Mambaβ himselfΒ Kobe Bryant as inspired by his podcast βPoeticsβ. Additionally, he jumped behind the bar to join the bartenders in making drinks for guests. The night was full of celebration as Hardwick shared the night with some of his celebrity friends and homegrown Chicagoans, Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, and Kami.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 13: Chance the Rapper and Omari Hardwick hug at the BACARDI Rum Room in Chicago with special guest Omari Hardwick at Il Porcellino on February 13, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for BACARDI)
The event offered a variety of BACARDΓ Premium Rums including, BACARDΓ AΓ±ejo Cuatro, BACARDΓ Reserva Ocho, and BACARDΓ Gran Reserva Diez. Some of the crowd favorites included the Cuatro Highball and the winning 2019 US Legacy cocktail β Nuevo Sol made with BACARDΓ AΓ±ejo Cuatro, as well as Omari Hardwickβs signature Ghost cocktail made with BACARDΓ AΓ±ejo Cuatro, ginger ale and citrus bitters, inspired by his Power character.Β
Chicago was the final stop for the Rum Room events which have been held across the country in four other cities: Atlanta, New York, and Miami. These events have been curated by the BACARDΓ Rum Society, an exclusive group of distinguished celebrity rum enthusiasts and ambassadors.Β
MORE ON THE RUM ROOM
Serving as a living, breathing world of rum, the BACARDΓ Rum Room created an evening of excitement and discovery that showcased the brandβs culture, diverse flavor profile and set the rum standard. As guests entered the space, they were whisked on a journey of rum exploration and guided from Cuatro to Ocho to the Diez speakeasy experience. Each room featured unique, snap-worthy moments that brought the versatility and enjoyability of the premium portfolio to life.Β
Guests were invited to indulge in a variety of sensory experiences, like the Cuatro Highball Mixology Bar where they were able to enhance their cocktail with a bitter of their choice in the BACARDΓ AΓ±ejo Cuatro room. In the BACARDΓ Reserva Ocho room, the BACARDΓ bat wing installation had guests snapping photos all evening, as a rum barrel display educated attendees on the meaning of βthe angelβs share.β Guests were also able to channel Hardwickβs Power character, Ghost, with the help of a double exposure photo booth experience β while sipping on his bespoke cocktail inspired by the ill-fated character. The Cuatro room also featured a betting table β where guests tried their luck at a game of dice for a chance to win a libation token, redeemable at each bar for a Cuatro, Ocho or Diez cocktail. Finally, in the Diez speakeasy, BACARDΓ Global Rum Master David Cid and BACARDΓ Rum Ambassador Juan Coronado led intimate tastings and rum immersions of BACARDΓ Gran Reserva Diez in the swanky lounge downstairs.
The BACARDΓ Premium Portfolio, which launched in April 2018, is available nationwide at a liquor store near you and on ReserveBar.com. BACARDΓ will continue educating consumers on the premiumization of rum through their various Rum Room events across the country in the coming year.
On the same night, The Knockturnal also stopped by an exclusive fan-favorite event REVOLT House to watch Tory Lanezβs headlining performance. Lanez got the crowd hype on a rooftop called the Roof on theWit in Downtown Chicago. He did not disappoint either as the crowd was enthusiastically singing the words to his songs back to him. Lanez even brought a fan up on stage to dance with him. Β Also, a part of this high energy night was Chicagoβs own DJ Mile High, from WGCI Chicago spinning some of Hip Hopβs biggest hits and hyping up the crowd beforehand along with beverages, an open bar, hors d’oeuvre, and of course photo activations.
In its fifth consecutive year, REVOLT House has featured past appearances and performances from artists such as Rick Ross, Kash Doll, DMX, Trina, Jhene Aiko, Kevin Gates, among others and has brought the pulse and sound of Gen Hip Hop to cities like Los Angeles, Miami, Charlotte, and Austin. Chicago remains one of the true heartlands of rap and sports culture, so REVOLT House is making it a point to return and serve up a night dedicated to Hip Hop, sports and all things in support of the culture. Β
ABOUT REVOLT MEDIA & TV
REVOLT is unapologetically Hip Hop, leading and living Hip Hop culture. REVOLT is the voice of the culture across platforms, engaging Millennial and Gen Z audiences, on REVOLT.tv, across social, TV and live events, through original and live content. Attracting over 50 million young people, REVOLT is accessible 24/7 on digital, TV and on-demand. Founded by Sean βDiddyβ Combs, REVOLT launched in broadcast in October 2013 and is available on DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse TV, Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon FiOS, CenturyLink, Altice/Suddenlink, Frontier Communications, Comporium, and Cincinnati Bell, Atlantic Broadband, Hotwire, as well as OTT platforms DIRECTV Now, Sling TV, Fubo TV, and Philo TV. REVOLT is also available internationally in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, Nevis, Anguilla, Monserrat, Bermuda, Aruba, St. Maartenβs, Trinidad and the U.S.V.I. Check local listings at https://revolt.tv/listings.
