The Making of Manor
Two Chicago Club Owners Build a Boutique Castle of Profit

Depending on who you are, you could end up an insider, having the time of your life at a bottle service table, or you could end up going home dejected, with a textbook case of bruised pride.

These are two feelings perhaps not so familiar to many Chicago bar-goers. New Yorkers and Las Vegas locals, at this point, aren't phased much by VIP admission or lack thereof. Oh, the Windy City, too, has its share of VIP treatment, but two nightlife partners have raised the stakes.

Michael Bisbee and Michael Kaulentis met for the first time in 2000 through a mutual friend, and it wasn't very long before they realized they shared the same dream. They wanted to open an exclusive nightclub in the very competitive Chicago market, where young entrepreneurs such as the partners of firms Twilight Traffic Control and Rockit Ranch Productions, for example, find ways to capture their shares of entertainment dollars.

Bisbee and Kaulentis' first stab at making the dream come true was RiNo, which opened in 2005, and the idea at the time was to create a true late-night club with bottle service and burgers. RiNo became a hit, but it wasn't what Bisbee and Kaulentis ultimately wanted.

"We felt like RiNo Lounge was a late-night den of debauchery," Bisbee explains. So in March of 2007 Bisbee and Kaulentis, both 31 years old, opened Manor Lounge.

Old School Euro

L to R: Michael Bisbee and Michael Kaulentis, owners of Manor.

Prep work for the club included traveling around Europe and touring historic castles and manors. Back in the States, they worked with consultants to come up with their own modern-day castle, complete with grey stone walls, timber beams and riveted oak doors inspired by drawbridges. Manor Lounge even has its own crest that is engraved on VIP keys that unlock private boxes at VIP tables.

Bisbee and Kaulentis were determined to produce a club fit for royalty.

"I would have to say the huge tresses that run the length of the bottle service lounge at Manor are a standout feature of the space's décor," Bisbee says. "When Mike and I visited Europe, we saw many old castles and wanted to duplicate the inside of them at Manor. We kept seeing these massive trusses."

At 4,200 square feet, Manor Lounge — the product of a $1.5 million investment — evokes a feeling of awe. It's outfitted with dark-paneled walls, leather tufted booths and wrought iron lanterns that hang over a marble-topped bar. Crafted glass panels display photo-collage overlays of modern-day-meets-medieval imagery.

"We've received great feedback from our customers," Bisbee states. "Not only on the way it looks, but our events, performances, the celebrities that we constantly bring in.

And the stars do seem to like Manor too. Dave Navarro, Jeremy Piven, Tony Romo, Pete Wentz, Chris Rock, Ali Larter, Michael Bay, Benji Madden and Vince Vaughn are just a few A-listers who like feeling they are "to the manor born."

Not surprisingly, then, Manor Lounge's bottle service is state-of-art. Upon entering the club, guests are ushered by a VIP host to their own private "Manor House." The entire staff is trained to care efficiently and discreetly for celebrity and VIP guests. Manor's extensive client database tracks customers' birthdays, special requests and preferences, such as preferred table, server or drink.

"We have been told by multiple people in the city and people from out of town that we have the best service by far out of anywhere else they have gone before," Bisbee says.

More to the Manor

Of course, great surroundings and service demand great cocktails, and Manor Lounge has a specialty drinks list that fits right in with its vibe. The Windsor is Grey Goose, shaken, not stirred, to perfection with a whisper of M&R Dry Vermouth. The Cambridge is a blend of Ketel One Citroen Vodka, Cointreau and cranberry juice with a hint of fresh lime juice, served with a twist. The Ashford is a mix of Grey Goose L'Orange Vodka, strawberry infused Rose Nectar and a splash of orange juice. And last but not least, the Warwick is a tropical concoction made with Effen Raspberry Vodka and passion fruit Mojito syrup that's served on the rocks and topped with club soda and garnished with fresh mint.

"We've gone above and beyond with attention to detail at Manor," Bisbee stresses. "For example, take our special lock boxes at the tables for bottle service where we store comped bottles for great customers. And there are hidden storage compartments underneath seating throughout the lounge to keep purses and lightweight coats safe and out of the way."

Manor's sound system by England-based Funktion One is one of the best available. Last, but not least, there's an on-site concierge who is always available to satisfy any guest needs, from arranging transportation to making restaurant reservations and hotel accommodations.

Manor Lounge even has kicked in for charity; $26,000 was raised at an event benefiting the Wounded Heroes Fund, $40,000 was raised at an event benefiting the Invisible Children Foundation (Pete Wentz's charity), and $10,000 was raised for Oprah and Bono's charity, the Product Red Campaign.

"You never know who you'll meet at Manor or what surprises each night may hold," Kaulentis says.

"We want our clients to leave all their problems from the week at the door," Bisbee explains. "And we want them to forget all they have to do for the coming week. Manor is ultra-luxurious and service-oriented."