Happy Medium

The Happy Medium Theater was a jazz nightclub at the corner of Rush and Delaware in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The endeavor was led by investors Oscar and George Marienthal, proprietors of two other popular nightclubs in Chicago, Mister Kelly’s and London House. It opened on June 27, 1960. The 9,400 sf theater was a cabaret-type design with 300 seats and a large 40’ stage with moveable proscenium for jazz performances and comedy shows. Rather than typical theater seats, the Happy Medium’s more cozy and casual atmosphere was aided by moveable settee-type seating, with a raised cocktail area in the rear for intimate listening.

The interior décor and design was designed by Ralph Alswang who received a Ford Foundation award for the work. Red, violet, orange, and black were the prominent colors in the interior. Light was filtered through an illuminated ceiling using specially made metal mesh diffusers.

The exterior consisted of a concrete block with black, white, grey, and olive ceramic finish. Studies were done for the use of metal panels and colored patterns for the exterior walls, but do not appear to have been installed.