Chicago’s Signature Room restaurant, lounge permanently closed

The Signature Room at the 95th and the Signature Lounge at the 96th, iconic Chicago venues that held whimsical views of the city from the near-top of the Magnificent Mile skyscraper formerly known as the John Hancock Center, closed Thursday.

A message posted to the restaurant’s Facebook and Instagram accounts Thursday afternoon addressed the “unexpected challenge” and said the closure, effective immediately, is permanent and comes with “profound sadness.”

“For over 30 years, we have had the privilege and honor of serving Chicagoans and visitors from all over the world,” the social media post said. “Together, we’ve marked countless life moments — from heartwarming engagements to milestone anniversaries. Unfortunately, after the closure of our city and restaurant due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been faced with severe economic hardship and the challenges have been greater than we anticipated. These factors, beyond our control, have left us with no choice but to close our doors.”

A letter with a similar message in English and Spanish was taped up at the Streeterville restaurant Thursday, and the restaurant’s website also began displaying the announcement as of Thursday afternoon.

The messages were signed by partners Rick Roman and Nick Pyknis, who have run the Signature Room since 1993, but the restaurant and lounge have lived on the 95th and 96th floors of 875 N. Michigan Ave. even longer. The restaurant was first known as the 95th Restaurant with its bar, the Sybaris Lounge, when it first opened in August 1970. It was run by Davre’s, the public restaurant division of ARA Services Inc. of Philadelphia.

Roman and Pyknis are both heads of Infusion Management Group, which was formed in July 1993 with the goal of creating “an unforgettable dining and entertainment destination that would become an integral part of the timeless Chicago experience,” according to a previous “About the Signature Room” page on the restaurant’s website.

The Signature Room reopened in May 2021 after closing during the first year of the pandemic.

One of the city’s tallest restaurants and cocktail lounges, the Signature Room was known as an upscale experience with views that were worth the wait.

Former customers mourned the closure and shared their memories on social media.

“Will never forget celebrating my now late father’s 90th birthday at The Signature Room. My parents were Chicago natives (as am I), and my father and I came in from CA to meet my brother who came in from TX for this birthday celebration. A cherished memory forever,” wrote one woman on Facebook.

Added another Facebook user: “Good times and memories! Sad to hear about the closing, but it doesn’t come as a surprise.”

sahmad@chicagotribune.com