5 Things We Discovered at Apartment 47 in Chicago

By Lauren Stone By Lauren Stone | June 12, 2024

Guests were transported to Germany’s Black Forest as they weaved through the mystical story of Monkey 47 Schwarzwald dry gin at Lady Bird in The Hoxton. Read on to catch a glimpse of the magic.

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Guests posed at Lady Bird during the Apartment 47 event.

In the mystical depths of Germany's enchanting Black Forest, where ancient tales, marvelous mountains and luxurious offerings collide, lies the magical realm of Monkey 47 Schwarzwald dry gin. Born from the alchemy of tradition and innovation, this elegant gin is a symphony of 47 handpicked botanicals, such as the lingonberry — a Black Forest staple. The Black Forest, or Schwartzwald in German, is home to over a third of these essential ingredients, including natural spring water and particularly aromatic berry and fruit varieties. Along with the iconic dry gin distillery, dubbed “The Wild Monkey,” the Black Forest is also known for its sumptuous spas, Michelin-starred restaurants and opulent cuckoo clocks—crafted in the region since the 1700s. Each sip of a Monkey 47 cocktail invites drinks connoisseurs to explore the history, allure and magic of their 47 carefully selected botanicals.

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Monkey 47 Schwarzwald dry gin is crafted in Germany’s Black Forest. Photo courtesy of Monkey 47.

Partnering with Modern Luxury, Monkey 47 is inviting select cities across the nation to step into its lavish world — "Das Wunderzimmer" (The Wonder Room) in Apartment 47 — where the enigmatic beauty of the Black Forest meets the elegance of contemporary mixology to forge an enthralling night of discovery. Read on to embark on a journey through time and taste, where each bespoke Monkey 47 cocktail is a sip of magic from the heart of the Black Forest.

What We Tasted

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Served from the Monkey Maschine, Chicago’s Apartment 47 signature cocktail was the Disco Superfly.

Created by mixologist Jonathan Pizano, Lady Bird’s Apartment 47 signature cocktail, the Disco Superfly embodies the city’s innovative and dynamic style. Inspired by the classic Winchester cocktail, which traces its roots to the renowned mixology culture of Chicago, this exquisite drink features Monkey 47 gin, Cocchi Rosa, Cocchi Americano, Chinola Passion Fruit, honey-cinnamon syrup and fresh lime juice. The grapefruit oil garnish pays homage to the city's love for bold flavors, while the cocktail's dry, clean profile reflects the sophistication and elegance synonymous with Chicago's cocktail heritage. Each sip is a journey through Chicago's rich cocktail history, making the Disco Superfly a must-have for any cocktail enthusiast looking to experience the city's spirit in a glass.

What We Heard

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Amberlux put on an exciting live DJ set.

As we sipped, we listened to the magical musical makings of Amberlux, a live DJ who embodies the essence of Das Wunderzimmer in Apartment 47. Born and raised in Germany, Amberlux spent his summers in Schwarzwald, exactly where every handcrafted drop of Monkey 47 Schwarzwald dry gin is made. Bringing that Black Forest essence to Apartment 47 in Chicago, Amberlux transforms the unique story of the city into vibrant, live sets. Want to experience it for yourself? Visit the Apartment 47 x Amberlux website to download the live set from Lady Bird.

What We Saw

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The Schwarzwald Scarf Stylist styled guests in red silk scarves.

Characters from the Black Forest guided us through Lady Bird to explore the mystical world of Apartment 47. Upon entering, we watched as a live artist meticulously customized the Monkey 47 Book of Spirits for guests to take home; then, Schwarzwald Scarf Stylists styled us with tropical, monkey-adorned red silk neck scarves, reminiscent of the Black Forest botanicals present in the gin. Finally, we arrived at the Monkey Maschine, a cocktail machine resembling an old-school buggy, where we got to taste the custom-crafted Disco Superfly cocktail.

What We’ll Be Drinking All Summer

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The botanical bar served up three different cocktails highlighting different groupings of Monkey 47’s botanicals.

At the Botanical Bar, we found our perfect summer cocktail inspiration. Crafted by Julian Langestraat, Monkey 47's Global Brand Ambassador, each cocktail highlights a different grouping of Monkey 47’s 47 botanicals. Sweet, spice and everything nice, the German Gin-Gin Mule spotlights the botanicals that give Monkey 47 its fiery, complex aftertaste—cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, almond, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, licorice and Acoros calamus. Made with lime juice, ginger beer and Monkey 47 dry gin, this cocktail had everyone talking. "I usually never reach for gin, but this mule is changing my mind,” Modern Luxury Executive Lauren Hayes said. To bring that Black Forest essence to your own party, be sure to garnish your German Gin-Gin Mule with a nutmeg and cinnamon sugar dust rim.

What We Felt

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Guests showed off their new scarves.

Between mingling, enjoying Amberlux’s set and sipping Monkey 47 cocktails, it’s safe to say guests were enchanted by Apartment 47. "Apartment 47 meets Alice in Wonderland!” said Rafael Murillo, Luxury Real Estate Broker, RM Luxury Group. “The enchanting martini by Monkey 47 was absolutely delightful. What a wonderful event, from the décor to the drinks, the music and the beautiful people. This is what makes Chicago great!"

While guests were blown away by just about every aspect, the star of this Chicago event was the Schwarzwald Scarf Stylist. "Went to an event last night at Lazy Bird with CS Magazine and Monkey 47 and chatted with a scarf stylist about leveraging the piece as a layering tool for summer. Genius." said Lauren Sharkey, @_styledbylaurensharkey.

While you might not have experienced the real Apartment 47 at Lady Bird, you, too, can summon the magical realm of Monkey 47 in your own home. Recreate one of the event’s signature cocktails, access Amberlux’s playlist and watch your space (and tastebuds) transform.

Photos courtesy of Belen Aquino.



Photography by: Courtesy of Belen Aquino