Completed in mid-July 2024, Sound Investment partnered with the acclaimed hospitality team behind Celeste, Beatnik On The River and Beatnik West Town to deliver a carefully concealed audio system for Vela Bar y Cocina, a modern Mexican restaurant in Chicago’s River North. This project came with unique challenges—tight timelines and architectural limitations—but the result is a custom audio design that delivers immersive sound while remaining nearly invisible to the eye.
The vision for Vela called for an elevated, high-energy dining experience infused with Latin flavor and downtown sophistication. To meet these expectations, our team designed a system centered around Funktion-One F101 speakers for the main zones, with Sonance fills and Bag End subwoofers reinforcing the low-end. Despite the premium components, the project required innovative workarounds: architectural constraints eliminated several ideal speaker placements, and late-stage onboarding meant fast-paced decision-making.
What truly sets this project apart is how we responded to the client’s request for full concealment of the audio system. All Funktion-One F101 speakers were discreetly installed above a drop ceiling. Using acoustical tiles, we preserved the sonic clarity and energy of the speakers while maintaining the sleek, uninterrupted interior design aesthetic that defines Vela Bar y Cocina.
This isn’t one of our flagship installations—but it is a testament to what Sound Investment does best: adapting our high-performance systems to real-world challenges without compromising quality. Even with limitations, the final product offers crisp, evenly distributed audio that subtly elevates the dining and cocktail experience, whether guests are seated at the bar or tucked into a booth.
Vela Bar y Cocina proves that with the right design approach, great sound can feel effortless—and look invisible.
