Bar CheninBrand and identity

A hidden gem inside The Siren Hotel ↗ in Detroit, Chenin is a small, intimate wine bar with just eight seats. The space feels personal, almost as if you're sharing a bottle in someone's home. They serve wine, ice cream, small bites, and cocktails, all tucked away down an alley, waiting to be discovered.

I worked closely with my longtime friend, Nick, to develop the branding and identity for Chenin, drawing inspiration from the unpolished charm of European wine caves. Places where menus are handwritten, art is collected rather than curated, and the experience feels deeply personal. This philosophy led to a distinctive, memorable wordmark and a library of hand-drawn visual elements: gestural, imperfect, and lived-in, much like the art Nick was drawn to when opening the hotel. As a marker for those seeking out Chenin, we painted the brand's signature face large on the side of the building, designed to look like it had been there for decades.

This year, Chenin was named a James Beard Award finalist for Best New Bar: one of five in the country, and the only Michigan bar in the finals.

I love working on restaurants, and this one is special. If you're in Detroit, find your way down the alley, grab a glass, and see it for yourself.