Raising the Bar: How Glass, Light, and Design Shape Mystic Lake's New Hop House

Raising the Bar: How Glass, Light, and Design Shape Mystic Lake's New Hop House w l hall company 1
A New Kind of Gathering Place. 

Step inside Hop House, grand opening August 7, 2025, at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, and you'll find more than just a sports bar. It's a two-level destination where craft beer, comfort food, and live entertainment meet bold design & luminous detail.

The project was brought to life through our collaboration with Shea Design (Minneapolis) and Adolfson & Peterson Construction (Minneapolis), and key specialty partners, blending vision, craftsmanship, and execution into a seamless hospitality experience.

The Design Challenge

The vision for Hop House was to create a vibrant, energetic atmosphere that would stand apart from traditional sports bars. The challenge was finding a way to weave together functional bar systems, bold lighting, and architectural finishes—without losing design cohesion or overwhelming the guest experience.

Our Solution: Glass, Glow, and Unique Design Concepts

We and our valued partners combined imaginative design thinking with technical precision to craft solutions that make the Hop House atmosphere both inviting and unforgettable. Every detail—down to custom-fitted glass inserts and carefully engineered lighting—was designed to transform glass into an active player in the experience.

Raising the Bar: How Glass, Light, and Design Shape Mystic Lake's New Hop House w l hall company 7

Behind the Bar: Glass That Glows

On the main-floor bar, we blended forward-thinking design with technical execution to make the bar the focal point of the space.

Design Highlights

Suspended Bar & Bottle Shelves

Working closely with Shea and Adolfson & Peterson, we engineered glass inserts that seamlessly fit within complex steel bar structures. The shelves, crafted from 5/16" low-iron laminate glass with a white interlayer from Pulp Studio, glow from below. Film added to suspended shelves created a warm, reddish ambiance, while bottle shelving retained a crisp, clean glow.

Custom Back Bar Wall

Supplied by Minneapolis Glass, the mirrored back wall features multiple mirror panels framed in ¼" steel bar, forming a bold architectural grid around two large-screen TVs.

Art Glass Accent

Laminate art glass with a 2" grid pattern from GlassArt Design introduced depth and sophistication, adding another layer of refinement.

Raising the Bar: How Glass, Light, and Design Shape Mystic Lake's New Hop House w l hall company 5

Lighting Up the Experience: Kalwall Innovation

Another design challenge was how to make the guest journey immersive from the very first step inside. Our solution was a creative application of Kalwall translucent panels—used in ways we had never applied before.

Entrance: 1-inch Kalwall panels create a bold illuminated welcome.

VIP Sections & Exterior Signage: 1.75-inch Kalwall panels were installed behind mezzanine VIP areas and signage, producing a soft, exclusive glow.

Known for their museum-quality light diffusion, Kalwall panels offered a glare-free radiance that amplified branding while elevating the overall guest experience.

Raising the Bar: How Glass, Light, and Design Shape Mystic Lake's New Hop House w l hall company 3

The Result

By solving the challenge of blending bold design with practical function, we created a glowing, energetic environment that embodies the spirit of Hop House. Glass, light, and design work together to craft a space that is as memorable as it is functional—setting a new standard for casino hospitality.

Raising the Bar: How Glass, Light, and Design Shape Mystic Lake's New Hop House w l hall company 2

Choose W. L. Hall Company for unique and creative design solutions that will elevate your vision and bring your project to life.


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