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.


No-Cost Consultations

๏ปฟ

W. L. Hall Company

The Premier Exterior and Interior Building Systems Provider in the Upper Midwest

75 Years' Experience | 15,000+ Projects

(952) 937-8400

wlhall.com

sales@wlhall.com

When Form Follows Functionality | Radius curved track makes operation a snap!

By Ira Hackner • April 23, 2026
In collaboration with Alliiance Architects (Minneapolis) and Sheehy Construction (St. Paul), our team helped bring their meeting room renovation design at the Minneapolis Convention Center to life—delivering Modernfold Acousti-Seal Encore® operable wall systems (STC 54) designed for flexibility, performance, and long-term durability. When most design professionals start thinking about using an operable wall system, they usually focus on the panel. That makes sense as panel type, STC levels, and finishes are important. What about the track? After all, unless the system is motorized, those panels aren't going to move themselves! Some of the panels on this project weigh almost 800 lbs.! By using radius curved track, Modernfold was able to design a wall and track system that will provide easy operation for years to come.

W. L. Hall Company Specialty Security, Fire & Smoke Door Systems

By Ira Hackner • April 17, 2026
When life safety, code compliance, and seamless integration are critical, experience matters. At W. L. Hall Company, we bring decades of expertise delivering advanced fire, smoke, and security door systems—helping architects, contractors, and building owners achieve both performance and design intent without compromise. What Sets Us Apart Deep Expertise in Life Safety Systems Our team understands the complexity behind fire and smoke containment. From early design through final installation, we help ensure every system meets stringent code requirements—including NFPA, IBC, and local jurisdiction standards—while maintaining functionality and aesthetics. Design-Assist Collaboration from Day One We engage early to help evaluate system selection, integration, and constructability: Aligning fire and smoke protection strategies with architectural layouts Coordinating with egress pathways and building systems Identifying potential conflicts before they impact the schedule or cost Proven Experience Across Complex Projects From healthcare facilities and high-rises to airports and large public venues, we’ve successfully delivered systems in environments where safety, reliability, and coordination are paramount. Advanced Specialty Security, Fire & Smoke Doors Systems We Deliver McKEON — Fire-Rated Door Systems Built for Performance

Minneapolis VA Medical Center Women's Clinic - Bringing Design Vision to Life—Under the Most Demanding Standards

By Ira Hackner • April 2, 2026
In close collaboration with Anderson Engineering of Minnesota (Plymouth) and Greenstone Construction (Fargo), our team is helping bring their project design vision to life at the new Women’s Clinic at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. As we near completion of this project, we are delivering a highly specialized glazing package engineered to meet the rigorous performance and security requirements of Department of Defense (DoD) design standards. This project required far more than a conventional façade solution—it demanded a carefully engineered system capable of balancing security, performance, and architectural intent within a blast-mitigated environment. The completed VA Women’s Clinic will provide a wide range of healthcare services specifically for women Veterans, including primary care, whole health, mental health, reproductive health, and specialized care for conditions related to military service. The new facility is thoughtfully designed to centralize all women’s healthcare services in a dedicated location, with its own exterior entrance to enhance accessibility, privacy, and the patient experience.

From Experience to Execution — MSP Terminal Projects

By Ira Hackner • March 26, 2026
MSP Airport Terminal 2 Expansion in Progress — See How We’re Delivering We are proud to be working on the Terminal 2 North Gate Expansion at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport—in close collaboration with Miller Dunwiddie Architects and Morcon Construction (Fridley) — to help bring their complex, high-visibility design to life.

Collaboration in Action: Bringing the HCMC Green Building Vision to Life

By Ira Hackner • March 17, 2026
Collaboration in Action: Bringing the HCMC Green Building Vision to Life

Livefront's Hospitality Lounge | Where Transparency, Acoustics & Flexibility Align

By Ira Hackner • March 3, 2026
In collaboration with Studio BV Architects (Minneapolis) and Mission Construction (Minneapolis), we helped bring their design goals to life for Livefront’s Hospitality Lounge — realizing a vision centered on innovation, flexibility, and modern collaboration.

Beyond the Ceiling & Walls: Impactful Color-Changing Barrisol® Environments

By Ira Hackner • February 18, 2026
Luminous Barrisol® ceilings and walls use color-changing LED technology to shape atmosphere and support how a space is used throughout the day. Neutral tones suit everyday operations, while richer brand colors can highlight events, milestones, or special moments. Warmer hues create a welcoming feel for evening use or guest receptions, with digital controls allowing lighting to evolve as branding or needs change—without physical alterations. Extending the same approach into the vertical plane, Barrisol® luminous walls are built on a lightweight aluminum framework, with integrated lighting and translucent membranes. The result is a clean, softly glowing architectural surface that delivers uniform, glare-free illumination and visual calm. When ceilings and walls shift color in sync, the space gains depth and rhythm, subtly reinforcing brand presence and guiding movement through key areas without relying on signage.

Integrated Building Systems at the Ramsey Water Treatment Plant

By Ira Hackner • February 5, 2026
Integrated Building Systems at the Ramsey Water Treatment Plant

Raydoor Systems | Shaping Space Without Sacrificing Design Intent

By Ira Hackner • January 30, 2026
Raydoor Systems | Shaping Space Elegantly

Design Intent Delivered through Integrated Systems at Carlson School of Management

By Ira Hackner • January 22, 2026
Design Intent Delivered through Integrated Systems at Carlson School of Management