Ben Galatz has been promoted from director of Nightlife Operations to Director of Restaurants and Nightlife for theWit, a AAA Four Diamond Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago, according to Ryan Kingston, general manager of theWit Hotel Chicago. In his new role, Galatz will oversee the beverage program at theWit Hotel as well as operations of both State and Lake Chicago Tavern and ROOF.
“Ben is an invaluable asset to our team. Since joining theWit, he has earned the reputation as a purposeful operations director and nightlife impresario. He has keen instincts for trends in culinary circles and a pulse on live DJ culture,” says Kingston.
Always in search of ways to elevate the consumer experience at theWit, Galatz will also develop weekly programming for the 310 room-hotel including the popular ROOF Live series, Acoustic Nights, and the all-new Chicago Blues series beginning Wednesdays in October at State and Lake Chicago Tavern. In his first official role as Director of Restaurants, Galatz has been selected to host the Chicago Reader “Fall Cocktail Challenge” at State and Lake Chicago Tavern on October 4th. This event hosts the city’s top mixologists for an evening of exemplary craft cocktails while Chicago’s gastronomic aficionados sample libations and bites from State and Lake Chicago Tavern.
Drawing on more than a decade of experience, Galatz has made a study out of creating an escapist experience that delivers an irresistible combination of food, drink, music and aesthetic that attracts a loyal customer base. He joined theWit in 2010 as the assistant general manager of ROOF before quickly being promoted to General Manager and then Director of Operations of ROOF. During this time, he installed a house cocktail on tap, “The Lost Room Key,” added a sushi bar to ROOF and contracted The Music Trust to book celebrity DJs such as Lil’ Jon and Sky Blu. Galatz also worked to develop the day party programming, ROOF Sundays into a theatrical party with the country’s top electronic artists, dancers, a mood director, ample confetti and surprises, earning it the accolade of “best day club in the U.S.” by Nightclub &Bar, 2012.
Prior to theWit, Galatz was an operating partner in KREM, a 6,000 square foot, opulent lounge in Chicago. From 2004 to 2006, he served as the General Manager at Celebrity Bar in Chicago where he was featured as having the “Best Cocktails of 2006” and as a “National Cointreau Cocktail Recipe” contest finalist in Vogue. In between nightclubs, Ben also managed Old Town Social, a swanky gastro-pub in the trendy neighborhood of Lincoln Park. There, he doubled food and beverage sales and honed his skills for operating at maximum efficiency. Galatz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from Western Michigan University, and resides in Naperville with his wife Alissa and 1-year old daughter Avery.
