The year was 1959. Prohibition had ended in Oklahoma, and jazz-era greats were on the rise. The Skirvin Hotel remained a beacon of elegance above ground, but below, its tunnels told a different story. Liquor was smuggled, bets were placed, and fortunes shifted hands.
SERVICES
Strategy
Branding
Print Collateral
Copywriting
Wayfinding & Signage
photography
Betsy Dutcher
INDUSTRY
Hospitality
Hospitality
CREW
Erin Cooper
Molly Moore
Alaina Hunt
Hallie Waugh
That spirit of revelry inspired the refreshed brand identity for Red Piano Lounge, inside the historic Skirvin Hotel. Cooper House’s work channels the indulgent spirit of Dionysus—whose face still peers from carved wood panels in the lobby—into a brand balanced in sophistication and swagger.
The project’s centerpiece is a custom deck of playing cards, illustrated with face cards representing archetypes from the hotel’s past. These cues nod to the hidden culture of drinking and gaming that thrived here—a wink and a nod for guests in the know.
A palette of black, white, brass, and Skirvin red sets a moody, jazz-inspired tone. Refined typography keeps the identity fresh.
The brand comes to life in the space through clever collateral—menus, coasters, matchbooks—and custom lit signage that spills into the lobby and street corner. Inside, Leo A. Daly and the team at Robinson Park captured the brand’s essence through thoughtful interiors.
The identity is anchored by a custom hand-lettered wordmark and bold serif typography, complemented by architectural motifs drawn from the building itself.
Red Piano’s new identity reinterprets the Skirvin’s story for a new era. Because a touch of mischief never goes out of style.
