I. The Childhood Dream of Exploration

Born into a family of map-makers, Antonia did not play with dolls; she played with compasses. Her childhood was spent in the dusty attics of her father’s home, tracing the coastlines of the Dutch East Indies. She spent her days in the local woods, turning simple creek beds into “uncharted rivers” and backyards into “hidden archipelagos.” Even then, she had the eye of an archivist, sketching local beetles and pressing ferns between the pages of old atlases, convinced that a world of wonder was waiting just past the horizon.

Antonia was an inquisitive child with a dream of becoming an explorer.

Antonia on one of her first expeditions.

By her early twenties, Antonia’s reputation for fearless curiosity was undeniable. She famously navigated the coastal waters of the Malay Peninsula in a local proa, documenting ancient maritime trade routes that had been lost to time. Her ability to synthesize geographical data with local cultural nuances caught the attention of the Explorer’s Society. Her invitation came in 1928, after she successfully navigated the treacherous shoals of the Celebes Sea alone, proving that a true explorer needed more than a map—they needed instinct.

In the late 1920s, Antonia ventured deep into the South China Sea to document the life of the last true pirates. It was there, amidst the verdant mirage of a remote isle, that she discovered a ramshackle refuge built by buccaneers. She recognized the island’s potential as a sanctuary rather than a mere waystation. She traded her maps for building materials, and with the help of local islanders, she refined the structure, turning it into The Hideaway. It was here that she first used “Kloosh!” as a greeting, ensuring that any fellow Explorer’s Society member who found her shore felt the camaraderie of home.

Antonia Hideaway first arriving to the fateful island in the South China Sea.

Antonia during WWII as the island has transformed into an outpost for American Servicemen.

With the outbreak of the Pacific conflict, the Hideaway became a vital outpost for American servicemen. Antonia watched as the pirate’s refuge was transformed by military necessity. However, she saw a new mission: to preserve the spirit of humanity amidst the “grim business of war.” She worked tirelessly to secure supplies—often trading her own rare botanical discoveries for passion fruit and lime stocks—to ensure the bar remained a place of peace. It was during these years that the Hideaway became famous as a neutral ground where the only currency was a good story.

When the war’s waves receded, Antonia remained in the East, though she became increasingly isolated. She spent the late 1950s and 60s documenting the disappearing flora and traditions of the islands, fearful that the rising tide of the “Jet Age” and mass tourism would erase the culture she had dedicated her life to protecting. Her journals from these years are filled with sketches of rare orchids and recipes for complex, innovative spirits—some of which were only recently recovered by our curation team.

Antonia Hideaway worked hard to save the bar from the rising sea.

Antonia Hideaway just before leaving the South China Sea island and the Kloosh Hideaway for the last time.

In 1972, sensing the jungle was finally reclaiming her perimeter, Antonia sealed the Sector 4 Outpost. She vanished shortly thereafter, leaving behind nothing but her field logs and the legend of a bar that existed between worlds.

Today, we serve as the guardians of that final watch. By bringing the soul of the Hideaway to our Great Ceremonial Roof in Chicago, we have turned her life’s work into a living memorial. Every drink poured is a testament to her defense of history; she didn’t just document the islands—she protected them.

It began as a pirate’s refuge, a swashbuckling escape cast upon a verdant isle lost in the turquoise expanse of the South China Sea. The island, a verdant mirage, was a bounty of coconut palms, swaying to an ancient, rhythmic tune. Here, a motley crew of pirates, their faces etched with tales of plundered galleons and buried treasure, erected a ramshackle sanctuary. Thatch-roofed and open to the salty kiss of the sea breeze, it was a place to share rum, laughter, and the thrill of adventure. One among them was Antonia Hideaway, a world explorer documenting the history and activities of South China Seas pirates. She was also a proud member of the Explorer’s Society.

In time, the echoes of their revelry faded with the tides, replaced by the stark reality of war. American servicemen, their boots heavy with purpose, transformed the pirate’s paradise into a gritty outpost. The island, once a haven for buccaneers, became a strategic point in a global conflict. Yet, amidst the grim business of war, a spirit of camaraderie and escape emerged. Despite the war and battles, Antonia Hideaway saw an opportunity to fund her next expedition. She transformed the pirate escape, though weathered and scarred, into a watering hole for American servicemen: the Kloosh Hideaway. It was now a place to forget the horrors of battle and savor moments of peace.

The original Kloosh Hideaway bar in the South China Sea. It later became the Sector 4 Outpost for the Explorer’s Soceity.

Pirate’s first founded a small outpost that later became known as the Kloosh Hideaway.

Kloosh is a welcome greeting for members of the Explorer’s Society that she accompanied with her last name – leaving her indelible mark on the island and the memories of servicemembers. The patrons responded in kind. Each serviceman, and their local guests, helped contribute to the bar’s ambiance – currency from Japanese occupied countries, decorative totems from their time in Polynesia, coins and jewels from discovered pirate treasure, a bell from a nearby wrecked pirate ship, and more. Even the local wildlife, and some not native, found a home at the Kloosh Hideaway.

As the war’s tempestuous waves receded, the island began a slow, inexorable return to nature. The chaos and structure of war dwindled, returning the island back to a lush paradise. However, the prospective demise of the Kloosh Hideaway was too much for some. Faced with the inevitable loss of their beloved haunt, a group of former servicemen, their bond forged in the crucible of war, made a daring decision. They would rescue the bar’s soul, collecting every piece of bamboo, thatch and rope to transplant it for a new life.

Their odyssey led them to the heart of the American Midwest, the vibrant city of Chicago. A penthouse, sky-high sanctuary overlooking the city’s sprawling skyline, became the unlikely new home for the South China Sea siren. With meticulous care, they recreated the bar’s essence, every detail a testament to its storied past. The thatch roof was repaired with meticulously crafted replacements, the walls adorned with artifacts collected from their global adventures. Each corner would hold a story, a whisper of the bar’s tumultuous history.

Patrons, to this day, who step into the Kloosh Hideaway are transported to another world, a world of pirates and war heroes, of tropical islands and urban dreams. The air is thick with the scent of exotic flowers and the promise of adventure. The drinks, concocted with a blend of classic and innovative spirits, are as much a part of the experience as the ambiance.

And so, the Kloosh Hideaway lives on, a testament to human resilience, a bridge between worlds, a sanctuary for weary souls. It is more than just a bar; it is a living legend, a tangible piece of history, a place where the past met the present, and dreams are born.

Antonia Hideaway just before leaving the South China Sea island and the Kloosh Hideaway for the last time.

For nearly fifty years, the Kloosh Hideaway was a ghost story whispered by sailors and explorers. After Antonia Hideaway vanished in 1972, the jungle slowly reclaimed the Sector 4 Outpost. The bamboo walls fell to the monsoons, and the legendary bar became nothing more than a memory lost to the rising tides of the South China Sea.

Salvagers working to meticulously deconstruct the Kloosh Hideaway.

Pirate’s first founded a small outpost that later became known as the Kloosh Hideaway.

We returned to the island on a final, private mission. What we found was a site weathered by time, yet still holding the echoes of the past. With meticulous care, we salvaged every piece of bamboo, the original thatch, the ship’s bell, and the artifacts that defined Antonia’s legacy. We treated each relic as a piece of living history, carefully crating them for their long journey across the world.

Their new home? The heart of the American Midwest. We transplanted the soul of the South China Sea to a penthouse overlooking the vibrant Chicago skyline. We rebuilt the Hideaway piece by piece on the Great Ceremonial Roof, ensuring that every detail—from the weathered timber to the layout of the walls—honors the original sanctuary. Today, the Hideaway stands as a bridge between worlds. It is where the grit of the war years meets the urban dreams of Chicago, proving that a true sanctuary can survive any journey.

Antonia Hideaway just before leaving the South China Sea island and the Kloosh Hideaway for the last time.

Perched high above the bustling Chicago skyline, the Kloosh Hideaway is an unlikely escape from the city streets. When our team of curators rescued the soul of the original South China Sea outpost, we brought more than just artifacts; we brought a feeling. We wanted to create a place where the urban dream meets the wild, untamed spirit of our past.

The logo of the Hideaway.

As you walk up the stairs to the rooftop oasis, mugs and tiles greet you.

The Kloosh Hideaway is not just a bar; it is a bridge that connects the distant past to our vibrant present. It began as a swashbuckling pirate’s refuge in the South China Sea, a place of mystery and adventure. When the world changed, it became a sanctuary for weary servicemen during the crucible of war. Today, we have brought that history to Chicago. We have transplanted the soul of the island—every piece of bamboo, every length of rope, and every story—to our penthouse home. We are the guardians of a “Utopia Lost… and Found,” creating a space where the salty kiss of the sea breeze meets the cool air of the Midwest skyline.

Every corner of the Hideaway holds a whisper of history. When you look around, you aren’t just seeing decor; you are seeing a curated collection of global tales. We honor the Japanese-occupied currency, the Polynesian totems, and the salvaged bells from wrecked ships as if they were family heirlooms. We treat every relic with the respect due to a living legend. As members of the Explorers Society, we believe that by preserving these artifacts, we keep the spirit of Antonia Hideaway and her fellow adventurers alive for every guest who walks through our doors.

As you turn the corner, you begin to see how nature reclaimed The Hideaway over years.

The encroaching jungle is welcomed and integrated throughout the space.

We invite you to leave the grim business of the world at the threshold. High above the sprawling city streets, the Hideaway offers a sanctuary for weary souls. Our cocktails are a blend of classic and innovative spirits, served with theatrical flair—think pineapple fronds, cherries, and pirate-themed picks that reflect the swashbuckling escape of our origins. Whether you are a long-time member of the Explorers Society or a new traveler, you are welcomed as a friend to savor a moment of peace and the thrill of adventure.

We believe that a true sanctuary must evolve, or it will fade into the mist. While our roots are anchored in the deep history of tropical culture, we are constantly charting new courses. From our garden of native botanicals to our curated selection of bites, wines, and cocktails, we are always learning and growing. We are documenting the next chapter of our odyssey right here in Chicago, ensuring that while the island may be a memory, the spirit of the Hideaway continues to thrive and evolve for every modern explorer.

The main bar has been tucked into an enchanted space filled with rums, mixers and more, ready to create a classic cocktail today.