Picture Perfect: Kiki On the River at the Miami Open
Bringing Elevated Aesthetics to a World-Class Event
The Miami Open isn’t just a world-class tennis tournament — it’s a full-blown cultural experience. Held on an 860,000-square-foot campus, the event features over 50 pop-up shops and restaurants, transforming the grounds into a dynamic mix of sport, fashion, dining, and entertainment.
Among the sea of vendors, Kiki on the River, one of Miami’s most iconic waterfront restaurants, sought a way to not just participate — but own the moment. That’s where Darkhorse Miami came in.
The Challenge: Stand Out in a Sea of Pop-Ups
With more than 20 competing food and beverage installations, Kiki needed to be more than delicious — they needed to be unforgettable. The mission: turn their pop-up into a visual destination that captured attention, embodied the Kiki brand, and inspired attendees to stop, sip, and snap a photo.
The Darkhorse Approach: Style Meets Social Shareability
Instead of relying on standard wall wraps or basic branded tents, we developed a strategy built around “Instagrammable moments.” Every visual element we created was tailored not just for style, but for maximum social media impact:
- Signature Backdrops: Custom-designed photo walls that reflected Kiki’s elegant, Grecian-inspired aesthetic.
- Dimensional Signage: Eye-catching signage that provided instant brand recognition while complementing the venue’s vibe.
- Decorative Accents: Luxe, coastal-themed props and accents that helped create a laid-back yet upscale ambiance.
- Lighting and Framing: Careful layout planning ensured ideal lighting angles for photo ops, encouraging organic sharing.
The result? A space that functioned as both a brand hub and a social magnet. Guests didn’t just eat and drink — they engaged and shared.
Sustainability & Scalability: A Design That Lasts
As a bonus, the elements we created for Kiki’s pop-up were built to last. Thanks to high-quality materials and modular design, many of the custom pieces have been reused across multiple Miami Open seasons — ensuring not only brand consistency, but a more sustainable, cost-effective approach to event design.
The Impact: From Foot Traffic to Digital Buzz
Kiki’s pop-up quickly became a go-to destination on the Miami Open campus. Attendees flocked to the space for its inviting atmosphere and share-worthy visuals, helping the brand achieve:
- Increased foot traffic throughout the event
- Enhanced online visibility through user-generated content
- A powerful presence among premium vendors and sponsors
By combining experiential design with strategic branding, Darkhorse helped Kiki on the River do more than serve — we helped them shine.
